The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1892-08-11
A Visit to the Manual Training School.

The day classes comprising the Manual
Training School are nearly filled, seventy
two being the largest number of pupils
which can be accommodated at the twelve
benches. There are now about seventy
boys and girls at work. Mr.. Schuerch
speaks in the highest terms of the interest
manifested by his pupils, while they in turn
highly appreciate the patience and kindness
which he brings to his work. The new,
bright tools, and the clean well ordered
benches possess great attraction for the
boys and girls. Stepping quietly into the
work-room one morning, l found twelve
boys busily engaged in planning, wood-rasp-
ing, saving, driving nails, etc. None were
aware of there being an intruder in the
room for some minutes, and when they be-
came aware of it, they took not the slightest
notice, but kept busily about their work. 1t
was the second class, and ] think none of
them were more than twelve years of age.
Nothing like it was ever seen in this city
before, and it is to be hoped that many of
our people will give the school a call as it is
open to visitors at any and at all times.
Some of the boys are already planning to
save their spare pennies in order to buy a
few tools, that they may continue their
work after the close of the school. There is
no waiting between the classes. At 7.45
A. NJ the third class is called. At 9.45 they
are dismissed, and twelve others take their
places and 50 on through the hours allotted
to the lessons. Mr.. Schuerch is not afraid
of work, and passes nearly all of his leisure
time, if he has any, in the workroom.
One of the pupils who is much interested
in the carpentry department is Miss Carrie
Cleveland, who is passing her summer yaca-
ton at Saturday Cove, Northport, herself /,
teacher in Woodworking. Her home is in
New Jersey, where manual training is re-
cognized feature in the education of the
youth She is a bright, breezy girl, fond of
yachting, riding and rowing, yet finds time
to stage it from Northport to Belfast to take
her carpentry lessons. Another pupil,
Master Jack Burleigh, of Searsport, arrives
in town on the early morning stage, and
takes double lesson in the forenoon, He
is the happy possessor of toy sled and of
other articles of his own manufacture.
Master Jack is nine years old, and is a boy
who means business. A third pupil walks
into town, distance of three miles, and
says it is time we'll spent. Leo Bucknam,
"a Boston Boy" is also pupil. He is a
typical Yankee. applying for his ticket he
said, II am good whittier when at home,
and | know | can do the work with those
tools"
Woodworking as future factor in helping
women, as we'll as men, to earn their own
livelihood is of much importance. Even in
the present there are many who follow this
vocation as a trade One little Miss of my
acquaintance carves wood beautifully. 1t is
natural talent to her. 1t is her chief de-
light to fashion little boats that shall look
like the ''Marjorie," in which she sometimes
goes TO sail with her papa. The system is
meeting with words of appreciation ON every
hand, and where there are but seventy pupils
in the school to-day, should it he continued
for three months, more than double that
number woula be anxious to attend.