The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-08-03
CONF MUNIcATIoNs.
OUR COMMON SCHOOLS.
THE FIFTH THING.

q
most careless observer can perceive this want.
The father is busted about his outdoor en-
pioyments and the mother about her in-door
occupations, and the children often are left
TO shltt for themselves. Parents who will
accompany their children TO the circus the
tilea're, or the picnic, seldom accompany
them To school Month after month passes
anu the parent never enters the Schoo-roon
uoor; This is not right. Parents can aid
pupils III many ways to climb the hill of sci
ence:
1st They can aid them by smiles and good
words When children learn that their eff
ioftS at school please their parents. they will
be the more willing to push forward in study
And smile, or a kind look, or an encour-
aging word, costs nothing. 1t is cheap help
I'd They can aid them by asking questions
about their studies and their progress; the
number of lessons the manner of reciting ::
the time of reciting whether their lessons
are already prepared, or whether they must
yet learn them. All these little questions
make deep impression on the young mind.
ID They can aid them i'll purchasing suit
able books, enough of them and furnished at
the proper time. Children cannot study in
classes without suitable books, and these
books should be furnished before the term
commences, and not after-often weeks or
months after commencement dav
Attn. They can aid them by being kind to
the teacher and by visiting his school. They
need not remain long in schoOl-just peep
IN, Il fashionable call. will do-juSt time
OF the pupils that they are interested in the
cause OF education.
9th. They can aid them in cold or wet tIays
by taking them to school and by cillinu
Tor them when school is out, or by given them
the fun OF an occasional sleigh ride TO and
from school. All these little acts of kindness
and attention show that education is Il mat
ter OF some moment, when grown up persons
take an interest in the school.
9th. They can aid them by attending ex-
aInlnations and exhibitions and by giving
proper encouragement to their youthful eff
forts. Even il these efforts are somewhat
chlld-ike, vet, by giving attention to the ef.
fort, and due prominence to those who take
part III such exercises, their value becomes
enhanced.
eth. They can aid them by froyvnins down
all those little chickering's which often arise;
and by refusing to listen to tritiing com
plants. This is negative aid, but ii often
has as much weight as positive aid
When children 90 to college they are fur
niShCd with all the books needed, with
spending money, towels. and many other ar-
ucles. They are accompanied 10y parents to
the college, and when commencement day
comes, there is a rush tUthe place of meeting.
Valuable presents are given, either by the
teacher himself, or by the parents, or the ia
Guilty. Commencement day becomes Il great
day. NlCtOrS are rewarded, diplolnaed,
crowned, and resolutions written, read and
printed i'll the papers. Why not act thus at
the close Of Il Common School? Children are
children the world over. They like to be
petted ond praised, noticed and rewarded;
and the lower the study, and the smaller the
child, the greater is the necessity for these
StimUlants.
the teacher a quarter every now and then to
lie spent iii the purchase OF some little pres
ent, and directors spend their money we'll
who furnish rewards and presents ut the close
OF each month or term. | have seen small
children become greatly elated upon the re-
cclpt of one cent, or one card worth only huif
q cent. "Despise not the day of small things
Who knows what great and lasting good n
small present may do? Who knows how
much good a little aid may do? Who knows
what at incentive little book becomes when
given as I reward? y very learned man
says that he was prOcOEed 10 study Latin be-
cause, when a boy, he found a Latin line in
Harry MeditatiOnS' which he did not
derStand, and which the author had not
translated. SO the gift of a Latin grammar
may induce the recipient to study the Ian
Euage thoroughly.
Parents often say that they are not scholars
and Cannot aid their children III study 1t
is not d5d III study they want so much H. en-
cotH'dYe1selJ to study. They complain also
about the great variety of books. There
may be SIN gTammarS living idle on the
shelves, but none Is the grammar demanded
This is often tOo trjie, brtt this is often caused
in part by the migratory habits OF the f;tIni-
lY. But even il this Is not SO, the same text
book is as necessary in the school room as
the same prayer or hymn book Is in the
church, More will toe said on this subject
when we come to text books 1t is intro
duced here incidentally, in connection with
parental cooperation.
Parents take this subject into deep and
thoughtful consideration. If education is
worth anythng-if schools are of any USE
then parental cooperation is necessary
Your children are your own. They are
growing up very rapidly. In a few years
they Will ill your place in social, civil and
religious life. Aid them, encourage them in
acquiring such knowledge of the arts, the
sciences, manners and morals, as Will enable
them to discharge their duties intelligently
when you have passed away. Rob Roy.
a CARD.-lhr. Editor: The Singing Class
referred to by your Johnstown correspond
ent, :. Rob Roy" in his last letter, desires
most heartily to thank that gentleman for
the kind and complimentary mention made
by him OF our late Principal and teacher
Prof. MARSDES, who, though absent will
never be forgotten, it was only through
his cXertions, Jealous and energetic teacher
as he is, that we were fitted to fill the posi-
ton we did at the last County Institute.
We are also greatly obliged to Mr.. w. p
DAVIS, of Johnstown, for his proficient aid
| as organist ON the occasion referred to.
Yours &c, SINGING CLASS.
If the present Town Council of this bor-
ough is to be Judged by its acts, its efficiency
is not worth Dragging about This fact is
proven by the condition OF the stTeetS-by
the condition of the pavements-by the gen
eral appearance of the borough, and by the
fact that the public pump in front of OaU1nau' ;
store-precisely the point where a public
pump is most needed-has been practically
abandoned for several months past. Who is
To blame for this2-the Council or those who
elected it?
DIR. ISENBERG, of East Altoona, is having
entire success III the use Of his improvements
III Artificial Dental Plates. The wearer has
double the satisfaction of any other plato
made by tlie profession. Any one needing
teeth should see the improvement before go
ing elsewhere. Office hours from A NJ,
until p. NJ. y competent assistant will be
in the Office in the evening until o'clock.
THE song says that Tom Bolynn, his wife,
and his wife's mother. all went down to the
bridge together; the bridge broke down, and
they all fell in We going TO the devil =
said Tom Boiynn." But they didn't go, for in