The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-02-23

mlHSOufl anu JULIET Ucot0iA O1oVS0
have not forgotten the old Webster
elementary spelling book. In those
days the old "blue back" did duty in
a, majority Of the schools, and it was
authority of spelling. 1t was the
crowaing ambition Of the average boy
or girl to be able to correctly spell
oifhand any word within its covers.
This feat, if accomplished at the
monthly spelling school, when, upon
Friday night, the parents Of the
pupils were present, was joy enough
for the average student.
In many Of the Western States this
once popular book has long since given
place to other spoilers. During the
past six months the successful bidders
in the contest to supply the schools of
Kansas with pniferm series of books
have been receiving old books in ex-
change for the new. Something like
100, 900 new spelling books have been
supplied to the people, and probably
$4,000 old spoilers have been received
in exchange, but in all this pile only
three copies Of the. old Ssblue back
Webster" have been turned in. The
copy in the hands Of the writer evi-
IDENTIFY belonged once to Missouri
boy, because on its cover is written
the name Of Roy Skidmore, Westville,
+ no.
Nothing will SO completely carry
enc back to schildhood's earliest
hours as perusal of the old "blue
back" speller. Next to the "old
eaken bucket, " with It's memories SO
dear, this thumbed and worn reminder
of school days creates upon the youth
fnl mind impressions, aside from the
knowledge it imparts, which age does
not dim or remove.
Probably the proudest moment Of
boy or girls life was when he or she
was able to stand up in class and cor
rectly spell the first word Of two sylla-
bles in the ssblue back" speller. This
word, baker" though simple, was
the test. The student who could
master this lesson, No. 26, containing
80 words, felt that one-half the battle
had been won. The victory was com
plete when student could spell and
pronounce by syllables the longest
word in the book-ssi com-pre-hen-
si-bil-i-ty.''
Following each spelling lesson in
the old Webster is collection of SEN
tences which leave on the child's
mind Impressions which last through
life. Some Of these gems will bear
repetition here:
ssThe gambler is uneasy when at
home"
ssThe drunkard's face will publish
his vice and his disgrace. I"
"Our farmers, mechanics and mer-
chants compose the strength of our
nation. Iset them be wise and yirtu-
Gus, and watchful of their liberties.
Let them trust no man to legislate for
them if he lives in the habitual viola
ton Of the laws Of his country
s'How happy men would be if they
would always love what is right and
hate what is wrong"
The half dozen fables in the old
"blue. back" are as familiar to the
person who used this speller as is the
golden rule. Fable 1, Of s'The Boy
That Stole Apples" points moral as
true as the gospel itself. 1t is illus
trated, showing the boy in the apple
tree and the old man throwing stones
ss him. The pictures show the crude
cats of the time. This fable runs:
can old man found a rude boy upon
one Of his apple trees stealing apples,
and desired him to come down, but
the young sauce-bo1 told him plainly
that he would not. Wont you?'
said the old man; then 1 will fetch
you down. So he pulled up some
turf or grass and threw at him bat
this only made the youpgster laugh,
to think the old man should pretend
to beat him down from the tree with
grass only.
"sWell. well, said the cid man, if
neither words nor grass will do, [ must
try whas virtue there is in stones.
So the old man pelted him heartily
with stones, which soon made the
young chap haste down frem the tree
aad beg the old mans pardon.
'sMsral-If good words and genale
means will not reclaim the wicked,
they must be dealt with in q more
severe manner"
esrrL . No-rs.r Md on1 Qo- MIL