Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-02-20
THE SCHOOL ROOM AS 1T WAS.
A Sketch that all will Recognize.

A Sketch that all will Recognize.
Who that twenty years ago attended
school, will not read with interest the
following story of the school room OF
the present day, with the teacher and
his mode OF punishment. How many of
us have not suffered as did our poor
little culprit?
xt is bright December morning, and
school has just been called. The boys
and girls, who were crowding about the
stove when the ruler raped, now range
themselves on opposite sides of the
room in double rows.
crap" goes the ruler. Samuel
Narmore! whispering"
"Didn't know school had begun,>
stammers the culprit.
"What was you saying to Moses
Chatford?" ?"
"Not much of anything, with q
sheepish grin.
"Not much of anything"-sarcasti-
eally. every important you should
break the rules against whispering, to
communicate not much Of anything.
What did he say to you, Moses"
"I don't like to tell, says Moses.
"You must tell! command you!"
"He said it wasn't quite nine o'clock
yet"
"what else? You wouldn't have any
objection to saying that. Out with the
rest"
"He said,"-Moses hesitates, re-
pressing smile,-"he said you called
school before the time so as to get the
crowd away from the stove and have q
chance there yourself"
AS Moses concluded his explanation,
the smile expands into pretty broad
one, and an audible giggle runs around
the school-room.
samuel Narmore," says the master,
trying to maintain his cool aud sarcas-
tic manner, but making rather ghastly
work of it, ego and hold down that
nail in the floor 1 see there's danger
of its coming out"
What Samuel is really required to do
is to stoop over, crooking his knees as
little as possible, and place the tip OF
his finger on the head of nail, which
shines from the polish impaired to it
by numerous shoe.soles and many an
unfortunate previous finger. The pos
ture is a peculiarly awkward one to
Samuel, who is tall and ungainly. His
legs do not conform to the master idea
of straightness who, to help the mat
ter, gives q resounding slap with his
ruler upon that part which the pupils
attitude elevates into undue promi-
nence.
A howl from Samuel, who pitches
forward upon one hand, while he puts
up the other, either to defend or soothe
the injured part.
"You hain't got your book" then
says the master. Moses, hand his
book. Here, take this and look over
your reading lesson so you won't miss a
word. Mustn't neglect business for
pleasure. Reuben and Amos, I'll hear
you read. All study; no looking of
from books"
Reuben and Amos, twolittle ones learn
ing their letters, come and stand by the
masters side as he sits in his chair by
the stove. He points to the page, while
he watches the school. Suddenly the
ruler flies at youngster whose eyes are
seen to wander from his book. II
strikes him on the knee and falls clat-
tering to the floor.
Herbert Conc, bring me that rulerl'
The ruler is brought by a limping and
trembling wretch. "Hold out your
hand" The reluctant hand is extended;
blow and yell. Take your seat and
mindyour book, says Mr.. Byron Dinks.
By this time the young man who is
combining business with pleasure by
holding the nail in the floor while he
studies his lesson, shows violent symp-
toms of weakening. Now his tortured
finger gives way, and for one desperate
instant he rests his weight upon the
Enuckles of his hand. Now his excru-
ciated legs succumb, and for one bliss
full moment OF forgetfulness he sits
upon his heels. Again, attempting to
straighten, he quite overdoes the thing,
and lifts his finger so far that the nail
might come out of the floor, for any
thing he has to do with holding it
down. All this time he dares not glance
Mt the master. but keeps his eyes on
his book, held in his other hand.
lip ldTDOA Is IoOhiu oH, etSS u
squeaking voice from the girls side OF
the house.
Glow do you know, Laury ?" asks
the schoolmaster.
"I seen him." says Laura.
"How could you see him without
looking off yourself !"
81 Jest looked one eye of" is the
maiden's amusing explanation.
"Jest looked one eye off, and KEEP
the ether On your book, did ye? Let
me see how you did it.
More than one eye, and more than
one pair of eyes, involuntairly turn to
see Laura perform this interesting feat
The result is not wholly satisfactory.
She looks up with both eyes, and down
with both, and winks and twists, and