The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-05-17

FREE SCHoOLs-AN INCIDENT.-It may
not be generally known that one OF the
most f0urishing free schools for small girls
and boys in this section of country is con-
Quoted at the buildings near Hollywood
Cemetery lately known as the Naval La
boratory. This school, we believe, is under
the Immediate superintendent oft Rev.
DR.. Chase, Il gentleman hailing from one
of the northern cities, and representative
of the United States Christian Commits
sion. All the teachers, three of whom are
females hail from north of Mason and
Dixon's line, and interest themselves con-
sidcrably in teaching the young southern
idea " how to shoot "; and while thus laud-
ably engaged, the comfort both Of the
pupils and their parents has not been over
looked, for many ShocleSs little orphan
has been cared for, and the discOnsolate
widow provided with food and raiment.
There are about five hundred scholars daily
in attendance at these schools, and so far
as we have been able to ascertain, the in
tercourse between pupils and teachers has
been remarkably pleasant, il we except
one or two little rippleS, which served ra-
ther to amuSc than to excite the ire OF the
teachers. \ little incident occurred a few
days since which must have commended
the principal actor therein to the conf
dence and respect OF his teachers. One
of the female teachers received richly
gottcn-up United States flag rs SoureniI'
from her young pupils which she "icft
away down in Maine" when she came to
teach our little ragged urchins. This little
token of affection caused the lady no little
trouble, for she was sorcly perplexed in
determining what disposition she should
make of the flag. 1t would not do for a
bcd-Sprcad: no, no,--the red stripe looked
like great stream of blood when the
shades of evening rested family upon it,
and would recall unpleasant recollections
of events upon hotly-contested fields, ere
! "The battle flags Were fured.'
| 1t would not do to give il to the breeze
/ from the flagstaff on the top OF the school
1 for il was fashioned 80 slcndcrly that il
must necessarily be picked up tendcrly
However, after considerable cogitation, she
determined, as dernier resort, 10 petition
her rebellous little pupils for the privilege
of hanging that banner against the wall III
| rear Of her desk. "Does any scholar OBJ
ject" : inquired the lady. One little tel.
| low, with light halr ana Dltc eyes, VIII,
| occupied an obscure corner, stood up, and
elevated his hand above his head as sign
! that he desired to say something. He was
granted permission to speak, and in clear
/ voice informed the lady that for one ne
had no objection to the flag being hung on
the wall provided she would allow him to
hang the picture of Stonewall Jackson
Immediately opposite. This proposition
slightly nonplussed the lady; but with
ready Yankee ingenuity, she stated that
she would agree provided her rebclliou'
pupils would allow her to decorate the
room with a picture of Grant. No! no
no! exclaimed dozen or more little ones
Teachers and scholars evidently did no
look at things through the same glass, ant
as consequence there was no chance 0
their coming to terms. Therefore the sub
iect was disposed of by the lady's tastenin:
the flag against the wall, where it.stil
hangs in a rather droopy condition.