Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 October 1891 — The Pleasures of School Life. [ARTICLE]

The Pleasures of School Life.

School is regarded by many childrens us almost a prison, the teachers as stern Jailers, the books as instrument** of torture, and their companions as-fidloW-prlsoners. How mistaken they are. There are always two sides to a story, as we alb know, and there are two sides toschool life—a bright and a dark, side.; I am going to tell you about the brightt side and leave the dark side as muclp in the background as possible. My first school days were passed Inr my own home. My sister and 1 wen® to a dear young lady who taught in an old, old wooden school-house which had stood there a great many years. There was such a nice play-groumfj so cool and shady. Splendid times we liudl playing merry games with little friends or quietly eating lunch under 1 the big oak trees. There was noO mucin thought of study then. Life was wn* long sunshiny day, full of Inmoccnh thoughts and pleasures. Then came very exciting times. 1 was to go away to school. What dreams I had of wonderful achieveinents and what pleasant anticipations filled my mind. That first year at the new school was, perhaps, thehappiest of ray school life. At leasts 1 never expect another such. The teachers were so kind,, thegirls so friendly, and when friends were made how pfroud I felt. 'lTmi intercourse with other girls, the quiet talks, the hours of study by the river bank, the class meetings, the little socials were all pleasures which are pleasures still, as memory calls them up. Every girl knows how pleasant the first day of a session is, when there is no restraint, only a delightful freedom in which to exchange conff-v dences about the “perfectly grand? summer you’ve had. Can anything bo pleasanter than to pass an examination when there, ba* been a long struggle over one’s books? You come out first, perhaps, and how proud you feel when the teachers look so kind and groups of admiring friends gather round to see how you bear your honors! Then there is the pleasure of a good recitation, of promotion and general advancement. The grand finale of a school year is always the “commencement.” With whal wondering looks we regard the young ladies who are to graduate, llow happy they seem, all in pure white, surrounded by beautiful flowers and smiling friepds. But when I look at them I wonder if they are as happy as I am, after all. For have I not all this in ideas- * ant anticipation? And the pleasures of anticipation are very often as great as those of the reality.—Written by a little girl. Flirting with married women is one way of committing suicide. If you have a friend who is doing it, warn him to stop it Husbands am as quick with their gnus as they are with their tempers, and will sboot *ny man who smiles at their wives, though they may be smiling at other women themselves at the same time.