The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-08-21
Country School Houses.

One need not drive more than five
miles in any direction to see examples OF
the country school house.
It Is usually built with reference to
the generally accepted theory that il
is to be occupied by dangerous savagesi
adjacent orchards and meadows being
quarantined against the nuisance by as
high and strong fences as can be afford
ed where wood sells In market at 81 so q
cord.
We noticed one last week, not long
drive from Wellington, that will des-
cribe many others. 1t was fenced out
into the street, as usual, fronting the
heats Of the southern sky. and curtain
less windows, destitute also of blinds,
were literally inserted on every side. ex-
cept where any comfort could be got
from having broad opening at all, that
is from the north. Not tree or shrub
of any kind was near, save q stunted and
mutilated young elm that bore evidence
of having Furnished switches instead of
shade, and was not likely to be undis-
turbed long enough to minister to any
higher necessities.
The extreme height of the posts Of
that school house could not have been
over seven and hslf feet, so that the
attic fitted as snugly to the childrens
heads a. any inventor Of penance and
Ounce caps could desire. A weedy, des-
olate common stretched to the dusty
road, and in house or grounds there was
not one thing to attract child or teacher,
or make it even q decently comfortable
place in which to spend six hours day.
Most of rs can remember what the inside
of these school houses are like-stove
rusty and decrepid, desks cut, ink-blot-
ted and marred benches without backs
AID built without reference to any phys
ical proportions or requirements of rest
less and sociable childhood.
Who that ever tried it can forget the
''inelastic" quality of those benches or
the presidency with which the sun
marched around and threw q binding
and scorching broadside into books and
faces. How recent seemed the smudge
of sweeping, and as for q dust brush,
who ever saw one in q red frame school
house by the country highway. The
taste of the water from the rusty cup
and musty wooden bucket by the door
could one ever forget that al and AT
mixture of luke-warm pungency and
flatness. Considering the benches it
seems less strange that twas counted q
privilege to be allowed to 90 with some
other boy or girl for pail Of water .
quarter of mile away; and it Is no
wonder that they made rude pictures on
the walls and resorted to wood.carving
on seats and desks as slight outlet for
repressed activity. The clearing of the
land was much too thoroughly done
when not q grove was spared in each
school district with which to shelter q
school room for Its children. 1t was
long ago conceded that cattle and other
animals do better If provision be made
for them to find the thade in the heat of
the day, and the ignorance should not
in Ohio be SO denee as to presume that
either teacher or children could do well
in an unsheltered sbanty like the one we
saw occupied by school last week.
But that the world moves il proven by
the fact Of an advancing civilization as
exhibited in another school house: that
In the Mason and Clifford district, west
and south of Wellington village. The
attempt to preserve young shade trees
had been as great failure there as else
where until one man in the district In
vited the school boys to help set out some
that he gave them, and see that no 9TH
er boy ever molested them or diverted
them to other uses. Twenty-eight beau
tiful elms and naples were thus not only
allowed but helped to grow, and stand
- . monument to the taste, self-respect
and good behavior Of that school.
The house has space sufficient, and
above all, is Of good height, is neatly
painted. has slat blinds in good condi-
ton, wood-house in the rear and modern