The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-02-24

Then and Now.
Mr.. Editor FL noticed communication
from Wheatfield township, over the sigma
ture of Taxpayers, in which the author
pours forth " jeremiah"
cover the days when we were school boys,
just forty years ago."
He sighs for the good old times when we
could sit with some degree of trouble
and satisfaction" upon the soft side of q
pine slab with the feet swinging free and
about foot from the floor. When it ap-
peared to be the especial privilege of some
lucky one to hold nail in the floor, or to
be especially bonored by being brought
fdU0rdbly before tho school while figuring
in the character of "The Ounce" When
we more frequently got the ferule than the
rule. Those were palmy days No won
der che mourns for the days that are set"
Taxpayers admits that teachers could gen.
orally only "cipher through" as far per-
haps as the Single Rule of Three, but says
he to "their praise, they could control a
school WELL" Now sir, are these facts
Just here must join issue with Taxpay-
ers. l remember well how the boys used
to join in pugilistic encounters at noon.
And we had the satisfaction of knowing,
that if our old teacher did not "put in an
appearance on Monday, that he was only
gone off on a dr1tnkI l remember well that
our old teacher went away one Saturday,
and did not make his appearance before
Monday noon, often in condition unfit to
be seen in the schoolroom until he was
thoroughly scrubbed up! All yes, these were
the days when no Superintendent put in
his hated appearance-"T There were no
Judges in Israel, but every one did as
seemed right in his own eyes" Taxpayers
say 90 into a modern school, and what do
you see? little scholars making pictures.
Quite serious charge, he thinks, but
would Taxpayers desire that his little chill
dren should be confined in the school from
morning till noon, and from noon till night
looking intently at their lessons without
any relaxation. If SO, then has he to learn
great deal about human nature, although
educated in the times of old, when in a
term of three weeks a scholar would cipher
half way through the Arithmetic Tax
payers says, "Scholars were kept close to
their studies no running in and out was
allowed and the schools were answering
their purpose, ETC. l think the school
which he speaks Of must have been situa-
ted some where "eastaoard in Eden" Just
a little after the moving stars sang to-
gether. The one am thinking about was
kept after the angel had driven our first
parents OUT of the garden l recollect
well that the teacher placed a little paddle
at the door having printed on one side
"0ut," and on the other "In" and when
scholars passed out, they turned the paddle
| SO as to read "Out.n Sometimes those
boys who were in the bonds of iniquity,
when tired of study, and wished to have
game of g 'corner-ball, would pass out turn
ing the paddle to read elm" until enough
had passed out. And have known some,
when warm weather came in the Spring, to
pass out at the window. But we are told
that notwithstanding all this, "here and
there a. good scholar sprang up" But
those were only exceptions to the general
rule--they rule were only Oasis in the deSOla-
But now let me pass TO the most remark
able part of his letter. He says, ga man
of family of ten or dozen children would
scarcely ever subscribe for more than two
| scholars to school term. And then the
children would take it by turns, one going
one week, etc.'' Now he could not have
brought forth better argument in favor
of modern schools. Now all the children
can go, not only three weeks, but at least
three months. Is there no improvement
here? Again look at your school houses
''of the forepart of the present century"
An old log school house made from mod
el Of Noah's Ark, as there was generally
stoves, writing-desks conveniently placed
around the walls, with every facility for
the scholars to enjoy themselves generally
for it was the teachers particular province
| to call out at stated times thunder wetter"
and lead them beside still waters
Look at your school houses now. In
some parts Of the country the most beauti-
full building in the neighborhood, with
beautiful Fairgrounds, inside nicely adj
justed seats, where our children are not
seated in punishment all day, but where
they can view the walls adorned with
Maps, Charts, Notices, etc. We ask in
all good faith does not "the forepart of the
present century, dwindle into insignii-
cence, when compared with the days of the
Ocean Telegraph, the steam engine, etc,
"The world mOges Perry county will build
railroad" And those who continue to
"mourn for the days that are set, ~ will
have a fine opportunity 10 set with them.
| AN OLD NEwLeHT
For the Bloomfield Times.