The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1921-03-23
GOOD ENGLISH

To The New York Herald: lean
Sherwood Rankin, the Western defen-
der of she don't" and cts me-" is
arguing on dangerous ground when
she maintains that .euphony should
determine the correct form the locu-
ton.
once had little incident which
may be enlightening to Miss-or per-
haps Mrs.-Rankin, and amusing,
am sure, to all of your discriminate
ing readers.
was teaching algebra to a class OF
young boys, and in the course of an
oral explanation one of the boys used
the locution 1T don't. Being old fash
toned enough to believe in holding up
to the highest standard the purity of
the English language or even the
American dialect l Immediately be-
gan TRADE on the shiphod use of our
noble language When | had vented
my feelings | put this question to the
class: why is it that 1T don't is
wrong?"
A dozen or more boys raised their
hands. Picking out likable little
chap | asked: well, Freddie, why is
it wrong?" Quickly and clearly came
the reply: Because it don't sound
right, sir!" | am happy to say that the
sudden outburst of laughter showed
that no further comment was needed.
Whether locution sounds well or
not depends on the circle in which one
moves. If Miss Rankin or other apollo
gists move in society in which "he
doesn't" and 1T is |" will sound pc
dantic, then let them yield and go
along with the uneducated or careless
hoipolloi
Sound! What bocteth line from
Whittier or the practice of Samuel
Pepys? Would Miss Rankin have us
change the noble words Of Christ
found in Matthew xiv, %. But
straightway Jesus spake unto them.
saying. Be of good cheer; it is |; be
not afraid?"
Perhaps Miss Rankin and others of
your readers have not heard the ia
nous story of delightful old Dr.
James McCosh. president of prince
ton University in the 1885, | believe
it will bear repeating after these forty
years.
One evening Old Jimmie, as he was
affectionately called was passing
through dormitory, and on hearing
great racket in a nearby room he
stopped and knocked on the door
Quickly the query came from within
"Who's there?" AS quickly came the
answer ITS me. Dr. McGoshw Dead
silence in the room. but soon voice
came ringing back: "You lie! If you
were Old Jimmie McCosh you'd say
1T is l." And Old Jimmie didn't stop
to see who had so boldly dared make
the correction.
mon sense. So do /. Would she or any
of the prominent apologists that she
mentions say che do" as the beloved
Samuel Pepvs did, Why not argue for
the spelling of Chaucer? Don't" is so
obviously an aLbrcv;ation of do not"
that until Miss Rankin persuades me
to say he, she. or it do or it don't.
| am not a teacher of English, and
accordingly | am not affronted at
Miss Rankin's charge that English
is the worst taught subject in the
whole curriculum" In fact, though |
feel that her statement is too sweep
ing. | am inclined to agree with her
to a degree. But have no sympathy
with weak kneed English teachers
from Superintendent Tobin down,
who do not dare take firm stand
for the best uses of words and phras-
es. and who are subservient to the
ignorant and careless uses of our
vernacular.
Just as the standard of honor or
honesty or truth cannot be raised too
high. so also the standard of good
English should be held up by its guar
dams so high that all may see it and
strive to reach its height None of us
can be perfect but the goal at which
every student of English should aim
is labelled Perfection. O c. Joline,
Watertown. Conn, March II