Journal Entry #3

Chapters: 8-9
Perspective: Uncle Jack

Just some town news I heard. First off Mrs. Radley died recently due to natural causes. Just as bad Miss Maudie's house was burned down which seemed quite obvious as we drove down the street. She of all people deserved that the least. However I heard she actually reacted in a very upbeat manor. Saying she had more room for her plants. God bless her. On a somewhat brighter note it snowed for the first since 1855 and Jem and Scout took complete advantage of it. They made a snowman that looked just like Mr. Avery. Also Atticus says Scout had a run in with Arthur Radley.

Anyway coming down for Christmas is always great. I brought the two air rifles Atticus wanted for the kids. I saw them staring at the packages as I stepped off the train and mistook it for them being glad to see me. My first surprise was hearing the words out of Scout's mouth on the train platform. At first shocking me Atticus told me she was just trying things out. Later I told her to stop cussing even if it was only for the time I was to stay there. We decorated the tree and gave Scout and Jem their presents. I think they expected the gift but even so they were just as excited. Afterward we headed down to Finch's Landing. Nothing of much significance happened except that Scout got into a fight with Francis, Scout and Jem's cousin. I got extremely mad at her because I thought she had just been tormenting him. After we returned to the house Scout told me Francis had insulted Atticus and that she cussed and fought him because of that. She also pointed out that I hadn't let her tell her side of the story which made me feel tyrannic. After Scout and Jem had gone to sleep Atticus talked to me about parenting and his court case. It seems like the towns folk are in unanimous agreement to hang this negro hold myself, Atticus, and Ms. Maudie. However it seems the best idea is to evade quibbling with people until the court case. The integrity of the Finch family name is teetering dangerously on the edge.