Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1892-02-06
THE SCHOOLHOUSE

Jack came down to breakfast hold
ing both hands to his Jaws as ii with
ont that support they would inevitably
fau 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. Jack9' inquired my
Uncle Peter.
..And.oh. Jack exclaimed, you
we're going to take me out with you
fo-day."
was visiting Jack for the first time
and he had promised me Tor that day
a private exhibition OF his pedagogic
methods and subjects. in which mat
ters | took a mild interest, since |
booked forward confidently to a pro
fsssnrship after graduation, if not at
Harvard or Yale perhaps in Hardin
stnn Academy. Said Jack to me
Why cant you visit the school as
you Intended, Will but a. teacher9
Here was a chance to test my pro
feSsional possibilities The school
WAS two miles distant, and after hasty
directions as to my way. Tor | was
entirely ignorant Of the local geogra-
ply. ! set out with a confidence as
high as Mt Everest while the hand
kerchief-muttied imposter of 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 q fork in the
road.
Jack said nothing about fork in
She road, !" grumbed | to myself
Now what's to be done? | must
hurry. or those young ones will 20
home again and miss some excellent
obstruction. That would be- too bad.
Stay! There is native Can you
teii me where the schooIhouse is2"
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 teach27
Dunno; b'long to the Coon Crick
eiiatric, an dunno. Has yourn a big
elm out 10 'front.'"
Yes that's it. Jack told me about
that
We'll. you les follow on down that
road there till you come to a school
'0use a settin' BY the road. an that
there's it.
A short walk soon brought me to
the building | found the door al
ready unlocked, but no crowd OF mis-
ehieTous boys hailed my entrance No
one was there but quiet little girl
sweeping up kindling chips
+Your regular teacher will be un-
able 10 be with you to-day, Miss. hut |
will fill his place with what ability /
can command. What's your name?"
] do not think ] ever saw any one
Hook quite SO surprised as that girl did
then. However. saw nothing strange
IN the matter, and repeated:
Whats your name? am to teach
you to-day"
''Alice Stanley.
chow old are you. AIice9"
Eighteen"
.'Whew" thought to myself she
does't look fourteenn
The desk as a whole was quite
contrast to Jacks study-table at home
The last bell rang, and Alice Stan
Fey came in. quietly remarked. Il
am 10 take the place Of your teacher
To-day. Will some one start a song?"
Calling a class Peter Thompson
Jailed to come forward. ! urged him
so no avail.
took hold Of Peters shoulder If
commands are not obeyed. use force
That's my motto. Immediately Peter
gave such yell as ] never heard from
mortal lungs. / spraug back as If |
had touched off a mine. Peter did not
.slesist but TO the first burst succeeded
an avalanche OF blubbenngs that came
down like the cataract Of Lodore |
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 u eis
Estfers?' took the reader and pointed
70 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
fs Tell me at once, = said / severely.
Munitions of rain in one or two eyes.
Alice SANKEY'S hand goes up.
''Quesiion. AliCes'
Please siI; teacher u.es the word
mnthOd
The word method What might
snat b.? My cour", ~ college 50 far