The San Francisco call., 1896-12-20

NTRklOd L schoolS are OF greatest I'M por-
TkN5K tance to breed-winners, particularly
AYXS those who from childhood have to
worry how and where to procure the means
necessary 20 fill that vacuum nature most
abhors-au empty stomach. How does
San Francisco provide for those who
must work IN daylight and study at
night, if at all2 Let US consider.
The Lincoln Night School has 14O0
pupils enrolled, ranging in age from
u TO so years and engaged in every con-
ceivable employ ment, from cashboy and
servant-gir upward. Glasses are graded
as in the day schools, with the exception
that there is not yet senior High Scnool
class. The teachers number thirty-tve,
including the principal, Alexander II.
Mcdonald. Besides the common branches
OF education instruction is given in me-
chanicai and architectural drawing, Span
ish and physics.
The clever mechanic who can be his own
draughtsman is invaluable to his en-
ployer and the opportunity is here Of
fered to the am bilious, and is already en-
braced by about ninety young men. For
the department OF physics laboratory is
furnished, where the students expert
ment. Monthly lecture, with ilIustra-
tions, Is given by some professor from the
University of California, on subjects such
as, "A Trip Through Medieval England"
..'Tbe Eye English Schools" and The
Brain"
In the adult class is an old man who
furnishes an example of indefatiga bic
earnestness. He is 90 years old and was
at one time a schoolteacher in Germany.
g., fs-ns-
tied il Dakota, where he invested his
money in real estate and then lost it.
Seeking employment, he found his lack of
English a serious bar, so he cou=ageousIy
set our to surmount ii. Now be is a pupil
at the evening class of the Lincoln School,
and here one sees him plodding and
striving with as much trustfulness as
II he we're yet in the bright springtime of
life.
Among the boys under the guidance OF
Mrs. Brownson one may find much of the
stun that great men were made of. One
little fellow whose happy smile would
make you think he basked in perpetual sun
shine, and whose eyes-"such uncommon
eyes they looked somehow as they made
him feel nonow''-tell OF great longings.
de arises about 5 A. NJ. and works until
P. NJ. IN a restaurant, washing dishes,
cooking and waiting. and is content to
study hard from 7:30 to Gals o'clock every
evening. He says he may be proprietor of
q restaurant some day, and indeed he
may be. Another leaves his home IN the
vicinity OF the Five-mile House in the
"sma' wee" hours, carrying his lunch and
supper with him, laboring all day, attend
ing evening school and arriving home at
1880 o clock every night.
sad case of objectionable neglect is |
that OF a boy 16 years old, molder by
trade, born and raised in this City, who
three months ago knew nothing OF his
alphabet, but who now. thanks to his own
efforts and these same night schools, is
able TO read from the second reader.
The police court in this school where the !
student-judge pronounces sentence on the
tardv ones, the absentees and the unruIy
Is often crowded. The culprits plead
guilty or not guilty, as the case NAV be,
and offer in defense sometimes good but
oftener fimsy excuses.
One stripping had the remnants of a |
black eye to plead for absence. He was |
asked if he had been fighting.
"No, sir; me and Bill were only fooIing; |
had a training match"
well, where is Bil2" the Judge ques-
toned sterniy.
"ln bed, sir"