The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-01-03

DUCxfNG THE scnooLMAsTEn.
tunities 10 exhibit his prowess. for tho
best runner and the best wrestler IN the
next district has his own honor and that
OF his nelghbofhood To- support. AS
consequence. they can never meet AT
spelling or singing school without get.
ting together aud the one who wins 10
more of blessing To his people than Is
the leader In all the Intellectual tests that
could be submitted.
At the esening gatherings In the coun-
try school house. there Is nothing so
confirmed favorite as Ring" All tho
young men aud women who care 10 play
are formed into circle. and one is
agreed upon by common consent TO be-
gin the exercise of dropping the hand
kerchcf." He or she-it may be either
starts around the ring with n hand
kerchief. which may have been borrowed,
aud when he comes 10 the zone that no
loves best he drops tho cambria and
starts on n wild run around the ring.
The person behind whom tho handker.
chief has been dropped must pick II up
and chase the other. capturing him II
possible before he shall complete tho
circuit aud stand in tho vacant space
left by the pursuer. III he cannot do
that he must submit To the punish ment
OF being kissed In the full view OF all
who may have been beguicd into play
ing But SO common Is the game that
this public OSCILLATION has not nearly
the ierrors IL would possess 10 those
unused to the custom. The game may
last for half nm hour amid the widest OF
shouting aud the hcarlest OF laughter.
Hat ball is daytime game as a rule.
but IL NAV be played at night IL the
moon Is full. A little hollow is mnde Ia
the ground and all the players gather
about In sort OF ring. each one balanced
aud ready TO run. and equally balanced
10 dart down at the hole after the ball
which has been placed there. II his name
shall be called. the person who drops
the ball in the hole stands two steps
nearer II than the rest OF the players,
looks all about him for the enc he
wants. and calls the name OF one OF the
men and then all run away. scattering
like covey of quails The one who
mas been called snntches the ball. takes
hurried view Of the field and throws NJ
the one nearest him. This is generally
the manner, who is handicapped In the
mstter OF starting IL any one Is hit no
must pick up the ball. come back aud
"nnmo IL" for TIE next stage of the
game. If no one is hit the bail will be
recovered and the unfortunate ihrower
whose aim was bad must name IL again.
But ms the winter progresses all eyes
In The school turn To the treat ut
Christmas. At that time the teacher lie
expected To- give all members OF his
flock some token In remembrance OF tho
dav. 1t may bc n quantity of candy or
n peck OF nuts. or bnshcl OF apples. and
IL now and then rises to the dignity Of
an oyster supper ri which all the pupils
are invited 10 sit down. But IL must be
something. TIE teacher who will re.
fuse TO treat at Christmas must expect
hard usage from the BOYS, aud ANYTHING
but sympathy from the girls. As the
day approaches the largest boy Is de.
pnlzed by general consent to sound the
teacher on the subject. and find III he Is
intending To treat, Ii the teacher cvadcs
the question or responds with n htt re.
fusal hc IL sure To find himself locked
out OF the house on the morning prcccd-
ing the holiday; for school need never
be held on Tint day. When he comes To
the door and flnls he cannot enter. for
all the pupils will be in mutiny against
him. his quickest way will be 10 sur
render nj discretion. and pledge himself
TO get what they demand. "A for them.
they would much prefer refusal. but the
unwritten law OF the country Is That the
teacher who gives up must be permit
ted to 70 on with his school Should no
refuse at the last lac will be taken by tho
larger boys aud carried bodily 10 the
nearest water there to- be duckcd with
Oui any mercy whatever.
just one occasion like this Is enough
90 i've for yenrs IN district. Parents
and pupils alike glory In the finn that
comes If the dueking. aud even the
tescher. II he be wis, mtn. will look
on The comIcal instead OF the scrions
side. Should the teacher he a womsn.
OF course no such vigorous argument
can be adopted Bat In that case the
simple locking of tie doors, and the
holding of MI the school outside In the
cold will usually have the desired ef-
feet. Bat the woman teacher la the
winter Is the exception rather than the
rule.
Take II altogether. the winter term In
the country IL never long enough.
Whether much or little Is loarucd from
the hooks. there IL world OF that better
wisdom which results In stronger limbs.
pnrnr hearts. aud lifelong love be-
tween the pupils which n0lbing on earth
can displnce. When they are old. boys
grow yonne again. aud girls forget the
wrinkles in their brows At the mere men.
ton OF youngeter who was ngure Ia
the school days OF long ago. How they