The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1899-08-25

the DOCKS TO De USED were TO De named
by the state superintendent, the principal
of the Broomton public schools protested
against the citizens taking matters into
their own hands, basing his protest upon
the fact that the state would reduce the
allowance of the school if the require
ments as set forth were not fulfilled. In
their characteristic way, however, the
soldiers informed him that the allowance
might Ego to thunder" but that they in
tended to have their children educated as
made the journey that the veterans had
generously mapped out for it is matter
OF uncertainty, but az for the latter part
of their declaration, decided answer can
be given. They had their way; and so
for 20 years the pupils in the Broomton
school were instructed in history only to
the year 1850 A. D. At that point the
teacher referred each scholar to the en-
phatic and decided views held by their
respective parents as to events subse-
quent to that date.
When the war with Spain threatened
to become reality, however, the fathers
and grandtathers began to think that
steps should be taken to secure history
which included the civil struggle; else,
with the prospect of another war, the
historical branch of knowledge might
forge too far ahead, and the childrea,
when men and women, might be ifsno-
rant of many facts. Accordingly Q. sab
scription was taken up in the two, clubs,
and the amount collected offered Tor the
most impartial history dealing with the
war between the states, submitted by
either northern or soS6hern writer.
For the purpose OF passing upon the
manuscripts two men4aars were appoint
ed by the president OF each society, and
an Englishman reading in Rroomton was
requested by h@ah sides TO act as a fifth.
Prize offers WIN ever bring the article
desired in large quantities, and this one
was no exception to the general rule.
Manuscripts of all sizes and shapes ar
rived by every mail, until the table in
the committee room was literally cover
ed. Many evidently haa been written
years before, for the ina was faded and
the paper musty; othegs were of q more
recent date, while nat few betrayed
the fact that they had been written for
Ehis particular ofSeE. Several months
elapsed before tbs ffow ceased then with
an inward gro9a the chairman of the
antiques announced that examination
would begia Immediately.
One By one the bulky packages were
opened and one by one they were thrown
down with an exclamation of disgust BY
the reader. Occasionally Capt Drundy-
8Pennsylvania-would indicate by an ex-
clamation of pleasure that he had found
paper that was in the highest, degree
satisfactory, but for the very reason that
the manuscript did suit the capaain, Ma
Bloodgood, til Virginia arny corps
mentally condemned it. In like man.
ner, when the latter happansd to rur
across a history that caused him to
wreathe his wrinkled features into O
smile, the other would give a snort OF
contempt and disgust and look at the
ex-confederate In plying manner, as il
there were doubts IN mind as to his san
ity. Obviously, a history that would
suit both factions would be difficult to
find.
Thus the examination continued, and
fully month passed. ere the veterans on
the committee agreed, even in part, upon
any one book and then only because the
Englishman refused to humor their re-
spective whims any furthur. The sense
of Justice was not entirely dead In them,
however, and one manuscript was SO alb
soluteIy impartial, IL subsequent and
more careful review failed to bring to
light hitherto unnoticed Ierrors, that
each was forced to admit that 1t Ifill.
ed the requlr ements. or course there
was certain amount of grumbling; but
the gray haired veterans would not have
considered their duty well done IL they
had failed 30 grumble little and com.
ment upon. the untruthfuI nature of hui
man beings historians especially.
Capt Drundy thought that the writer
espresso "a In too decided terms the slit
tie fighta which the confederatea Won at
Bull Rp4ns still, he concluded, he would-
MT make that serious objection. On
the other hand. Maj Bloodgood and his
asaociate deemed the description OF the
battle Of tiettysDurg not strictly aeon.
rate,
'syou know" explained she igaacihis