Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-05-02
A FIRST CLASS SCHOOL.

A first class School is taught by
first class teacher, &c. G. Howard on
Williamsport pike. The building is
Of brick, Nesting among the shady
trees of beautiful grove, so inviting
in appearance that not even Gypsy
can pass without stopping to rest his
weary limbs on the clean grassy
mounds or be sung to sleep by the
musical play of the wind among the
branches above. DO the children here
appreciate this delightful play ground?
In side we take survey. The walls
white as snow, curtains at the WIN
dows, suggestive notices, pretty pic
lures. The teacher has talent for
drawing. Wash bowl, looking glass,
cup, bucket, shelves for dinner baskets,
all shining like new pins. And the
desks May we be pard0ned for lit
tie fit of jealousy when we compare
the new improved, and comfortable
seats with-0ur own back breaking
benches. If we could see all the
hunched backs and crooked legs, that
the old straight, hard, high desks
have made, we would be so enraged
that bonfire would be made of them
Immediately and the man fined heav-
lily who would have the audacity to
construct another desk from the old
plan.
We looked from the elegant seats
in this room to the clean faces and
smooth, nicely combed heads. We
noted, the sparkling eyes, the happy,
animated countenances of the children
when called upon to recite, their ready
replies. We were, in the room two
hours and we did not hear the racket
of one slate, nor whisper, nor buz
from loud study; we did not even
hear the scratch of q single awkward
boot upon the floor, yet every child
had slate and used it too. And what
was more remarkable, we saw no
idleness. To keep score of children
busy, in country school, requires a
great deal of labor and a good share
of tact /; and more than this, we notic-
ed that the children were polite-that
their tones were gentle, that their
movements were graceful, and more
still they soere happy and contented.
am convinced that this teacher is
worthy of the high esteem of the
patrons and trustees of this School.
/ am sure that he merits the honor
conferred by the Board of Education
of Opequon District, and by Co. sup
erintendent. But he is excessively
modest, and he would not blow his
own horn, not once, even if that once
would take him to the highest pin
nacle of fame. We hope he will for
give the liberty we take in bringing
him and his school before the public.
But one thing mole. This gentleman
refused a position in the west at fifty
dollars a month and came back to
give his talents and labor to us for
seven months at thirty dollars per
month. This loyalty to his own
County and State cost him sacrifice
of nearly three hundred dollars. Look
to it, Boards of education and Co.
Look to your in
terest!
DO you suppose that you can retain
SUCH teachers at the beggarly salary
paid at present? You can keep Jack
DAVIS at that price, but you can't buy
nor keep an Eagle for thirty puny
dollars. The proud bird will spread
his broad pinions and soar to a State
where his talent and merits will be
more highly appreciated, at least in
dollars and cents.
One question more and have done.
Why is it that Jefferson Co. can pay
her teachers forty dollars per month,
while Berkeley gives but thirty and
groans like sick animal, even at
that? L. B. Il.