MEMORIES OF THE 



seems, with very little sense. He built his own fires, swept his 

 own school-house, opened early and held late, and taught in his 

 shirt-sleeves, with a book in hand, as he walked up and down the 

 floor, Argus-eyed and vigilant. He wrestled with the boys, or 

 played games with the girls in the school-house, noons and at 

 evening. They all liked him and were diligent in their studies. 

 He was the model teacher of the town, and the town superin- 

 tendent in his visits took pains to commend his work and that 

 of his pupils. 



The school was a large one. I think he had nearly fifty 

 pupils, all that the school-house could possibly seat, with a few 

 old splint-bottomed chairs, contributed by the neighbors, for 

 some of those who could not sit on the benches. The school- 

 house was rude and rough; the desks, made of two-inch plank, 

 put up a little slanting, run clear around the house. Long 

 benches made of basswood plank, which was the softest lumber 

 to be had, were used for seats. They had no backs, and the 

 student turned around on his seat by swinging his legs over the 

 bench to face in or out, as suited his fancy. Generally they sat 

 close, and when one wished to turn around his neighbor had to 

 get up. Then there were two long, low benches, made of the 

 same material, which had backs. On these the little children 

 were placed who were too small to require desk-room. 



The punishment meted out to malefactors among the big and 

 little boys was sometimes severe. Boys did meaner things than 

 girls, and that with malice aforethought, to annoy the teacher. 

 It was thought to be a proper thing to get off almost any kind of 

 a practical joke on the teacher or on one another; if it could be 

 done and not get caught, all right, but if detected, there was 

 trouble. Then came investigation of the case and judgment, 

 and sentence and punishment were never delayed. 



I02 



