The Somerset reporter., 1899-03-16

mission schools, Lutheran and Episco-
palian. Many of the southerners have "A
deep rooted dislike for the negroes. and
are opposed 10 their being educated.
We visited the frat OF these missions one
day, and the teacher who is young
man from the west told US Of the i'll
treatment that he hid received because
he was "nigger teacher One man
refused him board. and another would
not sell him what he asked for, and he
showed US the place where an attempt
had been made to burn the building.
The society which he represents will be
Obliged 10 put up new building In Jim
town. The room that the school WAS in
WAS very comfortess and the forty-eight
children present looked as if they needed
10 be clothed AS we'll as educated, but
they were bright looking and well be-
haved and went through "a series of GYM
nastics in a creditable manner. This
teacher must inspire them with some
enthusiasm for learning for one of the
girls told me that she would like to go
TO college.
The Hope mission of the Episcopal
Church il smaller, and is taught by
Miss Wheeler who was formerly con-
ntcted with school in ROckland, Me.
This room was attractive with pictures,
books and muslin curtains. When we
entered, the children all clean and neat,
were singing some pretty kindergarten
songs accompanied with movements.
Then followed II short exercise in sing
ing bv note. We also heard several
recitations, and, as sometimes happens
10 the north, the star of the class was
the smallest member. had noticed
demure little black maiden with her hair
tightly braided in pigtails. When the
class reeited this little Matte outspelled
and outdid all the rest, and one could see
that this little black head was capable of
a "mental process" The teacher took
us into an adjoining room where the
children went through the performance
of setting the table and serving meal.
On certain afternoons in the week the
rector's wife goes into the school and
gives the children instruction in house
hold duties such as | have spoken of
with cleaning lamps, dish washing, and
cooking simple meals. This In small
WAY is the great need of the colored peo-
Piles industrial education. They must
learn to do things ever to be more than
they are. This mission is partly sup
ported by the sale of garments which
are sent from the north, and sold for the
value of the material. | could tell you
of many picturesque sights, the negro
with his patient mule, the woman with
her ever present apron, her big crowned
sunbonnet, and the erect figures that 80
often pass with baskets and burdens
easily poised on their heads.
The race problem is tremendous one.
| could not even hint at a solution. The
negro is faulty. shiftless, and often
criminal. Would we have been better
in his circumstances? To this time they
have not had a fair chance, and last
falls election proved that the s0utherner
does not wish him to- The country
owes them duty. have heard il said
that every woman has ut some time In
her life wished she was a man. | wish
so. wish | WAS Uncle Sam, and then
would let the islands of the sea alone
until | had taken good care OF these
helpless people within my own borders.
Southern Pines, n. c., Feb. "a, 1899.