Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1923-11-29

adopted by Jim In his conduct OF thu
woodruff school-jusr talking. The
| only new thing was the presence OF /.
couple OF newspaper men, who had
queried Chicago papers on the story
n been given orders for a certair
number OF words on the case of the
Efarm-handl schnnlmaster-on-t trial be-
fore his old sweetheart
by the time at which gathering
darkness made II necessary for the
bailin to light the lamps. the parties
a agreed on the facts. Jim ADMIT.
ted most Of the allegations He had
practically Ignored the textbooks. He
had burned the district fuel and worn
out the district furniture early and
late. and on Saturdays He had in
PRODUCED domestic economy and man.
ual training, 10 some extern. by send
ing the boys TO the workshops and the
girls TO the kitchens and seNlng-rooms
of the farmers who allowed those
privileges.
He mad used up a great deal vf time
In studying farm conditions He had
Induced the boys TO test the COWS of
the district for butterfat yield He
was studying the matter Of a co-c pera-
tive creamery.
He hoped to open TO the boys and
girls the wonders OF the universe
which are touched by the work on the
farm. He hoped to make good and
contented farmers of them, able To-
get the most u of the soil, To sell
what they produced to the best adyan-
tage, and at the same tire to keep up
the fertility OF the SOIL itself. Ard
he hoped to teach the girls In such a
way that they would be good and con-
tented farmers wives.
An I say" interposed Con Bonner,
shat we can rest our case right here.
If that amt The limit. / don't know
what is I"
Jennie turned 10 Jn
Now. MIR. Irwin" 80 Id she, "whIle
you have been following out these very
Interesting and original methods. whar
have you done In the way of teaching
the things called for by the course of
study?"
in willing" said Jim. ito stand or
fall on an examination Of these chill
dren In the very textbooks we are &C
cused of neglecting."
Jennie looked steadily at Jim for a
full minute.
How many pupils or the Woodruff
school are heref" she asked. "All rise.
pleasel"
A mass OF the audience. I'm the midst
OF which sat Jennie's father. rose ut
the request.
why" said Jennie. Il should say
we had q quorum. anyhowl Wen
have school here. And Mr.. Irwin,
please remember that you state that
you1l stand or fall on the mastery by
these pupils of the textbooks they are
supposed TO have neglected "a
mot the mastery Of the text said
Jim. 'But their ability to do the work
the text is supposed to fit them for"
"weli.r said Jennie. II don't know
but that's fair
But" said Mrs. Haakon Peterson.
I'VE don't want orr children brought
mp TO be yust farmers. Suppose We
to town-where does the culture
inn"
The Chicago papers had a news item
which covered the result Of the ex
amlnatlons but the great sensation Of
the Woodruff district lay In the Sun
day feature carried by one OF them.
II had a picture of Jim Irwin. ana
one Of Jennie WoodruT-the latter au-
and the former CLEANED from
the morgue, and apparently the por-
trait Of a lumber Jack. There was
also a very free treatment by the car
of Mr.. Simms carrying a rifle
the intention OF shooting up the
board In case the decision went
the schoolmnster.
-When 1t became known" said the
story. "tbat the schoolmaster had
)et his job on the proficiency Of his
In studies supposed and alleged
have been studlously neglected, the
excitement rose to fever heat. Local
ports bet freely on the result, the
dds being eight to five on General
Proficiency against the field. The field
vas Jim Irwin and his school. And
he way those rural kids ross in their
and ate up the textbooks was
imply scandalous. When the fight was
'ver. and the dead and wounded cared
or. the school beard and the county
superintendent were forced TO admit
hat they wished the average school
ould do as well under a similar test.
THE local Mr.. DooIey Is Cornelius
a member Of the board When
sked for a statement Of his views af-
er the county superintendent had de-
Ided that her old sweetheart was to :
e allowed the priceless boon Of earn
forty dolhsrs a month during the
emaInder Of his contract. Mr. Bonner y
aid. Aside from being licked. we're I
II right. But well get this guy yet, !
ont fall down and fergit thatr y
1.-The examinations tind to show
aid Mr. Bonner, when asked for his {
on the result, that I'm or-r-rder U
A4 -LAA 4 HI