Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1877-02-01
FROM THE CAPITAL.

with which to regale myself, my atfentlon
was directed to the great clusters OF school
children vending their way along the streets,
and thinking that a peep within their tenn
pie of instruction might be of interest to
the readers of the H%UsBANDMAN, determin-
ed. to pay the Helena graded school a visit,
and securing the company OF eX-School
superintendent III. &. Wilkinson, OF the
Bozeman Times. and Major Davenport, OF
Helena, l found myself in front of the ele-
rant school building just as the bell was
ringing the first morning call. Ascending
the high steps to the door, we were met by
an usher who showed us up a long stairway
where we were welcomed by the Professor,
III. p. Rolfe, and invited to seats upon the
rostrum in the assembly DON This room,
which is on the third floor Of the mammoth
building, is large enough to seat about seven
hundred persons. The ceiling is high, well
finished and the room is well ventilated.
Soon after we were seated the bell tapped.
the huge doors on either side swung open
vanced in age and studies taking the lead,
the girls turning to the right and the boys
to the left, each forming in line in front Of
their seats. 1t was a real treat to scan the
features and expressions Of unsuspecting in
nocence, beauty and intelligence on all faces
from the Miss and youth of eighteen to the
child of four. The exercises were commenc-
ed by reading a chapter from the bible, by
the Professor, after which the school Joined
in singing a sotil-stirring song, assisted on
the piano by Miss Theresa Sands, one of the
advanced pupils, ana a NEST excellent per-
former. cannot now name the song, but
its thrilling tones and admirable sweetness,
mingled in its four hundred chords Of sweet
est melody and youthful joy, are still fresh
in my memory.
The morning exercises being over, the
class returned in perfect order and system
to their respective appointments. Leaving
the assembly room, we We're conducted to
the several seh~ool-rooths, where we made
the acquaintance of the teachers and wit
messed the morning rotations. In No. /
we found Mr.. G.. B. johnson in charge of
the most advanced scholars, his department
on this morning numbering fifty scholars.
In room No. 2, Miss S. Sanders, with fifty
one scholars, was hearing q recitation in
mental arithmetic. The grammar school.
in No. 3, presided over by Miss Maggie
Walker, is the largest, numbering sixty
scholars. In No. 4, Miss Cornelia Simms
has a very interesting school, numbering
tifty-four pupils, most of them being little
Misses of even age. No. 5, in charge O
Miss Nellie Clarke, numbering fifty-three
scholars, were reciting their reading lessons
Miss Jennie D'Acheul, in No 6, with fifty
three scholars, was hearing morning lessons
which were quite interesting. Descending
to the first floor of the building, we VISITED
room No. the primary department-pre
sided over by Miss Ella Slocum. This de
partment numbering fifty scholars-all il
their A 3 C's-was by far the most inter
esting room we visited. As we entered til
little ones We're Just going through with tn
c~alisthenics, a very entertaining andaattract
i've song and gymnastic exercise or recita
ton. After having, at the request of til
accomplished teacher of this department
left our autograph in her album, we hi
adieu to the Helena graded school, delight
ed to note that its we'll appointed and mode
; system is such as the people of Helena ma
we'll be proud of. WILL.
. Efsc kTEME