The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-02-07
GETTING INTO SCHOOL.

The registering of the names of new
primary pupils for the coming school
year was In progress in New York's
largest school, as a representative of
the New York Sun entered. The law
prohibits a child from becoming a
wage-earner before reaching the age OF
IA years, and forbids their admission
to the public schools before they are 8
years old. These rules are disliked by
many OF the East Side parents. and
attempts are often made TO evade that
relating to school age by adding TO
the years of the youngsters when they
are brought to the sciIoolhouse. The
teachers are required TO explain. over
and over again. that n child who has
Just passed a fifth birthday Is not yet
o years old, altlouga the social coa-
ventlons OF the East Side hold to che
contrary.
"How oldI" the teacher asks the
mother Of tiny girl who Is clinging
to her skirts.
Conscience and desire struggle. FL
nally the mother says, hoarsely, and
It Is necessary to lean forward little
to hear:
Il can't tell q lie. was born In
Wien"
Just why birth in the Austrian CAPT
tai should be put forward In such a
predicament she does not say. and the
foo ohor mead ~ x-aird cto famanfc docs
not ask She keeps to the subject at
hand.
"You mean she Is not 6 yeti'
A last ray OF hope is evident In the
forthcoming whisper.
"Not yet, but she will be soon."
The teacher shakes her head, and
weeping mother and thumb-sucking
child are obliged to seek the kinder
garten. which to the East Slider means
q waste of time and effort. Mere
play" they say, contemptuously. Il
want the child to go to school,"
The next applicant was a small boy
who came alone. Evidently. he had
been. well tutored In memorizing what
was thought most essential.
where do you live. dearT acked
the teacher.
sixth"
"You mean you are 81"
sixth"
"Are you vaccinated?"
sixth"
"Born In this country"
"Sixth."
Judgment of no undecided character
descends upon his Undated mop of
hair.
"You 60 home and get birth certif-
cate and a vaccination paper before
you come back"
OF the next, who wass accompanied
by his grandmother, the teacher OBJ
served, "But he certainly looks less
than g."
"Ach." and his gray-haired grand
mother drew him forward as If to pro-
tect him from some threatened VIC
ience. "Shcw your teeth, Abraham. y
The mouth opens, disclosing a jag.
ged-edged crater.
"Feel his seconds"
The grandmother Is personified will
power, and the teacher unwillingly ad
vances a finger, which is seized and
rubbed across the mouth of the cavern
and then tossed back as of no further
use in this world or the next.
Don't he look six with those sec
ondsy'
! Nevertheless she is told she must
I bring better evidence of the boys age.
A silver cup. supposed to be present
ed at his christening in Russia and en-
graved with date and name, was un
swathed from its wrappings, and tri
umphantly exhibited to the teacher a
evidence In behalf of the claims of tn
next applicant.
The teacher takes the loving-cup and
admires 1t generously. 1t is bit bat
tered and shows its long journeyings.
How do l know" she says, patting 6
,ow head that accompanies. the cuE
that this is MoritzY
The mother looks at her with the ex
'resslon of one who wrestles with cras!
] ignorance. There Is the cup, and here
= Noritx She trIss 10 explain in bro