St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-02-15
THE TYPICAL OLD LOG SCHOOL HOUSE.

mons temple the sound of the hammer
was not heard and the same can be said
of this Institution of learning, for the
reason that there were no nails used in
its construction. 1t was one story high,
built OF round logs, covered with Or
binary clapboards which were held IN
place by poles placed upon them. In
building up the walls, of course the logs
did not fit closely together, so the inter-
stices were "chinked and daubed."
The only window in the build
ing was made by leaving out
the greater part Of one log about four
feet above the floor. Into this opening
a rude, rough frame was fitted and over
this was fastened oil paper, but subSe
Quently it was replaced by glass. The
floor was made of puncheons-logs split
in half, the level surfaces of which were
made as smooth as they could he with
an axe. The seats were made of the
same material and were held up by four
pins driven into augur holes bored in
the bark or round surface. A
picture of one of these seats
is seen just outside of the door.
On these seats, without backs, the
children were compelled to sit from
early in the morning until the evening
shade began to appear with an inter-
mission of only one hour for dinner.
just under the window was a Sloping
shelf, at which the writing scholars
were permitted to sit. Well can l re-
member how enviouS was of them and
how anxious | was to advance so that l
could sit near that window. After pass
ing through the primer, l was ad-
Vanced to Noah Webster's spelling
book, and when L could read
the stories Of the rude boy
In the apple tree" and the foolish girl
who counted her chickens before they
were hatched," | was about as happy
as education ever makes one. This in
stitution of learning was situated mile
or so from any house, and near fine
spring of cold, sparkling water.
The teacher was an lriShman by the
name of Haley, thoroughly educated,
and one of the best teachers | ever
knew, although he had his faults. Some
times he would feel it necessary to take
a spree, though he never INDUCED his
desire for liquor while he was conduct
Ing his school. When he could resist
no longer, it was his habit to dismiss
the school, saying that the scholars need
not return until he sent them word. He
would go on a regular drunk for week
or more, then send notice to the parents
of the children that the school would be
resumed on certain day. He was sure
to be on hand and dignitied as was his
usual custom.
In those days teachers we've at liberty
to punish with switch for violations of
rules OF for neglect of studies. Weeks
and weeks | pOndered over the multi
plication table. 1t seemed | bad no
taste for mathematics. Day after day l
was called up to recite and could never
get through the table without making
innumerable mistakes. At last Mr..
Haley lost his patience and informed
me that If | did not know it thoroughly
by Friday evening he would try what vir-
tue there was in his switch. knew just
what to depend upon, and so | did my
level best to master this intricate SUB
ject. At last Friday came and | was
called up and went along splendidly
until Preached eight times eight, and |
said eight times eight are seventy-twO.
Without word of warning he began to
apply the switch. | danced around the
room quite lively, but he moved as
rapidly as did and always managed to
have the singing end of his shillalah
at the place it would do the
most effective work. All this time,
while enduring the smarting effect
of the switch, was revolving in my
mind eight times eight. At last cried
out sixty-four and the punishment
ceased. l finished the balance of the
table without mistake, and have
known it ever since. have studied
many branches of higher mathematics
and l can truthfully say that the multi
plicatiOn table gave me more trouble
than all the others combined.
When the children within radius of
three miles were found to be numerous