New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-19
IN AN ALGERIAN SCHOOL.
HOW THE PUPILS BEHAVE BEFORE
VISITORS
From Travel.

J Once | told that an inspector VI ''SHSn
schools a very distinguished man in his pro-
/ fess sion, who travelling with his wle ana
! daughter. proposed to visit our establishment
When they came found the elder woman hgh-
/ bred and highly cultured, but rather plain in
! appearance: the daughter was a Charming
bright young woman Of eighteen.
The Inspector asked that these women might
be allowed to accompany him to see the native
schCol-a request of course instantly and gladly
granted. ! introduced the Partisan people to the
class Of tall Arab girls. Every pupii over nine
years old was already scrupulousy veled LOT
/ the occasion; they had taken much care that
the "Si"-the learned man-shouid not be able
to discern the color OF their eyes, the shape oi
their noses or the size of their ears one hearq
| them whispering to each other, Take care L
can see n lock Of your hair or, DO not pun
your veil so tight, / see the form OF your cnin!
What would your father say If he knew II! VI
your brother? Let w be PRUDENT
| 1t had not occurred to the Inspector that ne
would not see the girls faces. and he was rather
! disconnected. However, he began 10 question
| them and some of them gave excellent answers
in very good French. When they were not quite
sure Of a French word they tried TO mimic IL
! He heard them reading and counting, saw their
exercise books and seemed to be very pleased
Then. unfortunately, he began some more con-
versatiOnal questioning -
What is Paris?" he asked. girl replied
promptly:
"A iendish town where no proper woman is
to be found-where they all show their races 10
everybody"
Another struck in:
"A beautiful town full of gold, even as the
Prophet will build one for us, but more beau-
! tiful, supplying whatever he sees wanting IN
! yours"
These not the answers that the 81 had
| expected. and while he hestated, confused. they
boldly tackled him in their turn.
| rs that thy wife," asked one girl.
| Yes sail the poor gentleman.
"Well-she is not pretty was the cahdio re-
joindcr
"she is good" was the husbands gallant re-
tort
Then. if thou art rlch keep her stiIl but buy
! another" .
| / saw displeasurc. not unnatural, rising In the
woman's face; so I broke upon this incisiye
dialogue to ask If the gentleman would not like
to retire a while. that the girls might unveH FOR
the women lie said he would withdraw to tho
garden and write out his notes. AS soon as he
was gone the girls unveiled and began to chatter
| eagerly to the young woman. They wanted to
see and touch everything about her-her watch,
her bracelets her shoes. She laughed at first
and was very obliging, but she soon had enough
OF their curiosity. and We left the classroom and
went to the kindergarten.
| The Inspector rejoined us. Here we were at
our ease and all were little children. The In
spectOr called out the biggest OF the class and
asked him if he could read.
"Of course" said the baby, and can write,
too | go to two schOOs-this one and another
| where I write with a reed a board. have
my nkstand here" pointing to il stuck in his
| waistband land when | have covered my board
with my writing my master washes 1t and may
write again. But see how funny! In that school
I write thus"-from right to left-"but In this
school | write so"-frOm left to right "Canst
thou write both ways?"
NO I am sorry. but write only from
left to right"
81 am happy that know more than 81
Dost thou get much money!
The Inspector smiled. Il get enough said
he.
"Ahr said the urchin. II hope to be rich some
day"
lie wrote pipe" creditably the black
board and was duly congratulated and praised
| so much so that 1 was leaving the room l
felt my dress pulled. and turning back. found
| the cousin Of the hero standing by my side, his
| face working with coming tears.
| what ~ the matter with you? said l.
why does not the 81 speak to mel" he
| faltered
well" said, soothngly. you are but very
| little boy and you don't know much"
| But l. too want to get rich and have many
douros gold pieces. If the ST does not hear
me my cousin will get rich and shall not 1
want TO get douros."
Now. as both these children belonged to a
family intimately connected with our French
! official Ife-the father Of one being a cadi
| tudge) and the other the Intermediary usually
employed by the Government in its dealings
with the nativcs-as both had done their utmost
to further the interests Of our school and had
shown much personal kindness to me- / was
| anxious that no painful jeaousies should be
engendered SO in a whisper l explained the
situation TO the Inspector, who kindly called inc
second child, saying: wei. little man, can you
| Il can try" said the boy. He took up his
chapIet drew aside seven beads then another
seven. and finally one.
| THAT is two times seven and one he SAID
| The Inspector not used to this kind OK
enumeration "Can you write fifteen on tho
| blackboard% he asked.
| The child hesi.ated for a moment, counted his
beads again and saying that is ten and that Is
| five" he wrote 10, D.
1T is not quite So" said the Inspector.
Then how is it?' asked the puzzled child,
See here ten beads. write TO- and hve.
mark 5-that must be ifteenY
! We'll, we'll" said the Inspector, Il am quite