The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1868-02-27
Education in jackson County.
NUMBER 9.
by D. StAcKLhY.


have already said that there was no recess al
lowed In school except an hour and quarter at
noon. But each pupil was permitted to go out
once or twice in the eforenoou, and the same in the
afternoon. No two were permitted to be out of
the house at the same time, unless sent by the
masterfor wood, or to get mortar to dauh the
MANTLE when it took fire. There was a shelf by
the side of the door, and upon this the pupil laid
his book when he went out. When book was
seen upon this shefit was known that some one
wns out. In schools more advanced, paddle
was hung up by the side Of the door, having the
word lin" painted on one side, and the word
''out" on The other. The pupil turned this pad
die when lie went out, and also when he came
in Where there were pupils who could not
read these simple words, the paddle sign was i'm
answered better.
This rigorous confinement for hours seated
upon these torturing seats, caused the pupils to
look forward to the noon 'play time" with joy
ful anticipatons. When the last class lad pass
ed through the spelling exercises, and had num-
in his class the next time, the master would say
dismissed and then they would all rush for
their dinners. The dinner was soon dispatched,
as all were anxious to get to play. The dinner
mostly consisted ofcorn bread and meat. Some
would take a bottle ofmk. Everybody in those
days kept cows, and all had bottles, as whisky
was plenty, and every family used it, and Of
course must have bottles. These bottles were
made at Pittsburgh There was the fat pint
pocket bottle, with rude eagle with thirteen
the head Of George Washington on the other.
| When two or three children came from the some
family they would have the milk in quart bot
tie. This was round, of a dark wine color, with
twisted neck.
Dinner was soon dispatched, and then an hours
play was enjoyed. The game played by the boys
was genera lly Bull Pen" The country has
been going crazy for year or two past over
Base Ball. But that is not so nice game as Bull
| Pen. do not know whether this game is known
TO the boys at the present time, and so i will brief
ly describe it, as 1t was played in these primitive
schools.
Two boys, ofnearly the same size, would throw
up for first choice ofplHyers, and first choice ol
corners. They would take bat or paddle used
for bat, and spit upon one side of it. One
would toss itup, whirllng 1t in the air, and say
Ing, wet or dry1" The other boy would say
one or the other. If he guessed correctly, he
had first choice. If he missed it., the other had
the choice The Bull Pen was circle, some
thirty or forty feet in diameter The boys on
one side took their positions at the corners
around this circle. Those on the other side wen
inside this circle. The ball was passed from ont
to another until all on the corners had had it
Then 1t was passed across the circle once, ant
then II was said to be shot" Then any one OF
missed, he was out for that game. Ifhe hit one
all on the corners would run. Any one In thu
Bull Pen who got the ball could throw 1t at anJ
one Of those who belonged TO the corners. If
hit one, nothing was gained or lost. No on,
was put out. If he missed, the boy who haC
been hit In the Bull Pen was put out.
When all were put out Of the corners but two
they could smuggle, and run the corners. The!
would go behind tree, and smuggle the bal
from one to the other, and come out with thei
hands in their pockets, and run from one corne
to another. The boys inside of course could no
|, know which one had the ball, and must avoid an
, watch both. When the one who had the ball go
II good opportunity he would throw. If all o
the corners got out first, then those in the Bu
Pen took the corners. If those in the Pen wer
all put out first then those on the corners KEEP
their places for the next game.
II was an exciting game, and Is always muc
enjoyed, when understood. Sometimes othc
games were played, such as prisoners base, ca
town ball, Anthony over, and in very bad weatl
er, blind fold was played lHthe house. But Blu
Pen was the great game when men Of 6fty wer
= boys