Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-10-13
Tho Story Of a Geography Ride.

Things were very real TO John. They
caused him much thought. When he
read a story book he wondered where
the little boys and girls went 10 school
and what they did beside what was
told them in the book.
They are not real folks" said his
mother one day; the people make
them to amuse children like YOU"
Are the stories lies them" asked
John. quite Mortified.
oh, no." said his mother, trying not
to smile; they are like your Mother
Goose, just make-believes,
After that, little John divided every
thing into two classes: true things"
and make believes"
John was then just beginning TO
study geography. He knew that the
Greek words, Geo" the earth, and
"Grapho.' TO write. Writing about
the earth" then was geography.
They We're studying about New Eng
land. and about Massachusetts. the
state in which John lived.
He knew that "God made the earth.
the sea and all that in them is" God
had made the hills and rivers. while
men had made the roads and built
: towns. Who made the red lines be
tween the states?" he asked one day
| in the class.
Those are political lines, John, -
said the teacher, and some of the big
ger boys laughed. So John asked no
more questions. but hoped he might
| find out for himself.
John" said his mother one day,
| your father and are planning to go
| on fine long drive into New Hamp-
shire. and We think we will take you"
and we will cross the state line?"
| asked John.
Yes"
"Hurrah.' said John. for now he
could see the red state line for him
self.
With pencil and thin paper he traced
| the roads and the towns through which
they were to drive, promising himself
to keep sharp lookout for the red
| line.
The day was fine. John sat on the
back seat with his mother. the map in
his pocket ready for use. They passed
through Chelmsford. Westford, Groton
| and Pepperel; and North Pepperel
was the last town in Massachusetts,.
Il had rather wait if you please
said John. when his mother offered
him q sandwich and a fine apple. He
must not miss the state line,
There. now we are in New Hamp-
shire" suddenly said Johns father.
who had promised to be sure and tell
| when they entered the state of New
| 50 the horses head was turned. and
they drove back TO a stone set into the
side of the road; it had an M On one
side and an IN. H." on the other.
But the red Hne," said John.
Where is it? 1t is the red line that |
want to see"
They told him that the red line was
| only to be seen on the map; that the
state line was miles and miles long,
and that no fence even could be built
upon it. as many FARMS were partly in
one state and partly in the other; and
that there was one house built with
half on one side and half on the other
side, so that when you crossed the hall
| into the parlor. you could honestly say:
Il have gone out of the state.
Little John was very much disap
pointed and somewhat surprised. too;
for it would almost seem that the
school map was not to be depended
upon. He asked how often the mark
| ing stones were set along the boundary
line between the states.
His father said: .'AS often as the
boundary line changes it's direction;
and as often as road crosses the
line"
john told his teacher all about his
journey, and they called it a geo
graphy ride" and the teacher told him
that he had "set her thinking"
The next Friday afternoon. she asked
all the pupils to write out and hand to
her some questions in geography that
puzzled them. Then each question was
| read aloud. and any pupil might raise
| his hand and answer if he could; and
! if no one could, then the teacher did