The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-08-24
AN OLD FIELD SCHOOL.
"Reminiscences of Prof. Manning Belcher's
School, in Hall Township. A nderson
County, Over Fifty X ears Ago.

distinguished parent VINO lived In the
garden of Eden, cannot at this late
day be definitely determined. Tom
and Major Dean had kind Of plat
form built out of doors upon which
they studied. Major had the military
nlme, bus Tom had the military spirit.
de zode fine, well-drilled animal.
AT dinner hour or play time he mount
ed his bay and had all the medium
sized boys, armed with sticks, drawn
up in line. He gave the command
charge cavalry" while boy in line
would give the command "charge bay
oness." Tom would make grand
charge, but the boys in line would
give the Confederate yell in embryo
and the cavalry would retreat in good
order, while the welkin would ring
with shouts Of victory from the boys
in the line. Many of these boys saw
more of this kind Of exercise, no
doubt, than they dreamed Of ;n their
school boy days.
After enjoying this kind of sport
for short time al would resort to
the play ground to engage in ball
playing the remainder Of plsytime.
John Gordon was the champion ball
player. Hs was left handed and but
few boys could dodge his balls.
The school was not q military
school, but it was belligerent. The
older boys would enjoy this and en-
courage the younger boys to resent
anything that appeared to be offen-
sive. Piaytime frequently ended
with a tug between some Of the small
er boys. Tom Sanders was q leader
in this offensive and defensive busi-
ness and generally came off victorious.
But Bill Hall got the advantage Of
him when engaged one day in close
contest. Tom generally struck his
antagonist in the face and blinded
him so that he whipped his man be-
fore he could see what was going on.
When Tom and Bill got into close
quarters Bill warded of the blow aim
ed at him and struck his enemy a
severe blow in the stomach, knocking
breath out of him. While Tom was
gasping for breath Bill succeeded in
giving him q good, all.round whipping.
Ever after that when two boys were
engaged in deadly conflict, some one
would shout, give it to him Bill Hall
style.
Many incidents connected with this
eventful school still come into nv
mind mind yet, even at this late date. I
remember when little boy some II
years OF age entered school and the
teacher proceeded to examine him.
He opsned the "blue back" and asked
the bog to spell cab, dab, ETC.. then turn
ed to the Baker page and spelled o
few words, then turned further on
aud closing the book asked the boy to
spell herb, the boy spelled the word
promptly and correctly. The teacher
handed the boy the book and told him
he could enter the dictionary class.
The boy was astoni5hed and delighted
too. He had not advanced far in the
spelling book but he was glad to be
advanced, he exerted himself to the
asssssess:: ED ssa=a held his ppiiaS5. IL Was d
rule IL the school that any one spell
ing q word before itwas given On. he
went head. The one above this same
boy apelled the word debauoh. The
little boy remembered that debaucher
came nextin line, spelled it and went
head. The boy was as proud as o
king.
In those days common SCHOOLS did
not end with 9 commencement, but
they ended at the proper time all the
same. Sometimes there would be an
exhibition ct the close, but eduently
/ the buys would "oloss out'' The teach
or and have him 70 treat the school OF
take Q ducking in the nearest pool, Of
water. At the end Of this school the
teacher treated to jug Of the g over
[joyfuf and u pound package Of brown
sugar. The sugar, was poured into
ths; ;jrg.' .'sand shaken before taking =
The boys seemed TO think, the i CON.
tents Of said jug were diluted when
the sugar Was introduced ard some Of
them too more than enough. That
night the haunted woods near by war
Ithe resting place of some who could
NOT walk s bee-lipe toward home. Thas
was3a new perience TO the most oi
them.
Shall IS ever forget these haloyon
daya sef tho psst2 No, neverl Then,
II Ia