The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-07-21

a Negro school mt DanvfIle--H0T In
Young Negro Idea Is TauGbt to sEoOl
An Eastern correspondent at DAnvilI'
Va, writes: Ei
A school has been established here in on
OF the hospital buildings before nentione,
for the benefit of the junior portion Of th
colored population. 1bis morning psit
II visit, and found that Numbered SOM
two hundred and fifty scholars and tina
there has been, until recently, 5 nigh
school with an attendance OF about TIVE
hundred snd sixty. Thepresent teacher il
q member ofthe 9Th PennsylvRHis Cavalfy
who has been detailed f1nbhe duty. 1t wa
novel and somewhat Interesting sight *
see this sinewy trooper, sttired IN hisround
jacket, with orange trimmings and bronzed
with long exposure in the open air, hand
ling the baton of the pedsgogue instead OF
the shooting iron, and helpingt to educate the
race he has helped to free.
Truth requires me to state, however that
| his new vocation does not appear to be as
congenial to his nature as the one he has
abandoned, though even with his limited
experience and crude ideas of educational
methods and discipline, he is doubtless do
ing good work among the hitherto neg
lected creatures who comprise his school.
But fully as 1 appreciated the Importance
of his lsbors, and heartily as ] sympsthizs
with their object, could not help feeling
amused at bis style of teaching. An or
biography class, consisting of two members,
WIS reciLing SIS l entered. The teacher was
seated behind q spare pine table. The pu-
pills were in front Of it, reclining on it with
their elbows, and leaning half way across.
One Of them wss a tall, listless-looking
girl of about thirteen her wool was gath
cred into sections, and twisted into Hpig-
tails" two of which we're tied under her
chin, while the seams that marked the
several psrtings looked like rivers winding
through cane brake. In her hand she
held pesch-tree switch, one end of which
she cheWed with commendsble assiduity.
"Gost," shouted the teacher. "Dat's not
de word, said the girl; 81 jess done
spelled dat"
"Well, boat, then, spell that. Say, YOU
boys on those back benches, are you going |
TO keep quiet there, hey2. Look at YOUR |
books, now, and don't stare at me- Sit up |
there yOui tMoGt, mo at, most Say, |
you, there; better raise yourselves up on |
them seats, else you'll git raised purity sosn. |
Stop that noise there you boys, or III give |
you dose of hickory OF"
The next recitation was by q clsss of |
spelling,on cards. "Where's that |
pinter of mine demands the teacher. HIrs
done broke, sab, shouted dozen picanin-
MES. "Who broke it 2' lin q stentorian
voice.) Silence is the only response.
" Can none of you tell me who troke # 2
Itn he dear break for them, if 1 find 'em
out; I'll try how this hickory will break
over their backs" 4-s
These illustrations are sufficient TO show
how thst the cOlored school at Dsnvilie is
in 8 style now nearly obsolete in j
more favored localities. Yet, it is gratifV> 1
ing to know that the children are at least
learning something, and the teacher in
forms me that they learn very fast. He ia
doing the best he can for them, Snd, not
his deficiencies, deserves
praise for his efforts. .. 'i.