The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-06-13

being at the Clarion office before 8
p m. However, an interest in ,.frag-
mentary news ends, left over from the
previous nights work, and also ma
tural curiosity as to what the evening
papers were llme-lighting, brought me
to the city at much earlier hour: in
fact, with time to linger before the
Slumme Avenue Public School, and
listen to the songs of the children be-
for their dismissal for the day. 1t was
not musical treat; so much I could
judge even from scant knowledge of
music, but what there lacked in an
artistic sense was amply made up, in
enthusiasm. The pale little teacher in
gray led the singing. and marched from
the building in company with her pu-
pills as the great bell tol]ed the closing
hour. The peculiar earnestness If the
techer interested me. At first bowed:
then, as our route lay in the same di-
rection, speaking acquaintance was
formed.
During one of these afternoon walks
that I suggested an experiment of
changing the repertoire of her singing
class. Her scholars, all daily patched
and t0o-evident!y newly eoaped off,
springs Of the laboring~ class were
fated to form part and parcel of that
great concrete slime of the under.
world. Why, then, would it not be
wiser to choose some appropriate mus
ical exercise?
ingly.
Il often realize my deficiency in the
matter of giving ADEQUATE instruction"
anil a F,,N~
OF providing instructive amusement,
For the former the School Board is
tyranny personified. AS to the latter.
there being a short interval between
the close of the lessons and dismissal
this time I endeavor to f1ll in with
something interesting to the children.'
This led to speaking of the School
} Board, and provided notes for prom
lsed public school system expose-some
day. -.
The Board Of Education, known as
the school Board, consisted of eighteen
members. OF these, sixteen We're
saloon keepers, one a Wholesale liquor
dealer and the eighteen was identified,
IN business way, as "the farmer
the official go-between and distributor
of municipal graft All were large
OF girth, plethoric of chin, and gener-
ousjy good fellows. The office was
elective, with no salary attachment.
but, nevertheless, much sought after,
Tor the harvest of plumber was bounti-
tul enough. Mortar for school house
repairs often cost it's weight in gold.
The rake-off in the matter Of school
supplies alone meant the division of a
fortune among the wise Ones" and
they were all wise OH the School Board.
A member who retires from office
without having added to his nest many
doWny feathers-and a few golden
eggs-is considered either a. fool or
Il freak: S.ss y Il: ~
Q fcourse,, rem the Cray. Eady,
= would Ii like to instil il the hearts 81
my scholars the love of those principles
which their fathers preach and practice
IN their trades organizations. But my
opportunities are so few, my resources
so limited From meagre salary must
come tips for the janit6r, tips for tho
scrubWoman land wedding presents for
Board members, their relatives or
friends. The nurnbe: of Weddings
silver jubilees and birthday parties that
take place among the friends IF the
Board is quite remarkable, especially
during election time. Once, thinking |
could not afford the usual present. at
small cost but with many weary hours
OF labor. I fashioned an embroidered
scarf. The following day it was re-
turned, with a polite note stating that
possibly it has been misplace while
attending the reception given by Mr..
Grittydick's brothers wife's sister,
AS the article might be an heirloom in
the family, it is hereby returned,' ct
cetera. Mr.. Grittydick is all influential
member Of the Board. To square N.Y.
SELF and save my job, it was necessary
to see Merten & Merten. jewelers., order
a silver pitcher, and fib a little in an
ordered yesterday, but neglected to
deliver way"
My entire library: of reform litera-
ture' number of pamphlets issued b,
the Fabian Society, was placed 1T the
disposal of the Gray Lady. Several
days later I heard her read one:of these
essays and in crude way explain it's
meaning to the children. Then follow
ed that grand old battle hymn IF the
FIRST Republic-the MarseiIlaise-as
though the spirit of life were breathea
into Barbarouxs marching six hundred
who knew how to die for liberty
Those men whose. mouldering bones
have been gathering dust these nanv
years lived again=<in the passionate
voices of little children. 1t was mag
nlf1cent if altogether too suggestive.
Some misgivings arose as 10 the wis.,
dom of placing a firebrand in the hand
or one so apt. The rapid turn of
events. however, allowed no time for
belated regrets
May-day brought the grand parade
and picnic of the public school children.
to the juvenile mind the most i1npor-
tant happening of the year slunme
Avenue School had now become inocu-
A14laLL ~ H.