The Portland daily press., 1891-06-06
WhEN.WE WERE BOYS,
i84o-.I85o.
(No. D.
OUR SCHOOL DAYS,

mo. 81
OUR SCHOOL DAYS.
since writing No. 9. on Masters Jones,
jackson and Libby, the writer has had some
OIL the school boys of those days drop into
ais ONCE to talk over old matters. One of
tnem strenuously insists that must be mis-
TAKEN In regard to Master Libby turning
over new leaf and stopping
the use of the cowhide. He states that
ne attended the school year
or two after [ graduated and that he has
very vivid recollections of Master Libby lay
ing the raw hide over his back many a time
and oft. The only answer that could make
him was that the facts were as l stated them
to be; that Is. that he stopped using the cow
hide until after l left the school. and If the
next generation Of boys that came along be-
haved so bad that 1t broke the good resolu-
tions of Master Libby all up, then l was
very sorry and that it was sure proof of what
bad set of boys they were, and no doubt
that they deserved all that they received in
that time. After thinking the matter over
he came to the conclusion that was about
right in the matter all round the lot We
were good boys, and Master Libby knew
sUOu InlnB Wnen ne saw IL.
Our worthy City Messenger also objects to
the expression made In regard to Master
Jones, which was as follows: HE was not
inclined to use the cowhide much, but when
he deemed the occasion demanded it, he
made it fly" He too has very strong recol-
lections of one particular instance when the
cowhide flew round as If it had wings as
large as Maxims' flying machine. The trouble
was as follows: Our genial messenger was
going into school and had got as far as the
top step, where another boy was standing
back toward him just as he arrived at that
spot another boy gave our John sudden
push on to the boy standing still, and away
went the boy down the steps on to the brick
sidewalk no bones were broken but the boy
soon appeared in school and was a bad look
ing sight; the blood was streaming in all di.
rections, and in answer to inquiries from the
Master. he answered that John did it,
Master Jones sang out for John to walk
down in front of the desk John tried to ex-
plain matters, that he was not to blame, but
the Master was so excited and enraged that
ne would listen to no excuses but whipped
numerically. The young man strong in his
6oyhood and still stronger In his innocence,
nhobJ AOoOiiC0 d6oluct tu6 buTdSulUR LQdL
belonged to some other boy. and struggled to
get free. In the tussle both landed on the
floor, the boy on top, and "Crainy" Jones
had met with such strain that the school
was closed for week afterwards, to the
great delight of all the boys who were thus
afforded an extra vacation.
Another OF Master Jackson's scholars re-
minds me that the boys used to take great
delight In making rubber snaps and shooting
them at the Masters head whenever he was
G orol a. l~.x.S
ness that the Master, although walking
round the Sch0olhouSe, was very careful to
keep his face to the scholars If possible. he
also reminds me of the original spirit rap.
pm Which were first PRODUCED in school In
bore hole in the floor and drop a fish line
down through the cellar, fastening the line
70 nail dropped in the hole; during recess
or after school hours, they would go into the
cellar ana hitch on a small stick of wood.
Of these tricks, soon half of the scholars had
their logs on the day set, the boys began
their spiritual manifestations. One boy
would give two jerks, and rap. rap, would
would respond with five raps In another
part OF OF the room and as the Master wend-
ed his way to and fro to discover who made
the noise and what the noise was it would
again be heard in the most distant part of
the room from where he stood. The rapping
Of the logs was done by the feet while the
with their lessons. There was a great deal
OF fun for a day or two. but at the close of
the second day the Master went down cellar
TO investigate, and good many boys sat in
their seats rather uncomfortable fer num-
Der OF days afterward.
Within the last few days have had placed
In my hands the poem given below. entitled
All = In !! Goods J" written by one Of Master
Jacks0n's pupils. was so much pleased
with, and impressed by it, that sought out
the author who proved to be one of our we'll
known citizens, Hon. James P. Baxter, who
wrote the poem many years ago and who
kindly gave his permission to have the same
articles on our school days. 1t Is needless
I pHe me- 70 Vas assure any Of the boys that this
Master Jackson's school, for it bears the
impress SO true, is SO lifelike, SO real and so
natural, that II 1t does not bring a happy
smile to the face of every old school boy who
reads 1t, as he recalls the happy days now
for them to shuttle off this mortal coil?"
Who among us old boys, as he passes along
the street as ''the shades of night are falling
fast" and hears the boys in the distance
shouting; All in all In! gools gools gools!,
beat quicker, and hands tremble, as he
thinks of the good old times of long ago,
when he was once boy?
The days may come, the days may 20,
But Stllt the power OF memory WeayeS
Those blissful days of long ago.
All. me but few years more will elapse
ere from that distant shore and far beyond
in that misty deep, away in the unknown fu-
ture, we know not where, shall we again
hear that old familiar shout for the last, last
time, each to answer the call for himself as
we pass, one by one, on that bourne from
which no traveller returns"-All in! All in !
go0ls! go0ls! go0ls!
ALL IN! GooLs
1t was a simple dream had,
And heard the boys of Forty two
Calling from far with voices glad
Te gools! as they were wont to do;
sweet voices from misty shore,
Calling unto me, DER and DER,
All In! All In! gools! gools goos!
Aye! voices Of the boys we knew
When Master Jackson was keeping school;
see him as plainly as see you,
Perched at his desk, on his lofty stool
And that well known shout is in my ears,
All In! All in! gools! gools! g0ols!
Over his spectaces, now and then,
He peered at us, as the feather frai
s ane t sav nS to nail.
Have run and cried with boyish glee,
All In! All in! gools! gools! gools!
Yet, e'er look benign he wore,
Would smile when fiogging Jack Or Pete,
IL his "sap sugar" tasted sweet;
Mad boys they were, All! memory's ear,
Still seems to catch their voices clear
All in! All I'M gools gools! gools!
How played they mumble.peg and tag,
Jackstones and ball when school was out
Or yellow 0akers" sought when Fall
Dr0pt lavishly its wealth about;
LO! behring's woods still charm the eve,
And bark! the old familiar cry,
All In! All in! gools! gools! gools!
Cried by the grandsons of the boys
We knew so many years ago;
With not thought OF all the Joys
Whose ghosts alone, alas, we know;
Aye! cried with all the old time gee
With which they cried to you and me,
All in! All In! gO0ls! gools! gools!
Then call dear ghosts. in sleep, in dreams,
When aught may quicken memory's ear;
Your voices sweet as Silvery streams
Through glOoms Of doubt we may well hear
Fer calling us who lag behind.
To fields we but through sleep may find
All In! All In! gools! gO0ls! gOolsi
Christian Endeavor Excursion.