Sharp County record., 1878-12-19
A SCHOOL SENSATION.
Discovery of a Girl In Male Attire at San
Francisco High School.
from the San Francisco UaII.I


Francisco High School
From the San Francisco Call
One morning about two weeks ago
an ordinary looking boy, apparently 10
years of age, with short, coarse black
hair, light tweed sacque suit, heavy
boots, paper collar and homemade
necktie, entered the Office of Mr. Will
son, the Pri7 cipal of the Lincoln Boys
Grammar School, and stated that he
wished to get an education; that he had
position where he could, by working
night and morning, earn his bread; ;
that he was an orphan, and had recent
" come from st. Louis. He said
further that he was too poor to bu7 his
own books. Mr.. Wilson, taking kindly
interest in the lad on account OF his
misfortunes, made out blank for the
books, and ushered him into the fourth
grade, taught by Mrs. James. The lad
gave the name of Edwin Stanton, and
was backward in his studies, which, he
stated, was caused by lack of oppor-
tunities to obtain an education, owing
to the death of his parents. Mr.. Will
son, having placed the lad under the
care of Mrs. James, who takes a great
interest in all pupils who are poor and
unfortunate, thought nothing more OF
this one of many pupils, until on Thurs
day of last week, when Mrs. James re-
quested him to come into her room and
see "that boy" at the same time say
ing that nothing was the matter only
that he was peculiar. The next day
Mr.. Wilson visited Mrs. James's
class. and examined the pupils
orally, giving particular attention to
the lad in question. Atthe close OF the
examination Mr.. Wilson said to Mrs.
James that he was unable to see any
thing especially peculiar about the lad,
but thought that if he would only part
his hair in the middle instead of on the
side he would make frst-class girl, at
which Mrs. James said that that was
the opinion she had entertained for
some time. On inquiry it was found
that the lad never associated with the
boys of the school, but occupis d the
hours of recess in study. This, how
ever, was nothing particularly noticea-
BILE, for many backward scholars were
allowed, if they desired, to do the same
thing. The pupil was quiet, docile and
studious, and apparently quite sincere
in his endeavors to gain AL education.
f M r. w Wilson hasiae; sss-eatae Impressed
with a suspicion that the boy was
girl, requested one of the lady teachers
to observe the lad as he passed through
the hallway. Shortly after this the lad
came tripping along through the hall
on the tips of his toes, evidently fearful
of making noise. The lady had
scarcely glanced at him when she said,
"My gracious, he is girl" MIR. Will
son on the next morning, having pre-
yiously consulted with a number OF the
School Directors, called the lad into the
library, and after he had seated him.
self, said to the timid pupil:
"How do you like your schoolP"
"Oh, it's awfully nice"
"How do you like Mrs. JamesP'
81 think she's just delightful" T"
Mr.. Wilson inquired of the lad as to
his prospects, where he lived, etc., and
the pupil entered quite readily into con,
versation, and told him that he had
made arrangements to carry papers Tor
certain journal in this town, from to
8 O'Clock a. M, and that he could work
evenings in candy and cake store,near
where he lived, on Howard, near New
Montgomery Street, and IN that way
earn enough to support him while he
went to school. About his previous life
he was quite reticent. Mr.. Wilson,
feeling more and more convinced that
the pupil was in disguise, that evening
visited the store referred to by the boy,
and ascertained that he was considered
faithful and honest, and had been en-
ployed about a month.
On Monday morning last Mr.. Wilson
again sent for the quiet pupil, and, after
some hesitation, plainly told the pupil
of his suspicious, that he thought him
girl in disguise. Sure enough, it was
SO. The girl appeared quite depressed,
DuC Hruly nelu paoh 'ho 'o
were standing in her eyes, and SAID:
"Let me go. 1 will leave your school" "
The kind-hearted principal detain-
ed her, and endeavored to point
out to her the error of her way,
and told her that if she was poor and
unable to buy clothing and take care OF
herself, he would see that assistance
was rendered her; but the girl remained
stolid, and only replied that she adopted
the dress because she thought she could
better gain livelihood in that garb
Mr. Wilson then sent Mrs. james to
talk with the girl. That kind, and sym
pathetic lady conversed with her for
some time, during which the girl sob
bed violently, and kept repeating; "You