The Forrest City times., 1891-01-16
MY "DEESTRiCT SCHOOL


 Some one should write a work up- on the early ''deestrct schools oi New England-not an analytical or statistical work, but rather one descriptive Of that remarkable edu- cational institution. in which should be incorporated some of the most striking occurances-amusin com ieal, pathetic, even tragic, ot which tine old time country district school houses were the scene Such book would be not only entertaining, but valuable, throwing light upon the unique features of our public school system Il generation ago.
 was one of the first female teach ers' who ventured to take charge Of a winter school in a certain country district. As such for several years l encountered an absurd but very pre- valent prejudice against women teachers, as well as unruly instincts of the "big boys in the back seats and the deep snow drifts oi the country roads.
 The adventure beiell me during my first winter school was then about p years old During the early au- tumn lhad resumed my studies at a well-known New England seminary, where l had already been for two years. Then in September. my fla ther died suddenly, He left small property which, with prudence and labor, might, perhaps, enable my mother to give her children home until We should, one after another. be old enough to go forth and strive with the great world.
 Iwent home to the funeral of my father with the knowledge that 1 could not return to the seminary. but was still resolved to earn enough to finish my studies there. At home l met my uncle John, brother Of my mother, who lived in Northern Vermont. and who, when told him my trouble. offered me the position ot teacher of the winter school in his district. The rate of pay was six dollars a week, for the term of six teen weeks duration.
 The school was a country school, where the teacher "boarded around" and took the consequences. suffered a few minor inconvenience, such as having to warm the "spare-bed" in every house at which took my quarters. and running the risk of dyspepsia as the result of the en- deavor of every clever housewife to ''set the best table" for the school ma am But, on the whole the first five weeks of my teaching passed very agreeably to me.
 Many of the boarding places were quite mile distant from the school house. But l was strong and full of health, and in pleasant weather found the walk to and from the school invigorating and enjoyable. When the day was stormy l was conveyed to the school-house in the farmers big Humber box" and took a lunch ot the good, crisp ''twisters'' and sage cheese for the incoming.
 The school-honse was an old-fash- toned one. strongly built, with heavy doors and small. high win aows. In one corner of the great n hrAa.j .,h T.<x oI.< which the children hung their wraps. This closet sometimes served as Il palace 0! solitary confinement for very young offenders against the good order of the school. It's heavy doW was fastened with great clumsy button. against which, when once it was turned upon him, it was useless for the prisoner to contend. 1t was the 23rd of November and tue sixth week of the school, The weather had been clear and | cold in the early morning, but short ly after sunrise the sky became over. cast. Early in the afternoon snow began to fall and a biting wind sprang up, sending the temperature rapidly downward.
 When school closed at 4 o clock the storm was in full blast Amid wild | bewailing the children were bundled of in their respective vehicles for home, leaving me to wait alone for | the arrival of my uncle, in whose family was to spend Thanksgiving Darkness was already falling. put on my rubber boots and wraps and sat before the stove. expecting every moment the arrival ot Uncl, John. A half m hour went by--ar hour. Then began to think that something had happened to prevent his coming. My uncle's house was in q remote part of the district and is would have been impruden' for me to undertake to walk ther, through the drifts. But Mir. Eos ter lived only half mile from th. school house, and to his house tie | cided to walk.
 had not gone twenty rods when realized that l must return. Tn, wind blew furiously in my fuc, and nearly took away my breath and the air was so full of snow that in the gathering darkness, couls not sec for two yards besore me. was almost blown back to the school house. and despite it's loneliness, wal thankful for it's shelter, as felt tn building tremble and crack beneatl the heavy gusts.
 There was lamp in the school