Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-10-11

Of school that impresses the )uVehle
mind indelibly; time fails TO erase IT.
the serious life OF grown people, the sig
nIficance of millions Of children, little
men and women. beginning their annual
school work. is not given its due weight
Busted with their own cares, parents are
ant TO forget too soon the burden OF
early school-life their tender little ones
are carrying, when there is need OF so
much patience, encouragement. praise
and all the little helps so dear TO the
timid starter. Above all things, never
let a young child be cowered-in school,
or out. at home or abroad-unless you
wish to destroy every spark Of honor and
courage.
MAX ORELL'S OBSERVATION.
Max O'Rell says that zone of the first
things which strikes a foreigner who visits
an American public school is the perfect
order which relgns without apparently
any severe discipline
"Young America" Of to-day Is a model
pupil, because he Is treated like a reason
ing human being. and guided by the law
of love instead of force.
There was an ante-bellum schoolmaster
back here in these wildwoods who was a
terror to the juvenile countryside. From
all accounts. our ancient pedagogue was
a well-learned man, but as homely as
sin and as hard OF heart as Pharoah.
His tortures were only limited by his
imagination and his unfortunate pupils
might as well have been born OF Thrace.
Besides the dunce-block and cap, some
of his other methods were unique. a
favorite mode OF punishment was TO pin
together a row Of boys and stand them
upon a plank balanced over a log. The
movement of a finger upset the whole
row. In this pleasant attitude they had
TO commit TO memory three columns OF
the dictionary with meanings. Failure or
rebellion meant the rod. That belongs as
much as does the rack TO a dark and
brutal bygone age.
But the refinement OF Squeers's inqui-
.ition he kept for the unlucky girls.
Poor Matilda Jane. or Nancy, or Betsy
as il CHANGED to be. had humbly 20 ask
his pardon for any delinquency and kiss
him before the assembled school. I cas
imagine the harsh outlines OF that cruel
mouth touched by the velvet lips OF these
innocent children, and I don't wonder
that the scholars OF that day Told people
now) grew up In ignorance. nor that a
yellow almanac is about the only thing
in print they've wanted 10 see since.
One such an educator as this I'm COM
munltv Injuries the cause of learning for
the next two generations.
These first school days are important
ones for the children. and there should be
nothing 70 mar the memory OF them
when they come TO be the men and
wonderland. perhaps, teachers-of the
land
Miss Eliza NJ. Pugh. OF Buchanan, who
has been visiting relatives in Alton, re-
turned home yesterday.
Miss Lonella Smith, granddaughter OF
Robert Smith. ESQ. Will he married next
Thursday to Mr.. Brown Subor. OF Clifton
Forge.
Cards are out for the marriage Of Miss
Mollie Goodloe, OF Locust Dale" to Mr..
Warren Cloud. of Charlottesville. October
FIST.
Miss Bessie Coleman. OF Upper Rock
fish. and Miss Bette Lipscomb. OF Red
lands" will teach the Hebron School, and
Miss Carrie McCallum the school near
Alton.
Mr.. Clarence Goodloe. who has been
with his parents awhile returned to his
duties as postal clerk Thursday
Weather clear and brscIng. with a sus-
picton Of frost in the lowands.