The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-06-02
would afford you rare amusement and

description can never do it justice.
Scholars Of ell ages and all degrees of
intelligence; some agreeable, some 9TH
erwise some unrulv, some obedient; but
am 80 interested in them. Evidently |
my methods are new to th"m. take
them out among the rocks and give them
simple lessons in geology, or on. on the
beach and talk to them of nature, histo-
ry and the treasures Of the sea. 1t is
like opening fairy wonder book to
them, and find my reward in their
bright. eager faces. 4
sMabel, I was never so happy IS nov. |
NV useless, frivolous life was humiliating |
to me; an unsatisfied longing gave me
no peace. NV father must have ioreseeD
this, aud provided the work In which /
am now so thoroughly happy.
alt is my ambition 10 make this q
model school OF its kind. Time will
tell
"But as I have been writing the sbad-
ows have leugthened,t twilight hovers over
the mountains and casts its shade over
the sea, so will close this letter wishing
you could enjoy with me this great
scene. Your friend. JuNIA.
Presumably there are busybodies
every where. There certainly was in San
DIV Cove, and when Jania began congrat.
ulating herself on the harmony with
which her school was progressing, ru-
mors reached her ears which, spite OF her
efforts to the contrary, had very de-
pressing influence over her. Time only
made matters worse. One night Widow
Ferris noticed that the gloom had deep
ened and as she poured the tea she re-
marked
"Miss St. John, you look tired to.
night or discouraged, which is II"
"a little of both. / Think" she replied
managing TO smile family.
"Why, l hope nothing unpleasant has
occurred in SCHOOL,"
"No, nothing in SCHOOL, then turning
to Norman she continued:
II must explain and ask your advice
As one of the directors / desire your ap.
proval
II think you have 1t already. l have
felt so certain Of your success as teach.
er that have neglected the school more
than ever did before. What difficulty
has arisen ?'
"In my work bere / have departed
from tie old routine OF teaching, and
have tried to make study real pleasure
instead OF dull, mechanical task. Ny
methods have been discussed by the pu.
pills at home, and few OF the parents
have sent me notes Of disapproval. As
paid no attention to them general dis.
satisfaction seemed to arise and to-day
received this" She took from her pock-
ct paper and handed it to Norman who
read in an smused tone:
"MIss ST JOHN: We employed you
to teach our children those branches
which form the foundation of all kDowl
edge, and we respectfully request you to
confne your Instructions thereto, instead
OF neglecting these most important stud.
les to pursue branches probably of in.
terest to Yourself, but far too advanced
for the full comprehension of your pu.
pills. -.
Then followed list OF names. Nor
man laughed heartily, bat seeing the rea
distress of Junia's face, checked bis
mirth and said sympathetically:
"Don't let that trouble you moment
1t is evidently the work OF some busy
"Its scandslous," interrupted the wild
ow Indignantly. "But don't feel down
hearted, Miss St. John; Norman vii
make It all right. I've no doubt 1t start
ed from Susan Rittle; she wanted the
school. and I'm sure she couldn't teacl
anything but the four rudiments to sav,
her life. lust hope You won't give ul
to 'em.'
81 suppose the parents have a right t.
demonstrate il they think / am doing uu
wisely, wish to convince them to tn
contrary. Mr.. Ferris,do you think the,
would attend public examination p
"Yes; it's the very thing. ! will writ
notices and see that the other director
are there, IL you wish me to- he replied
feeling new interest in the young teach
or whom he had hitherto scarcely motto
ed more than courtesy demanded.
The day of the examination came an
the school house was crowded. Fac
class was orally examined. The scho
ars acquitted themselves so credtabl
that malicious spectators were visibl
crestfalen, while many faces gleame
with satisfaction. and as the last elias
, was dismissed the directors expresse
, their hearty approval Of Miss st. John
management of the school Then Juni
stepped out. upon the platform and he
, sweet, clear voice had no tone OF malic
or exsltation to mar it's purity as sh
said:
"My friends, l thank you for you a
, tendance this afternoon. and as hold
! place of trust over your children, l wis
Z TO explain some of my past work whic
, has evidently been misunderstood
, While have opened before these pupi
i new fields of study and awakened
e them an interest in various branches,
trust you are convinced that have n,
= neglected the common studies. My o'
? iect has been to make the task OF lear
b ing a pleasure; to arouse an interest II
books and love for nature.
t 81 will tell you the truth. The FIR
p week. L taught here was touched vii
pity to see the dreamy, mechanical ws
t these children did their work-the ser
). Gus, burdened faces they brought in
the school room, and the hilarious jc
with which they each night welcomed Il
close OF school. In searching for son
{ method of instructing them remembe
ed my own happy childhood, untran
n meled by the restrictions of schoc
e room, My father was nv teacher. v
!. wandered over fields, mountains al
Q ocean shore, learning the wonders OF n
} ture, and at night we studied the heavel
above US without going too far for n
4 childish mind or neglecting necessary r
q diments. When l entered school it "
J. only to find in the sciences old friend
A Toe research which was cherries druid
q ery to some was to me ceaseless deligl
II full OF familiar truths which had charm
}. me years before.
, $50 / adopted my fathers plan
v teaching your children, and as l saw th'
e faces brighten, and heard their Gag