The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-02-17

the cheap and upllui'ous sewing ma
chine. I allude to the art OF plain sew
irg. This Is taught systematically, be-
dining with the old-fashioned stitching
and nasslng in regular order through
bemmIne telling running. gathering to a
hard 60 until the skilful fingers are
readv 10 learn fancy stitches OF various
kinds. Darning and patching are also
included I'm the course, and / have never
socn more beautiful work than some OF
inc nunils of the Huntington School have
accommodated. They are also shown how
TO Law down the parts Of pattern and
,o emf ont garments with the greatest
economy Of material. The principal pro-
CO.'S I'm the near future a Housekeeping
class. I'm which graduates from the sew
ine, class shall be taught something OF
ne nobIe art of homemaking. They Will
rocoive nractical lessons In cooking,
cleaning sweeping. bedmaking, and
,ahIo.actting. and will learn the quick
ost and neafest way OF performing other
duties necessary to the proper care or
everv household. II is TO be hoped that
tbc,, will soon appreciate the difference
that a, little dainty care may make IN
their domestic economy. 1t may be I'M
aeined how invaluable this training often
proves in the families OF the working
man.
Rut the instruction In all the various
b~anches however important and thor
ough It may be, is only part of what IS
done for these scholars. Four magazines
are taken for their peneHl-the 1oulh
comnanion. Harper's Young People, ST.
Nicholas and our Little Ones-lent TO
them TO read at home, and afterward
bound for the library. The library con-
sists. besides text books and reference
books. of many volumes by the best
writer's for the young, travels. adven-
lures. translations. history. and nature
stories. and tales Of various kinds. THESE
are distributed among the various rooms
as they are suited to the several grades,
and the children are allowed 10 take
them home on fridays, the teacicl
l<copinp- n careful record of their re-
turn. Even during the long summer va
cation literary food IL provided for these
fortunate pupils. Arrangements are
made nv which. once a fortnight, the
scboolbouse is opened and books ana
magazines lent 10 those desirCus OF 4
fresh supply of reading matter. rms
library IS being continually added TO- ana
the children have proved that they can
appreciate its value by choosing, OF their
own free wil that the money aPpro-
priated to "A closing celebration each
Voar should be spent instead In buying
The refining and elevatng influence
brought bv these volumes into many poor
families where good books are an I'M
known luxury can scarcely be estimated.
A savings bank account is kept IOr the
school and the children may DrlhS
money 70 deposit on Monday mornings.
Each child has his or her own card on
which is recorded the sums deposited
each teacher Keeps the accounts OF her
own room. and the money IS handed 10
ibe principaI. who deposits it in bank
and keeps the general account. This
system. though requiring care and pains.
prevents all possibility OF mistake. ana
many q moor mother has been thankful
10 draw. on her chiid's bank account IN a
time of need. Some Of the families from
which these children come are sadly
| moor and shiftless, and in spite OF the
| good wages to be earned at the snip
ward, there is often great desulutloH
and profound ignorance among theiIi'
| one of the little girls SAID triumphant
lv rather than Otherwise, when eau
| TONED against receiving any assistance
in working an example at Eome'
ooh Won needn't be afraid. Pap can
read neither mann ..,
Think of a home i'm this enlightened
day and generation Where zap N"''
read, neither man. 49,
And the drink evil is rampant mere,
also not only starving the bodies pu'
bunting the sensibilities OF many oI tns
little ones. That grown people shouIu
be drunk is to them one OF the Coii ii
nIaces of everyday life. The chliuIeH
zero one day making sentences contain
ing certain given words. \ pretty me-
fellow stood ND. and lifting great IoNeiS
innocent blue eyes TO the teacner =.
az his contribution on The ~oiG Ns"'
THE old mans tight.
The teachers first Impulse was 10
laugh nj the surprising inconsruIy
tween the sweet grave, chidisi ld N, ~. 90,
the unexpected words, but pltllui o.
rose quickly to her eye. " MAJ (', .
boped from childhood IN whicn S'o'
phrase represented piautuue. ono "a
The home lives of these emu emu ,r,ai,,, a.
..crat IN he teachers. Each fanny !"
49, $3.50, ~ last Gree in a session, by the
- yvho has its children In charge
Tbcea visits are repeated in case oil slcN
ress absence of pupils. reports OF ms
onnduct ar anv other necessity anu tiiS
frJendIiest relations are thus estaOii94IoN
between parents and teachers. II -
-,,srl,,tra tbat few complaints have 10 DC
made TO parents at any time LOT 'ne
school is governed without corporeal pun
ishment. and yet perfect discipline ~
ouired. The teachers visits are looheu
for with delight by the children, ana tiey
are received with the utmost coruId,',S
bv the other members or the househoiu,'
Parents and guardians are dI"1S9 -,
coined at the school. but special days
,rn Get apart for their reception; lhey
arc formally invited 20 come ana the eA-
crcises are made lighter and more enter
tanning for their beneit'
The teachers are frequently appealed
3, for assistance and advice IN the domes-
tic trials and perplexities of these MOTH
ers and fathers. and are never too busy
IN lend a svmpathiZng ear and extend a
belpipg hand. They have ever their needs
an tbeir minds. and collect from their
friends clothing and warm bed clothlnss
for distribution among the very poor
notice Is taken Of those children VINO come
IN school insuffciently clad In winter
md tbeir most pressing wants are quietly
supplied.
or course. many Of these families belong
% Tho class of self-respecting, provldeni
laborers. who pay as they 90, and nave a
Mt UttIe parlor and company man
ners " too. for their visitors. But at other
nlaces the teacher Is ushered unhesita-
tiuglv into filthy kitchens or slovenly Nv
in@ rooms. where from dire poverty OF
utter carelessness, no attempt is hlaut
to preserve the decencies Of life.
Such are the people among whom thls
ecbooI work goes quietly but faithfully on
and its elevating influence who can esti'
mate? Many a boy has gone out from
the first grade we'll equipped for the bat
tie Of life. not only with good hand
writing and a knowledge of mathematics
hook -keeping and free-hand drawing, bu
| u,i+b noble thoughts and ideals and de