The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1885-04-23
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OLD-FASHIONED TEACHER.

1A'oo 11oohCl puSSctl nor uSClUl-
ness; she's old-fashioned, said the
chairmaE of the school committees;
Miss Upton's class appears much bet
ter; they move with such precision and
recite so promptly, it's real pleasure
to visit her ROOM"
YES" said DR.. Snow. drily-"mili-
tary drill, and parrot performances
IL like discipline" returned the
chairman; "you cant draw the rcns
too closely in the school-room; givo
boys an inch and they'll take an ell; I
don't approve of Miss Hookcr's easy,
familiar way with her boys"
''Her class is always up to grade,
and, l have noticed, rank above the
average in the higher classes, showing
better habits of thought and study, re-
marked the superintendent.
1T Is an important position" said
another member, land Miss Upton's
prompt. energetic methods are, to my
mind, what that class needs"
'Boys of that age" said DR.. Snow,
''are more easi'.< controlled by the
old-fashioned' teacher as you choose. to
call, than by military drill. Give that
class to Miss Upton, and half of them
will drop out before tho end of the
year; she controls by fear, and her
lcuculuB lS "HOlly from DOOKS.
So decided was the difference of
opinion in the usually harmonious
board that it seemed advisable to post
pone further consideration of the SUBJ
jcct, and the meeting was adjourned.
The two teachers whose merits had
been under discussion were ignorant of
the intention of the committee to fill,
by promotion. IT, vacancy in the high
est grammar grade. Miss Hooker's
faithful and efficient service entitled
her to the higher position with it's lib
eral salary, but her modesty would
have prevented her applying for the
place. 1t was but another of her cold
fashioned traits, this inability to go
from member to member TO ask in
crease of salary or higher position.
DR.. Snow had formed favorable
opinion of Miss Hooker not only from
her work in the school-room, but from
meeting her at the houses of her pupils,
where he mott, II the friendliness that
existed between teacher and pupil; and
he also remembered the efficient aid
she rendered in the sick room; he had
seen her in tho Sunday school, sur
rounded by many of her own boys, and
know that her labor and influence were
not confined to the school-room. See
ing the prejudice that would prevent
her appointment to the important posi-
ton she could SO we'll fill, or that, per-
haps. might result in tho loss of her
present position, he determined to in
vestigate tho peculiaritios of this "old-
fashioned" teacher, and learn, if posi-
BILE, tho reason for the disapprobation
expressed at the recent meeting. While
thinking Of this he chanced to moet O.
inf Iuhn hoI
turned for short visit to his native
town, and remembering that he had
been pupil of Miss Hooker, he
thought it his opportunity.
''What do think Of Miss Hookerpn
asked the young man in surprise. "I
think sho is blessing to any boy,
especially TO motherless boy, as was
when l entered her room. Why, doc
tor, she cared for something besides
our lesson; she cared for our bodies
and our souls. / learned habits of Do-
likeness and personal ncatness in her
room that have been of great value to
me, and if her lessons in truth-telling,
kindness, ard unselfishness have clung
to all her pupils as they have to me,
she has done a great work. remem-
ber my first visit to pool room, which
she discovered by means of the odor of
my first cigar, and am glad to be able
to say that the promise then made to
her is still unbroken. tell you, doc
tor, on 'old-fashioned' teacher like Miss
Hooker is a power in community"
'Why do you call her ld-fashioncdP"
asked the doctor.
because the neW-fashioncd teacher,
into whose hands I aftcrward fell,
cared only for marks, reports, ginger
bread performance, finical drill, and
automaton achievements. That kind
OF training doesn't make men, doctor,
yet those teachers seem to be in high
favor with Jour committee men,"
"Not with NO." said the doctor hasti-
Ni 81 quito agree with YOU"
1t was gratifying to DR.. Snow to have
MS opinion of Miss Hooker so emphati-
cally confirmed, but how to convince
MS colleagues OF her worth and secure
nor appointment was problem not
easily solved The difficulty was over
como, however, in a most unexpected
manner before the next meeting of tho
committee. For several months ~
course Systematic pilfering had been
carried on in the different school buiId.
ings OF the town to tho great annoy
Hnce of teachers and pupils, and also
to the perplexity of the police, who
were unable to find tho least trace OF
the thieves. One morning two of Miss
Hooker's boys were arrested upon
wholly circumstantial evidence, and
put in tho "lock-up." Although great.
ly overcome, thoy at once sent for their
teacher, to whom they asserted their
innocence, and begged her 70 inform
their parents of their disgrace. Miss
Hooker was touched by this proof OF
their confidence, and, believing them
innocent, she determined to assist them
by ey try means in her power She ac-
companied them to the courtroom, sal
by their side and testified to their truth.
fulness and uniform good conduct. Her
pleading was effectual; tho boys were