The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-07-22
1YowR CHILDREN
By Olive Roberts Barton 6i9si sY NEH SERVICE INC.

am down here at Annapolis, living for the time being just across from the "Yard"-one of the most beautiful campuses in the world. The dome of the chapel rises before my windows; under this chapel is the crypt where John Paul Jones lies in a stately catafalque of black and white marble. Not far away in Bancroft hall is the flag that made him immortal, on which is inscrib- ed in large, rather crooked letters, "Don't Give Up the Ship"-one of the greatest romances (pardon me for calling courage by another name) of our country.
 Outside, history marches on and vet we must go back bit, to 1898, and the Spanish war; for there, all white and looking most innocent indeed compared to modern battle ships, lies the "Reina Mercedes" captured terror of the Spanish fleet. A few hundred yards away near the sea-wall stands an unimposing pole somewhat battered near the top. A small plate tells us that 1t is the mast of the Maine There are other reminders of other wars and other victories, but it was in the present I was interested. So, seeing the grey slim sides of tor pedo boat destroyer slide into dock and tie up, hied me down to make her acquaintance.
 A Miniature Education
 Yes, one was allowed on board, if there is board on such a mass of metal. Some way go up gang l,~IA ply nnrnnndIrIItar and found myself being escorted most charmingly over the place by a young officer who found time in a terribly busy life to be nice to a middle-aged lady. I thank him publicly here. I learned how the forward gun was fired; l learned how the long floating shells ranged along the sides were swung around and released to speed toward and destroy the sharks of the sea; learned how the smoke was con trolled by turning a disc, how ra- dio messages were sent and how generally uncomfortable life on 2 steel ship can be even in a beauti- ful summer sea--when the ther- mometer is up well to a hundred.
 A little boy about ten years old had gotten on with his daddy. We were the only civilians aboard. His father was a born tourist--a hasty glance around, sigh of re- lief, and a Thank Heaven that's over." look. He took this ship like i his medicine, with a gulp. In three minutes he was through with her The boy was getting more educa ton in a second than he'd get in school in month, I tried to in- clude the little chap in my own learning, for he understood hun dred times more than I did. The father was looking at his watch
 "Come along, son; it's too hot here"
 A World of Lessons
 But son" fingered. He would probably never be in any kind Of ship again in his life. What a story to tell the kids at home!
 Alas--he had to go, whilst ! could l loiter and let all these technical explanations of my gallant young host roll off my stupid brain. Be sides being provoked at the indif- ference of this father, there is one more thing for me to say-thc whole affair is typical of the way we allow things of the utmost in terest to pass by the children. The world around them, to see, to un- derstand is the real education aft CT all. But we leave it all to the school and to books. Don't let the summer go by. One bird, one tree | is the real school.