Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-01-19
Boarding Around"

MIR. EDITOR. There has been o great
change in the common school system
within my remembrance, most of them
undoubtedly for the better. Change in
school books and mode of teaching and
managing the school. Change in the
school room, and in many respects quite
different order of teachers. l love to
think of the past, and cali to mind many
| scenes far away into the years of my boy
hood, where seated on backless, five
legged slab, l obtained the rudiments of
an education. l love to compare the
modern teacher of wise looks, curly hair
and well turned moustache, his spotless
linen and paper collar, and his nice, WELL
fitted broadcloth and shiny boots, seated
in his chair of state surrounded by his
ten or more pupils, teaching by clock
rule-six hours per day, less thirty min
utes-and then returning to his nice
boarding-house to rest after his hard days
toll, all for the wages of forty or more
dollars per month of twenty days, with
the rough and hardy set of teachers we
used to have, who worked from early
morn till night for ten or twelve dollars
per almanac month, and "board around"
This class of teachers had chance to
earn their money, if they accomplished
nothing more. They must be at the
school room in season to build the fire
and sweep the room and have all things
ready, his coat off to hear his first class
of a dozen or more before nine o'clock
To do justice towards q school of fifty or
more scholars of all wants, answer and
0n1Vn oil fhpir pnacfinpc Ioon fbo,, oil
under the strict school rules of those
days, and punish all the dlsobedient, re-
quired unremitting activity until roll call
at half past four. Then he must write
copies as long as he could trace line,
and then travel through the snow, per-
haps two miles, for he is boarding
around" and he must 60 it for that is
the week they are to board the teacher.
BY the time he has reached the place he
is able to do justice to spare-rb, dough
nuts, mince pie or anything else within
reach; then when he lies freezing away
off in some spare bed, in the northeast
corner of the house, he has this comfort
ing reflection, that he is telling for hui
manity.
In many respects the change in our
common school system, both for teachers
and scholars, has been decidedly good,
but sometimes, judging from the behavior
of some of the rising ones, unbelicf
creeps in. When was lad, going to
school, neglect to take off my hat and
bow to gentleman or lady passing,
was met with punishment. Now, it
shows the mettle of the "young Ameri-
can," on being let out from school to act
as though demons were let loose and the
lunatics were having jubilee.
And then the change to not boarding
aronnd," has its advantages to the exclu
sion of much good and q great many real
pleasures. Where the teacher boarding in
the families of his patrons becomes known
and is identified in a measure with the
interests of the same, there is often form
ed acquaintance that tell of much pres.
ent and future good. If he is worthy,
as he always should be, he will do some
thing towards moulding good characters.
l love now, to call up to mind many of
the families with whom l became &C
quainted, by boarding around" and the
exceeding pleasant scenes | had with
them, more than paid for all the ills con-
nected Herewith remember the many
good things l had, some of the grave
questions used to discuss with the old
folks, for the teacher must be very wise),
the rich sport l entered into with the
young, and the sly winks given to the
gals" and very much doubt whether
any better plan has been adopted, one
that pays better taking all things into &C
count. Perhaps may have been more
lucky than some others, but have known
others to do the same thing, select life
companion from the many aspirants, that
has proved of inestlmable value. don't
suppose could ever have gone into that
deacon's family and carried away its
fairest and best jewel, had l not took
them in my circle of boarding around"
Then over the apples and dough nuts, l
showed my knowledge of the sciences,
and my skill in unraveling the deep mys-
teries of REORGANIZATION, and then the way
became easy to storm the castle and Sc
cure the prize. l am little partial to-
wards some of the good old ways of our
fathers. n. SHAPLEY
Walker Iowa, Jan. 10, 1877