The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-03-19
From the Oswcgo Palladium.
VISITING SCHOOLS.


visit as often as their avocatons will allow. 10
see what sort of progress is made aud whether
every thing goes along as il should. The impor-
lance OF so doing, we know, is greatly underra-
ted friend tells us how he got a neighbor of
his in the habit of visiting schools, which was
after the following fashion:
had said our friend, frequently spoken to
my nelghbor on the subject of visiting the district
school. He considered it the teachers business
to see that every thing went right there but
told him 1t was his business also | told him that
II the parent took no interest in the prosperity and
progress OF the school, the chances were that the
teacher would not either. | said SO much, he fl
naliy consented TO go, and the time was agreed
upon.
On the day appointed. happened to be away
from home. but | remembered the engagement,
and sometime benre the hour arrived, | set ont
for home. | had nearly arrived there, when.
who should meet but my neighbor, apparently
In great pet, proceeding i'll the direction whence
| had come
We'll, where now q said T.
am going out about three miles TO Mr.
Somebody's who took my calf to keep this sum
mer. He agreed the calf should be kept in a clo
yer pasture, the old william has turned the ami
NAL into one where there is nothing but low
herds-gra and red-top!'
MOI said l.
1t is true, said he.
1t is mean said 1, and am surprised that
the individual you speak of should do it. Ii is
perfectly outrageous,
Yes said he, it is outrageous, and am de q.
termned will not submit to it, | am going out
to blow him up; aud will either take the calf
away. or he shall do as he agreed
But you will not 90 10. day. said | TO nv
neighbor.
Certainly-why not? can't submit to this
thing any longer said he
You recollect we were to visit that school to
gether to day. said |.
Yes. but | can't attend to it today. That
calf must be seen to, at any rate. Some other day
will go into the school with YOU
But, said |, look here neighbor you have
five calues-or rather offsprng-posses of
thinking and reasoning faculties. in that school at
home-how do you know that they have not been
turned out of the clover pasture into one where
not even poor herds-grass grows2 They NAV
not have anything at all to feed upon
The idea struck my neghbor forcibly, and he
concluded to return with me and visit the school
And from that time, he has been in the school as
often as his leisure would permit, 10 see what
sort OF pasture his children were feeding in
How few there are who attend to the intelIec.
tua culture of their children as closely as thew do
their houses and lands! How few parents are as
careful TO provide suitable food for the minds of
their offspring, as they take care that their
dumb beasts are properly fed and provided for?
A GOOD HIT FOR A YOUTH.
An old chap in Connecticut. who was one of
the most niggardly men known in that part of the
country, carried on the backsmithng business
very extensively; and, as is generally the case in
that State, boarded all of his own hands And TO
show he envied the men what they eat, he would
have bowl of bean soup dshed up for himself to
cool, while that for the hands was served up in
lave 81. L
fellow had an apprentice who was rather unlucky
among the hot irons, frequently burning his fin
gers. The old man scoded him severely one day
for being so careless.
How can tell, said the boy, if they are hot
unless they red p
Never touch anything again Till you spit on
it; if it don't hiss it won't burn
In a day or two the old man sent the bow in to
see If his soup was cool. The boy went in-spit
in the bowl of course the soup did not hiss lie
went back and told the boss all was right.
Dinner = cried he.
All hands run; down sat the old man at the
head of the table; and in went large spoonful
oil the boiling hot soup TO his month
Good heayensi' cried the old man, in the
greatest rage. What did you tell me that lie
forY you young rascal!
did not le.' said the boy, very innocently.
You told me should spit on any thing to try it,
~ was iiotj SPIT your III ooWi, ana the soup did
not hiss, so supposed it was COOL
Judge of the effect on the jours. That boy
never was in want of friends among the journey
men.
FEMALE lNGENUTY.-A widow woman with
severa children, having applied for some time in
VAIN tor hired lodgings, at last practsed the fol-
lowing finessc to obtain shelter for herself and
offspring Observing a notice of lodging To let
IN house situated next to the churchyard she or
dered her children to play in the churchyard while
she inquired respecting the apartments The first
question on entering The threshold was, Madam
have you any chldren? to which she repl,ed in
a saint-li and pathetic tome They are all in
the churchyard' The effect was instantane-
ous-writings were drawn up-the rooms secur
ed, and the lady came and took possession of
them. The hostess was horror struck on behold.
ing her children, and refused them admittance