Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-04-29
Interesting Highland Reminiscence-G Good
Fruits of Working for "Hog and
Homlny' after the War

Fruits of Working for "Hog and
Homlny after the War
MT. CLINTON, Va, April 16, 1879
Editor Spectator:
After long silence [ take my pen
10 hand to have little pen gossip with you
The Spectator" has advanced so far into the
foremost rank of journalism that | feel as if a
new paper was paying its weekly visits to my
humble table.
One of its attractive features is the Peoples
Correspondence. It appears every one within
the limits of propriety can find medium for
his views in the Spectator" whether the Ed
itors agree with him or not. Then the news
from up and down the Valley. is indeed very
acceptable, and often very refreshing. One
item under this head has awakened In your Cor
cences, in reference to the selection Of j. W.
Stephenson. fual orator Of one of the Literary
Societies. University of Va.
As you manifest much interest In the gallant
little county Of Highland, feel encouraged TO
indulge at some length 10 these memories of
the past. At the close of the war the writer
visited Monterey, to see If he could get en-
ployment as school teacher Upon cousulta-
ton with some friends an article was drawn up,
setting forth the rates Of tuition, payable in
provisions, wood, and hay-money being left
out of the question. As the paper went around
there was good deal of merriment among the
patrons as they put down their names-"W W hat
would the Parson think if we all conclude to
let him have nothing but wood?" Suppose
we throw in aud get him two or three haystacks
and hold him bound to take nothing but hay.l"
The school opened, and four sessions taught in
the course of four years. The number in school
varied from seven TO seveoty, and the sessions,
like baker rolling pin, were generally small
at both ends, and big in the middle Eocution
was one of the specialties of the school exer-
cises and the pnpils formed a society of their
own for speaking and they worked diligently.
With few exceptions the relations Of teacher,
pupils and patrons were exceedingly pleasant
One morning noisy and vigllant trustee came
down on the teacher like thousand of brick,
about some disorders, which, if not checked.
the school would be ruined. He was mildly re-
Quested to specify cases. One or two names
we're given. The parties were called up, and
all that could be made of the grievous disor
der was that boy of the susceptible age of
eleven years, looked smilingly across the room
at studious gi.l of twelve summers. The boy
promised to do so no more. The girl promised
she would tell me next time before she would
say anything to her uncle. The storm subsided
ard there was great calm No one knows
how tenderly | love those pupils, and how my
heart swells with pride when read 10 the pa
pers of their success in study and business. =
Year before last one of them was offered the
valedictory of Washington and Lee University,
but was led to decline it on account of health
impaired by devotion to study. Last year an
other was medalist and graduate of Roanoke
College, and this year one of the society orators
of University Of Virginia.
A third attained high distinction at Roanoke
College, and is now one Of the most diligent
and promising members of the Huntington bar,
and more deserving young man can scarcely
be found anywhere than j. NJ. Layne, ESQ
Two others attended Randolph Macon College,
and are now ministers of the Baltimore Confer
ence Another is still at the same College, aud
was admitted at the recent meeting OF Confer
ence on trial. Two of these preachers would
not charge anything for tuition the third paid
me the most of his tuition by assisting an hour
each day 10 teaching, and yet was considered
by some as bitter enemy to Methodism. All
three of these young Brethren write me affec-
tionate letters, and love them with fatherly
affection. Quite number are teachers, busi-
ness men, &c
I do not know that have ever worked to a
better purpose than when trying to earn my
buck wheat bread, wood and hay in Monterey,
from 1865 to 1869 Now Mr.. Spectator, am
through with my "reminiscences for this time.
| hope may frequently see paragraphs in your
paper. about the success IF my precious noun
taineer boys, so endeared to ne by their affec-
tionate regard. Yours truly, w. Z. P.
Exhibition by Christians Greek School.
Editor Spectator:
The school at Christian s Greek,
under the charge of Rev. Charles Cooper. came
to close Oh Thursday April 10,h. Friday
night an exhibition was intended to be given
by the scholars, but owing to inclement weather,
only small audience was present, and after a
partial rehearsal the exhibition was postponed
till Tuesday, the 18th, when wind and wealth
er being propltious, the entertainment wa,
gwen A large crowd was present, reminding
one of by gone scenes of a like character, when
the present actors we're small boys aud girls,
with Il like to see little dog" and "Mary
had a little lamb as difficult pieces for them
then The exhibition was opened by decla-
matlon By J. Hawpe Bare, followed by song,
'Molie Darling, by two gentlemen from Siaun
ton; then dialogue The Fortune Teller" =
by John Burwell. Mary Troxell and Preston
Colins-M. 7. paying the seer ten dollars. t,
Cd l. - louo