The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-08-01

EXAMINATION AT CnGuIII.

EXAMINATION AT C0GIIILL.
1fr. Editor This is an age of progress and
improvement. and in order to see how far we
have advanced in one particular. IN twenty.
hive years. will describe scene that is ia.
miiar to all school boys of my age. About
the year 1880 was school boy, lived on
the head-waters of Big Foot, and was as
saucy young rAsea, as ever slipped his arm
around pretty girl in time of school That
old school housed wish BlaekfUrd had been
there to have taken its likeness some day
when We Were all in full blastl" A dirtv.
dingy, dilapdated, old smoky cabin, with
cracks almost large enough to sling" dos
through, dirt floor, slab benches and chin
ney about as high as a boy could jumpl 1t
would have been cool and pleasant house
Tor Summer-so freely did the air circulate
but unfortunately we only had a School about
three mouths in the dead of Winter. We
were all closely confined in the house from
early IN the morning til noon, and from noon
TIL night, without recess or intermssion;
hence, it was natural aud right that we should
cut all kinds of monkey shines when the
master was out. One fellow would stand at
the door as sentinel. while the balance
would talk and laugh, hug ana kiss the girls,
ana occasionally the scene was spiced and en-.
livened 10y an old fashioned fisteufl The
only serious pugilistc encounter that | ever
had was in the school room during the teach
ers absence, and unfortunately for my valiant
competitor and myself the master came IN on
us, the sentinel having become interested IN
the fight, before we had concluded our per.
Torrance, aud the way he warmed our Jack.
cts was ''sin to Crockett" The master
could read, write and cypher," and Of course
was regarded as a prodigy of learning As
to an examination, few, if any of us, had ever
heard of onel But still, the "last day" of the
school was a great day. as We 'turned the
master out" and ''ducked" him till lie agreed
to "treatl" And if the "treat" CHANGED to
be liquor. which was frequently the case,
many Of the 'boys would get tight" and
quarrel and fight like dogsl This is no fancy
sketch, as hundreds can testify, and | will
now give the other side of the picture.
On yesterday and today | attended the
Examination and speaking at Coghill. con
Quoted by Robert N. Henderson, ESQ. They
have neat and commodious house at Coghill,
well ventilated in Summer properly warmed
in Winter; with good benches on which chill.
dren can sit erect and give their lungs full
play. Mr. Henderson very properly allows
his pupils ample time for recreation and en-
ercise in the open air, which expands their
lungs, improves their health, strengthens
their minds, and facilitates their studies.
was highly pleased with the various exer.
cises. Many difficult and intricate questions
were propounded to the various classes and
were promptly and correctly answered. The
Examination was fairly conducted was
searching and complete, and was entirely
satisfactory to all intelligent spectators. The
exercises of the second day were opened with
prayer by Rev. Thomas l.. Hoyl when excel
lent compositions were read by the following
young ladies: Mary E. Carlo,k, ON Careful
ness; Susan G. Hoyl Conscience; Mary J.
Cannon, Nobleness Of Mind; Nancy J. Carlock,
Knowledge Susan Il. Wells, Intellect; Sarah
l.. Carlock, Poverty. The compositions were
all very fair and were read in good style, but
am inclined to think the last was best j.
W. Strange opened the speaking and took
for his subject, Can't Do 1t; E. W. Carlock,
a Buchanan speech; I l. Wells, Patriotsm;
Felix A. Cannon, Obedience; Thomas NJ IIoyl,
signs of the Times. The speeches were well
written, delivered in handsome style, and
were highly appreciated by the large, re-
spectacle, ane intelligent audience present.
Thomas NJ Hoyl made an able and eloquent
speech on the Signs Of the Times, though
slightly tinetured with Buchinanism p. b
Mayfed. II. b Swisher and J. ID. Hoyl, were
called upon and made first.rate, of-hand
speeches. Rev. T. l.. Hoyl then closed the
exercises with one Of his warm, whole souled
"exhortation.l' Messrs. Pelton aud Quinn
entertained the audience with animating aud
soul-inspiring music. How strangely and how
pleasantly did this scene contrast with the
close of Il school twenty five years ago.
With pleasure | bear testimony to Mr..
Henderson's superior qualifications as teach
er, and am proud to state that the citizens
Ia.