Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-04-05
Grafton.

school meeting fully sustained it's former
representation for economy and good
management. Vote TO have two terms
only, of twelve weeks each, of school
the coming year. An effort was made to
defeat the arrangement with the view OF
sustaining three terms Of school but sig
nally failed.
In looking at the past history of the
town, it is found that the early settlers
we're men of very limited education and
yet they laid the ak at the root of the
trees with wonderful success. The forests
disappeared before them, and fruitful
fields rewarded their labors, and cheered
their prosperity. Their efforts to raise
fine horses, beautiful cattle, fat hogs,
and large numbers of robust children,
we're crowned with success.
Schools we're supported by tax on
the scholar and very little money requir.
ed for school purposes. Pork was in good
demand and the money obtained for it
secure from the grasp of the school dis
trict collector.
/ The boys and girls were educated 10
labor, and taught the folly and wicked
ness of wasting their precious time in
learning to read Cicero and Virgil
Bean porridge furnished healthy and
nutritious article of food, one ten quart
nappie full and twelve iron spoons furn-
ished the table. Money could then be
saved.
But alas, deplorable change has in
siduously crept over us. The dainty
stomach of the student no longer Graves
pork. The result is the demand for the
article has diminished and its value de.
preciated.
Little or no fax is raised. for the girls
will neither spin, weave or wear it. Bean
porridge is little used as regular diet,
and -four at great expense is brought
from the West, for food.
The sweet and nutritious meat of the
racoon and woodchuck is seldom OBJ
tanned for the dogs formerly SO useful in
their capture are taxed out of existence
to support schools. Parents are not on
ty dissatisfied with the amount of school
ing formerly enjoyed by children but
clamoring for more schooling, and still
worse that it should be supported by the
wealth of the district instead of on the
scholar as formerly, failing to consider
that no one has or ought to have and in
terest in the education of their children
but themselves. Why should the wealthy
be taxed to educate destitute children
however bright their intellects
Is it an indication of sordid, selfish
spirit to deny to the poor a liberal OPP
portunity for an education, but rather
does it not clearly exhibit the noble i'm
pulses of soul generous to himself, and
sure to gladden. the hearts of waiting
heirs.
The report of the treasurer showed
the finances of the district in deplora-
BILE condition. A tax of thirty cents on a
dollar of the grand list would leave
but small amount in the treasury after
paying all the Indebtedness of the dis
trict. The tax was voted, after which
voted to instruct the committe to allow
the rooms in the second story of the
school house to be used for any laudable
purpose when one dollar an evening
could be secured for their use. The
money thus obtained, it is expected will
do much towards relieving the district
from future taxation. This looks like
one step towards return to the condi-
ton of society in the good old days OF
yore.
The interesting Islander case which
promised so much rich food for gossip
was taken suddenly i'll on Friday last,
and on the following Monday, the de-
PENDANT was notified that it had passed
away without struggle. X.