Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-11-17

the sort that had gOOd nome pdlhiH6
and consideration of others is the main
idea OF the golden rule.
Teacherages, or the houses supplied in
some states. are fine If the salary is
sufficient to keep them up. but where
teacher has to grade papers and visit
the sick and do all sorts of unexpected
things. not least of all having at least
one or two of the pupils to entertain
after school. there Is not much time Tor
housekeeping. I've seen girls do CO.
operative housekeeping, but at least one
Of them had spare time in which to Keep
up the work that comes between s In
the morning and 4 in the afternoon. l
would like to hear from many OF the
teachers Not only theories but practi-
cal experiences. There are teachers all
over the south, and some in the far
east that take The Atlanta Journal and
We want to hear from several sections
Of the country; also from tutors and
Rovernesses My heart is in the cause,
so believe me.
Faithfully yours,
LIZZIE o. THOMAS.
Tuscumbia, Ala
BOTH SIDES OF THE QUESTION.
Dear Mrs. Thomas: 1t is quite
,rivilege which you accord to us to
u
columns. We also know that what We
say will be read and in some cases II
will stir up thought. That is the i'm
.,ortant thing after all, for every great
r small enterprise was begun with
nought
What / wish to discuss now is board
nR teachers. The time is on now when
ONE one will have to board the teacher
n order to have a school. No one is
very anxious, and very few are willing
% do II. The fact that il Is often SO
hard for the country teacher to find
boarding place IL partly because the
arm houses are so small, and often so
.nconveniently built. and partly because
he housewife is already overtaxed with
AOrk.
Let's first discuss this question from
he teachers viewpoint, for there are
.wo sides to every question. The teach
er thinks II is hard that they are So
opposed to boarding her for she fully
expects to pay her board, and she feels
that she will not be any trouble or ex-
ense either to the family. Sine is leav-
ing a comfortabl home and friends TO
20 to a strange community to teach
the children, and she knows she could
do more efficient work and be happier.
100. if she could meet with cordial
welcome from every one.
have in mind a case where a young
lady went to a strange neighborhood
to teach. There are no doubt many
others, but I will speak of this. She
was met at the depot by patron, who
carried her TO tho place they had Sc
lected for her boarding place. She
found everything about the place fault
lessly neat and clean, and the people
ne physical specimens; but that well
come which wins half the battle was
missing. After a long while the lady
anne into the room and greeted her
without a smile or the slightest sus-
ricicn of cordiality. Sitting down. still
wearing her bonnet, she began: They
II had a most terrible time finding a
boarding place Cor you. l want you TO
!ully understand that 1 do not want
YOU. and 1t does not suit me to have
/. oarder. I have twelve children. and
nother to look after. and that Is about
IL I am able to do. l am taking you
because these other old women around
i,ere are so rotten lazy they will not
AXE you. and rather than give up our
chooI l will take you. l do not want
lou. but will do the best can
That is the teachers side. but the
COR. tired housewife deserves consid-
Grafton. There Is no class of people
nen or women. black or white. that has
20 work harder than the farmers wife
Words cannot possibly express the kind
Of time some of them see. II is work
and drudgery from before day away into
he night often without one single diver
sion, and sometimes without one word
# encouragement from her liege lord
who has made her queen Cd on his
'hrone. Taking one boarder is no real
'nancial benefit to her. and is often a
tax upon her already overworked sys-
tenn. Even If the teacher does think
she will be no trouble. that does not
make IT true. for in many ways one
extra person In the house makes more
teps to take. Even If the teacher were
no trouble ST all, II does not suit Peo-
pie to have an outsider always present
nearing everything that is said. Besides
his. l am sorry it is true, but lady
once tol6 me that she would not take
he teacher If she were a young girl
for Mrs. So-and-so and another Mrs.
SO-and-so had so much trouble with
The behavior Of the teacher. She would
e out with boys against her judgment.
and keep late hours. and dress very i'm
nrudently. She said she would not
mind boarding the teacher If they would
ct settled lady for teacher.
1t is n pity that these things are
tactS' put they are. The teacher could
Modify the situation some herself by
@onforming to the regulations of the
family with whom she boards. and not
expect them to be able always 10 meet
ler requirements She might be prompt
at her meals. and walt upon herself all
hat is possible. And she might stay
n her own room to do her school WORK.
trading papers, ETC., to keep from invad-
ng the privacy of the family too
iuch.
There are a few teacherages In Geor-
ia. l wish some one who knows some
hing about them would write about
hem. In some states there are many
n my next letter ! will tell about wha;
have rend about some of them. 1t is
ny opinion that is the solution of the
'roblem of boarding the teacher
'DARLINA BELL.
Flberton. Ca