Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1909-03-18
A Letter From wardensyille.


lay, the promise to write you letter
about my new work and the prospects
will now be fulfilled. A former de.
scription of the village of Wardens-
vile and the narrow but charming
and productive valley Of the Capon
river, (or, as the Indians styled it,
CAcapon) need not be repeated. SUI
fee it TO state that the town is "besu-
tlful for situation. though one can.
not boat of its elegant buildings, fine
streets, or well-pavel sidewalks.
As the traveller westward bound en-
tels the place, one of the first build
ings to attract his gaze ia the "hall of
learning Even if "Old Glory" was
not floating above it the style and ap-
pearance of the long. high, but one
storied structure. neatly painted q
light color, with an entrance-way pro-
jecting from the center to form ves'
tibule, and the bell swinging in the
cupola, as well as the yard with sub
stantial fence and young naples grow
ing in it, would proclaim it the school
house Here your scribe presides as
pedagogue.iu-chlef, with two expert.
enced lady assistants 1t is here. too.
the first effort at consolidation of
schools in Hardy county Is being
tested. E4ch morning a large cur
tained wagon, four-seated aud COM
modious, comes bowling up the level
highway with 16 lads and lassies,
ranging IN age from 6 to 20, merrily
laughing. singing and chatting. and
reaching the school.Yard gate about
$50 or 8 As. This was the Crest Hill
school. but ls now part of the War
densville Graded School. From the
West Moriah school a two-horse car
ri4ge brings FIVE of one family and a
buggy conveys brother and sister
from another home. Several who are
near walk. Ooe family. by request,
hat it's children transferred to another
school-Dutca Hollow. One family
is scarcely in reach, being across the
river and near the Hampshire line.
Besides the superior advantages in
protection from the weather IN the
conveyauces. better grading. superior
instruction, closer contact of country
and town children for mutual benefit,
money is being saved-and that
big item to the average taxpayer
The two schools formerly cost for
teachers, fuel, jani,ors and incidental
expenses about $470; the hauling
costs about $3.50.
1t is expected that other schools
will be centralized next session.
Four miles is the extreme distance of
one family, and the two children are
brought TO point designated to meet
the wagon. People are much pleased
with the operation of the plan We
have an enrolment of 80, and but for
makeshiit OF a private school would
enroll l04 The attendance for four
months past averaged SO per cent. and
the punctuality in nv classes, seventh
and eighth, grades 81 per cent. The
average age OF the eight pupils in the
graduating class is II. SIX months is
the length of term at present. but /
will have private school of two
months duration. numbering at least
80 pupils, A six weeks normal will
also be conducted by the principal
and An assistant. The aim is to de
velop district high school as soon as
practicable.
My Iabors are arduous, and diff
culties numerous, but the support of
patrons and school officers and the CO.
operation of teachers 10 ke the service
joyous and.inspiriDg.
F. A. B.