The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-03-18


y and others, please excuse me for Il
'wering your letters, as it was almC
possible. "H. J. NJ" | am not {
ainted with the lady you speak {
ster Agnes" please to hurry up Oh
ldow, as | am very anxious. 81
tive" / am looking in every corner
- for you but don't sec any such
ow. Hoping to DC excused for the DC
i'll try to do better in the future.
"CITY CHAR"
Decatur, Ind, March 10.
An Institute and n Surprise.
II was a dismal day.
Unfit for either work or play.
And though the weather did not sIit,
Oar teachers held an institute.
And while my plan was TO be there,
Although the day might not be fair.
The gloomy rain-clouds hung so low,
I almost said ! would tgo.
But then an anxious lady fricDd
Ins sted that 1 should attend,
And made /; so distinctly clear
Things would be said that should hear.
In haste started through the rain
To hear our teachers make things plain.
The program OF the day wss read;
l. Norman then on topics led.
Upon plan considered asst
"a Il. al
Twas on the Tariff that he spoke,
A themo obscured by log ana smoke;
Evolved from arguments unsound
OF men, in wisdom. deemed profound.
The themes OF themes misunderstood
BY authors with intentions good;
A theme that's borne sarcastic stroke,
And yet wears a hundred cloaks;
And facts "a about IL crorwise lie
As thick as stars that gem the sky:
Or thus distinctly IL appears
From statements made in bygone years.
His summary I'll now submit
Just as / comprehended it:
The thoughts ad vsnced go far TO show
II was good thing long ago.
But cannot longer be desired,
And should forever be retired.
Then with fair zeal and motives Just
Some other topics we're discussed
BY earnest teachers, Hupp and Sutt
Whose store OF iacts seemed veil to e.
Descriptions in geography.
Our government, nod history.
Some questions asked brought forth replies
That seemed to prove our teachers wise.
One question only seemed 70 be
developed deep in mystery.
ACQUISITION which they did maintain,
Our histories do not make plain:
Why was IL that seeded states,
10 days OF reconstruction dates,
Were forced TO be admitted back,
Upon the old foundation track,
Before they could with honor stand
Among the loyal of the land
Where they so long with honor stood,
And labored for the country's good.
When II WAS shown By statesmen true,
Who had our count-y's good In view,
Those states, whose loyalty some doubt,
Had from the union not been out?
Whatever were the courtry's claims,
Or the ambition, hopes and aims
OF those who disregarded law,
And br ought about the civil war,
As they had done so grave a wrong,
And struggled TO maintain IL long,
Was II not Just, was II not right,
That thoy anew their faith should pl ght?
When all with history were through
Orthogrnphy passed in review,
Then rs no one the least opposed.
The teachers institute was closed.
The meeting closed, took again
The hometraek, through the drilling rain.
And on arriving quickly found,
By evidence extremely sound,
A plan had been well improvised
That might greatly be surprised.
For in the time I'd absent been
A birthday party gathered in.
And was the party SUGGEST
Shall explain, or LET you gusss7
was surprised In this one way,
To see friends cut on such day.
And did think that they we're fools,
For living up 10 customs rules,
And coming out on such dav,
To make for me q grand display
thought at least, through rain or snow,
That they could come II could go.
Tho cheerful friends that day met
I'm sure never shall forget.
They proved to me Two friends sincere
Who would do much my life to cheer.
And though but few the full storm braved,
And gained the end they so much eraved,
A number large had well prepared,
And would have come II they had dared.
But storm and distance swnyed them so
Thoy cboss not from their homes 10 50.
And some who started on their way