The Root of Education.
A pedagogue in Indiana, who was “had up” for
unmercifully waling the back of a little girl, justified
his action by explaining that “she persisted in
flinging paper pellets at him when his back was
turned.” That is no excuse. Mr. Grile once
taught school up in the mountains, and about every
half hour had to remove his coat and scrape off the
dried paper wads adhering to the nap. He never
permitted a trifle like this to unsettle his patience;
he just kept on wearing that gaberdine until it had
no nap and the wads wouldn't stick. But when
they took to dipping them in mucilage he made a
complaint to the Board of Directors.
“Young man,” said the Chairman, “ef you don't
like our ways, you'd better sling your blankets and
git. Prentice Mulford tort skule yer for more'n
six months, and he never said a word agin the wads.”
Mr. Grile briefly explained that Mr. Mulford
might have been brought up to paper wads, and
didn't mind them.
“It ain't no use,” said another Director, “the
children hev got to be amused.”
Mr. Grile protested that there were other amusements
quite as diverting; but the third Director
here rose and remarked:
“I perfeckly agree with the Cheer; this youngster
better travel. I consider as paper wads lies
at the root uv popillar edyercation; ther a necissary
adjunck uv the skool systim. Mr. Cheerman, I
move and second that this yer skoolmarster be
shot.”
Mr. Grile did not remain to observe the result
of the voting.
