The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-02-21
A SCHOOL MA'AM'S PLANT.

When I was II years old the directors Of
- county saw fit to give me q school. had
taught one term, and had got along so well that
they felt justified in giving me another. have
long since given up teaching, but my recollection of
that trying winter 50 vivid it seems but yesterday
had read n great deal On the correct way of
governing schools, and the article 1 modelled after
advised governing by love l will say right here
that governing by love is a delusion and snare-a
ptfll for the feet of the unwary; and the one fell
into was very much oyorgrown.
The author of this deludng pamphlet claimed
that where corporal punishment only commanded
outward obedience the conquer-bylove system
brought out all the native godliness more or less of
which substance lies dormant in every school boys
heart 1t may be so. I would not for the world
contradict the ilustrous author. But think if he
had analvzed the school boys Of district he
would have found very little ofthe precious cene1t
in their composition. Anyhow, the conquer by
love system failed TO develop it,
went to school the first morning with heart
OVERLOOKING with love towards the forty-odd intend
ed recipients of that love I resolved to set good
example lcfore them by charity, forbeaIance,
patience and serenity combined. If had only
mixed with these tImness and a resolve to judici-
ously apply hickory oil when occasion demanded,
would probably have got along better.
One ofmy rules was to have each pupil who
missed a word write it certain number OF times
his slate or on the board One day pupil fatty re-
fused Love fell fat and was obliged to have re-
course to the old-fashioned hickory wand After
he had given in and completed his task sent him
to his seat saw his lips move and form the word
it don matter what it was-undcr his breath.
Igave him second dose, even more liberal than
the first and he never came to school another day.
1 was SO glad. This caused breach between me
and that family.
Tbers were two brothers who had a rooted obiec-
ton TO looking at their books. kept one of these
in one day TO learn his lesson, and at noon he went
home Next morning told him as he had gone
home without asking my permission he could now
make up the halliday by staying in his inter1nis-
Sons and threefourths Of his incoming. This made
his folks very angry. They sent note, threaten
ing me with expulsion, but I sent ier u director,
who told me to 20 ahead, and 'let en- fire away"
1t is needles 10 state "let EN- fire."
One of the many faults they accused me of-oi
which was not guilty-vRs Partially. There was
one little girl, cousin Of mine to whom never
had occasion to speak severely, and who always
had Ler lessons They said never scolded Lizzie,
no matter what She da.
ono Old hyroefle said ny school house "iust put
her in mind of theater it Was 50 noisy" And she
had never been inside Of my school house, much
less a theater have often wondered since what
her idea Of thelter was 10 likcn school 70 H. II
must have been something terrible 10 Judge By the
construction Of her words and the emphasis She
placed On them.
have no particular love yet for that old lady. 1.
may c tina. hG an unf0rgiying split.
Aneg school closed I fell i'll, and she had the
hardllo1d to inquire after No, and tell my father
show sorry she was She ala not dream that that
same Illness was. o. o r at extent, brought on By
worry caused by babol OF uucharitahle wagginy
tongucs Oh no. And had, morning Afternoon
ing. curing tie bitter cold weather taken Of Der
little daughters shoes. and held her feet il lay
hands until they were thawed out.
I would never advise any one possessed Of con-
science to teach could neither cat, sleep nor en-
Joy mylelfin any way that winter. But my ex
perienee was Of value to lne. taught successfully