The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-13
OH Portsmouth. New Hampshire.

The settlement nourished and increased
in spite Of all. and as soon as it had lei
sure TO draw breath, it bethought itself
cf the school-house and the jail-two
incontestable Signs Of budding civilization.
At town meeting In 1862 it was ordered
that a cage be made or some other
means be invented by the selectuen TO
punish such as sleepe or take tobacco on
The Lords day out Of the meeting In
the time Of the publilhe service" This
salutary measure was not for some reason
carried into effect until nine years later,
when Captain John Pickering, who seems
10 have had as many professions as
Michael Angelo. undertook TO construct
cage twelve feet square and seven feet
high. with PiIloFy on top; the said
Pickering 10 make a good strong dore
aud make a substantial payre Of stocks
and place the same In said cage" A spot
conveniently near the west end OF the
Westinghouse was selected as the site
for this Ingenious device. 1t Is more
than probable that the MD Pickering"
Indirectly furnished an occasional bird
for his cage. for in 1872 we find him and
one Edward West were authorized by
the sclectmen to keep houses Of pub
liQue entertainment"
He was a versatile individual, this John
penter, lawyer, and inkeeper. Michael
Angelo need not blush TO be bracket
ed with him. In tue course Of a long and
variegated career he never failed 70 act
according to his lights. which he always
kept well trimmed. That Captain Pick
ering subsequently became the GRANDPA
Their, at several removes, Of the present
writer was no fault Of the Captains,
and should not be laid up against him.
Down 10 1896 the education Of the young
appears TO have been rather desultory
and tentative matter; "the young idea
seems 10 have been allowed 10 shoot"
az whatever it wanted TO; but i'm that
year IL was voted that care be taken
that an abel scollmaster (skullmasterD
be provided for the towen as the law di-
reefs, not visions i'm conversation"
That was perhaps demanding too much;
for il was not until MAY We Z" OF the
following year that the selectmen were
fortunate enough 20 put their finger
on this rara avis in the person OF Mr..
Tho Phippes, who agreed TO be scoll-
master for the towen this yr insewing
for teaching the inhabitants children I'm
such manner as other schollmasters
yously doe throughout the countrie: fer
his soc doinge we the select men I'm
behalfe Of over towen doe ingaga TO pay
him By way OF rate twenty poAnoS ana
vt he shall and may reserve from every
father or master that sends theyer
children 10 school this yeare after ye
rate Of les for readers. writer's and cy-
pherers POS. Lattiners 2is."
Modern advocates of phonetic spelling
need not plume themselves on their
originality The town-clerk who wrote
that delicious "yously doe" settles the
question. II is 10 be hoped that Mr..
Tho. Phippes was not only mot Visions
in conversation" but was more conven-
tional in his photography. He evidently
gave satisfaction, and clearly exerted an
influence on the town-clerk. Mr.. Samuel
Keats. who ever after shows marked
improvement In his own methods. In
1904 the town empowered the selectmen
ito call and settell a grarner scoll ac-
cording to We best Of yower judgement
and for We advantag (Keais Is obviously
dead now of ye youth OF over town TO
learn them 10 read from ye primer, 10
wright and sypher and to learne YIN the
tongues and good-manners." On this
occasion II was Mr.. William Allen, OF
Salisbury. VINO engaged diligently to
attend we school for We present yeare,
and tech all children Vt can read in thaire
psallters and upward" From such hum
BILE beginnings were evolved some OF the
best public high-schools at present in
New England.-Harper's Weekly.