The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-06-17

pete FOR. l OFTEN marVel at the spirit
Of our people, who in spite Of all OBJ
stacIes, studied on and gained a good
ly measure Of attainment. Many,
alas, were like the kings and prophets
who died without the sight. illustrat-
ing in their lives the Bible definition
of faith, the substance OF things
hoped for.
Tho Furniture.
An old cannon stove in the middle
Of the room with lengths and lengths
of rusty pipe which would often be
lying on the floor in the morning
after an extra good meeting upstairs
the night before.
The masters desk at one end OF the
room on high platform where he
sat in owl-like dignity, directing his
forces like pilot in his coming
tower. The master seldom left his
seat except to rap some unsuspectins
urchin on the head. On the desk was
a large hand bell used to call school.
have in mind a teacher who caught
mouse and tied it to the bell clap
per and then called one Of the little
ones to ring the bell which was a
great honor. When the mouse fell
out, the mere man had a hearty laugh
This was repeated until he grew tired
Of laughing. This same man grew
tired one day and said: Children you
may all go to sleep for am going.
which he proceeded to do with much
vocal accompaniment. Thus the school
board found the school when they
came to visit.
A row OF desks hung to the wall by
hinges on three sides. The good
scholars could sit at these and being
trustworthy, could devote themselves
to their books and contemplation OF
the walls. At these desks we learned
to write after a long time;' and as u
measure of economy, we learned on
states, one slate doing duty for a
whole family. A row Of blackboards
hung on the wall over the desks and
when classes needed the boards, the
desks were lowered and the holders OF
desk seats moved for the time
Scholars had to furnish their own
chalk which was purchased in chunks,
often weighing pound or more
These were broken to suit our fancy.
saving the pieces carefully.
An important piece of furniture
was the Ounce block, high narrow
stool on which some Inflated urchin
was often posed. adorned with a high
pointed cap with the word Ounce
thereon in large letters.
Spelling schools were in favor then.
and many were the trips to rival
schools to test the ability of each.
Then at the close of school there was
the exhibition where often the Ounce
would be the bright particular star In
military coat, brass buttons and shin
ing sword, seldom having word to
say, only to walk around and look
wise.
All things have their bitters and
sweets, their joys and sorrows and
such I had in the old school room
where I used to go before the era OF
fireproof houses, steam heat, electric
lights and telephones. Long may
these conditions continue and improve,
and to those whose lot is cast I'm these
good new times, wish to say you
are the heirs of all the ages Of prog
ress and Improvement and if you will
employ your enlarged opportunities as
your parents did their limited chances,
in the next fifty years we will be
better, more capable people of whom
it will be said he or she did we'll for
COlOIGu peISol, Jul ihotSdu We WIZ
be measured by the universal stand
ard of excellence. Let our motto
then, henceforth be Excelsior"
Ralph Tebeau was next on the pro-
gram with an interesting account of
his school days at Howard Institute
in Washington, d. c.
Address by Woodson.
The concluding address of the even
ing was made by George II. Woodson,
a well known colored educator and
lawyer CT Buxton, Ia. His address
was forceful and yet tempered with
a pleasing wit. After putting his
hearers in pleasant mood with his
stories he launched into the achieve
ments of the colored race and paid
high tribute to the progress 1t had
made. His remarks were punctuated
all the way through with applause.
Mr.. woodson paid a high tribute
to coIored womanhood and colored
patriotism. I'VE have the best wom-
auhood that has ever blessed the
world" he said.
He pointed to the deeds Of the
negro race in this country and said
that a people that had done SO much
for country should not be discrimin-
ated against In any particular. Mr.