The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-05-05
TEACHERS COLUMN.
J. A. MADDEN, EDITOR.

Mr.. Editor AFTER closing my school
at Hurricane / decided that I would try
to see more of Laurens County. AS /
had learned something OF the eastern
section / had a desire to travel over the
northern and western, and being inter-
an invitation to visit q few schools in
the County.
To make this trip my faithful Ceres
cent" was called into use, and accompa-
MED by the kind and genial County
School Commissioner, mounted on his
ready Rambler" we sped across the
country from Laurens to Maddens. Af-
ter q refreshing nights rest we called at
the New Prospect school, where we met
Prof. b. Y. Culbertson and his assist
ants. We believed that the educational
interest OF Maddens was carefully looked
after by Prof. CulbeItson, and one short
stay. was sufficient to prove the fact.
After giving the school a few encour-
aging words we left with reluctance, and
sped across a beautiful country calling
at Oakyille, where we found a nice little
school room with Miss Clatie Mcdaniel
at the helm, A short ride across a billy
country placed us across the Reedy in
a fine section of country bordering on
Saluda. The nice country roads, the
well-cultivated fields, the nicely painted
farm houses told it's own tale of the
prosperity, industry and frugality of the
people in that section. But as our mis-.
zion was of an educational nature 1 re-
turn to the subject.
After having the pleasure of meeting
Miss Lula Blackwell and her little band
Of workers at Mt. Bethel, we called at
Horse Greek school, where wo found Mr..
w. r. McCuen in his workshop,where he
was endeavoring to cast, mold and shape
the minds of the children for greater USE
fulness. Noble work requires noble men
and women to execute.
A nights rest in the pleasant home
of Mr.. McCuen started us on our Jour
ney afreeh, and a short ride brought us
to PriAceton, where we peeped into the
school room of Miss Olive Minis, and
only a few moments was sufficient to
satisfy me the work was in good hands,
to say well done'' we sped across the
country in the direction of the Brewer
ton school, meeting on my way DR.. G.
@. West, whom l had not seen in eight
years. The sound of his voice and q
gasp of the hand brought back sweet
memories of college days.
A short ride brought us to the school
room of Miss Alice Blakely, where ev-
erything was in order. Each seemed to
know their duty, and vas patiently at
work. The walls were hung with suita-
BILE notices for keeping the minds of
children directed toward a higher, no.
ton feeling that some people were born
to be teachers. Teaching by actions,
thoughts, words and deeds constitutes
q true teacher.
A ride across a fine section of country
landed US at Mt. Gallagher, where we
had the pleasure Of meeting Prof. G. l..
Brooks. Though q young man he man
ages his school with a skill that older
teachers might emulate, concentrating
all his powers on his work, feeling the
great necessity OF conservation in a work
that requires the most careful watching
and directing. We took our leave feel
ing sure that success must follow earn
est and p~ersevering efforts.
After calling at Mr.. l.. d. Henderson's
school at Pine Grove a short while we
dismounted at Bethlahem, where we
found Miss Ida Turner. One little. Incl
dent will show how readily her pupils
catch new ideas. AS we staid till noon
some n proposed q picnic dinner, and
Baskets and buckets were brought for
ward and their contents spread before
Us and an invitation that was almost ir-
resistable for two reasons-a pressing
invitation and a keen appetite caused us
to accept. In such cases we always en-
deavor to be equal to the occasion, and 1
can say hat our actions were equal to
u past record. We bid good bye not
from choice, but because business re.
CURED our attention.
Friday at l p. m. we turned our wheels
toward Waterloo, and last but not least
we entered a busy scene under the di-
rection of Prof. and Mrs. w. T. Noel
roy. With an enrolment of nincty-three
roll call showed ninety-one present.
The first question l asked was how can
you do all this work; but when told this
was his fourth year in that school, 1 saw
at once the wisdom In securing a COM
petent teacher and keeping him, for I
believe Prof. McElroy was able to do
twice as much work the fourth year as
he was the first.
| predict for Waterloo a bright future.
l feel she will not be slow in taking a
step towards equipping a more coinmo-
dious bailding for accomplishing such a
grand work as completing the education
of the children of Waterloo.
We would like to speak of many things
we saw and heard, but this has already
grown too long. One hours ride on our
faithful "Bike" landed us at Maddens, a
distance of eight miles; and as we sat
musing OF our trip and the noble band
OF workers I call to mind the lines oil
Thompson:
Delightful task to rear the tender thought,
To teach the young idea how to shoot.
10 pour the fresh instruction DER the
mind.
To hraofbo kba oo1.,ou:. ..:.:t - L.