OUR FIRST SCHOOL DAYS IN KLICKITAT

THE first time we went to school in Klickitat, my sister Lola, who was eleven, went to school in Goldendale. That left Revvie, nine, and me, seven, to go alone three and a half miles to school. Father bought us a pony to ride, which had been very highly recommended as a "family horse." I think the "family" must have been a scattered one, for that pony scattered us all over the prairie! We would start out bravely, both Revvie and I on the pony. Usually either on the way to school, or coming back home, that pony would buck us off. She would put her head between her knees, tbrow up her hind feet, and the small Tates would come tumbling down. She did this at the slightest provocation, or for the sheer pleasure of bucking, or to see us roll. Sometimes we were more or less bruised up, but more often, just jolted up and frightened. We would limp disconsolately home, and Father would start out to find the pony. As there were practically no fences, and the pony could wander for miles, this search would often require a day or so. In that case we had a vacation from school until the pony was found.

Hartland School House – where we went to school.