FREE: Dear America, I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly

The listing, Dear America, I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly has ended.

Paperback in very good condition. Just some minimal wear along the back spine.

The Diary of Patsy, a Freed Girl. Mars Bluff, South Carolina 1865

Sunday, August 20, 1865

Dear Friend,

The children were so happy to see me this morning. They ran over when I reached the arbor. I felt as though my soul would rise and fly, as our song says.

We walked together to the spinning house. I will call it a schoolroom--even though it's not a real schoolroom, and I am not a real teacher. I gave each older child a paper with all of the letters and an easy word to match each letter, just the way Annie and Charles's teacher used to...

One of the old women said t me, "You such a quiet little thing, but you sho' know how to teach them letters."

I surprised myself when I said thank you without stammering.