Rensselaer Republican, Volume 24, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1892 — Compulsory Education. [ARTICLE]

Compulsory Education.

The commandment of a certain division of the British army in India some years ago having a very considerable degree of authority vested in him and perceiving that this command included many men who were illiterate, issued an order that one of the younger lieutenants should be detailed in each regiment to teach soldiers who could not read or write, says Youth’s Companion. In each regiment, therefore, an officer was duly detailed for this purpose. In the Two Hundredth the man assigned to this duty was Lieut. Beacham, a young officer who had just joined the regiment. After taking the introductory steps as regimental schoolmaster Beacham came to the colonel one day with a significant smile on his face. R‘l have to report,” he said, “that there is not a single illiterate in the Two Hundredth. Every man has been to school in England and every one of them can read and write perfectly well.” The colonel, who was an unbending Old martinet, frowned severely. : “No matter,” said he. “Orders are orders and must be obeyed. You must teach the illiterates of this regiment." ‘ But there are no illiterates!” “Never mind! You will organize some at once” “But how am I going to make them ”

“No further questions, Mr. Beacham. I shall issue an order to the captains of companies A. B. and G. to detail five men from each company to act as illiterates, and you will give them daily instruction in the alphabet. —— The colonel’s order was issued at once. Fifteen soldiers of the Two Hundredth were detailed as illiterates. Once a day they were'marched out upon the parade, with “primers” in their handa of' the same sort from which they had studied in school many years before, and were gravely taught their letters by young Lieut. Beacham, though the alphabet was as familiar to them as it was to him, or to the commanding general himself. The soldiers of the regiment had gathered about and enjoyed the scene. After this pleasing farce had been 9 on for several days Ahe colonel ed up one day to the place where “Beachatn’s Babies,” as the regiment called the “illiterate detachment,” were recitlDg their lessons. “Mr. Beacham," he asked, is your class making favorable progress?” “Very favorable, indeed,” said the lieutenant, saluting. “The men are now able to read aud write?" “Perfectly well.” l -=*==== “You are able to report, then, that your duty is fully accomplished?” “lam.” , “Then an order will be issued terminating the detail and Returning the men to their duty." Thus the “illiterates” of the Two Hundredth were no longer called upon to take daily instructions in their A, B,’ C’s, but it was many months before their comrades ceased to rally them in quarters upon their school-going.