Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1863-11-03

One Of Dir. Hollands letters TO the Jones'
es addressed to Thomas Arnold Jones,
teacher, has brought out reply from fe-
male relative of his. We cannot do better
for the class of school teachers, of both sex
es, than to allow Miss Mary L. Jones to
speak for herself:
You addressed letter on school teach
ing to my brother, but inasmuch as
there are certainly six men TO one wo-
men engaged in the occupation Of teaching,
| wonder you did not address your letter to
me-
You find much fault with the manner Of
"ftting for teaching" 1t seems to me that
generally the labor and expense employed
in fitting one for any special service are
somewhat in proportion to the value set
upon that service by that community
Now, my services, body and mind, in the
business of teaching, are valued at two hun
dree and seyenty-five dollars per year. /
teachi in one of the higher grades Of schools.
| have many scholars from the first fami-
lies. They spend, as you estimate, three
times as many hours with me as with their
parents, and twenty fold more than with
their pastor. | feel deeply the Importance
and responsibility Of my position. In eft
ting" myself for teaching, | used all the
means could afford. You marvel that
you never heard Of a person travelling in
foreign parts as preparation for teaching.
How far do you think could afford to
travel with the prospect Of 1915 year,
or perhaps less, for there are many who get
less9 Four dollars a week for my board
takes $20S, aud leaves me $67 with which
to pay my washing bill, buy all my clothes,
take the daily paper, hire seat in church,
attend lectures and teachers conventions
draw from The library, subscribe for the
Massachusetts, Teacher and various other
literary works DC, &c. About bow much
do you think can afford for excursions
over the country for improvement in vaca-
ton.
'Am making progress by constant cul-
turei" cam / bringing my mind into
communication with other minds that /
may gain vitality and force by the coils
ionr' AMI constantly reading and study
ings" "Not much" Most Of my time out
of school, when ann not too much fatigued,
is employed in doing my sewiug-my sal
ery would not possibly warrant my hiring
any Of it done--or, sometimes, | have
taught little drawing, painting, or en-
bordering, in order to gain little extra
money fora journey in vacation. You say
"teachers ought to be the strongest and
most angelic persons that breathe-persons
Of the purest motives, noblest enthusiasm,
finest culture, broadest charities, and most
devoted Christian purpose" Doubtless
But rlany an educated American woman,
to sneak plainly, works herself to death
for living in the capacity Of teacher. or
is resolved into kind Of human sieve
from which the goodly corn and wheat are
caught up and devoured, leaving only the
bran.
And | feel that am getting TO be one OF
those dry characters you speak Of, and |
an, afraid | shall grow dryer and dryer ev-
cry cay as time wears on. What shall |
doi Ny dear sir, il yoa will write letter
to me explaining what and how, you viii
confer great favor. not only on this MEM
Der of the Jones' family, but on hundreds
of her sisters in the profession, but we
are at present and shall continue to be,
urtil our condition is bettered but a
candle which lights others in consuming
ifsaIfp