davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-12-02
From Jennie Acton.


Dear Aunt Jennie:-I am dis
tressed, for I saw a corn-shredder at
work the other day, and while I
stood there watching it I realized
that the old-fashioned corn-shuck-
ing is or soon will be a thing of the
past. Two or three men can do as
much work in a few hours with that
machine as fifty can in a night with
out it. But such is life. Progress
in everything is the watchword, and
go forward we must, or sit still and
let the procession pass us. Why,
even the fodder and shucks were
stored in the upper story of the barn
without a human hand touching it.
There was a long pipe extending
from the machine, and the air gen.
Grated by the engine blew it through
this pipe upstairs where it belonged.
1t worked like it knew what it was
doing.
Well, I could not help thinking
of the saving to the farmer who used
it, and wondering if the time was
far off when we would see the waste
persimmon crop turned into money
in some way. Why is it we let this
crop waste every year? Why can't
we use it in some way? All of us
like the bee4~made of persimmons,
but we know that it does not keep
any length of time after being ex-
posed to the air. Is there no other
use for them? Why can't they be
dried and used as dates are? Is
there no market for them? The trees
are so full this year that I hate to
see them wasted.
Did you all ever hear of so many
marriages? 1t seems that every
body either was or is going to be
married. Even the old bachelors and.
old maids are getting off. 1 wonder
how many of our Circle will enlist
this year?
JENNIE ACTON.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-12-02
AUNT JENNIE.
Kindness to Animals.

Dear Aunt Jennie:-I wish that
the Chatterers who have anything to
do that is directly connected with
animals would relate a bit of their
experience with reference to cruelty
to such animals.
I believe that the most of us live
on farms and have more or less to
do with some kind of animals. What
I wish to say now mostly concerns
cows. I have watched closely for
a year two families and their COWS.
These two families are entirely diff
ferent in their temperament, and so
are their COWS. One family seems
to delight in what I call fighting
their COWS; they cannot pass n
without yelling at it or throwing
a rock at it, or in some way treat
ing it cruelty. I have watched two
results: first, the COWS are all wild,
very difficult to manage, and will
not let any one come near; then
there is an Ill nature that exists in
the family, which I am inclined to
believe results from the often prac-
ticed i'll nature towards the cows.
There is another family that lives
near by that is entirely different. In
managing their COWS they are very
gentle with them. 1t is very sell
dom that I hear them yell at or throw
at or in any way treat their COWS
cruelty. I have seen them enter
the COW lots, and really the COWS
seemed glad to see their masters.
The boys approached the COWS with
gentle c~aresses, and the dumb ami
mails showed their appreciation of
such kindness by holding their heads
close to the ground. This same gen.
tie nature cha~racterizes this family.
The small children have charge of
the COWS, and their relation to n
another is as pleasant as could be
asked for.
I am convinced that gentle treat
ment to animals has a tendency to-
wards making the boy a gentle man.
SEARCH WARD.
Harnett Co., N. G.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-12-02

The reason a blow on the a may
do irreparable injury is that the air.
being driven suddenly and violently
against the drum of the ear, might
rupture the membrane and u in
durable deafness. The ears should
v be pulled nor meddled with in
any way, except to wash them in the
gentlest manner, the orifce being
cleansed with a fold of the wash
cloth rolled into a little cone.-La-
dies Home Journal.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-12-02
Know your shakespeare.

Shakespeare 1OT the plays COnSt1-
tue, on the whole, the foremost text
book which our race has given to
the world. So rich is the work of
this master of the wisdom of life and
of the poetic and dramatic form
that a vast literature of comment
and Interpretation has grown up
about it, and many people have been,
so to speak, ~sidetracked in their in
terest and study. The plays need
some elucidation, and a good COM
mentary ought always to be at hand;
but Shakespeare is far more impor-
tant and lucid than his most intelli-
gent commentators. The scholars
who have worked on the plays and
poems sometimes get between the
dramatist and the student, and di-
rect attention to the host of ques-
tons of secondary Importance which
scholarship is asking and trying to
answer. The student who is bent on
q critical study will find a goodly
company of guides of intelligence,
but the reader who cares for litera-
ture for its own sake will fasten his
attention on the substance of the
poets work rather than on the thou
sand and one details upon which the
specialists in literary exegesis, In
philology, in textual criticism, and
in the history of the Elizabethan age
have lavished knowledge, time and
work. These matters are of real
Importance, but they are not of SUI
preme Importance.
The matter of supreme Importance
is Shakespeare's conception of life
aid the noble art in which it is en-
bodied. To live with the poet in
familiar intercourse, by constant
reading with an open mind and
heart, responsive to the power and
sensitive to the beauty which pene-
trate and inform the plays, is to
receive from him the most searching
influence and the deepest pleasure.
The end of art is to deepen and in
tensify the sense of life, and this
end is missed when one becomes alb
sorbed in the study of language,
form, conditions and circumstances.
Some knowledge of these things is
essential, but the emphasis of in
terest and of study ought to rest on
the indivisible soul and body of a
work of art. This is equally true of
all works of art; so true that their
significance and beauty are often
revealed to those who, from the
standpoint of scholarship, must be
regarded as unlettered folk. In
many learned comments on Homer,
Dante, Beethoven and Rembrandt
N finds everything except the one
thing for which he searches-genu-
inc insight and vital interpreta-
coordination W. Mabie, in the
Ladies' Home Journal.
The reason a blow on the ear may
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-12-02
OUR SOCIAL CHAT

All letters Intended for this department
should be addressed to Aunt Jennie" care
OF The Progressive Farmer, Raleigh, N. c.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-12-02
Aunt Jennie's Letter.

about Christmas presents this week?
/ think I did, but there is so much
promiscuous giving that there can
not always be the proper motive for
it. To give to the poor is a virtue,
to give to ones enemies is a privi-
lege, but to give to ones friends is
a pleasure. To be compelled to give
to one you neither like, hate, nor
pity is a nuisance. And still we, or
very many of us, are compelled to
do so-a condition resulting from the
present usages of society. A paper
of pins given as a token of friend
ship is more to be appreciated than
a purse of gold accompanied by sim
lister motives. True friendship is
never bought; it is a plant of spon-
taneous growth, but is always more
beautiful if rightly cultivated. The
habit of giving presents at Christ
mas to ones intimate friends is com
mendable, but to exchange presents
with mere acquaintance is quite
other thing. For instance, do you
like to hear one girl ask another
GLOW many presents did you getg"
and she ~innocently states the num-
Der, little guessing that the inquirer
simply wishes to laud her own pop
ularity by being able to give a larger
number. Money is not and cannot
take the place of love in life. To
give is all right, but let it be freely
and from the heart. Half the pleas
ure is gone already if there is no
heart promptings.
Never go in debt for a present.
This is like robbing one man to pay
another. 1t is even worse for you
rob two, yourself and your creditor
for a time at least. Expensive pres
ents to comparative strangers is al
ways expressive of a lack of good
taste, to say the least of it.
Right here I must drop a note of
warming to my girls: Do not allow
yourself to accept costly presents
from a man unless you are engaged
to him. Many a young man has been
entangled in the meshes of debt from
which he was unable to extricate
himself for months just because he
believed hat a costly present was
expected and rather than disappoint
a lady friend, he gave it, knowing
that he was not financially able to
do so.
Then there is another side to this
promiscuous giving of presents. How
do you know that the present you
select will be one the recipient will
appreciate even if you do think it
pretty and appropriated 1 have
known instances where the present
given was displayed to visitors and
the giver's name told in such a man
ner as to imply either the lack of
good taste or good sense. How would
you have liked hat had you been
the giver9 I do not hesitate to say
that l should not have liked it at all,
and would have grieved owe my lack
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-12-02
Harnett Co., N. G.

To bring up a child in the way he
should go, travel that way yourself
once in a while.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04
MECKLENBURG COUNTY.

There are 50 white school districts in
the county, 62 colored school districts.
The census of the white children in the
county is 10.S67; colored children 1927.
Both races 1874.
The apportionment was 81 per capita.
Number of white teachers employed in
public schools 117-S6 first grades and
30 second grades and two third grades.
Salaries paid range from $121A to $50 per
month. Fifteen teachers were paid a
salary of $50 per month. The average
salary per month was $31.0S.
The average length of terms was 5.14
months.
In Charlotte township the average was
eight months term in Pineville Especial
tax seven months term; in Steele Creek
District No. 2 Especial taxi seven months
term in all others the length was four
months term. Therefore, we got none of
the extra 100000 appropriation.
If all the children had applied for adj
mission into our schools this winter there
would have been above 112 pupils per
teaching. The seating capacity of the
county was very poor, but the present
board of education has placed something
over $50 new desks in the schools this
winter. This. however does not meet
the needs of the county. There are many
districts where there is no school build
ing at all or a very inadequate one.
(For example, in Charlotte township,
District No. s. the census is 219 and the
house, a private one could comfortably
seat 46' or 4S. In District No. 8. Char
lotte township, again private, the census
is 273 with a seating capacity Of about
60. Two teachers utilize the same room.
which is packed like parrots in hollow
tree.)
We have three schools less than liz
miles from first to third. with a census
of $40 children, and all three buildings
could seat probably $50 children. We
propose to consolidate these schools and
establish a suburban graded school, All
we need is the money to do the work with
We propose to put in building costing
SO, 900 if the two large factories which
lie in the proposed new district will give
81 900 for equipment. We have raised for
this purpose about 5000 or $500. One of
the factories will not give a cent My
idea is to have four teachers to carry
two grades each of regular school work,
and a fifth teacher to have charge of two
rooms, devoted to Industrial work; one
room for sewing and one cooking
r. ]. COCHRANE,
County superintendent
Charlotte, N. c., May 80.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04

and lack OF general interest in educa-
ton have heretofore been great hind
RANGES to the success OF the public
schools
But of late there has been a great
awakening along all educational lines.
Our people now more fully recognize the
overshadowing necessity of educating all
the children than ever before.
Our corps of teachers are better quail
fed and more devoted to the work which
is more thorough and systematic than
in former years. The enrolment and
average daily attendance is larger. We
have eliminated a few disticts and built
or bought within the last nine months
seven good school houses at cost of
about 81 800. This work we mean to con
tinue, as fast as we are able until all
the shabby houses are replaced by sub
stantial and comfortable ones
Much has been done in the county to
lengthen the school term by private sub
scription, but as yet nothing by local
taxation.
G.. r. HEAFNER,
Superintendent.
Grouse, n. c., May so, 1902.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04

mountains and on the headwaters Of
numerous streams, our county is natur
ally divided into numerous school dis
tricts by the mountain ridges, streams,
etc, which render it impossible to have
large districts. We have about IS dis
tricts, with about 1900 pupils belonging,
which makes an average OF about go to
school. This will always be hindrance
to the betterment of public schools in
the county. The amount of money APP
propriated by the county is only sufficient
to run the schools about two and one
half months. If we had fewer schools
our terms would be longer. The appro-
priation by the Legislature which enables
us to have four months has greatly
pleased the people and has aroused
growing sentiment on the subject of edu-
cation.
w. F. WOOD,
Supt. of Schools for Mcdowell County
Marion, n. c.. May 80, 1902.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04
MOORE COUNTY.

| The public schools of Moore county are
in reasonably good condition. The aver
| age length Of term for the present year
| will be longer than any previous year
| The educational interest is taking on a
| gradual, but permanent growth. The
amount of money in our county is so lin
! tied that it becomes necessary to study
every available plan TO best utilize this
money to the greatest good to the great
est number. We find that almost every
| patron would ike to have the school kept
near his own door, but this we all know
cannot be done, and it will cause no little
| trouble TO meet the demands of so many
patrons hence the great number of school
districts with a small amount of money
to each, and in many instances, a sorry
poorly paid teacher-hence a sorry school,
We have decided the best way out OF
this trouble is to consolidate districts
where it can be done without much in
convenience. thereby increasing the means
as We'll as the children, which will give
in almost every case a longer term,
better teacher, and consequently a bet
ter interest. There are nine townships
in this county and the chairman and my
self will begin in June to consolidate the
districts so as to have one central school
in each township, which will have a Ion
ger term and allow all that can to at
tend this central school to do so where
they can consistently, which is sure in
every case to create a great educati
interest
The provision in our school law for the
township trustees, operates with much
better satisfaction and much better i'm
provement would be for the Legislature
to pass a law making the school board
trustees of all the schools and employ
ing the county superintendent for his
full time.
There has been some advancement made
in this county in the qualification of
teachers and our average length and at
tendance have increased over last year.
We must not have any hindrance or
objections to our public school that may
be easily avoided. We must have the uni
ted support of the pupils in the public
school work if the work is ever to be
and to accomplish what it should.
C. NJ. MCINTOSH. |
Superintendent Public Instruction.
Carthage N. c.. May 80, 1902.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04
ONSLOW COUNTY.

The public schools of my county are
doing very well. They are better than
ever before l believe our teachers Will
compare favorably with those of any
county in the State Yet, we need great
CT improvements
Our greatest needs are more funds and
better teachers.
Let the Legislature build. equip and
endow normal college, exclusively for
the training Of teachers. Say $500. 900 an
nually for a few years. Put into it a
faculty OF the best talent in the country.
Let this fund also pay the necessary ex-
Penses OF all who attend it, Let the
course cover at least two years. Let no
che teach public school except one
WHO holds certificate granted by that
school. Then we'll have good teachers
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04
PAMLICO COUNTY.

The public school work of Pamlico
county IS far from being satisfactory, yet
there is growing desire among the
masses and a marked degree of eathu-
siasm among many in behalf of better
schools and longer terms. The pAorla
are beginning to realize that tie pub
lie schools will solve the problem of tie
education of the whole people, and that
good system is the only agency that
can lift the masses of our boys and girls
to higher planes of usefulness and citi-
zenship.
There remains, however, signs here and
there of the blighting influence of noli-
tics-not true party politics that does
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04

The Board of Education is trying to i'm
prove our school buildings. Our greatest
need now is comfortable and better
furnished school houses. Every year
sees some substantial progress along all
lines of our work. What is particularly
noticeable in our county is a strong SEN
ument among our leading citizens in
every township in favor of popular edu-
cation. 1t is manifest that our schools
are increasing in efficiency and in the
confidence of the public. Teachers in
stitutes have done much to accomplish
this inl Northampton.
p. ]. LONG,
Superintendent
Jackson. n. c., May 80, 1902
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04

/ have been in close touch with the
educational interest OF Montgomery
county for the past year and can truth
fully say that the educational revival
that is now going on throughout the
State has become epidemic with u.s.
Fully two-thirds of the patrons of the
public schools are Wide-awake on the
subject of education. Five rural ais
tricts have recently secured libraries
and / expect others to be established
soon by private subscription. We have
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04
NEW HANOVER COUNTY.

New Hanover county has made rapid
progress in school facilities for her rural
population in the past two years. The
school buildings are all comfortable and
well furnished with furniture and appli-
ances. Every school for both white and
colored has the nucleus of a library
which was begun two years ago The
grounds are being improved by flower
beds and trees.
4 seven months session is sustained,
and the people take pride in the work
The ain is to make the school a center
for the intellectual Improvement of the
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04

problems. good institute was held last
summer and another will be held during
the month of August. Orange county is
Very fortunate in having such men as DR..
Fenable Profs. Noble and Cobb Of the
University, to help in their work. They
are giving their time and labor to help
build UP the public schools of Orange
county. In a word, Orange county is
rapidly coming to the front in public edu-
cation.
CHAS. E. MADDRY
County superintendent.
Hillsboro, n. c., May 80, 1902.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04
NASH COUNTY.

We need fewer and larger districts.
better buildings, better school furniture,
and a thorough awakening of the people
to the necessity OF educating their boys
and girls.
Our schools are improving, the average
school term for the school year will he
more than four months. the teachers are
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04

year? When our great State shall have
arisen to the full height OF her duty,
furnishing sufficient means to keep the
schools open eight or nine months to
the year, then. and not until then, can
we hope to educate the great mass of
our children.
Our public school system can never be
perfect until every district in the State
shall have school sufficient in grade
and length of term to prepare all of it's
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04
ORANGE COUNTY.

The public school system in Orange
county has made great advancement dur
ing the past year. Nine new houses have
been built. and several more will be built
during the coming year. Steps have been
taken to re-district the county where
needed. The Board of Education has de-
clded TO help the districts to build houses
where they will help themselves. The
average attendance has been better dur
ing the past year than ever before. The
teachers are organized into an association
which meets to discuss the various school
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04

pupils for college. and this can be done
only by larger appropriations. Teaching
is high and noble calling. but we can
not expect our young men and women to
espouse it. when there are so many
other yocations more remuneative
r. ]. PEEL,
Superintendent.
GAINESVILLE, n. c., May 30, 1902
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04
MARTIN COUNTY.

The schools of this county are maxi
ing more progress for the past year or
two than ever before. The people are
beginning to realize the duty they owe
to their children, and the majority are
ready and willing to act, but We cannot
hope for success. while the conditions
as they are. How can we expect
any great things of our schools, when
the funds are not sufficient to run them
more than four or five months to the
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.

For the first time in her history
Northampton has had four months
term in every district school. In many
districts the term has been extended to
seven or nine months.
The township system is employed here
and the township committeeman are
among the most progressive men we have.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04

better equipped and better paid, in sever
al districts new and suitable buildings
have been erected and equipped, yet
there is much to be desired.
w. S. WILKINSON,
Superintendent.
Rocky Mount. N. c., May 80, 1902.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04

302 children of school age. This makes
an average of 100 pupils to the district.
The enrolment last year was GO per
cent and average attendance 80 per cent
of the census enumeration. The length
OF term last year was 312 months; this
year it will be four months, as we get
State aid. We are building better houses,
consolidating districts. This done We
will have more money for our districts
and better teachers.
j. NJ. JAMES,
County Superintendent.
Marshall, n. c., May 80 1902.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04
MCDOWELL COUNTY.

While there seems to be a great
awakening over the State on the subject
of education, / am glad to state that
Mcdowell county is not sleeping TAX
ing everything into consideration | think
we stand about on an average with other
counties. Situated at the foot of the
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04
MADISON COUNTY.

The public schools in my county Madi-
SOM arc not SO good as they are in some
other counties in the State for the rea-
son that the county is not wealthy, and
this makes the taxes too small to give
the length of term needed There are SO
districts in the county which number g.,
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04

The patrons are becoming more inter-
ested. and I feel quite sure that next
year the Improvement will be much
greater.
The immediate needs of the schools
are, first, better houses and furniture
second larger attendance. third longer
term.
W II. HAMMOND,
County Superintendent.
Trenton, N. c., May 80, 1872.