Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-11
ELEVATOR BOYS GET
LANGUAGE MICROBE
PROF. NESBITT'S ENTHUSIASM
is CONTAGIOUS
Teacher of French by the Gymnastic
Method Decides to Take His
Pupils Through an Addi-
tional Course

If you notice an especially melancholy
expression on the faces of the elevator
boys in the Temple auditorium just blame
1t to the amount of education that IS
being daily dispensed in the building.
For the pas few days the elevator boys
have been wearing expressions of happy
expectations, believing that the daily
rush of people determined to learn 20
speak French CONNIE un natif would
cease.
But these hopes are dashed because
Prof. N. H. Nesbitt will conduct three
weeks post graduate" course in French,
following his five weeks course which
closed last Friday in Choral hall. The
same hall has been re-engaged and hence
the doleful looks of the boys. Three
times each day, morning afternoon ana
night the elevators are taxed to their
fullest capacity in 'lifting" the hundreds
of people who are attending the classes.
For the first five weeks they bore their
burdens philosophically, with the hope
of relief soon, but when 1t was an
nounced that a further course was to be
given the ELEVATOR boys put on mourning.
One effect of this course has been the
mystification of many people. For the
elevator boys have taken to picking up
. little French on their own account and
''seconde, troiseme, quatrieme, cinqueme,"
otc, have taken the place of the well
known first second" etc, floors. If
you don't understand French and go UP
in these elevators, simply watch the
floors as you pass upward and you will
know where you are.
But il you should happen to be coming
down and a crowd of people get on the
'lift' at the second floor, speaking in an
unintelligable manner, don't think that
they are necessarily deranged, but rather
that they are mastering the tongue of
la belle France.
Also, if you should meet friend who
accosts you with heavenly expression
and Comment vous portez-vous?" don't
be insulted You have not been taken for
a porter-it is harmless, simply How
da-do?" in French.
PopuIace Laneuase-Mad
Another "don't" for the timid If you
should hear something like this, 1t IS
harmless "Six million, six cent, soix-
ante-six mile, six cent soixante-six mile,
six cent soixante-six"-t are simply
learning to count.
Anyway, everybody is good natured
they say they have a fine time classes,
instruction, vaudeville and all thrown In
one, and declare that they will keep on
to the end.
Monday they will begin the second and
advanced course of three weeks, follow
ing which Prof. Nesbitt will leave Los
Angeles to conduct classes in other cities.
Probably, fading off in the distance,
you will hear something like this:
"Combien sont ces six saucissons-ci?
Ces six saucissons-ci sont six sous! Sis
sousi Ces six saucissons ci? 81. ces six
saucissons ci sont six SOUS" or words 10
that effect.
Prof Nesbitt has proved probably the
most unique instructor that has ever con-
Quoted classes in Los Angeles. He ie-
lights in teaching, and thereby makes his
teaching delight to his classes. His
text book Conversational Course in
French" which he has just issued and
which has been used in the class, con-
tains no dry set rules for the begin
pers but rather the lessons as they have
been given by Prof. Nesbitt, supplemented
with a large number of anecdotes that
prove interesting as well as instructive.
Prof Nesbitt has secured the eager at
tention of each pupil, and If the elastic
neck turns a head around he Immediately
sees 1t and brings 1t back to attention.
One of Prof. Nesbitt's instructions TO
teachers Is Take yourself seriously as
teacher, but do not let your pupils know
it,"
This has been proved, and the several
hundred people are looking forward to
the cafe chanton at the end of the next
course with regret, as it will mean the
close of a continual entertainment for
them.