Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-01-01
their heads to receive the squirting waite

their heads to receive the squirting water,
and commence such a scrubbing as must
stir up the animals if any occupy their
heads. Then the breast, and arms are
thoroughly washed. Half turning, still on
their knees, the backs are brought under
the stream, and each boy does duty on the
back fronting him. The process goes on
until the entire boy has been thoroughly
washed and wiped dry. The boys then
put on clean shirts, dress themselves and
march to the school room, where their
heads are combed and their hair arranged.
We examined the boys closely during
and after their additions. They were as
cleanly tidy-looking class Us can be
found in any district or union school.
They showed no scars or marks of violent
whipping. They manifested no slavish
fear or dread of their superintendent or
overseer. They appeared cheerful, tract
able and obedient. They seemed in good
health and were evidently well-fed and
cared for. We found only three in the
hospital, out Of total of 40. and these
three did not seem to be seriously ILL.,
The hospital is all that could be desired
for the care and comfort of the sick. We
found the dining room inviting and spa
cious and the tables neatly and clearly
spread. The bread we tasted, and should
desire none better for our own eating. The
work shop is large, nicely arranged, COM
Portable and well ventilated The sewing
rooms, laundry, and the kitchen We're tidy
and finely adapted to their several purpo-
ses. The work in these various depart
ments, we learned, was performed by the
boys, a single overseer directing their Ia
bors. The steam-works by which the
building is heated, and the gas works by
which it is lighted. we found in charge of
boys belonging to the institution.
In the chapel we again met the school
in full numbers, at their evening devotions.
These consisted of singing by all present,
Keep to the right, boys with piano &C
compartment; responsive scripture read
ings; and the repeating of the Lords
Prayer in concert. At given signal each
of the three divisions of the pupils formed
in Elatoons, reformed in single file while
keeping time and step in the best military
style, and filing to the left passed to their
quarters in the large, comfortable and tidy
dormitOry over one entire wing of the
building. Here each boy marched to his
IL L.
counterpane, faced about, aud at low
whistle from -overseer Healey, knelt to
whisper his evening prayer. Another
whistle, and the boys arise, arrange their
beds-whch we found to be provided with
clean sheets and plenty of army blankets
-disrobe themselves, and soon, without
noise or confusion or unnecessary DELAY
are snugly in bed. One little shaver, who
would better have filled Il cradle, we saw
in Il dilemma us to the manner in which
his bed and blankets should be arranged.
Instantly one of the larger boys stepped
gently to his cot, arranged it, hoisted
" little toddles - into it, tucked him up as
carefully as would Il mother. patti d him
on his cheek, and then returned to his own
bed. Two of the officers sleep in the room
with the scholars. \ night watchman
whose head quarters open from this dor
mitOry, looks to them occasionally during
the night, and cares for such as need look
inc after.
We USED our own eyes and ears and our
other senses rs actively us possible during
the three hours we - interviewed" the
Vermont Reform School. We found every
thing, so far as its internal arrangement
and direction are concerned, better and
more satisfactory than even the favorable
reports we have heard from there since
Mr. Fairbank and his estimabe and ac-
complished wife took charge of it, had
led us to expect. Could our brother editor
of the Standard have been with us and
seen what we saw that Saturday evening,
when we dropped in upon the school I'M
announced and unexpected, he would at
J, once have acknowledged how unjust and
uncalled for had been his conclusions in
treating the case of the Johnson boy. We
trust he will take early occasion to visit
the Institution, and then do the superin-
tendent and his subordinates simple JUS
tice. They ask for nothing more. Grant
them that and we prophecy the heavens
will be quite rs likely to fall as the Reform
School to g shake from foundation to car
ret
Now let us refer to this particular case
of the johnson boy He is fifteen years
of age, below par in mental capacity, in
dolent and stolid. He was subject to fits
when he came to Waterbury, but under
medical and sanitary care there had SO
far recovered rs to have had none since last
June His habits in bed were such as to
necessitate his being aroused in the night
by the Waterman, to visit the closet open
ing from the dormitory. Old rs he was,
his mental grade compelled his being
placed in the third, or lowest, school in the
institution, and he had made but slow adj
, vancement No ambition could be aroused
in him; the efforts of his teachers could
only be expended in doing the best posi-
bic, under the circumstances, He was
lousy when he came there; lousy after
wards; and, from his own neglect and IN
unfortunate oversight, or no sight, of the
teacher then having the third school il
y charge, lousy, doubtless, when he went t.
Woodstock. The animals had severa
times been exterminated from his head
- but, like other pests, they doubtless return
:, ed again, bringing their nits with them
!, Such things are not uncommon in the hes
regulated families. Many a careful moth