News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-06-04
FLETCHER.

Mrs. r. N. Fulton, who has long been
| feeble, is confined to her bed.
Mrs. Luther Wells recently went to
visit her daughter, Mrs. A. G. Leach. a
| distance of five miles. 1t is the first
time she has been out since last fall.
The types last week made us say Wes-
ton, where it should have read "New-
ton" Mary for May" and DR.. Brush
where it should have read ''Dr. E. r,
Brush" as there is DR.. A. G. Brush.
DR.. Briggs set fire to some brush on
his premises recently, when strong
breeze sprang up and drove the fire into
the fence and woods near, and it was
only by the laboriOus and persistent eff
forts of himself and two other men that
the fire was finally controlled and pre-
vented from doing serious damage.
As yearling colt belonging to G. E.
Melvin of Cambridge, was being driven
to n. B. Blair's pasture it tried to leap a
barbed wire fence by the roadside and
was terribly torn and gashed about the
breast.
E. X. Montague is stocking his pond
with trout. His son Leon and Sol. Gibbs
caught 20 last Saturday. They take
them from the brooks with hook and line
and Immediately place them in pail of
water. Only four died out of the 20 thus
caught.
Fletcher, through your correspondent,
returns thanks to the Fairfax oorrespon-
dent of the Messenger, who compliment
ed it so highly on its interest in educa-
tional matters, as shown by its attend
ance, reception and entertainment of
guests at the late educational meeting;
drawing comparisons between this town
and Fairfax. Fletcher was well repaid
for giving open ears and eyes, food and
lodging; leaving them no bills to pay,
and for this reason, if for no other, the
hotel keepers of Fairfax are doubtless
glad they do not live here. Prof. Web
ster and Supt. Dartt both praised the
bountitul dinner served free to everybody
III the church Vestry. We add brief
synopsis of Mr.. DARTS lecture, hoping
those who did not hear it will derive
some good from its perusal. Spoke on
phases of school work; object OF educa-
tlon to men and women. The teachers
work seems tame compared with the
busy world without, but their work is
foundation building. These are the su-
perstructures built upon it. The forces
operate by brain power. The train OF
thought is toward the accumulation of
manhood,-upon real character. What
makes up the value of man? Integrity;
1t is the need of the hour, need of the
orld,--men of character. What are
the agencies? Some shirk all RESPONSE
bility on to the church and Sabbath
school. These are factors. but the
home first and schools next. Their
influence more direct on the masses than
the church. Indirectly the church has
great influence; should stand side by
side, society factor, and these make up
society. Paid handsome tribute to the
pioneers of this country, who, amid many
difficulties, founded homes, schools and
churches. Reading, also factor, but
there is much which Is poisonous, from
which youth should be guarded. Com
mon schools. with a greater power than
all Others Iess than $4,000 in the grad
ed schools and colleges of Vermont,
while there are 60,0O0Gin the common
schools. Plea for better schools, better
| school rooms, -conveniences and applian-
ces for school work. Proud of Vermont,
| its homes and schools: many good, but
not all. Need better teachers; must pay
tire skilled teacher; should keep in mind
the moral influence; no comparison be-
| tween this and the accumulation OF mon
ey; intellectual training not first, but
moral, then mental We have lost sight
of moral character; it pays to save the
Young men: cheaper to educate them
than to support them in Rutland or Wind
sor. Glad we had adopted the town sys-
TEN. Support of schools not g!ratgity,
but the discharge of an obligation last
inc as life. Prof. Webster added that
we wanted men and women in whom we
had confidence. We demand the best
work. the best results. One word as to
moral qualities. never saw any per
cent. of moral standing; mental fitness
required. Moral fitness not demanded
or known. SO long as the one demand
is made and the other neglected, matters
will not improve in this direction, Had
seen children drunk in school; girls and
boys eight to ten years of age smoking
also a terrible evil.