Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-10-12
Children az Practical Material.

ChltUfen
Beside the normal department, where
260 young men and women are fitting
themselves to teach by a course of from
one to four years 1.-TWO years IL they
are high school graduates) there are
some thirty younger persons taking a
prepare tory course to fit them to enter
as normal pupils, and $50 children.
These last are to practice upon They
are mainly from WhfteWater. and while
there are excellent pubic schools in
that city the high school under Princi-
pal Whipple being noted. these little
ones enjoy the big normal for which
their parents must pay a small tuition
of from IS to 40 cents a week. We
looked in sot e OF the rooms where the
dual instruction was going on. In one
room the staff teacher was telling the
children wonderful things Of nature.
illustrated by cocoons and eggs and
stuffed objects on the desk. while two
normal student girls stood by eagerly
watching the veteran and seeking to
initiate her success In engaging of the
childish mind. These children eRter as
early as 6 years Of age. and after S
years work they are ready for the
high school.
Studnts of the normal school are from
the homes Of the people, aG6 some of
them hard working people. Ex- Sheriff
Mattson and United States Senator
Knute Nelson sprung from the bluffs
within ten miles of Whitewater. Many
of them are ST poor that they must lay
aside their studies for term OF teach
ing every now and tEen. that the
"wherewithaf may be provided. The
average price of room. board. etc. IS
hut $3.25-$130 for the forty weeks Add
to this S. for books, and all further ex-
penGiture is personal. 1t is not desired
that over half dozen hiudents live in
the same house. ard tie boys do not
live in the same house with lady stu
dents not few hoard themselves in
their rooms. even boys cooking their
own meals: though they are encouraged
TO at least get their 6i8aeFs ont. which
cost but Is cents. WheH they 50 out
to teach as under graduates the men
earn $40 a month; and the girls from
SIS 90 s35 month
Girls Earn $50 to $50 Mcnth
Last year. Of the ninety-tv 7rauu-
ates. all the yonng women readily Sc
cured laces at from $50 70 $50 month
1t is harder for the boys 40 SGT started
But Whitewater boys do Well when
cnee under way. Among the graduates
since 1865 are ex-citg Clerk w. f. An
6erson of Milwaukee; Andrew l. Steele,
the head OF Memphis aormaI school
for colored teachers Professor F. II
King of the agricultural school: Pros
fessor G. f. Culver OF the Stevens
Point normal school Professor +. ID.
Salisbury. geologist University Of Chi
cago: Professor Clark CT the River Fails
normal: William J. Pollock. sixteenth
district school Milwaukee; Superinten-
dent Leo Williams. Fond Gu Lac: J. H
Derst. Black River Fails high school;
Rev H. II. Jacobs. athlete and Miiwfau-
kee pastor. In the Sixth ward school.
Madison. there are six graduates OF
whi.ewater among the teachers
As student, it is not all work. To be
sure after y, m students are eI-
pected To be in theft rooms: but there
are literary societies. efle for each sex.
to furnish social recreation sylth intel
lectuai quickening. There are the Chris
fian associations. / saw the young pe6r
pie in the big assembly hall, and they
looked like an earnest body OF youth
who were disposed to take life seriously
Not every one makes teacher, II IS
needless to say The psTssnal element -
strong. but this school brifigs out what