The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-14

ny sister teachers. do not frown
when tell you that the person of
whom wc speak was woman. She
was apparently educated and refined.
When We started 20 school to her We
were beginning 10 be considered
among tie large girls. We sat be-
hind the old time writing desk to
cipher. aad did jus: as we pleased
except TO advance in arithmetic. We
we're in G class anA ali in the same
dilemma. When we would apply for
help. We we're driven back to our seat
to read ard study the rule. To our
untutorcd minds, term, means, and
extremes were words beyond our
conception; ard when driven to COM
nit the rule, we repeated it just like
q parrot talking. If our teacher
woui;, Just have read and explained
it TO Us ono time. We surely believe
some of our minds would have laid
hold Of the beautiful truths, and we
would to-day be far in the advance.
One day. we remember, that by
chance we solved 4 problem, and
when we told the class, none believed
it, hut accused US Of forgery. Well,
we knew 10 way u prove our work
by rule or practice. Thus we whiled
away whole year, spending time
ard ilard-carned money with but lit
tie rccompcnsc. That year gave US
q blast in mathematics from which
we never recovered during school
days. and perhaps yet, we suffer from
it. We know that it is not we'll to
work too much for children, but they
must have help and some, of course
more than others. We know from
experience what Q little help will DO,
when it is timely, and thus many an
aching head and heavy hour will be
fraught with joy.
When we were beginning to teach,
then came our tug. Patrons would
want calculations made under various
rules. and our UiooG would almost
quive-. That is over with US now.
but mental labor with many blush
ing pang orcrcame it. When Capt.
Pi!Gr first examined us for admission
to the public school as teacher, we
knew not & SUN from aproduct. He
did rot treat US harshly, hut gave US
some Kind words OF instruction and
encouragement. (Ihanks for it,
Then NC began to see our defects.
TO work We went. and hope we have
not sent any pupil forth so poorly
prepared rs we were. We make no
pretcnsions to being thorough
mathematician. but frequently ask
light on Intricate points, and always
find some scho,arl y charity to grant
it. Now, as & member Of our associ-
alton. We DO besoccI our teachers
never to drive the little anxious in.
qnircr away. as the first denial may
be q stumbling block for years to
come. We have heard the taunt that
women could rot count their butter
money when fractions were involved.
II many have been taught fractions
rs we wee, it is ali true; but who is
to blame? Surely the teachers. We
would say to all, especially female
teachers, care for, watch and sympa-
thize with the young minds God has
given 10 your charge. j. A. l..
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Tie Press and Reporter has the fol-
lowing to say Of the last meeting of
the Teachers Association
Let al teachers attend. These
meetings can be made effective i'll Sc
curing better methods in teaching
and in moulding public sentiment in
favor Of education. Itwas remarked
by Q gentleman that this association
might develop into normal school
for this county. We hope it will.
Teachers. no less than lawyers, ply
sic:ans and ministers Of the Gospel.
need professional training. The hu-
man mind is the most complete and
mva5crious Of Coils creations, and
none but trained hands should be
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