Weekly Trinity journal., 1862-05-17
The Old scIslooI-ERousc.

Who does not remember the old school house In
which his boyish hours were passed? Who can
not look back to many II school. day frolic, that
with all our supposed wisdom aud increased
gravity, we cannot yet help smiling at and
wishing it were to do over again?
Well do | remember my first visit after some
years of city life to the old roughcast, stone
school house of my youth. 1t stood in the angle
formed by the meeting Of two pieces Of wood,
under whose grand old trees we whilcd away
happy hours. That same angel, however, caused
suction Of the atmosphere in that direction
that made it no difficulty TO raise the wind there
at any time; and although delightful in summer
was any thing but the same quality in winter,
and procured the christening of oar temple Of
knowledge "Wnd Gap Seminary"
But to my visit Yes there are the old benches,
with many a name carved on them by the truant
iackknifc. There is my very seat, with the big
hole cut through the desk, for which caught Il
tremendous logging. The old water pail sitting
in the window sill, that we used to carry on a
stick so often, aud that we let fall time and again
in order that Wc might return for more, and thus
keep from study longer. Aud out doors are the
woods and the old trees, whore we used TO play
Round Town" Base Ball" Wolf ia PEN"
and that grandest Of all school games, " Shjndy"
or as vulgarly called - Driving the Pig up"
because, like Il pig, the ball was supposed to be
so contrary it never went the way y0u wished t.
An | can see your familiar faces, boys as You
stand round with your clubs in your holes watch
ing George b. drive up the ball towards the ket-
tie, while you bit each other and him sly digs on
the shns, and declare you didn't mean O--yOu
struck at the ball" Yes, big Joe, and fat Bill,
valiant Dan, and spry Ned, see your laughing
faces as you stand on the corners, ready 10 plug
some unfortunate chum if he don't keep his eye
open. And there comes down the road old
" Andrew Jack" who is lame, but is nevertheless
always ready for game Of corner ball, aud is
one OF the best shots IN the crowd, and The best
natured boy in school. How he came by the
name old | know not, but Old Andrew he was
always called, and he always came to call when
there any sport on hand. Aud there, on the
other side Of a line, is the girls play ground -
forbidden spot to us big bOys-but Libby, Hattie,
Ada all | can yet see you in your stone and
brush play-houses as you raked your pieces ol
china together with all the care OF old house
wives, and hid it in one corner until next play
spell for fear some nau ghty girl or rude boy
would hook it, But alas ! it is all changed, and
| am here dreaming dreaming dreaming, when
| ought to be going home to dinner.
Once more, after the suns of western wIds
had Drowned my cheek. aud tue cares o! naa-
hood wrinked my brow, did visit Wind Gap
Seminary" But alas how changed. Ihe
house was there, the old whitewashed walls, the
old window shutters propped open by rail, and
the desks carved and cut, remained But where
were the familiar faces All, all changed. In
the curly headed youngsters / could trace by
family resemblance where some OF them be-
longed but not one could | call by name
And the old trees, oh, sacriege aud desecration
the almighty dollar has prevailed! The woods
we're needed for the all devouring iron horse, the
land for The all devoured wheat aud bnckwheat
~ twas all gone. The children were now con
fined to a mere calfpen, fenced off in front of the
sehool-house, and the days Of garpeyine swings
and loraging expeditions for chesnuts and hicko,
uttfo pa fnu
few moments before and | had wished to be a
again, but the sight of barren fields
and torpid skies drove back the thought and
from that moment seemed severed from the old
familiar spot, even as the woodlands axe had
severed the time honored trees.