Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1858-12-18

MY Best sohoolmaster.


"For my part" said friend to me one
day in conversation on school matters
"for my part, | don't see what kind of stuff
schoolmasters are made Of They are a
good deal better now-a-days than when
went to school--and that is not so many
years ago either-but too many of them
forget that they were once boys themselves
They seem to judge of their scholars by a
sort of guttapercha standard and to have
an idea that knowledge must be cudgeled
into boys head, or strapped into him
over the broad of his back or the palm of
his hand. Just as though there was any in-
lellect in broad shoulders or mischievous fin
gers.
II could never see any thing in school or
in my lessons to please or interest me. For
years after / FIRST went to school to learn
my A, b, G, was dull scholar, couldn't
help it, My teachers were of the true old
pedagogue-style. Hard words, difficult
sums, and knotty grammar lessons, puzzled
the brains, of the gaping crowd OF schol-
ars who we're in pursuit of knowledge un-
der difficulties not only of the old-fashion-
ed books, but the reign of terror No
wonder there were dull boys under such
system.
There was Mr.. Strapwell. His badge
was broad, mighty slice from the side of
a full grown beast, cut into the ornamental
terminus of the cat-o'-nine-tails.' 1t hung
sometimes from one of the buttons of his
coat, like the ribbon of nobeman, or laid
across his knee (when one of the scholars
did not take its place) or was firmly held
in his hand with the book in which the les
son was contained. That strap did its share
of work while he was in school 1t made
its revolutions with unerring precision
Gathering momentum like sling in its cir
cles, it came down on the chosen spot with
the accuracy of the most experienced dr
yer who knows just where to touch his dill
atory horses. You may be sure that vaca-
tiou was happy time to us, and there was
grand holiday for the boys when we learn
ed that he was 10 leave and take another
school,
What become of the strap =?
Sure enough. The boys found it on the
desk after he was gone, and we buried it
with all the honors'
1T seems TO have done you some good,
at any rate ? l remarked.
How SO p
why, it has left some wholesome marks
on your memory, if not on your back =
Nonsense There is great difference
| between mark and lcOuRd Such dis
cipine makes wound and kiDdles revenge
aud hate. Don't call them marks-they
are scars and brands on many young heart
and mind
Well, to go on with my story. After lit
tie time the trustees employed u new teach
er There was great desire on the part
of the scholars to know what were his ere
dentialS as 10 ferocity and government
The trustees were careful to select good
diSciplnarian. Their school had ALWAYS
stood high for discipline, and it would not
do to lower the standard ! So they selected
teacher who came highly recommended.
! MIR Birchall was the man of their choice
He was a competent teacher. He knew
! how to govern, aud was well acquainted
with human nature. His diploma showed
| that he was man from college, and his
credentials from former employ ers were very
respectable. The boys heard these things
discussed aud were anxious to see the new
teacher, but they somehow had All unac oult-
able prejudice against him on account OF his
name
Quite expressive p said l.
'Qnite So replied my friend, as we found
to our cost. Mr.. Birchal was not to be
trhed with. He could not descend to the
use of the strap He believed in the nse
of tie magic wand He waved it graceful
ly over his head aud when it fell out of it's
orbit, it made a mark, which operated like
magic on the delinquent scholar | did not
know much Of the science of galvanism then,
butt had frequent opportunities of witnessing
experiments of galvanic action
Ever turn performer p said l, quizzing-
ly.
That is a sore point answered my his
torcal friend, "but | leave you to judge
whether | speak feelsugly or not = rubbing
his hand backwards in the region of his
waistband.
He bad whim of his own ] shall never
! forget He was fond of botanical remedies,
He was often seen cutting a supple stick of
willow, or even trimming neat little instru-
meht from good-sized sassafras bush but,
more frequently he might be seen contem-
plating the beauties of fine birch. But,
in any case, as he often said himself, 'he
was a great admirer of the regetable specific.
to cure the disorders to which School-boys
were subject He had evidently graduated
at a school where he had been taught that
every disorder should be treated with great
promptitude and vigor, so that it should not
strike into the system
He gave striking evidence of his good
training, suppose interrupted my inquiSi
tive tongue.
Beyond a doubt He was, moreover
very emphatic in his application and pre-
scriptions. In fact, SO much so, that i
gave offense at last, and in due season We
were delighted to hear that Mr.. Birchal
had concluded to resign at the end of thu
term.
a new teacher took the school under {
state of mind on the part of the boys th'
most unlikely to gain their goodwill. Th'
morning when Mr. Daboll was to enter OF
duty was very fair. All around was brigh
and clear. The birds sang, the flowers wer
in bloom, and the grass was high and green
Everything looked cheerful, and the ney
teacher was all object OF great anxiety 4
L.