Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-04-13
MY EXPERIENCE IN SCHOOL, TEACH
ING.


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,
yet there was only one who gave Seri-
Gus trouble The rest were good
hearted, though rough and mischief
loving
boarded with IN American family
named Pcltcr, who lived about half n
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 Peters, rs well Us others in the
town, were very doubtful of my ability
10 control the school or rather, TO con
troll the one refractory pupil-Pctcr
Croly.
Two months passed by, however,
without any sim of trouble. began to
think that the difficulties that had been
predicted for me would never arise
Peter. who had before made trouble,
was strong, bury fellow who came to
school for no other purpose than to ere
ale u disturbance and turn the teacher
out rs he repeatedly said to the
children he would do.
One afternoon there was q loud knock
IT the ~chuOl-housc door, and when L
opened it, in stepped Mr.. liugIe, Il man
who was known far and wide for his
pcdanlry and his Ignorance. just be-
fore the close Of school he arose, and
saying ne had a few remarks to make,
he walked with ii most important air,
nj. 4 Al, and
making a sweeping bow, first to the
school and then to me, began TO air his
knowledge rs follows:
"ChiIdrcn YOU all come here to be
dedicated. Publication is a fine thing TO
have II very fine thing. I've got II
purity good cddication myself (hcre
was heard an audible litter from the
schooD. II m able 10 read newspapers"
minr that he had borrowed, but had
forgotten To- rcturn) land | extract
hours of pleasure from them. You all
want to get larnin' enough to read
papers, and larn Nomcthin' about the
world We live in, and the great river
which commences in Canada and flows
south into the Atlantic Ocean" OIcrc
heard another tittcD.
"lts names Mssippy - Missippy
River. som" people say the worlds
round but don't You believe it, it's no
such thing; IL Hat, and can prove it.
II twas round, how could You walk on
itp You'd tumble right of, just as you
would If you'd try To walk on a ball il
twas bic enough.
After airing his knowledge for about
twenty minutes, the Would-be teacher
turned to me and said:
"NIisS Samcrs, don't think we can
get them maps YOU wanted; maps cost
too much money. and they aiut much
account after all don't see no need
of having any, In my day, | never SEQ
N map han@in up in Il school-room, and
what good NIGH for mes good 'nough
for my children
did not consider il necessary to
argue the matter with the i@noramus,
n ! knew ii would be of not the slight
est avail, hut maps | would have and
did have. though bought and paid for
them ont Of my own pocket an act
which have never had cause to regret.
Iabored mostcarncstly, with II ready
hand and willing heart. for the advance
mcut Of those placed under my charge,
knowing full we'll how limited were
their opportunities for an education
under the present condition of affairs.
My pupils were apt and willing to learn
aud possessed of very rrtcntiyc memo
rics.
One morpiuo. = few moments oftcr
tho bell b,l rnn~ / w,s seated ,t my
desk. husil, ruoa"cd in corrrctino pa
pcrS from the previous days examine
ton. when heard a low mumblino
sound as of Some ono taILip~ aIoud,
inst above whisnrr
lis that Won. Minnie CroIyn'' asked.
..Yn, n,,,,,, " ro,I;nI 10 I;tt1c r;,I
,.Y,,, ,,o,. CONN, onJ -, nm th;s Stnol
for half mn Lour : I continued
Tbr Child .,,r,cd fo obey md had
got half WAY to thc stool, when her
brother prrr,. rose and cam, forward tn
whore u.as ,it,in,r rnsa also and
stood confrontiaw him
..Yor arr moi @oinmto ohusc my sister.
mi.,r' soiI fine hruly follow
"T,Lr ,nur saot sirr' | answered,
strrply
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