The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-19

huge chimney stood at one end, and the teacher occupied small, elevated plat form. Desks were few and far between. Reading, spelling, writing. arithmetic, ge- ography, history and the elements of physiology were the principal studies. School was opened every morning with prayer, and reading a chapter in the Bi- bls The duty of the girls was to sweep the floor and keep the room clean; that of the boys to tote water. cut wood and make fires. Within easy reach of the master was well-seasoned hickory switch. This preserved good order. Tf<re were no copy books in those days among the rural schools, and the teacher set all the copies. At a certain hour the girls had recess, and upon their return to the room, the boys had theirs. Discipline was as strict as 1t Is in the army. The only salary the teacher received was such as the neighborhood could contribute there being no public funds to supplement 1t He had no regular boarding place, but stayed a week with one pupil, and the next week with another, until he had made the circuit. In this manner his board cost him nothing. One woman spun, wove and made his clothing, which was always a free gift to him. The men "throwed in and made up the money to buy him Sunday suit. In public esteem be ranked next to the preacher. This mode of outdoor life, his long walks and healthy food. made him strong in muscle. and he could easily conquer the larger, and at times rude, boys. During vacation he either returned to his kindred or did harvest work If married, he had his own humble home.
 The general opinion is that this class of teachers were themselves, of lm
 ited education. Never was there a graver mistake. Along with the crowds that he had drifted from the older states, where many men of polished manners and l collegiate training. At home it was a 1 hard ma tier to obtain a situation, the supply being greater than the demand; 1 out upon the frontiers of civilization an
 easy one. Having once heard the call i of the wild they felt it's subtle Influence l and never cared to leave it. have met, and been charmed, with the conversa- 1 tional powers of some of these men.
 Among the few books they possessed
 were copies of Shakespeare and the cla l eics. Again, there were young men bare 1 ly able to fulfil their duties, struggling l to earn money to complete their term in | some university. There were very few 1 women teachers in the country districts. l When a community became financially
 able to build a frame or brick house l 1 three teachers and a music teacher,
 it was called and academy the head of | 1t. professor and the entire settlement l put on airs. A bell in tower on top l of the academy completed the dignity
 and high social standing of everybody | within its sound. The teachers had a
 regular place to board and the man | who had formerly walked many mile | each day now owned his horse and buggy | Trfx Por Et-o- | Iution was slow in coming. but it re-
 rnained after it's arrival. It fs human l nature and yet the Old Field school was | a mighty good foundation to build upon l It afforded all the schooling that many of our most famous men ever had; they
 deserved a course in college but were too poor to obtain 1t. Ignorance is T
 heavy burden for any man or natior
 to carry There is no excuse for il these days But there Is ample room | for improvement along some practica
 lines and there should be more rura
 schools and the terms. eight months and especially should the teachers bt
 paid higher salaries than they now re- ceive. Take them as class, they art
 the poorest paid'in the state. The daily
 grind consumes the strength of bralf
 and body and often causes a breakdown
 and the absolute necessity of rest: ant
 if there is any surplus money left tt
 pay for this reposeful period I am no aware of 1t. The able men at the heat
 of the department of education earn
 and should receive double the amour
 of salaries they now get The stat'
 should not be left to do everything, ant
 carry all the load; the people should be willing to do their part, as no in
 vestment pays as large and permanen 1 dividends as education. There are phil anthropists in the north who would giv' . libarsllv to such . worthy cause # [