Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1922-05-10
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Education vs..
Marriage
BY CLAIRE SMITH


ldVOTdDle prOpneCleS concerning IL
were vented freely.
You'll never get the parents to send
their children to your school, Frances
advised her friends. "Why, what they
need is civilization, not book-learn
ing. They get that in the mills, you
know Those mill towns are to them
What a trip to New York would be
to u.s."
Miss Turner listened indifferently.
To educate the children of the poor
mountaineers had always been her am
bition. A chance legacy had enabled
her to begin this work. And so the
school was started.
Later boys wing was to be added.
For the present only girls could be
accommodated These, ranging in age
from seven to seventeen, proved apt
pupils.
The six months course ended. and
when the new term began, Miss
Frances, back from New York, where
she had been explaining her idea be-
fore the Chautauqua conference, dis
covered to her dismay that nearly
every face was new. And it was evil
dent that the parents considered six
months ample time in which to &C
quire very fair education, as was
witnessed by the dozen or more
pathetic notes that were received.
Dear Miss Frances" wrote Sadie
Ellison, whom the elderly spinster had
selected in her mind for principal Of
I, e,%r ,iab
to succeed the little school-house Of
the present, 81 am sorry to say shant
be abel to com back to scool next
term joel Upman has axed me to mary
him and as i'm seventeen ! thOt 1t was
best to take him besides the corn has
to be got in lovinginly SADIE"
OF the little sisterhood on whom she
had built such high and dazzling
hopes only Pauline Ditton had re-
manned faithful to her trust Pauline
was sixteen, quiet, gentle girl. not
brilliant. but an enthusiast about the
future. Naturally Miss Frances made
her her confidant during that term.
I'm going to have an educational
institute" she said impressively, as
occupying the post of honor on Miss
Frames right. I'm going to extend
its influence throughout the noun
tain districts. Pauline, my dear, don't
bite that potato off your fork but cut
1t in your plate"
The second term started suspicious
ly.
INC Hon, hn
planned lis to teach mankind. The
old days when marriage was girls
destiny have passed, never to return
AT a mature age, when a girl meets
the man of her, choice, when she has
| satisfied herself as to his moral, ma
terlal, and physical and educational
qualifications, she may possibly relin-
quish her duties in favor of matri-
mony. 1t is this principle that wish
to inculcate among our southern
womanhOod."
Yes, 9Miss Frances" echoed the
girls enthusiastically.
1t was toward the end of the sec
ond term when Miss Frances received
a strange, illiterate letter which
sent for Miss Ditton in dismay.
Pauline" she said severely, did
you ever hear of person named John
Smth?"
Yes. Miss Frances" answered the
girl. Capt. John Smith married
Pocahontas, an Indian maiden, who,
under romantic circumstances had"
81 mean John Smith of-of Oak
Valley" interrupted Miss Frances, gaz-
ing angrily at letter in her hand.
'This person, whose education is ap-
parently extremely defective, says that
he is engaged to you and wants you
to leave school and marry him. En-
gagged at sixteen! PreposterOuS !"
Yes. Miss Frances" whispered
Pauline.
Days passed, Miss Frances had
forgotten the trifling incident. The
school was flourishing. So much so.
in fact, that Miss Frances resolved to
begin the construction of the boys
| wing.
The carpenters, with local shiftless
ness, appeared about ten days after
they were due-one of them, rather
a low-browed, sulky-looking fellow.
whose elaboration of movement con
tinually affronted the energetic north
erh lady.
You see, my DEAR" explained Miss
Frances to Pauline. that is the result
Of lack of education"
"Yes, Miss Frances" answered
Pauline
Nov ! am going to train you in
executive power" continued the teach
er day or two later. Il am going
into town for couple of days. to try
to interest Mr. Joyce the cotton mil
owner in our school. When l return
shall expect to see great progress
Keep that carpenter up to the mark"
Eyes, Miss Frances" said Pauline.
Miss Frances, returning two days
later. found the work at standstill.
The school was in disorder; the girls