The record-union., 1892-11-24

Il
remember the death of one who had
been first pupil and then q teacher in
our own school, although at the time she
died she was connected with another.
She was to be buried shortly before the
close OF the afternoon session, and we
who had been her associates asked per-
mission TO dismiss our classes for that
last half hour-and our request was de-
MED. If We died often, and so afforded
grounds for the suspicion that we were
scheming to obtain holidays for our sur
vlvors, that might not seem strange, but
All the applicants for positions can testify
that we are terribly long-lived.
Is 1t nOt possible that as an association
we might give some help in cases of sick
ness? Ofour apparent neglect after the end
comes, our friends are happily uncon-
sclous, but before that we might be of
some use Gould we not tax ourselves a
certain per cent. OF our salaries, so that
the teacher who receives only S45 a month
would not be expected to contribute an
equal amount with those of larger in
comes? This money could, month by
month, form fund, being allowed to ac-
cumulate for, perhaps, a year. After that
time, definite sum could each week be
paid to any teacher who might be COM
PEELED by sickness to leave her class. 1t
might not be enough to furnish many
luXuries, but it would be a help, and il
would show that her associates were
neither forgetful nor heartless, although
they might often be too busy to manifest
their sympathy in any other than this
material way.
And possibly, if we thus made evident
our desire to assist our comrades, the
very fact might be a suggestion to those
who preside over the payroll, reminding
them that when a person receives a salary
barely sufficient to supply the ordinary
comforts OF life, the entire Withdrawal of
that income at a time when many unu-
sual expenses must necessarily be in
CURED means state of mind that is not
conducive to a very rapid recovery.
Half pay, under such circumstances,
would be a much appreciated improve
ment When we act III behalf Of our own
companions. we can better ask for a con-
SiGeratlOn OF the matter by the Board of
Education. 4 hundred teachers, well or
ganlZed and acting in unison, themselves
giving the aid that lies in their power,
and then asking for their disabled COM
rade the reasonable assistance of the
board, can speak with more force than
can some one pale, little teacher, who
hesitatingly asks if she must lose her en-
tire salary for the time that she has been
i'll.
[ am convinced that large proportion
of what we consider unattaiuable bless
ings would be cheertully granted bv the
indication of our desires, If the requests
evidently voiced general sentiment, and
if they were presented i'll a reasonable in
stead of a fretful way.
This brings me naturally to the lastly
Of my discourse-the duty of respectful,
but energetic, protest. AS a rule we do
not protest in any definite way. We be-
wall our grievances among ourselves,
and then we meekly, and with outward
smiles but inward dissatisfaction, do
what we hate ourselves, and what, half
the time, nobody particularly cares about
our doing. We make cheap martyrs Of
ourselves martyrs in an ingloriOus
cause and for the accomplishment Of no
good results.
For instance, who of our number did
not detest the idea Of marching through
the streets on Columbus Day? l do not
presume to speak for the masculine por-
ton Of our rank and file. In the light of
recent events and recent demonstrations
| am inclined to think that possibly men
do enjoy participating in parades and
professions; that uniforms and regalia,
torches and brass bands, are dear to their
hearts; but am sure that am not speak
ing too forcibly when | say that the aver
age woman iOathes anything of the kind.
The few who of their own tree will Join
in street professions are members OF the
Salvation Army, and l suppose thew are
buoyed up by the conviction that they are
really accomplishing good results-a con-
VicJion that was certainly denied us. OF
course we expressed, with considerable
vigor, our views on the subject; OF course
we said that this was in no respect the
kind Of work that we had been employed
to do. AS usual, we made all these re-
marks where they could not possibly do
the slightest good, and then, as usual, we
went forth obediently. We saw our
pupils, girls and boys, conducted through
the middle of the street at Il pace that
would have made ridiculous any attempt
to call their astonishing progress march
ing" Onward dashed the pupils, on
ward came the teachers, out Of breath
with their efforts to keep within shouting
distance of their charges. And then-we
waited. Ii we accomplished anything else,
it must have been wuen we were in a state
OF semi-unconsciOuSneS from sunstroke,
for somehow / cannot remembe hearing
much that could Ue called singing; and
the solemn sound of the pledge OF allie
glance was chiefly conspicuous by its alb
sence. l cannot imagine that we were a
source of either pleasure or benefit to any
one else, and 'Ee ourselves were not in Il
state of perfect bliss by any means.
After the celebration was ali over (and
to most OF US it was only repetition of
many another season of distress) / did
venture to ask member Of the board if
he believed in that kind OF thing. He
did not look ut all shocked by the ques-
ton, answering most emphatically that
he did not approve of it at all, but that it
seemed to be expected of US. And there
we were. engaged in a performance that
was more than distasteful to us-a work
entirely outside of our line of duty, be-
cause some outside committee to whom
teachers nor Board of Education were re-
sponsible, expected it Of US, and we made
no protest.
In preparation for the great event, one
afternoon the children of the three Cram
mar Schools-more than thousand chill
dren-whero literally packed into this
assembly hall, on the third story OF a
building with the most bewildering Of
stalrways. The slightest earthquake
shock-the tainting OF some delicate child
land breathing was hard work. would
have produced panic resulting in the
loss OF dozens of lives. Do YOU suppose
like that? But we did as we were told,
because no one of us felt like being the
first to object. We are models of oDedi-
ence, but for responsible human beings
obedience is not the only virtue.
Again, Is it not about time to protest
against being used-our consent being
neither asked nor obtained-as advertise
ments for any enterprising newspaper
that may wish to Increase its subscription
list? All over the State we have, within
the last year, been dragged before the
public for the benefit OF different papers.
We have been voted for, and bet on, and
the question of our comparative popular
lty has been duly canVassed. Ii the man
ayers OF those papers had ventured even
TO think of selecting the names of as
many society leaders, and bringing them
Cod-liver oil is useful be-