Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-17

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Experience is certainly-a good teacher"
observed a member of the police force
while discussing the order of Major Syl-
vester concerning the establishment of a
school of instruction. Some instruction to
new appointees.' he added. lis absolutely
necessary and with the proper start ex-
perience- will do the rest
Il remember my first tour of duty. which
was many years ago. and L also remember
that it not only came near being my last.
but came near resulting dsastrously for
me. Having been sworn in and sent out
to do police duty without being instructed
as to my rights / started over the beat TO
which 1 was assigned armed with all the
dangerous weapons usually carried by po-
liCemen-
mere play things l thought and that had
a right to use them under any and all
circumstances l did not doubt. Should L
want make an arrest for any violation
OF the law and was unable to oVertake the
offender | was satisfied that l had the
right to stop him with a bullet.
During the evening" the policeman con-
tinued Il came across party of crap
shooters on the commons. and that L
thought an opportunity to distinguish
myself. Being unable TO overtake those
who had participated In the game pro-
ceeded 10 send bullets toward them, ana
only gave up my efforts when L had
emptied my pistol. So far as l was con-
cerned the affair fun for me- but
nearly dropped dead when a friend in
formed me that l might have been given
I,enitentiary sentence had one of the bull
lets from my pistol taken effect. during
the succeeding twenty years or more L
did not find it necessary to discharge my
revolver Experience proved a good teach
er for me, although proper instruction at
the time of my appointment would nave
avoided the possibility of my being sent TO
prison
You want a place for a boy" repeated
the head of a large concern as he glanced
up from his desk and looked thoughtfully
into the face of an acquaintance
How old is the boy?' he inquired.
Between fourteen and fifteen years of
age was the reply
THAT is a good age he commented. ut
Is easier for him to get place now-that
is of course. providing he has no special
training than it would be three or four
years hence. A boy at that time of life
has nothing to unlearn in business ways
and methods and employers are inclined to
give the preference to those who are likely
to cake hold quickly and make themselves
useful.
gins 10 show what he is good for. and in
the course of two or three years he pretty
well determines his future. OF course,
there are exceptions to all rules. but it is
my experience that boys, like water, soon
find their level. Those who are ambitious
and become proficient go ahead. while
others stay about where they started
You believe in letting boys make the
start in life for themselves?' inquired his
friend, who became interested In the gen
eral subject and for the time being lost
sight of the specific purpose of his call.
1T sounds hard to say that" was the
ready response. land a parent l would
hesitate about subjeeting my son to the dis
coura &c ments which l encountered in my
younger days. stu. after all, generally
epea king, it Is the best way. Give boy
fair mental equipment-in fact, a thorough
education IL he shows an interest IN his
studies-and Their iet him rely on his own
resources. Such policy Is infinitely better
than the coddling which we sometimes WA
ness. By the way. send the boy you speak
of to me and will see what l can do for
him. Good day"
Mr.. Ashley M Gould, United States at
tCrney for the District of Columbia. has
been selected. and has consented. to de-
liver the anniversary address. June 10. at
the commencement of Erskine College, To-
Gated at Due West. s. c. 1t is considered
an honor TO the District Of Columbia and to
Mr.. Gould that he should be designated an
riversary orator. for many notable public
men have preceded him, and the institution
is most important one.
1t is stated that the last fifty years
fully 40 per cent of the ministers of the
Scotch or psalm-singing Presbyterian de-
nomination in the south have received both
theiFa collegiate and theological training at
Due West. This is little college town in
Ahbevflle county. devoted peculiarly to edu-
cation and peryaded in its private life by a
strictness very similar to that which is said
10 have Characterised the covenanters of a
former day, of whom the .'seceders of the
south. or psatm-sifging Presbyterians are
the religious descendants In this country.
The i.seceders of the south are of a stock
which largely settled the Mecklenburg sec
ton of North Carolina and assisted indie
pendence of the mother country in the
famous Mecklenburg declaration, nearly
thirteen months before the Declaration of
Independence at Philadelphia in 1776.
The Due West commandments are pe-
rlods when the gates of the little town are
wide open. and men and women from al!
parts of the south gather within its walls
The two colleges at Due West supplement
each other. one educating young men and
the other educating young women. 1t often
happens that entire families, Including
mothers and fathers. assemble in the town
10 DO honor to alma mater. the two COL
leges being always intertwined In the pro-
ceedings OF commencement week.
The commandments in the colleges at