The Coconino sun. [volume] (Flagstaff, Ariz.) 1891-1891, 1891-10-15
A POOR TEACHER.
An Incident So Comm on That Its Real.
Ism VIII DE light You.

| Ism VIII Delight You.
Jonathan Briggs is the father OF a
bright little boy. five years of age, and
he naturally takes u great deal OF
pride in the child and has deep affec-
ton for the little fellow. About a
week ago the idea got into Briggs
head that ii was time for the child TO
commence on the foundation for an ed
ucation.
Maria, said Briggs to his wife,
Does little Henri know his letters?"
What letters do you mean?" asked
his wife innocently.
"The alphabet--dOes he know the
alphabet Can he say the letters "a. b.
C, d, and so on, like could when was
his age?"
mo, of course he doesn't know the
alphabet; he's never been taught it,
the little DEAR"
IL am surprised my dear. that his
education has been neglected. shall
commence at once this evening, when
come home, to teach him the alpha
bet"
That evening, after tea, Briggs
called the child to him.
Now, Henri. papa's going TO teach
you the alphabet so that you can learn
to read pretty stories. Here is pretty
book. and all these are the letters OF
the alphabet This is A." pointing to
cacn one, and this is Is, and this is G,
and this is ID. Now, remember them
as / tell them to YOU" He named over
the balance of the letters and returned
to A.
''Now what is that?h
Henri looked at ii IA moment du-
biously. Il don't know"
What! Don't kuow?'' ...
"N-o-o-o.h
Well | declare! II isn't five min
utes since | told you that was A. Now,
what is the next one?"
Don't know"
What! forgotten that too? Don't
you know what this is, nor that?r
'N-o-o-o."
If that don't beat ali! Here I've
just told the child what these letters
are, and he doesn't know one of them. "
My dear, did you expect him to
learn the alphabet in five minutes?"
well, no, not exactly; but expect
him to remember what | tell him. |
begin to fear that the child has no
memory. Now, sir, ! shall tell you
what each OF these letters are, and |
expect you to remember their names"
Briggs repeated The alphabet over
and again pointed to A. Now, sir,
what letter IL that?n
Il don't know. Boo-hO p.oo."
See here. Jonathan Briggs" cried
his wife, you've mad, the child cry,
and you stop toymcntiug him this
minute and let him come TO me-"
Mrs. Briggs | propose to teach
this child the alphabet il he Is capable
OF learning it. and do not want you
to interfere. "
Henri wept
You shall do nothing of the kind,
you big brute! Let me have that
childr'
Mrs. Briggs"
MT briRBs.
Henri wept
You give me that child this I'M
stant Jonathan Briggs! and | shall at
once go home to my mother. and per-
haps my father will have something to
say to you, sir about treating his
daughter SOL
Hang your father! Take the
youngun, he's just like your folks,
anyhow" and MIR. Briggs relinquished
the now screaming child. put on his
hat and went out, slamming the door
so hard that IL woke up policeman.
In about half an hour Briggs cooled
OF sufficiently 10 see that he had made
a fool OF himself. 80 he sncaked back
home, His wife ind child both bore
traces Of weeping, and his wife refused
10 notice him. a very humble apology
and n promise OF cloak settled it
with her. and some candy won baclS
he child. u
Henri nov attends u select school,
where for 1--WE dollars per term sad
syed girl is t,'ach ng him the alphabet.