The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-06-13
G0nfational.
The Teachers Trials.
For the Spirit Of Democracy.

Mr.. EDIToR - Being modest sort of
a man. scarcely ever write anything. for
the public; but having been considerably
troubled with my thoughts for the last few
days have concluded to pen them down
just to get rid of them.
Having nothing to do yesterday, I seat
ed myself down in the bar room of our
tavern, and commenced studying about
matters and things in general and nothing
in particular; when 1 fell into strange
train of thought, and do not know how
long, / should have continued there, had
I not been frightened out Of it, and almost
out Of my senses at the same time, by n
school teacher who came rushing in. His
sudden appearance, together with his
grave -yard-looking countenance, caused
me to suddenly start, and almost made me
lose my presence of mind, for which am
| so remarkable He threw himself into a
chair, looked very much like dying ghost,
and exclaimed, "Well, well, it's no. use
trying any more" "Trying any more
what?" said I. IS.
He looked Up, greatly surprised at see
ing me, for he had been SO much engaged
with his thoughts that he did not notice
anything in the room. aWhy," said he,
/ II have been teaching school here for the
last six months, and there's Bill Brown,
Jim Martin and Tom Cumniins, that do
not know any more than when I COM
smenced. ] have tried my utmost to teach
them, but they won't learn; and it's no use
for me to try sny more"
"Well, what's the reason that they wonf
learn?n saidI. Probably they are sim
| pletons, and cannot learn1
so no." continued he, they are smart
intelligent boys But cannot get them
interested in their studies / have tried
every method that could think Of.
have coaxed them, scolded them, whip
them, and tried to hire them; but it's al
in vain; l cannot accomplish anything
They .oiA be mischievous, and seem tt
care nothing for learning. School vii
1 soon close, and the parents Of those boy
will censure me for not having advanced
them more, when I have done everything
in my power, but all to no purpose. But
continued he, eff ever get out of thi
scrape, you'll never catch me in another
This is my last school, -
Now you talk sensibly," saidI. aBu
/ will you allow me to examine your dali,
Z Iregister?n He handed it to me, and jus
j then the school bell rang, and he left M
alone again with my thoughts But Idi,
!, not return to them, for his conversation
D had awakened new set that kept comm,
n to me. Iwondered why it was that Bill
Fl Jim, &C., did not learn as well as the othe
boys. / could not conjure up any reasol
| for it, until happened to turn over tn
!, leaf in the teachers register which showe'
4 the daily attendance, and there was tn
f reason in black marks, as nice as yo
q could wish. Opposite to each one Z
g these boys names, stood long string 9
ia, (a's for absent occasionally inter
e rupted by solitary p, for present. s
have it now, thought I. The reaso
those boys do not learn is, because they d
mot attend school regularly. For hav
s found by experience, Q taught schot
when was young and foolish that chi
o dren that donot attend punctually will ne
e make such rapid advancement as thos
d who do. s & lsSs5.
Il IF children are kept at home to worl
e Gas they often are, or permitted to go
]; fishing, (as is often the case,) when the
i. should be at school, they lose the connet
d tion of their lessons, and consequently b
It come inattentiye, and do not feel interoste
e in their studies. And the parent who tht
0 detains his child, is injuring not only h
t own child, but all the children Of tf
n school. Every teacher and student know
what drawback it is to . class to haI
t an inconstant member,
al The class may be prospering finely, Il
Isl teacher and pupils in good spirits; bl
! some day Tommy want stQ go to the cree
e and catch . fish, We'll 10 has been
3good boy, and his dear, kind, iAdalgsi