Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1878-12-14
4 Bit of Experience.
BY A SCHOOL TEACHER.

and the other. Agricultural papers
are filed with accounts OF the different
WAYS A, Il and C. have of managing their
farms; and our thrifty housewives Of
ten write to the Transcript about the
pleasures and trials Of Housekeeping.
WHY shouldn't the school teacher write
her experience?
Perhaps mine might serve to correct
the mistaken idea some people, espec-
islly parents, seem to have, that teach
ing their little darlings the "hill of
knowledge" is nothing but pleasure.
Well. at the age of sixteen, having
conceived much the same idea, l hired
out in country town. which, for con-
venienc., we will call Dunton, to teach
for the fabulous sum Of one dollar and
fifty cents each week. with the agreement
to board around.
On the morning Of the twenty fifth
day of April, no matter what year, a
very mystifed looking young lady
might have been seen standing on the
steps of the small building which the
citizens of said district called the
"shcoolus." wondering where her schol-
ars were, for but six had made their
appearance. That person was myself,
Esther Hopeful.
After waiting some time inquired
OF the Oldest girl why more had not come,
and was very much astonished at her
answer that they were all there.
As soon as l recovered from my
surprise 1 rang the bell, concluding
that the proper way to commence a
school.
My scholars seated themselves in one
corner of the schoolroom and I took my
stand before them, trying to look as
dignified as possible. and assigned them
their lessons for the day, when sud-
denly found myself out of employment
and was obliged to wait for them to be
learned. After waiting the longest
half hour I ever experienced, I heard
two recitations, then happening to think
had but two more to hear during the
forenoon, and realizing that it would
not do to dismiss school at eleven o'clock
or even at half past eleven, as the peo-
pie of DuntOn were very particular
about the time the teacher spent in the
schoolroom, I seated myself and waited
perhaps fifteen minutes lit seemed an
hour to me them, thec. ca('> !, -, :, A.1<
class. I made the recitation as long as
/ could, though not having had much
experience killing time it did not take
many minutes. Then I waited again
until ten minutes before twelve, heard
my last class, and dismissed school at
twelve.
Telling my scholars to come again at
one, started on foot for my boarding
place, which was situated nearly q mile
from the schoolhouse. When l arrived
there was welcomed into the kitchen
by Mrs. Green, the lady of the house.
who informed me, before had fairly
laid aside my hat and shawl, that I
must take my dinners with me hereafter,
as Jacob, her husband, must have his
dinner exactly at twelve o'clock, and
she could not keep the table in the
floor to wait for me. Being of an
obliging disposition, for three weeks,
during the whole time I boarded there,
took my luncheon, wrapped in piece
of brown paper. with me in the morn
ing and ate it at the schoolhouse at
noon.
Ireturned to my school at one o'clock,
spent the afternoon in much the same
manner as had the forenoon, dismissed
again at four o'clock, and returned to
my boarding place, feeling q little dis
couraged aud good deal homesick.
Mrs. Green informed me one morning
that she thought the people in the dis
trict would be better satisfied If would
have an intermission of only one hall
hour at noon and dismiss my school
earlier at night. Wishing to please
the people, if possible, I did so. The
second day afterward the agent CAM
to me and complained that I was mo-
giving the children half time enough
to rest and said he wanted me to give
them an hour end half. As his wore
was law, the time was changed again
much to the disgust of Mrs. Green.
learned q valuable lesson from this
that it is impossible to please every body
and ever afterwards I have endeavoret
to please myself first, then l am sur,
that one at least is suited.
After l had stopped two weeks ant
three days in Mrs. Green's family E.
will explain here that five days wer
considered q week. for l was expecte,
to 60 home every Friday night and no
return until Monday morning), Mrs
Green told me that they had boarde,
their part, lacking one meal. and tina
she would send my dinner to school
but at night I must 60 up to Set
Browns and take my supper. they hay
ing agreed to hoard" next
I went accordingly, and was Their
made welcome by Mrs. Brown, o YER
pleasant lady, who seemed to imsgiD
that I was ~ much interested in th
doings Of the neighborhood as she vas
and every night Was obliged to liste
70 . long recital about the peculisritie
Of Mrs. Green, Smith. or someboi,
else. Excepting this ! liked Mr.
Brown very much.
When I hal boarded there the exsc
number Of days, ! was dismayed by an
o4hess call from the agent" Who in
formed me that I had not boarded LON
eeough With Mrs. Green, that I mus
10 hack taere and take Eve meals. 81
0aid he had seen Samanths MN. Green
and she had agreed, after making COZ
siderable talk, to let me come back.