The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 57, July 1953 - April, 1954 Page: 405
585 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Book Reviews
where little El grew and labored during the early years of boy-
hood. Here he formed a lifelong friendship with Old Alex, a
colored youth whose family had been slaves, but who remained
at the farm to work for the new owner. As the family was
financially poor, El's services were needed so greatly in the fields
at home that he was unable to attend school regularly; in fact,
due to an unfortunate circumstance, he was never graduated
from high school.
Notwithstanding the unusual hardships of a distressed family,
El enjoyed many happy hours in roaming the woods, hunting
and fishing with ever present Old Alex, and dreaming of Shailla,
the attractive little girl he had met at school but who had moved
with her family to another part of the state. El was an ambitious
boy who determined to secure an education even though he must
support himself and make numerous sacrifices to succeed. His
seriousness and desire to learn won the respect of his acquaint-
ances, and after marrying Shailla she was always a source of
inspiration and encouragement to him.
Because of the influence of a few prominent lawyers El had met,
he became interested in studying law and, aided by a devoted
and understanding wife throughout the long months of arduous
studies, El overcame several formidable obstacles in fulfilling that
desire. Shortly after he started his practice Shailla was taken from
him in death. El struggled to help his father hold the heavily
mortgaged farm, felt the heartaches and burdens of others as
well as his own circle of loved ones, and when life presented its
very darkest hours, he more firmly resolved to serve faithfully
himself and his fellow man.
El rose above the tragedies and hardships that came his way
to emerge as a highly successful lawyer and useful citizen in his
community. The rewards of perseverence, honesty, and clean
living finally came to El in various ways, not the least of which
was his chance introduction to the charming southern belle, Mi-
lady, whose acquaintanceship influenced El in such a way as to
bring a tear to the eye of the sympathetic reader.
The book is no great love story, no vainglorious success story,
nor was it intended as such; even dates, places, and significant
personalities are treated in abstractions. It does, however, pro-
vide interesting reading for those who will follow the progress405
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 57, July 1953 - April, 1954, periodical, 1954; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101152/m1/486/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.