The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-12-14
SOUTHERN Girls Ar SCHOOL.

SOUTHERN GIRLS AT SCHOOL.
a Study In numnu Nature ut Ashc-
viIlo, North CaroIinn-A State of SO.
cIcty Almost beyond BELIEF to North.
ernors-RouEh Diamonds Are Bolng
Polished in II Boarding School.
AIhcpIc, " C., Litter IN " Y Tribme,
The sturdy mountaineer, his pretty
fair.haired, supplemented daughter
and tho rough.diamond sutton for her
hand are such familiar types to the
story-readng world at the present day
that there seems to be little left unsaid
concerning the inhabitants OF these
North Carolina mountains. There is,
however, a new field for study, namely,
the aforesaid daughter in her first year
at school, n position in which new
lights and shades are thrown upon her
character. 1t is undoubtedly known to
many people at the North this year
the Presbyterian Board of Home Mis-
sions has opened in Asheville board
ing-school, which gives to those OF mar
row means the opportunity OF course
Of study equivalent TO that of a college,
preparatory school. 1t is situated just
outside the limits OF this queer, world
renowned place, where people come
during every month OF the year, seek
ing that priceless boon, health, and
where the chance traveller meets upon
the streets every kind OF equipage from
the humblest oH.Cart covered with can
vas 10 the most luxurious Victoria and
the smartest dogcart and Multiplication.
The site of the building is extremely
fine, commanding view OF the amphi-
theatre Of mountains, which makes the
scenery OF this section SO famous.
About mile to the left of the far
famed "Kenilworth Inn; quite close
ut hand is Oakland Heights Saua-
tarium;" and, now that the leaves have
gone from the trees, the mythical palace
which Mr.. George Vanderbilt is build
ing is quite plainly visible on its emin-
ence, six miles away.
The exterior OF the school building is
not attractive. 1t is huge frame struc-
ture, painted in light shades, which
give an appearance OF cheapness, but,
once inside the large hall, one is dis.
possessed OF this impression. Indeed,
it has been called "the best built house
in Ashevlle," as the whole building
was personally supervised by Mr.. Pease,
who atlirms that there is not poor
piece OF timber throughout. The corri-
doris are broad and well lighted, and the
rooms OF the girls are large and cheer
full. These rooms have been furnished
by different church societies at the
north. The furniture is the same in
cach--an iron bedstead. an oak dresser
and washstand and two chairs. The
linen, blankets and toilet articles, OF
course, vary, but all are neat'and taste
full. The rooms OF the teachers, are, for
the most part, provided for by indiyid-
uals-that of the music teacher being
the gift OF Mrs. Russell Sage, in memory
OF her mother.
The visitor is eager, naturally, to see
the girls who have changed their noun
tain cabins OF one room for this warm,
comfortable abiding place. One is in
variably surprised, having noticed the
stolid faces OF the men as they march
beside their ox-cartsTwhich often con-
tain less than one dollars worth OF pro-
duce ("some butter and few eggs" J,
with which they have often toiled
twenty or thirty miles, 10 see that their
children can lonk bright and intelligent.
The fact is, most OF them have never
been properly housed or fed before,
and the change OF environment has
speedy effect on their appearance. In
the schoolroom it is appalling to find
n class OF thirty members to whom
"Tennyson" is an unknown name, and
Westminster Abbey"-a graveyard.
An answer given by one OF this same
class is rather interesting, the question
being: "What is the government of
England?" This was the reply: "The
government OF England is very moist
and damp"
But these are unusual, and the mass
of the pupils arc tolerably well in:
formed. There is, moreover, n decided
pleasure in sowing seed in such un-
tried soil and witnessing the gratitude
with which the smallest crumb OF in
formation is received. Their names
are queer and fantastic, Buena, LettiG,
Chloris, Arrie, Pantha being among
them, reminding one strongly OF the
darkey nomenclature, so astonishing to
unaCcust6med ears. One red mountain
girl was found one day using tobacco.
The case was, OF course, serious, and the
offender was reprimanded most severe
". Indeed, she was told that upon n
second ofFense she would be sent home.
The way in which the reproof was re-
ceivod was astonishing. She went i'm
mediately to her room and wrote to her
parents that they might be quite easy
about her, as she was moving i'll fright
good society" On receipt OF this let
ter, her father, rs she afterward con-
Gded to teacher, "done danced in the
middle OF the floor, he was SO glad"
On Columbus Day the school gave n
very observation-disclosures, singing "The
Star SpGngled Banner" and "America"
with great enthusiasm. A noticeable
feature, however, was that the words OF
these, to us household anthems, were
entirely unfamiliar to them.
The course OF study is thorough and
comprehensive. There are also classes
in cooking sewing, typewriting and
stenography, which give to tho students
an opportunity for learning those things
which may be even more necessary to
them than the learning acquired from
books. They are also Obliged to do the
work of the house, each girl having an
hour in the domestic department every
day. This is necessary, as tho whole
price for tuition and board is but 500
Tor tho school year. Small as this sum
seems, it is vast amount to many
of the patrons; and large
number Of the pupils are supported by
scholarships. Their dress is, for the
most part, plain. but neat. One girl,
however IA regular Craddock heroine,
with red.gold hair and dreamy, blue
eyes,, is SO thinly clad these mornings
that she must suffer. A visit to her