The Hawkins Ranch in Texas: From Plantation Times to the Present

Chapter 11. Schooling and a House of Their Own, 1913

Chapter 11 Schooling and a House of Their Own,  Living in town with the Rugeleys, the young Hawkins children had only to cross the street to attend classes with Mrs. J. D. Holmes, who was assisted from time to time by her daughter, Miss Tenie Holmes, who many years later would be my teacher. Mrs. Holmes was a widow who had written for newspapers when she lived in Kansas and was highly regarded by her friends for her “always instructive conversation.” When Mrs. Holmes wished to share one of these instructive thoughts, it seemed natural for her to write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper . In , and again in , the Hawkins children had given her a Christmas gift. She was touched and filled with high-minded resolve to teach them well. She wrote: Mr. Editor: It is said that ‘old wine is best to drink, old wood to burn, and old friends to love,’ and I may add that old thanks are sweetest. December th,  ’Twas the night before Christmas, And all through the house Not a creature was stirring, Not even a mouse.’ When the spirit of Santa Claus embodied in five little spirits by earthly names of Ella, Meta, Janie, Harry and Rowland stole silently (at the witching time of night) into my dining room and placed on the table a beautiful silver syrup pitcher containing a note expressive of love and respect. I appreciate the sweetness of the motive far more than I ever could the material juice of the cane. It is the little things of life that count in making up the sum total of happiness. 82 young lady ranchers December th, , : a.m. I arose early Christmas morning bent on early and suitable preparations for the day. Passing through the hall my attention was arrested by a handsome eight day clock which evidently arrived in the same mysterious manner as on the previous Christmas even and the same little people were the donors. When I wound it and started the pendulum, I found that it was not striking correctly. I rather feared to tamper with it lest I might injure the mechanism, and then this overwhelming thought came over me. I have sole care of the mental mechanism of five bright, willing and teachable children and if by precept or example of mine they should go wrong in life how great would be my condemnation. The clock has taught me a lesson. Mrs. J. D. Holmes, Teacher When the Hawkins children had completed all the classes that Mrs. Holmes offered, the older ones—Harry, Meta, and Janie—went on to study with the Reverend John Sloan, rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Sister and Lizzie, when they were old enough, went to the local public school. To his pupils Father Sloan was a revered figure. What he taught had authority for his pupils, and they remembered him as a man dedicated to scholarship who held his students to a standard of diligence and good manners by which they learned to measure themselves. He wore a clerical collar and was a slender, bespectacled man with merriment in his countenance. His social gifts made him good company. Sometime just before , when Rowland was about eighteen, he wanted to apply to the University of Texas and decided that taking Mr. Sloan along with him and appearing in person would strengthen his case. Off the two of them went to Austin, straight to the office of the president of the university. In later years Rowland enjoyed quoting what Mr. Sloan said to the president as they were received: “This young man is coming to you in nothing more than the raw state of nature.” When Rowland’s record was examined, he was advised to prepare for entry at an Austin academy and then apply to the University of Texas. He followed the advice, was then admitted in , and graduated in law with an LL.B. on June , . Probably it was in law school that Rowland learned to value evidence as the means of verifying statements, and when good manners or a teasing spirit permitted it, he would test what he heard said by calling for the supporting facts. He did not like to dramatize; he preferred facts, but good humor was never absent. schooling and a house of their own 83 When Meta, Janie, and Lizzie finished with local schools...