Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1867-12-18
For tho Democrat.
THE Old sCHOOL.sIOUSE.
BY RAVEN

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able for its architectural grandeur, or thu
high position il has occupied as litcrar,
institution. II is an old wcather-beatcn an(
now dilapidatcd building, soon to give wa,
for structure now suited to tho purposes
for which it was erected. Being acquainted
and somewhat identified, with its histor,
since it was built, could not sco it rcmov'
ed without paying my respects " it ere \
pass away forever. 'i
1t is located on the East bank Of Fishing
creek, beside one Of those beautiful Still
waters that grace this delightful stream
A ine covered bridge spans the creek
crossing which, from the little towr
Of Saltwater you Immediately pass the
old school.horsc. Majestic sugar naples
spread their friendly branches over it, and
over the green lane, that extends some dis.
tance down the stream. This beautiful
play ground, with the quiet waters, the
grateful shade, the singing birds, and a
score or more Of laughing, romping, happy
children; present summer picture, not
everywhere 10 he met with. 1t is well
known to many Of my readers, that this
stream, usually so clear and beautiful, some
times becomes turbulent aud destructive
current. From some peculiar formation Of
the Mountains. where it heads, or as, some
suppose, some powerful mineral attraction,
the clouds congregate there, in dense masses
concentrate their raining powers and pour
down, not drops, but sheets Of water min.
yled with fame, for, with the descnding tor
rents, the vivid l;ghtnings fash necessarily,
and the thuniers keep up perpetual war.
Grcs, masses Of earth slide from, and huge
rocks roll down the Mountsin sides, uproot-
ing and bearing down lofty trees in their
deccnling course. The spring tina, bubbles
up out OF the rocks are lost in the swelling
torrent, and the music of the little rills, is
drowned by the roar Of the mighty cataract
The hcad-waterS, no longer pure and lin
pid, rush into the main channel. Gather.
ing its tremendous supplies, the stream
swells and rolls onward, bearing with it, in
lis destruction sweeps, trees, fences, bridges,
mills and houses, nearly the whole valley il
inundated aud looks like great muddy
sea.
Such was the great flood Of lS4S. The
bridge at Saltwater was carried away and
the old school house was borne down on the
current, abou. quarter Of a mile, where,
when the waters abatcd, it was found high
and dry, very little the worse of its periious
ride, the stove remaining still ia its place
and the furniture but little injured. BY u
goo'!eal Of labor it was brought back to its
old foundation aud there it has stood until
now.
Since this old house was new, many
changes have occurred in this settlement.
forrsts have been turned into fruitful fields
spacious mansions have taken the place Of
the old dwellings. and wealth has brought
more taste and reGuament. but perhaps not
more Happiness, than existed thirty years
ago. None but those, who, have been &C.
quain,ed with the place for that many years
can believe how great the change has been.
The erection o! this house WAS an impor.
tant eyeu. in the history of the settlsm mt.
The nearest schooi.housc was two miles dis
tant, consequently, none, but the larger
children, enjoyed the privilege of attending
school. The old inhabitants being very
prolific, their families were large. Three
score Of children were looking forward with
pleasing anticipations, to the completion of
the house, where they could attend school
and receive instruction. The writer Of this,
well remembers with what hopeful glee they
assembled there for the frs, time. Every
face was lit up with pleasant smiles and
every eye beamCd with anticipated delight
How studious they were to improve and
eager, to master the first principle of au
education.
But thirty year have passed since then,
and where arc those children? The mounds
in the grave yard, where flowers Of affection
bloom to their memory, tell where some OF
them arc, Others have made their homes in
distant places, from which, no doubt, when
still evening comes on, and their thoughts
turn back to the days OF their childhood,
when the events Of their past times are
brought vividly to view, they remember
with pleasure the sconss of tho Old school
house on the bank Of the creek, yet others,
have taken the places Of the generation that
preceded them, and are performing the
duties OF parents and citizens, with honor to
themselves and to those whom they have
laid in the quiet grave
But the erection Of this house was an i'm.
por,ant event for another reason. There
was no house built expressly for religious
worship, at that time, in the township aud
we might adj, in Benton also, and but one'
in Sugarloaf, the old log house, St. Gabriels
Church in the woods" Having no where
to meet for worship butin the old uncomtort.
able log houses, great way of, il was quite
a pleasure to hayo u good convenient
house in their midst in which to meet and
offer their devotons to their Maker, Here,
on the Sabbath. tl,oy met and listened TO