Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-03-13
For the Vermont Watch
The Old Red SchOOl-hOuse.

There it stood right on the top of the hill
at the end of the village street. Red it was
and square, the roof santing from each side,
coming to point at the centre. Due east,
west, north and south it Stood just the four
points of compass so any one passing would
not be puzzled to know in what direction he
was travelling, though he might be in telling
which way the wind blew. | wonder the
wise heads of that day did not think about
this, and crown the apex of the roof with
some kind of a weather-vane, because this
was the Temple of Fame where
knowledge was gained, not by surprise
He that would'win must labor for the prize
At the north end of the room were two
large firepaces-one on the girls side and
one on the boys From these frepaces the
desks and benches were arranged on the
east and west sides, ranging north and south.
The girls occupied the east side, the boys
the west. Boys and girls in those days were
staid and sober, rejecting the picture of the
household from which they came, and doing
honor to their parents. Between the two
fireplaces, little out from the space, stood
the teachers table; his chair was back OF
the table. He was seldom i'll his chair ex-
cept when writing copies or hearing the
younglings of three years read A b c down,
and Il Y y back then they bowed or courte-
sled sat down on their little benches, folded
their tiny hands and sat as erect as the pill
lar of salt into which Lots wife turned when
she disobeyed divine orders. Had they
looked behind them, they, too, might have
shared the same, or a similar fate. a large
space of flooring ran through the center Of
the room. Here the scholars stood when
reading and spelling.
At noon bits of torn paper, wood, whit
things, dinner crumbs and other loose dirt,
were removed with a hemlock broom; then
it afforded ample space for dancing, playing
"pizen !" | lost my glove yesterday and
found it today This is the way the farmer
sows his oats button, needle's-eye etc. The
incoming over some one announces, The
teacher is at the foot of the hill" The noisy
din is hushed and there is a scattering to
the seats, boys this side, girls the other, for
1t was IA rule of the school that all must be
in their seats when the teacher arrived at
the door. Boys and girls i'll those days made
their manners to the teacher, and TO other
people whom they chanced to meet on their
way here and there-indeed, il was so much
OF an established custom that it was ex-
pected, and those who made no obeisance
were considered rude.
Spelling-schools were the ambition of the
evening, rather than other kinds of gather
Jugs, and the one who stood up the longest
was the hero of the hour, and as proud oil
success as kings and queens when they have
won victories.
The minister of those days visited the
school, he did not call but tarried, and lust
before leaving spoke goodly advice to the
school then came the prayer, and when he
left the scholars arose from their seats and
stood till he passed out of the room. If W,
had some more of these old-time manner;
taught in the homes and schools of the pres
ent day, there would be grace and refine
ment adorning the schools and homes which
is now wanting in large degree, and no ont
would need give lecture from this text
Z" A Bear"
| In the summer season lady presided ovel
the school. She was expected to understand
all kinds of sewing, fitting dresses, cutting
pants, bonnet and cap making, and fin,
needle work. Then the sisters made theil
fathers and brothers pants, shirts, knit theil
socks, made their own dresses and othel
clothes, pieced the patchwork, made tn,
sheets, towels and pillow-slips. On the low
benches were busy fingers. Little blue-eyec
Mary would be embroidering gingham cap,
from penciled pattern. Laura and Marcit
piecing their patchwork, Sophia and Elvirs
taking their first lessons in knitting, etc
Rolls of cloth were sent TO school the rul,
for shirts and pants was, "Cut them for q
common-sized man" and of course they al
ways fitted if they were little large, al
the more comfortable for warm weather.
And so one school succeeded another, un
til more than two generations OF scholars
had grown up aud were in the field of the
world, working well or ill. Still the red
school-house stood No repairs had beeu
made--no new paint had frightened is
olapboards. 1t was substantially built, by
substantial men, with substantial material
Taxes were paid in stock and grain, which
were sold in the market, aud good, solid
silver coin came back in return.
Those days were days OF true democracy
the days of Washington, Adams, jefferson
Jackson and Monroe-men who could keel
up a specie basis and specie currency, and
base their business on sound, unfailing
currency; hence healthy business atmos
phere. Aud as topaiut, thepaint was honestly