The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-11-20


sign and mark of their aloofness from
the plebs, or carry some document,
or inquire of each other for the gov
ernor or chief justice. Oh, the play
is enjoyable.
Several years ago the main events
were staged in the house of represen-
tatives during the Christmas holidays.
But the meetings grew so that they
were changed to November, just after
a teacher has time to draw two
months salary.
AS a novice, I was duly impressed
by what I saw and heard. 1 went for
the precious inspiration" to become
''progressive'' and "up-to-date."
ran myself thin chasing from one de-
partment meeting to another. 1 was
ladled out and I would not be there
with my little tin cup. Though at
times 1 became fearfully mixed up,
for at one meeting DR.. DryaSdust
would hand out one specific and at
the next meeting President Spoofer
would hand out an anti-toxin for the
doctors nostrum. Then at night I'd
try to recall my inspirations and
sometimes, oftimes, / found them so
tenuous and thin that it was like try
ing to grasp moonShine on water. L m
glad to state that often a man would
address us, one who had a saving
sense of humor, who was not spoiled
by honors, one that schools had not
reduced to an automaton, one that
processes had not dehumanized, one
in whom the acids of the laboratory
had not curdled the milk of human
kindness. Then was my soul re-
freshed and exceeding glad.
In the Name of Inspiration.
About this inspiration business, 1
am constrained to cry 80, Inspiration
What crimes are committed in thy
name The teacher mounts his hob
by and yells, Get out of the way.
Here I come on Old Inspiration" He
then proceeds to rock violently up
and down in the same place, much to
his own satisfaction and his own in
tense admiration. Inspiration has
been the excuse for many idiotic
methods and plans in teaching. In
spiration, bosh! It's perspiration and
determination.
But to return. The first meetings
What Mighty Men, Men who spoke
with the voice of Authority and not as
Scribes and Pharisees. How remem-
Der them to this day. One man, L re-
member, was most impressive fig
ure, goodly man and a portly one
He always came into the hall late,
walked up the central aisle slowly
stopped about half way up, looked
around, leaned over and spoke to
some one, shook his head sadly,
up, went back and up
another aisle and repeated. Then
went to the front, surveyed the audi
ence sadly once more and then sat
down. The play was over. I used to
watch him in an awed way and won
der what it all meant. Now L know
it was just a play.
Ponderous Personages.
Another teacher who became quite
a noted figure in Kansas, didn't waste
~
marched at once to the front, leaned
up against the wall. and stood there
through the whole meeting. How he
did scowl at the audience. 1 used to
tremble when looked at him. L
wondered what mighty thoughts
were seething behind that bullying,
knobby forehead. His porcine coun-
tenance berkshire type) expressed
fierce disapproval of the whole pro-
ceedings-the only ameliorating thing
Occasionally he would condescend to
go to the president, put his hand on
his shoulder, whisper in his ear I'M
bend his rigid brows for an instant,
hen go back to his place. I had new
er believed in the doctrine of the
ransmfgratfon of souls until 1 saw
him. I'm sure if 1 had called "pe-e-e-
1ooge-e," although he might not have
come, yet he certainly would have
But these types have passed |
1Wdy Inc ola OrQer cnangeth, as
our friend Bill White would say The
'eally good fellow, the man that is a |
man," this type predominates largely |
among the Kansas teachers. OF such |
| type is our present state superinten- |
lent of such a type was Superinten-
lent Fairchild. now the honored pres |
dent of New Hampshire college. All |
kansas reJoices in his advancement, |
1t is on account of merit.
Teachers Are Human.
Teachers are human. One night 1 |
lad gone to bed rather early. While |
was lying there trying to forget what |
had heard during the day, the sound |
If low pitched voices came from an |
LdJoining room. At first, I could not |
make out the words, but presently |
hey became more distinct, seemingly |
lnder the stress of excitement. Then |
he voices sounded hectic and fever !
sh. I could hear a flutter as of a |
tote book being shuffled. Then the |
ak became audible but unintelligible !
One will do for me. I'll play these"
Vide tie ct elevo te quinque bucks"
.B1ne, aIea Jacta est" "Quid habes %
'Pleuam domun.' EFT TUT" "Quat-
uor reyes" "Oh, Lastara, Amitto,
ape totam darnnatam allan"
1 wondered what. the game could /
'e, AT last I said to myself: 1t is
ONE ancient classic game played no
Ioubt by Caesar, Pompey and other
-reat men Of Rome. 1 could but ad-
nire the devotion of these students to
ncient lore, for occasionally far into
he night was wakened by their ex-
lamat1ons. They were certainly
ealous.
I'm for these associations One
finds in this world what he
5 looking for. If it is knowledge, he
will find in these meetings men wise
nd learned. He will find loving,
ompanfonable men, men who have
ought good fight and have taken
heir bumps smilingly, men who have |.
rown mellow with time. Their talks
make one forget his own petty cares
nd sorrows. There are men that I'd
ravel clear from the short grass
ountry to Topeka just to shake their