The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-04-09
From Porter's Spirit Of tie Times
An Old Field School In Georgia, Thirty

IAN Old Field School In Georgia, Thirty
=. Years Ago.
FIVE CHAPTERS OF AnlsroRY-DY PHILEMON PERCH
~ % CHAPTER T.
"Books l"-There is nothing at all terri
bic in tbisssimple word. On the contrary
tits most harmless word. 1t always sus.
gests quiet aud contemplation aud though
tits true that books, do oftenproduce agita
tons in the minds ofmsn and in the state
of society itself, sometimes even efectinc
great revolutions therein, vet, the simple
.enunciation of thee word, it would seem
would never be adequate to the production
Of the smallest amount Of excitement; and
ias little would it appear in looking upon it
from almost any point Of view at which one
could get. oneself, to be capable of allayinc
excitement, and causing instantaneously the
most perfect Stiffness. never could exact.
y tell why II. Philemon Perch, who nm
about to devote five chapters to the record
ing Of a few incidents which transpired one
forenoon in a country school house, in Geor.
gia.athir'y years ago. l say. never could
tell exactly why it is. that, as often rs I have
thought oftEc old customer in England of
reading during the progress of Il riot the
kiot Act, and b"gun to wonder how in the
name Of common sense, it could quel a riot,
my mind has us often rccurrcd ut once to
the scenes | am abou, to relate, and admit
ted, but reluctantly, that the reading of the
act aforesaid might be about as proper
thing as could be done on such an occasion
for there was one point Of view, or rather
point Of hearing, from which one could
observe the last mentioned phenomenon,
accustomed by the cnuncia,ion of this word
twice sdaySfor;five days in a week. 1t was
the word of command with which Mr.. Israel
Meadows WAS wont TO announce 10 the pu-
pills Of the Goosepond school house the
opening Of the school, morning and after
noon. -
The Gooscpond was situated in one Of
the counties Of Middle Georgia. on the edge
Of IN old field, with original oak and hick-
oEy woods OH three sides, and or the other
a dense pine thckct-,hrough this latter
there went path, which e,l to the school
house from 41eighboring planters house,
where. Mr.. Meadows boarded The school
house itself was about one hundred and
twenty yards from the edge of this thirket,
at tsthe place where the path emerged from
it. =
On cold, frosty morning, early in the
month of December, in the year ls27aabout
Evenly boys and girls were assembled, as,
!hsuaI. at the Goosep6nd;s waiting for the
master some Of both sexes coming their
aessDns, and some playing g-the boys at bull
ees.he girls at jumping The rope-but all
them, with one exception, those playing
id those studying-lhe latter though the
oseesgerly-watching the mouth Of the
tn at which the master was expected.
'e studying were the most anxious. Til.
ayatssseerned to think the game worth the
udle; though the rope jumpers jumped
'thEpas'f faces to the thcket. and when a,
was about to throw ball, heswouId;
hto the corner nearest the thickct. and
ak,ng behind nd him a moment, would turn
'sss ands:Hstantly throw in the opposile'
eetsph. The students, they walked to
Gol before the scbool-house door, all
my,pg aloud, and apparently exhibiting
ssssSsgreatest anxetyeto transfer the Sc.
ssretss oaipowledge which their books con.
sstas4ned 80 tseir li.lle heads. There was one
/ boy; ,p; psrticnlar, whose eagerness for the
aeq6is ion Of knowledge seemed to amount
t.eslhe most violent passion. iIv was, 4 raw
.boncd boy, of fifieeds years; with very light,
Goa g hail, and freckIea face.szHe 6 wore
a roundabout, aud pants Of ,worn, walnut.
dyed, hoIhespan cloth, ragged sealskin CAP.
and red, coarse brogans. sithonesorKs., BE.
had come Up, after nearly All the otiHts lad
gotten t there-=bes lived three miles and a
l'alf.from the school house, and Walked The
|sssas back aid .fostI, everyday. Hscam,e E :
np'sahiii,yser'ng and s,udying,s and performing
boli' Of these apparent. .insonsis,ent opera,
tiops with great violence. Il.
Es.F allow, Bfnkly ly;n shouted l,alf a dozen
boya. Go.sinSin,ime this morning. ebaa--.
ha az ha ! Why you are toe SCOT, ,say NJ bSy-'
shea wont be here or Il aIsrte, l,ot,t ,yif
Come and he,, ,ie S;,t n i, !,