Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1883-04-05
MY EXPERIENCE IN sCHOOL-TEAOH-
ING.


II is now many years since | was en-
gagged to teach the school in one OF the
country districts of Texas. Although
there were over sixty pupils-Ameri-
cans, Germans and Irish-and more
than two-thirds of these were boys of
from fourteen to twenty years OF age,
vet there was only ono who gave seri-
ous trouble. The rest were good
hearted, though rough and mischief
loving.
I boarded with an American family
named Pelter, who lived about half a
mile from the school house, and had
come from the North some years before.
They were the only really intelligent
people in the town.
The Pelters, as well as others in the
town, were very doubtful Of my ability
to control the school-or rather, to con-
troll the one refractory pupil-Peter
Croly.
Two months passed by, however,
without any sign of trouble. l began to
think that the difficulties that had been
predicted for me would never arise.
Peter, who had before made trouble,
was strong, burly fellow who came to
school for no other purpose than to Gre
ate disturbance and turn the teacher
out" as he repeatedly said to the
children he would do.
One afternoon there was loud knock
at the school-house door, and when l
opened it, in stepped Mr.. Hugle, a man
who was known far and wide for his
pedantry and his ignorance. just be-
fore the close of school he arose, and
saving he had few remarks to make,
he walked, with most important air,
up the aisle, mounted the platform, and
making sweeping bow, first to the
school and then to me. began to air his
knowledge as follows:
"Children, You all come here to be
dedicated. Eddication is fine thing to
haye--a very fine thing. I've got a
purity good eddication myself (here
dbeaasa ne dap dadibb69sf rstedE from .s .Ss
forgotten to return) "and extract
hours of pleasure from them. You all
want to get larnin' enough to read
papers, and larn somethin' about the
world we live in, and the great river
which commences in Canada and flows
south into the Atlantic Ocean, (Here l
heard another titter).
"It's names Missippy = Missippy
River. Some people say the worlds
round; but don't you believe it, it's no
such thing; it's fiat, and can prove it.
If twas round, how could you walk on
itP You'd tumble right off, just as you
would if you'd try to walk on ball il
twas big enough"
After airing his knowledge for about
twenty minutes, the would-be teacher
turned to me and said:
"Miss Somers, don't think we can
get them maps You wanted; maps cost
too much money, and they amt much
account after all. don't see no need
of having any. In my day, l never see
q map hangin' up in a school-room, and
what's good 'nugh for mes good 'nough
for my children
/ did not consider it necessary to
argue the matter with the ignoramus,
as knew it would be of not the slight
est avail, but maps | would have and
did have, though / bought and paid for
them out of my own pocket--an act
which have never had cause to regret.
labored most earnestly, with ready
hand and willing heart, for the advance
ment of those placed under my charge,
knowing full well how limited were
their opportunities for an education
under the present condition of affairs.
My pupils were apt and willing to learn
and possessed of very retentive memo
ries
One morning, few moments after
the bell had rung, was seated at my
desk, busily engaged in correcting pa.
pers from the previous days examine
ton, when heard low mumbling
sound, as of some one talking aloud,
just above whisper.
sis that you, Minnie Croly?n I asked.
'Yes, ma'am," replied the little girl.
''You may come and sit on this stool
for half an hour" continued.
The child started to obey, and had
got half way to the stool, when her
brother Peter rose and came forward to
where was sitting. l rose also and
stood confronting him.
''Yor are not going to abuse my sister,
miss!" said the burly fellow.
"Take your seat, sir!'' answered,
sternly.
He made no reply, but stood ready to
strike me. ! knew that he was base
enough to do it, for the winter before he
had given the teacher, who was q man.