Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-07-09

were expensive and unknown in coun-
try places. Consequently, it was neces-
sary that the teacher should keep in
order the quill pens, Suodly buncn OF
which each morning graced his desk,
and this required Il sharp penknife and
no small skill in it's use! Doubtless the
teacher, as he fashioned the point,
often had brought to mind, If at all
familiar with Dickens Nicholas Nick
leby," Miss Fanny Squeers. who de-
sired the nib las soft as possible" The
writing books generally had, at the top
of the page, copies written by the
teacher, though books with printed
headings were just coming into use. All
cipherinE was done with states and
pencils, and their C'atter and the fire.
quent squeak OF hard pencil added
no little to the confusion in study
hours The schooIroom had a level
space, about ten or twelve feet wide, in
the center. from which the seats, long
desks, of which the back of each
formed the back of the seat next be-
low il, rose by easy grade to the sides
of thereon. The boys We're seated on
one silc, girls opposite The teachers p
desk was at one end of theS open space.
where q huge backlog and ample
supplies of fuel Kept the room compar-
ativeiy comfortable, except in the Sc
verest weather, and then the appeal
from the back setts-"Please MI go
to the iire''-was often heard and gem
orally allowed AT 4 later period, the
square box stove took the place of the
open fire, when the Juveniles on the
front seats underwent the torture of
roasting, and the big boys on the back
seats felt cars and noses Jingle with
the cold il from the cracks about the
windows.
The winter school, where the large
boys We're more numerous than In sum
mcr, was kept by male teacher, and
there WAS usually at least one struE-
gle FOR the mastery, when the, boys did
their best to throw out the teacher.
whose selection by the school commit
tee was often influenced rather by his
physical ability than by his educational
qualifications. In school management,
corporal punishment was then the rule,
and moral suasion the exception.
Inadequate as such course would
row be considered. it is certain that the
first principles of an education were
thoroughly inStillcd in every pupil of
average ability, while the proportion of
those who attained success, and even
distinction, in after life, was quite as
marked as is likely to result from mod
ern methods. Two or three instances
among the many that rccur to me will
bear mention. Phil j was bright
energetic boy, popular among his
mates. and of good standing in his
classes. + he teacher, who had been
annoyed by stcalthy eating of apples
and crushing IF peanuts behind the
shield of the desk covers, ono day dc
mandcd that the practice cease: IF
you wish to eat an apple in school time,
bring it out here on the recitation seat.
and eat it openly" After recess. when
the scat was temporarily vacant, PM
marched out. seated himself, ANA pro
ducing a rudy checked specimen cool
ly proceeded to obey the masters in
junction. What do YOU mean, SIR
cried the teacher. "Do you intend to
insult me:' "No, SIR said Phil. you
told us to come out here, if we wished
to eat in school, and ! am only doing
as YOU said" He was sent back To his
seat. but the rule was amended Phil
entered the navy, earned
a good record in the rebellion, and at
tailied the rank of CAPTAIN before his
death. Another schoolfellow, John NJ,
was boy Of bright intellect, stubborn
and quick temper. He was
never thought very brave, when boy,
but at the opening of the rebellion
John secured a commission in the cav
airy and served with distinction,
reaching the rank of captain in one of
the most noted regiments of the war.
He entered the regular army and
served for several years after the war.
with the rank of major, to en-
ter into Il business career. He, too, has
since Joined the majority" A third
schoolfellow still lives, and were | even
to give his initials would be at once
rectEnzed as one of the most prolni-
ncnt men in public life. More fortunate
than many of his schoolmatcS, he was
able To follow his common school train
ing by Il collegiate course, and adopt
ing q profession for which he was Spc-
tally fitted both by hcredity and per
;onal aptitude, he has rcapcd its high
,st honors. Not a bad record for n
school, even were the above all
hat could he placed To its credit.
And so, like the ghosts that appeared
% Macbeth, these memories might
stretch out to the crack of DOOM
Dut ere | am accused of garruiity-the
mark Of old agc-I assent with Holmes.
hat
TN old enough to walk alone. but not
so very old!'
md commend to your consideration
he injunction of the same good poet:
call him rot old, whose visionary brain
Holds Ger the past its undivided reign
For him in vain the cnviouS seasons roll
Who bears eternal summer in his soul