The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-20

country" If ever go to Arkansas shall look
around for that man. for want TO shake hands
with him. Such sentiments coming up
from all over the South. and they meet a
Spouse IN nearly every soldiers heart. On, of
course. there are fools. There always have been,
and always will be. But there are steady.
straig tfor ward, sensible men enough ali over
this land OF ours to see that everything goes on
right. Let us have peace" the said
whose memory is revered By all. both North and
South. T. r. LEIGH.
JUDsos, Parke county. Indiana. March IL.
The Missionary side of % Teachers Life.
10 the Editor Of the Indianapolis Journal:
Few people think Of public school teacher in
any other light than as paid machine employed
TO look after the mental training of the youth of
the land. While any system worthy to be called
system must necessarily have tendency to
compel all minds to run. as It were, in the same
groove, when doing the sams work, still teach
are. some of them. as Intensely human as
the rest of mankind The heroism OF Miss Free
man, teacher In Nebraska, in saving the lives
of thirteen small children. during the terrible
blizzard of January last is meeting with just
appreciation both sides of the continent.
The work of Miss Donnan, in making amends
for previous mistake of our own school sys-
tenn, regarding the history OF the late war, has
already received extended comment in the Jour-
nal
This work of the individual. in contradistinc-
face wins the approval and praise of the general
public, which is certainly gratifying to the re-
ciplent. But a teachers life Is a life or hard
work and many are the deeds of kindness and OF
beroism that the public hears nothing about. In
acquaintance with the city schools for fifteen
years past / have known of many cases of des-
tltution that were quietly relieved by the indi-
vidual effort of teachers. in soliciting donations
of clothing and food. This is part of the mis-
sionary side OF teachers life. and its own good
reward is the consciousness Of having done good
to the suffering child
But there is another, and darker side. An
instance that has lately come under my notice
will serve to illustrate. Some six weeks q
young man was brought up in the Criminal
Court tbefore Judge Irvin) for assault COM
mitted under circumstances of 80 serious nat
ure that the chances were Cen 20 one that he
would be sent to prison for life He was penn-
less and, far as he knew, without
friends who could or would aid
the mental sufferings he underwent in Jail for
a week. awaiting tralR unvisited by anyone.
Twelve years ago be had attended night
school which Geo. Merritt had been instru-
mental in establishing near where the Friend
ly Inn" is now located. for the benefit OF the
young people of both sexes, who were engaged
during the day at the various factories and mills
in that locality. In its corps of four teachers
was one. lady. who. though young. was en-
dowed by nature with strong sympathies and
brave heart and whose character and life
history inspired her pupils with the confidence
of a better future for themselves. She has ever
since bsen connected with and at present fills
responsible position in the schools OF the city
This teacher. happening to sec the newspaper
accounts of her former pupils recent arrest, and
remembering his manly character during the
three years he was under her charge when boy,
went to his aid. Under such pieces. securing
la~yer, Visiting the Jail in person and explain
ing the young mans circumstances to the judge.
by no means easy tasks for a l9dy; but she
brought such influences to bear that the appar-
entity hopeless ended by merely nominal
fine.
Such is briefly told. one brief item in the mis-
sionary side of one teachers life. As the aid
was rendered according to scriptural Injunction.
l shall feel delicacy about giving the teachers
name. But that will concern the public but lit
tie. The moral of the story should concern it,
however. The teacher who enters upon her
task with the earnestness born of enthusiasm
for her work and studies the needs and wants
of her pupils making their cause hers. becomes
endeared to them; and in turn it sometimes
happens that in after life emergencies are
brideed over by the interest which the teacher
feels in the life which once under her train
ing.
This phase of the teachers mission receives
scarcely a thought from most parents; and yet
it is often of untold value to the child, whether
it be TO life, in the case just cited or
merely helpful in other ways. L. j.