The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-04-27
Good Examples from Teachers.

The teacher is sort of model for the
miniature world around him. and the boy
or girl who is reproved for any fault at
home is well satisfied when he can quote
the teachers example TO sustain him. For
instance, few weeks ago little Alice
made use of popular slang phrase; and
when | told her that l disl;ked to hear
such expressions, she said, "Why, man.
ma, our teacher uses that nearly every
day." took no further notice of it at the
time, for 1 would not Willingly do any
thing to lower my childs opinion of her
teacher; but next time l visited the school
L told Miss Barlow what Alice had said,
and she frankly owned that she was too
much addicted to the use of slang, but
that it had never before occurred TO her
that the children were acquiring the habit
from her.
Children are very quick TO detect the
slightest approach to dishonesty, selfish
ness, or cowardice in their teachers; and
he who would have his pupils possess
those rare virtues, courage and honor,
must set them the example. The most
common deviation from the truth among
teachers is the failure TO carry out threats :;
and there is nothing that children more
quickly detect The teacher reproves lit
tie Johnny for tel ing something that is
not So and Johnny, very quickly retorts
Tor thinks it to himself if he dare not say
it aloud), " You told lie this morning :;
you said you'd whip me if | talked again,
and talked lots of times and you never
let on" The best way 10 remedy this is
never to make threats. Tell the children
what to do or what not 10 do, and then
punish them for sins of omission or com
mission as you think best, but do not
threaten.
Not long since attended a meeting of
teachers where a majority Of those in at
tendance were gentlemen, and l was sur
prised aud dispeased to see so many of
them addicted to the use of tobacco.
Many carried in their breaihs the odor of
smoke, and more than few not only
chewed, but actually spat on the floor.
We had thought that Americans were
making some improvement in cleanliness
since the days when Dickens wrote his
famous Notes." but how can expectora-
ton in public places, such as halls and
rail-Cars, become one Of the lost arts, I'M
til our teachers set better example in
this respect? 1t would be satisfaction
to many mothers if our boys could only
grow to be men without keeping up
constant chewing, like so many cows
working at their cuds, or an intermittent
smoking, like poor chimneys on windy
days. And, on behalf of our boys, | ap-
peal TO those teachers who are in the prac-
tice of using tobacco, to reflect seriously
upon all the consequences attendant on
such a habit.
Aside from the fact that the money
squandered upon the weed might he much
more probably invested in books and
periodicals, teacher cannot afford to in
dulge in any practice that makes him
less clean and less pure-which makes
him, in fact, less man and a gentleman.
hold the teachers profession, indeed,
second To not even the minister's, for the
teacher has in Iii, especial charge the lit
tie lambs of our Savior's fold, and he has
great need to pray for strength to resist
temptation, if he would not lead these
little lambs away from the green pastures
and still waters.-Cor DOUiest0,cR (Pa.)
Tutelli0enceg