The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-12-04
Miscellaneous.
LOCKE AMsDEN,
OR,
THE SCHOOLMASTER.
EXTRACTs-CONTINUED

.achoolmastor, was thriving interior village
with population ofsomothing over thou
sand. Its name, Cartersvlle, was derived
from its founder, Mr. Carter, an enterpris'
ing individual, who some forty or fifty years
before the period of our story here establish.
ed himself, erected several kinds of mills, and
opened n store, which for the natural advan.
togcs of the location, soon drew around then,
the buildings and shops Of other settlers, ill
the place sweled, ut length, into village of
considerable importance, with, perhaps, even
more than the usual complement of mechan.
VS. shops, taverns, stores, churches, and fine
dwelling houses. At the time of which we
arc writing, the first Carter, whom we have
named as the principal founder ofthis village
had been dead many years, lie had amused
during prosperous and active life, an IL
mount of property, which for country mer-
chant was considered very large. This he
had left TO three sons and daughter. Two
ofthe sons became spendthrifs, soon squan-
dered their portions, and left the country
The daughter, who was now dead, had nlnr-
'ricd n man that had lost her portion also, and
gone abroad, but little better than bankrupt
The remaining son, who alone inherited any
fhs fathers talents for business, or attempt
ed TO improve on the property left him, con-
tinued i'll the trade 10 which ne had been
brought up, that of merchandise, and was
now accounted the rich man of the place, be-
ing extensively engaged in business, and still
man ofmdustry and good calculations in
traffic, though otherwise person of rather
contracted notions. His family, however,
consisting of n wife and three daughters.
were of small advantage to him, either in i'm
proving his property, or in elevnting his
charncter,-at least not TO any correct stan
dard of moral action. For his wife was n
woman of false tastes, and of affectedly fash
iOnabIe habits; and accordingly she had
brought her daughters, who ms might be eX-
7ected under such,maternal guidance, had lit
10 to hoast, ofwhich they had reason TO be
proud, being vain, empty-hcaded, wrong
hearted girls, fond of expensive display, prid-
ing themselves upon their fathers wealth, talk-
ing much about family distinction, and only
ambitious to be looked up to-as they unfor-
tunately were by the young society of the
place-as sort of innpproachable standard
in dress, and all matters pertaining TO what
they deemed stylish life, and to be considered
rs they considered themselves, the very
"Glass of fashion and the mould of form"
This family belonged to the school district
in which Locke Amsden was now engaged
as teacher for the ensuing winter;but, being
apove patroniZing n common school for the
purposes of educating their children, MIR and
Mrs. Carter, or rather Mrs. Carter, in con-
junction. with two or three other wealthy fam
lies ofsimilar views, had established n pri-
vato school, or select academy, MS they called
it, which was designed to afford the means
OF what they chose to term genteel edu
cation, leaving the district schools ofthe viii
hgc to be attended by the children of less
distinguished families, and all those who had
tastes for nothing better. AT the head ofthis
establishment was, mt present fellow whose
mind, manners, qualifications, and general
character, admirably fitted him for such
station. He wrote himself .HIa,,Jius G.. ".
7Thden, Professor Of Elegant Literature; and
taught crow-quil pcnmanship, drawing sun
dry propIems in geometry, French, fashion,
able pronunciation, and the whole round of
what he designated bellies letres accomplish
ments, including music on the piano, Aagelet,
&C., if required. The tendency of this
school had been, as might be expected, to
create envy, as little as there was reason for
it, towards the favored few who attended it,
and to cause the common schools TO be neg
lected and looked upon with contempt. And
Dr. Lincoln, who was a man Of science. and
an abomnator of every thing ofthe tnse or
der, was the first man to whom it occurred
that it was matter ofimportance 10 attempt
TO elevate the character of the common
schools of the place, both to counteract the
influence we have named, which he consid-
S'S' III anu ~ ftluNb llOSp
schools what they should be for public bene-
fit.
Towards night on the day previous to the
one appointed for entering upon his engage
ment, young Amsden arrived in the village
10 which we have ust introduced the reader
and immediately repaired to the residence
OF his employer Dr. Lincoln.
"Iour arrival just now is most opporlune,
MIR Amsden," said Lincoln, shaking the 9th
or heartily by the hand; "for hope to have
the reminder ofthe afternoon to myself, UNI
Interrupted by professional calls, to enable
me to spend little time with YOU, in intro
ducing you at your boarding place flor we
have concluded 10 board you at one place,
visiting with you'our school house, and in
apprising you, in some measure. of the diff
calties you will have TO encounter, if YOU
earn your money, as intend you shall. But
come sir, walk into the house first-you will
stay with us through the night, and we will
talk over these matters at our leisure"
The doctor then ushered the other into his
house, and introduced him to his wife,a high
" intelligent and agreeable lady, who, with
dler husband, they having no children,--and
family.
After pleasant halfholr spent in general
conversation, the doctor and his guest set
aorth TO visit the school-house, as the former
had proposed.
You have rather large proportion of
alne dwelling-houses in your village, have
SOU not, doctor?" said Amsden as they gain
ed the street, and proceeded OH their way.
ut may be So" replied the doctor. ''Some
people, in times past, erected sew
eral expensive buildings; since which many
Others, having imblbed the idea that social
happiness is dependent on the size of the
HOUSE Xvbo,.a Il I,x Eli.
ed The example; less for their own gool, in
some Instances il helicye than the nnnd M