Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1897-11-27
LOCAL CORRESPONDENCE.
LOT WRITES POETRY.
And bTells of Arbor Day and Other
r1atters.


day 10 inst was delightful occasion.
Twelve trees were planted. several IL
lac bushes, bridal-wreath and rose
bushes Only two weeping willows
and a single rosebush survived the
last winter consequently think Ar
Dor Day at this time of year gives
plants and trees poor show In the
Spring would far better, besides now
the flowers are all gone; the MOSES,
ferns and vines, as well as the leaves
are also unfit for decoration; but de-
spite these drawbacks we had a very
appropriate and we'll rendered pro-
gramme for which the pupils deserve
credit, as they had scarcely more than
ten day notice, and the audience
was we'll pleased-if we may judge
from expressions. Our school room
is admitted to be the most beautiful in
Opequon District. We have large.
handsome steel-engraving of Presi-
dent Mckinley aud of Vice President
Hobart, of Washington and his wife,
of Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Beecher
Stowe, also Hon. Harry Harmer, all
framed. We have mottos and flags in
profusion We have blinds at our
windows, an excellent slate black
board and kind, tidy, faithful jan
itor, Harry Bradshaw, who always
keeps things shining and has the
room warm and cozy.
Rev JOS Uts, one of the trustees,
opened the exercises with an earnest
and eloquent prayer. Several patrons
and few strangers made up the au-
dience, and after the close Rev Utz
and Mr.. Will Walters helped plant
the trees. Mr.. Harry Bradshaw also
planted several The boys of the
school worked faithfully digging and
spading in the rocky ground till all
was over.
We have beautiful IL foot flag, the
gift of the Republican Club, but alas,
we have no pole to swing i'll Over
our school house still floats the small
er but none the less beautiful flag,
the gift of the Junior Order of Ameri-
can Mechanics. AS an offset to bless
iugs, we have-yes, we have COM
pulsory school law that does not COM
pei, double book contract that does
not reflect very much wisdom upon
originators, a new system of teaching
spelling that is as clear as mud to any
one as thick skulled as Lot, and we
presume there is more than pair Of
lis, a general history three feet thick
(more or less) from cover to cover and
which would take a full lifetime to
complete. Although it is a grand
work it could have been condensed
to halt its volume and have answered
its purpose far better. We have Rays
arithmetic still, with its compound
pulling, brain worrying, useless
reckoning all packed into its first half
and most pupils leave school before
reaching fractions and decimals; the
very things they should have master
ed after long division was we'll under
stood. We have, too, Brooks mental
arithmetic which helps to brighten up
the problems in Rays third about as
well as greasy stove rag helps to
polish glass, and yet we are trying to
carry out instructions and laws as we
understand them, and are looking to
heaven for full reward of our heaped-
up measure of trials and tribulations
aud devotion to duty.
THANKSGIVING SONG.
Our voices meet in happy chime,
AT this the yearly thankful time;
To show our gratitude we sing.
Far sweeter strains we fain would bring
Thanksgiving Day! Thanksgiving Day.
It's then our Nation tries to pay
Its heavy debt Of gratitude
For bountiful supply of food,
And richest blessings that expand
To cover all of freedoms land.
Throughout our country's breadth today
Prosperity is holding sway.
Well may we thank our God above,
For in his mercy and his love
He raised Mckinley up who rules,
Aud saves us from the strap of fools,
Who dashed us with free trade
Through four long years which made
Columbia bow her head in shame,
And all her children fear her name.
And thanks again, let heaven be praised,
That in our Golden standard" rays,
Our ship of State can steer Alright