The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1917-03-16
NOTTINGHAM OF OTTER DAYS.

NOTTINGHAM OF OTTER DAYS.
Old Program Serves To Recall In
teresting Incidents To Former
Student.
Oregon City, Oregon,
3-3-17
Midland Journal
There has been called to my at
tention an old programme of exercises
of the West Nottingham Academy of
March 1856. In looking it over
was not able to recall the name of a
single one of those who took part as
being now among the living except
ing myself OF that friendly group
I have distinct memory of almost
every one mentioned, especially are
the two Principals well remembered.
Mr.. Duffield greatly afflicted inva-
lid, and Mr.. Faehtz one of those
cultured men whom the failure of
the revolutions of 1S48 in Europe
forced to find refuge in this coun
try. He like Carl Schurz had a
narrow escape from being executed
for treason. A graduate of the
University of Vienna and an in
teresting man to listen to when tell
ing of his experiences. Landing in
this country almost penniless his
struggles with poverty and the
English language appealed to his
sense of humor in the more pros
porous day at Nottingham. He was
not a church man in obseryances.
At the time of which 1 write the
church at West Nottingham was
without regular pastor. The pulpit
being irregularly filed from other
churches. I remember the Rev.
Hamilton of Faggs Manor on several
occasions as being there. miss
Betsy" kept the boarding house at
which both principals and some OF
the students boarded and Mr.. Hamil-
ton usually took dinner there. Mr.
Faehtz was the head of the table and
served the plates with meat passing
them along until all were served.
On one of Mr.. HIS visits Mr. F had
gone thru the meat serving part of
the dinner program and lifting
dish of potatoes offering them to Mr..
H. asked in politest manner if he
would have them. Mr.. H. whose
cold grey eyes fairly glistened, did
not offer to take the dish-but said.
"Shall we ask a blessing MIR
Faehtz?" He had to repeat the
question before Mr.. F. understood
him. Mr.. F. was evidently humili-
ated to be thus rebuked in the
presence of his pupils, he said
''thank you Mr.. Hamilton"
AS the dinner proceeded Mr.. H.
directed his talk to Miss Betsy who
dispensed the coffee from the end of
the table opposite to Mr.. Faehtz. He
was telling Miss B. of powerful
sermon preached by some Divine
Sin Penticost," Mr.. Faehtz whose
English still, at times, Numbered,
hearing the word indistinctly in
quired, what you say Mr.. Hamil-
ton, he preach powerful sermon in
pitticoats?" This was too much for
Narvis Carson who burst out laugh
ing and even Miss Betsy was badly
wrought up. The dignity of that
Sunday dinner was shaken. After
Mr.. F. had gone to his room and
lighted his cigar he walked back and
forth past Mr.. Duffield several times
in apparent study-halting he said
well, Mr.. Duffield, your Mr.. Hamil-
ton is no gentleman, a real gentle
man never Intentionally hurts
anothers feelings, he has hurt my
feelings very much" AS Mr.. Faehtz
was the head of the house l have
always thought that Mr. H. should
have eaten what was set before him
and held his peace.
My first experience at the Acad-
envy was in the early summer OF
1850 while it was in charge of Mr..
Clapp of Massachusetts. There are
very few of the students of that term
now living. Dr. VIM. Carson and
w. W. Hopkins were among the last
OF them. Marshal Weir was my
bench mate and I keep him in pleas
ant memory. The Freeman boys of
Philada., Albert Constable, father
of the present prominent Cecil coun-
ty men of that name, John E. Owens,
George and Braden Gillespie, with
many others, Mr.. Clapp held to the
ancient rule as to school discipline
and kept a raw-hide whip in MS
desk ready for use. He was not so
free in using it as had been the TWO
Yankee school masters who had
taught the school at Rowlanlyille =
Mr.. Mcatherby and Mr.. Robinson
whose custom it was to keep three
young hickory wattles on the hat
10