3f)2 The Buchanites and Crocketford. 



tramp, and there were three deaths. But the ordinary forms 

 of sickness or disease are decidedly rare. The one unhealthy 

 or rather the least healthy spot, in the village is the old school, 

 with a ditch on the one hand and the burn on the other. 



You still remember the old school 



In which we sat with eye discerning 

 And head of solemn wisdom full, 



Two infant Solomons of learning. 

 The old, dark, humble schoolhouse, ^ 



That stood by the little stream, 

 That babbled and splashed in the sunshine, 



Or slipped into pools to dream. 



In Alexander Anderson's school days, however, instead 

 of a fireplace as at present, the school had a stove in its centre, 

 where the scholars could warm themselves at the heat radiated 

 from their own peats, or where against its red-hot cheeks 

 they could toast their cheese. His schoolmaster attended in 

 clogs and black cap and black moleskins. 



Preachings are held in the school on an average about 

 twice a month ; but to all outward seeming there is no marked 

 enthusiasm for religious observances. 



But now- — at long last — the days of the old school as such 

 are numbered. A new school has arisen on the site of the 

 Maiden Row, and will soon take over all the old and several 

 new duties of a modern village school. 



While the conditions of life in Crocketford have altered 

 so grievously, while the population has so much decreased, 

 there are nevertheless indications of partial recovery and of 

 revival on modern lines. The villagers succeeded in getting 

 Crocketford madel^nto a special water supply district in 1898, 

 whereby a much-needed improvement was effected on the 

 old and unsatisfactory pump system. A telegraph office was 

 introduced under local guarantee in 1902. In 1906 a solitary 

 pubhc lamp was erected from the proceeds of a local " social " 

 to give occasional light to the belated wayfarer. In 1907, 

 again under local guarantee, a money order office and post 

 office savings bank were added to the telegraphic facilities of 

 the village. In 1912 the Police Station of Shawhead was 

 removed to Crocketford. Now in 191 3 there is high pro- 



