Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-12-06
A DAYS TEACHING.

Jack came down 10 breakfast holding
both hands TO his jaws, as if without that
support they would inevitably fall of
His face was the picture Of gloom, appro
priately framed in by the white handker
chief tied around his head.
was visiting Jack for the first time
and he had promised me for that day a
private exhibition Of his pedagogic meth
ods and subjects, in which matters | took
mild interest Said Jack to me, "Why
can't you visit the school IA you intended,
VIII, but as "A teacher"
| set ont with confidence IA high as
Mount Everest. After had scudded over
more than mile | came short up against
an unfortunate difiiculty-a fork In the
road There Is "A native. "Can you tell
me where the schoolhOuse isy"
There's the Peacock school 'ouse An the
Bensley school 'ouse Ones down that-a-
way an tn other this-a-way."
Which does John Lawrence teach"
Dunno. b'long in tho Coon Crick
distric' an dunno. Has yourn big elm
out in front'"
Yes. that's it, Jack told me about
that"
well, you jes' follow on down that
road there till you come 10 school'ouse
a-settin by the road, an that there's it,"
A short walk soon brought me TO the
building | found the door already un.
locked, but no crowd OF mischievous boys
hailed my entrance. No one was there but
quiet little girl sweeping up kindling
chips
Your regular teacher will be unable TO
he with you today, miss, but will fill his
AL. n ut,l
What's your namep'
do not think | ever saw any one look
quite 80 surprised as that girl did then.
However, | saw nothing very strange In
the matter and repeated;
What's your manner am to teach you
today"
Alice Stanley"
How old are you, Alicei"
Eighteen"
'Whewr' thought | 10 myself. "She
doesn't look lIp'
The desk, ~ a whole, was quite con-
trast To Jack y study table at home.
The bst bell rang and Alice Stanley
came i'm ! quietly remarked: 81 am TO
take the place OF your teacher today. Will
some one start u songi"
Calling class, Peter Thompson failed
To come forward. | urged him to no
avail
took hold Of Peters shoulder II com.
mands are not obeyed, use force. That's
my motto. Immediately Peter gave such a
yell as ! never heard from mortal lungs ]
sprang back ~ If had touched off mine.
Peter did not desist but to the first burst
succeeded an avalanche Of blubberingst hat
came down like the cataract Of Lodorc. /
retreated in dismay, and Peter halted with
strange suddenness. He sulked behind
his apron, however, till recess.
Confronted with those five infants, the
query rose imperiously before my bewil
drred mind, How in the name of Pestlozzi
do they teach children their lettersr
took the reader and pointed TO the first let
ter Of the alphabet
What IL the name Of that letter."
inquired.
They gazed at me in stupid amazement
You surely know what that letter is
Tell me at once, " said severely
Monitions of rain in one or two eyes.
Alice Stanley's hand goes up.
Question, Alcef"
Please. sir. teacher sses the word meth
od "
The word method, What might that
bes My course in college 30 far had con
tained no information on that point. Per
hHps il WAS in the scientific course. To
cover my confusion ! looked at my watch.
II was far past recess time. and rang the
bell
| measured or just five minutes for the
recess. Time was precious If the morning
programme was to be completed. Prompt
ly at the expiration of the time rang the
bell, and az the astonished company hus-
tied back to their seats | noticed Peter
| Thompson's place vacant.
Where Ia Peter'"
ale went home crying"
"Said he'd tell his ma"
"Said he warn't goin to no old school,"
volunteered dozen voices. | summoned
"B geography" This was class az In
termediate grade, whose lesson for the day
was Africa.
Right here the door opened wide, and IA
II stood q little bit Of woman, with a
sunbonnet on her head and mop in her
hand and cloth frozen stiff. She painted,
with one hand on her heart. Where's
the schoolmarmi"
"He could not be here today. I take
his place. Is there anything can do for
you, ma'ami May | ask your namey"
I'm Missus Thompson. Ny poor little
hoy lust come home a-crvin as ifhis littls
|