Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1891-12-11
THE SCHOOLHOUSE.


out that support they would inevitably
fall of. His face was the picture of
gloom, appropriately framed in by the
white handkerchief tied around his
head.
How do you propose to teach
school to-day JackP" inquired my
Uncle Peter.
"And oh, Jackr' l exclaimed, 'you
were going to tako me out with you
to-day"
Twas visiting Jack for tho first time,
and he had promised me for that day
a private exhibition of his pedaRogic
methods and subjects, in which mat
tiers took mild interest, since |
looked forward confidently to pro-
fessorship after graduation, If not at
Harvard or Yale perhaps in Hardin
ston Academy. Said Jack to me,
why can't you visit the school as
you intended, Will. but as teacherp "
Here was chance to test my pro-
fessional possibilities. The school
was two miles distant and after hasty
directions as to my way. for I was
entirely ignorant of tho local geogra-
ply, / set out with a confidence as
high as Mt Everest while the hand
kerchief-mutfled imposter of a cousin
waved me to victory from the sitting
room window.
After | had scudded over more than
a mile | came short up against an
unfortunate difficulty fork In the
road.
Jack said nothing about fork in
the road" grumbled l to myself.
Now what's to be done? | must
hurry, or those young ones will go
home again and miss some excellent
instruction. That would be too bad.
Stay! There is q native. Can you
tell me where the schoolhouse is?"
There's the Peacock School'ouse
an the Bensley School'ouse. Ones
down that away an tn other this-a-
way"
(Which does John Lawrence teachp"
Dunno; | b'long to the Coon Crick
distric', an dunno. Has yourn a big
elm out IN frontP"
Yes that's it Jack told me about
that"
We'll, you jes' follow on down that
road there till you come to a school,
'ouse settin' by the road. an that
there's it"
A short walk soon brought me to
the building. l found the door al
ready unlocked, but no crowd OF mis-
chievous boys hailed my entrance. No
one was there but a quiet little girl
sweeping up kindling chips.
Your regular teacher will be un-
able to be with you to-day, Miss. but |
will fill his place with what ability l
can command. What's your namep"
do not think ever saw any one
look quite so surprised as that girl did
then. However, saw nothing strange
in the matter, and repeated:
Whats your name? l am to teach
you to-day"
alice Stanley"
How old are you. Alicep'
Eighteen
"Whewl" thought to myself. 'she
does't look fourteenr
The desk rs a whole was quite
contrast to Jacks study-t table at home
The last bell rang, and Alice Stan
ley came in. Iquietly remarked. Il
am to take the place of your teacher
to-day. viii some one start songP"
Calling q class, Peter Thompson
failed to come forward. l urged him
to no avail.
took hold OF Peters shoulder II
commands are not obeyed use force.
not lot 81
gave such yell as l never heard from
mortal lungs. sprang back as If l
had touched Of mine. Peter did not
desist, but to the first burst succeeded
an avalanche of blubberings that came
down like the cataract of Lodcre. |
retreated in dismay and Peter halted
with strange suddenness. He sulked
behind his apron. however till recess.
Confronted by those five infants the
query rose imperiously before my be-
wildered mind, How in the name of
Pestlozzi do they teach children their
lettersp" took the reader aud pointed
to the first letter of the alphabet.
What is the name of that letter."
/ inquired.
They gazed at me in stupid amaze
ment
You surely know what that letter
is. Tell me at once" said severely.
Munitions OF rain in one or two eyes,
Alice SANKEY'S hand goes up.
Question. AliceP"
Please sir. teacher uses the word
method"
The word methodp What might
that be? My course in college so far
had contained no information on that
point. Perhaps it was in the scientific
course. To cover my confusion ]
looked at my watch. 1t was far past
recess time and rang the bell.
measured off just five minutes for
the recess. Time was precious II the
morning programme was to be COM
pleted. Promptly at the expiration OF
the time l rang the bell, and as the
astonished company hustled back to
their seats noticed Petor Thompson's
place vacant
Where is Peterr