The Washington herald., 1916-02-11
The Teaching Profession.
BY JOHN ID. BARRY.


of the teaching profession is ptiful People really
ought to be made to realize. Now love my work.
believe it is worth doing ! look about me and
| see other kinds of work. much more remunera-
tive and more highly honored, that. from the point
of view of service, seem to me of little account,
perhaps worse than useless. Then ! see fine young
fellows, students of mine ideally equipped for
teaching, going into those inferior kinds of work.
Their attitude gives OF personal dis
comfort. Somehow, it reflects and my rela-
ton to them. On the first big test, the choice Of
profession, they simply turn the ideals down"
| could hardly keep from smiling And yet |
recognized the pognancy OF the situation. 81 have
to admit, however" the professor went on good
naturedly that am not consistent Whenever |
do capture for the teaching profession brilliant
student with real enthusiasm for service. feel
almost sorry. | know how much he is giving up
in the way OF worldly advantage" He began to
stroke his beard and he burst into his characteristic
cay soft laughter. 81 suppose | am tempted TO
say these things to you he went on, "on account
of little experience | have been having. Half a
dozen years ago in OF my courses, there was
wonderful young fellow, Of the ablest and
most attractive students ever had ideast. too,
of the more practical sort Hc seemed to me to
have all the qualities needed for a great figure in
the teaching profession. Well just as he was about
to take his degree. he to in rather
shamefaced way and told me that he was going
to get married. ! knew what that meant. He
would have to think first Of the economic situa-
ton. His plans for teaching would go by the
board. OF course, | felt sorry. And yet. I was
glad, too for | happened to know the girl, and
he could not have made better choice When |
asked him what he going to do, he grew more
embarrassed. 1 have good offer to go into the
bond business he said" The professor stopped
to observe the effect me. | think he was disap-
pointed that did not show horror surprise.
when | heard just what the bond business
meant | simply threw up my hands. Now, if you
were going into the meat business, | shouldn't
mind, | said, or any business that would give
you a chance to do something useful He answer
cd my objection with the familiar American argu-
mcnt Of dollars and cents At the start he would
have salary large enough to enable him to get
married Well he went into the bond business.
For couple years after his marriage | saw him
only occasionally. He told me that he doing
dropped in to see him, and his wife staggered me
by telling me that her husband was going to give
up business and prepare to become teacher
cts the only thing that will make him happy,
she replied. 4 know shall have to make sacr-
fees. but | don't mind Then | found myself
taking the other side ] argued and pleaded, max
ing all the practical appeals. The two young
people unshakcn greatly to my secret delight.
A few months later they went abroad in the steer
age taking the baby along. For three years they
STAYED in Germany. At the end OF that time m.
former pupil came back and became member of
our faculty"
The professors eyes glowed. 1t delightful
TO sec the spirit Of the enthusiast enjoying the
triumph.
Such cases, | believe are not uncommon. In
the faculty Of every college in the land there is
likely to be at least one hero Of this kind who
quietly and unostcntatiously makes the choice be-