Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 November 1888 — David Barker in School. [ARTICLE]

David Barker in School.

A writ3r in the Portland Transerlp] tells of a visit by the late David Barker to the public school in Exeter, Me. The poet-lawyer was ona of the “School Committee,” an institution well known in New England. He did not manifest much interest until the class in mental arithmetic was called. Then, says the narrative, his eye 3 kindled, his interest was aroused; and when the grammar class recited, lie said, “I want to be a school-boy again.” He took a seat with us, and parsed with us, declining the verbs and so forth. Wc all enjoyed it very much. When all was through, and Mr. Barker arose to make some remarks, he took up the little Mental Arithmetic, held it in his extend ed hand, and these were the words he said:

“I liave lived over this aflernoon some of the hapj iest remembrances ot my school-days. When a boy my father was very poor, and had a large family. We lived in a log house. The ownership of books was quite out of the question: so one of a kind answered for all, and our whole soul yearned for learning. This particular time < f which I speak, at the commencement of the term, the teacher held up in his hand, as I do this, a Mental Arithmetic. ‘ Whoever bears the best examination in this study at the close of the term,’ baid he, ‘shall have this book.’ Such a prize, to me, was never offered before nor since. A rivalry at once sprung up. Our whole school worked hard for it, but it was soon to be seen it stood between my brother Lewis and myself. The day came at last; brother Lewis drew the prize; he was quicker in figures than I, while I took more to grammar. Bitter tears I shed.” While He pathetically related this little incident of his early life, the unbidden tears coursed their way down his cheeks. The same brother LeAvis has been prominent as a lawyer aud a politician in Maine.

Chauncey Depew says: “Evaids once sent a donkey up to his Windsor farm in Vermont. A week afterward he received the following letter from his little grandchild: ‘Deab Gkandpa— The little donkey is very gentle, but he makes a big noise nights. He is very lonesome. I guess he misses you. I hope you will come up soon; then he won’t bo i lonesome. Minnie.’ VJEIi Parkins’ letter.