No
one could cross the brook from our side, and no one came to us from the
other side. That was a grievous misfortune, but it was not the worst.
The smallpox killed the school.
Several of the elder pupils fled on the first alarm, before we were shut
in, and these did not return. No others came to take the vacant places
and, presently, the higher classes were suspended. At the end of the
term the Brook Farm School was permanently closed.
This was the second step toward the final dissolution of the community.
Like unto the first, the second step was forced upon us as one of the
results following the return home of Mr. Allen's stricken daughter.
How was it that such an affliction could have come to this poor innocent
little victim? No one ever knew. She was her father's darling and he
watched over her with the most faithful care. He was obliged to leave
her during lecture hours but always in charge of trustworthy friends. At
no time, so far as he could find, had she been in danger of contagion.
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