Semi-weekly Independent, Volume 2, Number 16, Plymouth, Marshall County, 4 January 1896 — Page 3

P(U LITTLE FOLKS.

A COLUMN OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO THEM. Somt. thine; tliat Will Interest the Juvenile Members of livery Household OiKJint Actions ami IIriht Sayings of .Muny Cute ami Ciinniiijj Children. From Widrilctoti to Waddlcton. U'litü f set out a -journeying, my baby girl and I. It re;.!l. is a wonder how the way goes :! ting ly; Tin- r-onrff is from the sitting-room, her i h:irg-r is my knee. Ainl tin- minstrel music with us is her little laugh of glee. iih. from Wi.MIeton to Waddleton it's eighteen miles. Hut from Wa.!.l!etoii to Widdht.m it's nineteen miles" (Whi.-h is just a freak in distance which i.iy conscience reeoueiles "With i lie theory that laly s..ngs are full of treks aii'l wih-s -'Oil. from Wi.hlietou to Wadilleton it's ijrliteen miles." Ilt-r gr;;inhna is so jealous when we set j.boe.t our trip. S!ie !;:iins to .see a Itar shade in tie ij iiw r of her lip. Sin- .-..: the way is rcky anl the stel is reuyhly shod. lt::t v, e ?( 11 hr of nnolh.-r path that's smooth aiel clear and broad. W- i?ccr have arrived at when' we set ;:hout to go. l'or .,.!,.:is on the journey baby's curly ' iw.ul drops low. .Am! then I lraw lier eloper, eloser. eloper to my breast. An! the steed is te.rnel to pasture ami j it rider is undressed. '.Still from Widdleton to Waddleton it's eighteen miles. .And from WmMIeton to WiiMletnu it's nineteen miles. 'Ami the breezes brini?; a murmuring from drowsy ufterwJiiles. And a little prayer is uttered for a life to know no trials Oli. lnm Widdleton to Waddleton it's eighteen miles." L:; dies' Home Journal. The (lynoyraph. T::":s engraving shows a novelty In 1op recently added t the long list of interesting modifications of this oldtiine toy. Ti;c novelty ia the present case connisis n making the point upon whieli the :tp spins produce a record of its jnoveinenrs. The top consists of a heavy disk of Jroii secured to :i spool on which to Avit.d tiie string. The sjiool is bored nxiaiiv to receive a pencil which forms the point on which the top spins. Tho liamlio is swivele.l so that the top may bo spun while the handle is held In the 'hand. After the top is set In TIIE r.YMiUlIAIMI. motion, it is placed on a paper in the position shown in the engraving. The )cii il point then traces the intricate curve as shown. If desired, a slate pencil may he suhfdimted for the lad pencil. The manufacturers state that a well centered har.i pencil with the lead cut square hc;-is gives the most acctirate curves, though not necessarily the most beautiful. Johnny's stilts. "J-oSt look at that boyl" exclaimed fJra.'.tlnut Peters, with a conlemptuous suit!, dropping her knitting in her lap ud peering out the window at .Johnny, who was painfully stalking about the yard on stilts. "What's the sense of walking on them things, when it would be a sight easier to walk on the ground? It's T!ectly ridic'lous!" and lier knitting needles Hew faster than no fore to make tij for lost time. .M.'iiiinia looked out the window, too, nnd laughed good-naturedly. "It does look rather useless, doesn't It. grandma? Put I guess boys always liave a time of walking on stilts, and 3t's very innocent sort of fun if they don't get hurt." Irardma gave another little sniff. "J'.oys are queer," she said. Johnny kept on practicing every day, til"; in a short time lie could go quite fast, while grandma would look out now and then and .say how foolish it was. one day It mined and rained from morning till night, and Johnny had to May in the houshe because his everyday shoes leaked so badly, ami mamma said it was too cold to go barefoot. Just before supper time mamma discovered that the tea caddy was quite empty; and what was to bo done, for 3iow could grandma get aJoug without flier 'iip of tea? "I'll go after It, mamma," said Johnny. "P.ut you'll get your feet so wet," Kahl mamma. "Iii. I won't gt mj" feet wet!" Johnny cried: and running out into the shed, (lie got his stilts and was soon stalking .off in th wet grass. Vo grandma had her nip of tea the r.tmc as ever, and after that she didn't fay anything more about the stilts. .Youth's Companion. How to Ti 11 the Key. "Amnteiir musicians often are somorwhat emlrsrnis.'-cd by the unexpected juuy a.s to what lay a piece o music

Is In when playing In company, rt4 marked a well-known teacher. "They can tell on a little relied Ion, but nil array of live sharps or Hats la apt to temporarily confuse the best of them." "Here is a simple little guide or re

minder, which, if rehearsed a few times, will always keep tlcm right and ready to make a quick response to such a quest ion. "In sharp just dot down this sentence, the capital letter beginning each word representing an additional sharp, from one to si;;: 'Cod Deluged All Earth r.y Flood.' " In tlats the same rule obtains In connection with this amusing line. "Fanny linker Fats Apple Dumpling tJroodily." Points on l.t :qnrttc. You know that it is not considered polite to ask to be helped twice to any dish when you are at a stranger.7-, table, but did you know that when friends are visiting you it is correct form to say: "May I help you to sonn of this?" ignoring the fact that the person addressed has been served with it. It is one of ihose minor points of good breelIng which distinguish the lady from the good-hearted but ignorant hostess. True, Whoever Said It. A story attributed to various distinguished men is going the rounds. It is a bit of advice given to one who could never find any occupation which suited him and is as follows: "My dear Iny. observe the jmstage stamp: its usefulness depends upon Its ability to stick to one thing until il gets there." Papa's Little Man. The father, having grown tired of the noise made by his little .".-year-old, took him in his arms and said: "Lie down, my little man, ami I quiet." "I don't want to lie down, papa," said Stuart. "I want to lie up." Matchmaking Mothers. Match-making mammas have been the subject for many a newspaper jokelet and much serious condemnation, by no means ali of which Is deserved. There is a kind of match making which is not only commend able, but a iositive duty on the iart or the mother of girls, though, of course, it has its strict limits. American girls of HO or thereabouts, are apt to feel that the earth and the fullness thereof arc made for them, and to believe that they can guide themselves a great deal better than their mothers can guide them. The match-making duty of a mother resolves itself into a simple matter of introducing to her daughter young men of good moral character and who are in a position to marry. No mother has the right to attempt the smallest coercion or even persuasion to bring about the most desirable marriage, but she grievously fails in duty if she does not use every means in her power to prevent an evil one. New York Commercial Advertiser. Twain .lust Wanted to YeP. Mark Twain, who recently started on a tour around the world, told a recent interviewer how he often felt a desire to "cut loose" from civilization and to get away by himself, where he could run and yell to his heart's content. In this connection then? is a story about the humorist and Canon Kingsley. Walking along the street one day, Mark felt the impulse to yell coining on him with irresistible force, and said to Kingsley: "I want to yell; I must yell." The canon said: "All right; yell away; I don't mind." "And with that," said Mark, "1 stepped back a few steps, and. throwing my arms above my head, let out a war whoop that could be heard for miles, and in less time than you can count Canon Kingsley and myself were surrounded by a multitude of anxious citizens, who wanted to know what was the matter. I told them nothing was the matter; I just wanted to yell, and had yelled." Iiittle iirls Wish. Speaking of lit Mo girls, there was a cabinet otticer l ore a few years ago who had a little girl about 7 years old. The nurse took her one day tw lind tho washerwoman. They found her in a little frame shanty of only one room, which seemed a great novelty to the child. Un returning home she was telling her mother about the wonderful house I 1.! -1- 1. -.1 i - - .... . ,?t. , I wnicu iiau jusi one room. un a sign and an earnestness born of deep longing, she said: "Oh, mamma, how I wish we lived in that house." "Why, my child, why should you wish stH-h a strange thing?" "Then, don't you e, when I was put to IkmI at night I could hear everything that was said, because you wouldn't have any other room to sit In." Washington Star. What'Htlie Matter with the Ihnpress? The Dowager Knipress of China is said to be very much subdued of late. She was formerly an arrogant, aggressive woman, who believed that she wa.s the center ujmii which the universe turned. Itecent events have had a strong influence upon her and she has aged very rapidly. Her domineering wajs have disappeared, and she listens humbly to words of advice from people who used to fear to address her. Hit ten by a AVanp. tJeorge Ilolbrook's ."-year-old child, while playing near the home of its parents In Letcher County, Missouri, was stung by a yellow jacket. The little one screamed and Its mother ran to Its assistance. The sting had entered Its left leg below the kn-e. The limb began to swell rapidly, the child went Into spasms, and in ten minutes after the insect had stung it the little one died. An Appropriate Keepsnke. "i presume you carry a memento of pome sort in that locket of yours?" "Precisely; it is a lock of my hushand'a hair." "Put your husband Is still alive!" "Yes, sir; but Ids hair Is all gone. "La Splrito FoiloUo.

LET US ALL LAUGH.

JOKES FROM THE PENS VARIOUS HUMORISTS. OF Pleasant IncMcntH Occurring hc World Over Sayina that Are Chct rfu'. to the Old or Young Funujr Select ioiot that Von Will Jliijoy. He Was All Right. First Yale Mudont Have you telegraphed to the old man for money." Seeot.d Yale Student Yes. "(Jot an answer':" "Yes. I telegraphed the old man: 'Where is that money I wrote for? and his answer reads: In my inside pocket.' "Texas Sittings. A Fiend Incarnate. Wickwire That kid across the street must be a perfect lieml. Mrs. Wickwire Why. he seems to be one of the nicest little boys I ever saw. "No use to tell me what he seems to be. I actually saw his old grandmother giving him a licking the other day." Indianapolis .Journal. A Hint. One of those fellows who fanot take a hint. Life. A Little. "Do you understand French, Jack?" asked an Allegheny young man of his chum. "A little." "Then perhaps you can help in Miss Northside told me last night that I was non persona grata and I would like to know w hat sort of a compliment she meant to bestow upon mo." Pittsburg-Chronicle-Telegraph. For the Public Safety, lie looked at her earnestly. "You have changed since last we met," he said. "Yes," she answered. "Those red ones were causing so many runaways that I thought I would adopt a pair of a more somber hue." Indianapolis Journal. f Kathcr Mixed. Mrs. Teechum That small engine pounding away in the corner, Toby, is called a donkey engine. Toby And yet the engineer says it works with a four horse-power. That's funny, isn't it V Harper's Pound Table. Her First Thought. "Just think. Fraulein Kosalind. I was dreaming about you last night." "Indeed! What dross did 1 have onV" Schvürzwalder Kreiszeitung. Sure to I Je n Success. Louise Rose, is that novel which you have written up to date? Kose Oh, delightfully so. Louise. In fact, I had to write some parts of it in French. New York World. Ilufllct!. First Poet Did yti get a chock for your poem that you read to me awhile ago? Second Poet No; my aspirations got a check. Somorville Journal. An Accommodating Chap. Dear me, is that mustache all your "Well a say one word and It will bo yours."- St. .James Iludget. A Phrenologist. "Isn't this coat too big for nie?" lie asked of the taih "It Is, sir," replied the enterprising clothier, "kJit I am something of a plironologist and 1 can foresee that. It will not lie long before you uro a big man." Harper's Pazar.

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I'tnlufy Virtil.tr. "IIa." cried the old navigator. "Ill ing mo u glass." He scanned the hori.oii eagerly. "Another glass. Ha:" After the second glass ho had no trouble In discerning the outline of a sea serpent, which was signaling that its steeling gear was not under good control. Detroit Tribune. Music at Home.

Prospective Lodger Yes. I think the rooms will do. P.y the way. I hope no one in the house plays tho piano? Prospective Landlady My youngest, sir, but she's only a beginner. Sketch. Woman' Logic. "I am not of a jealous disposition, out I really object to your kissing your cousin Tom." "I did nothing of the kind." "Put. I saw you." "Then that shows that you do not love me any more, when you prefer to believe what you see to belicveing what I tell you."-Judge. Fx plained. "How does your father manage to catch such big tishV" "Oh, it's easy enough," replied the boy who was with him on the vacation trip. "Does he have any special tackle?" "No, indeed. Ho just linds a nice shady sjiot and throws his line into the water and lies down with his hat over his eyes and just dreams." Washington Star. Intuition. Mrs. Latechurch John, is " Mr. Latechurch Yes. No. Yes. Mrs. Latechurch Mercy! AVhat dc you mean? Mr. Latochttrcli (rapidly) That your i'asc looks all right, that it don't dip tip in the back and that your- hat is on straight. Come on! Judge. Also of the Finprcrs. "Piano playing." remarked tho virtuoso, '"is a matter of the head rather than Mie heart." Ami !rs golden hair looked like a load of hay. Detroit Tribune. IÄc Thought of It. Maud You are frightfully e:tra vacant! You o.ever seem to think of a rainy day. Mario Ihm't I? I bought a dozen pairs of silk stockings yesterday. New York World. F a vc To. "I see it is esiiinatiil that the Kaffirs .steal $ 1,'JÖ , m k j worth of diamonds a year." "Yes I suppose the poor creatures have to wear something." Washington Capital. What He Was. Little Miss Muggs Your father is in trade. He keeps a peanut stand. Little Miss Frecklos-IIuh! what's your fathr? Little Miss Muggs lie's a professional bootblack. Cood News. Spurned Dictation. "What! F.een playing football?" "No. Fell down stairs. You see, I started to go down and my wife said, 'lie careful, John, and I'm not the man to be dictated to by any woman and so I went." Collier's Weekly. Trouble in the Dime Museum. Manager What's all this infernal noise about? Factotum Please, sir, th two-headed girl is a-piarrelin' wid herself. J udge. Certain Kuin. Wife Shall I put your diamond studs in your shirt, dea-? Husband What on earth are yor. thinking of? Do you want to ruin me: I have a m.ctiiig with my creditors this morning. Texas Siftings. The Hicycle Suit. "Have you a bicycle suit, Larkin?" "I have." "Does it lit." "My lawyer fears it will when it comes to trial." Detroit Free Press. In (treat Luck. Friend How are you coming on? AuthortJood. I've got tho material on hand for a first-class novel. "You are a lucky man." "That's not all. I've got the material for a splendid comedy besides." "You are fortunate." "Yes; all I need now is the material for a new pair of trousers." Pearson's Weekly. Most If cmarkahle. llinlto Actresses don't have their diamonds stolen any more when they want advertisements. Kirby No. They get married and live sweet homo lircs. Truth.

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NOTES ON EDUCATION.

MATTERS OF INTEREST TO PUPIL AND TEACHER. RencfitH of a System of Individual Inbtruction Gooo Teaching Secures Ctood Thinking Advice to Those Who Are Fond of Reaitiiif Instruction in Algebra. On the lirst day of the term the II class of the high school was informed that no lesson would be assigned in ulgebra. Lach pupil was requested to fctudy tho subject in his own individual interest, begin at the place dictated by his best judgment, and be prepared, when called upon, to pass examination n any part over which he had gone. During the recitation period the members of the class wer called separately to the teacher's desk, their written work examined, their ability tested, and tho page recorded to which each was found proficient. If one lacked knowledge in what may bo termed the mechanical part. le was directed to the principles involved in the question and asked to review and apply them. If he did not comprehend the meaning of some statement it was simplified. Many have been able to master the subject thus far with little assistance from the teacher. With such it was necessary simply to test their knowledge and direct their study: wifh others additional timu was required to give the needed explanation. At the close of the first month the pupils were all studying different parts of the subjectfractions, simple equations, involution, evolution, radicals and quadratics. What are the bonenSs of this system? First, it compels the pupil to study the text-look more thoroughly and refer to it for assistance, rather than to the teacher or other pupils. In the ordinary recitation many things are explained which tho pupil will discover if encouraged to do so. Second. This brings each pupil under the teacher's special attention, reveals his peculiar difficulties, and permits him to study iu harmony with his own development. Some may think that pupils classed together for several years and instructed In a similar manner would meet the same ditlicultles in pursuing a now subject. Fxperienco contradicts this. Even the grades do not equalize children's ability. There are too many homo and outside influences. Each must be taught as an individual. Personal effort is as necessary for successful instruction as for other business. Third. Class instruction is said to engender enthusiasm. It is tho judgment of those who see many kinds of clashes that enthusiasm emanates from the teacher rather than from class t-pirit. The truly enthusiastic teacher does not need the element of competition among pupils to arouse an interest and c reate a desire for well-prepared lessons. A single pupil can be awakened and urged to his utmost by a teacher really interested. P.y this method tho bright Iupil's interest is not diminished by being compelled to listen to some simple explanation over flnd over for the benefit of a few. He is busy mastering new principles and his enthusiasm has no opportunity to wane. Fourth. Do tho pupils receive adequate drill? If they have mastered the subject there is no necessity for further drill so essential in the lower grades. Each must drill himself. He is compelled to do this or fail. Does this method allow opportunity for thorough explanation? Can the teacher have the knowledge at his command? This depends upon the teacher and his previous training. He must bo familiar with the entire subject. The effort to accomplish this will render him a better instructor. His mind is fresh from constant reference to the various divisions of the subject, and ho is better prepared to furnish clear and definite explanations than if he had rendered only a small portion. No ambitious teacher will long lind the extra preparation a burden. This is not a new and untried plan. Fifteen years ago Dr. Harris used it in St. Louis. Supt. Hogers introduced it into the grammar grades of the Marshaltown. Ia.. schools last year and says his teachers would not return to tiie former method. In the Pueblo schools this plan is followed in all the grades. Pupils are classified for convenience, but are not obliged to tread in the same grade. It seems calculated to produce good results and is certainly feasible for advanced pupils. Py it wo shall not expect every pupil to become a scholar, !ut each may exert all his powers untrammeled by other m-'nibers of tho class. This will produce. In accordance with nature some an hundred fold, some sixty and some thirty. Iowa Schools. CorrcctiiiK Spelling Papers. The examination of spelling papers is a slow and tedious process and most teachers allow the pupils to exchange papers and correct each other's exercises. A better way, where tho sense of honor is strong enough, would bo to lot the pupils correct their own papers. In most cases, however, this plan is not advisable as it lays a heavy temptation on a boy or girl who stands well in the class but has neglected to study a particular lesson; and wo should always carefully avoid giving tho children a chance to cheat or deceive. A thoughtless person might s-.'iy that tho teacher could look over tho j:pors afterwards to see if they wer correctly marked. This, however, would be a very bad plan, as it would show tho children that you suspected them and they would be likely to reason that It was not wrong to cheat if they could do it without detection. In almost every class there are a few bad Fjcllors; bad spellers not from the Constitution of their minds, but bo-

eat.si? they nr careless and not study their lessons. This is a distinction in poor scholars which should always be borne in mind, and the hardworking, but dull, pupils should not ho punished for their failures, but bright, though lazy or thoughtless pupils must be made to see the error of their ways. Pou'tn for Header. Don't read in railway train or in vehicles in motion. Don't read lying down or in n constrained poMtioll. Don't read by lirelight, moonlight or twilight. Don't read by a flickering gaslight or candlelight. Don't read books printed on thin pa er. I )oii't read books which have no spaed between the lines. Don't read for more than fifty minutes without stopping whether tho eyes are tired or not. Don't hold the leading close to tha eyes. Don't study at night, nut in the morning when you are fresh. Don't select your own glasses at tho outset. It would almost sem as though some of these rules Were tx obvious to require mention, but practical experience shows that myopes abilM? their eyes just in the ways : tavil. Leading by fnvlight or by moonlight are favori'e sins. Heading lying down tends to increase the strain on the accommodation, and while traveling tires the ciliary muscle because of the too frequent adjustment of fo.-us. In short, anything which tends to increase tho quantity of blood in the organ favors the increase of the defect, leading in extreme cases to detachment of the retina and blindness. Tho Canada Lancet.

Illnomer Girls Weep. The Professor's Uecitation Made Them Cry, and They Had No Handkerchiefs. Twenty-live girls in the Northwestern University, members of tho junior class in oratory, appeared in the class room in bloomers. Without exception they belonged to wealthy families. Many of them are preparing for the stage. Prof. Cummock was iu tho class room when the girls appeared. Their suits were black or dark blue and were trimmed in yellow. The bloomers were gathered just below the knee and black stockings completed tho outfit. After he had recovered from the shock Prof. Cumnock took the stage and proceeded as though bloomer girls in tin class room were an every -day affair. After calling tho roll ho called upon Miss Dewey to take tho piatfonn. Miss Dewey was clad in a bloomer costume that came dangerously near being plain knickerbockers. She was embarrassed and linally stammered out an excuse that she was not prepared to recite, lie called upon several other bloomorites, but all pleaded the same excuse. The professor said he would occupy the hour himself. He delivered a pathetic recitation, which brought tears to the eyes of no girls, but unfortunately they had no handkerchiefs ; and were forced to allow the tears to : trickle down their faces. The reason given for tho bloomer display was that it was tho gymnast hour and the girls did not expect to bo called for elocution. Educational Note. Normal University nt Normal, Illwill have a new S-PUmh) building for physical training and society purposes. There are -lo.ni:o women attending the colleges of the United States. Thirty years ago not a college in the country was open to women. The ladies of Lexington. Ky., have elected four members of tho City Hoard of Education. In Neuport and in Covington the women were defeated. Eight thousand, three hundred and forty-three are entitled to lecture privileges at the University of llerbn. The largest attendance of any similar institution in the world. There are .".PfO students in tho normal schools and their attached model schools in Pennsylvania. These seiiools have had a total of IiM.immi students, and nearly lo.oon jirofessiou.il teachers have graduated. Twenty-four Vassar graduates write for magazines, only six for newspapers, live are professional journalists, four are professional editors, while only four are novelists. Twenty-five have taken the degree of M. D., and are mostly practicing physicians. Tho P.oard of Education of Stockton, Cal., has re-elected Jas. A. Parr as superintendent of schools and increased his salary by S..ui). The ligure itself is not startling, $i!.tno being, if anything, below the average for a city of L'tl.OiK) people. The significant fact lies in the voluntary action of the board. Miss Edith Oakey graduated from the Veterinary College of Toronto, Canada, being the lirst s-.-man to win a diploma. She has hung out her shingle at Sandoval, Ohio, in the center of a rich grazing country. Diseases of milch cows have been Miss Oakey's special study. She has done well and employs three male assistants, who relievo her of much of the manual labor. It is a strange commentarv that In our ungraded schools throughout tho country children attending school from four to six months per year for a period of from six tq eight years are better educated and prepared to enter upon tho ordinary duties of life than the majority of children after taking the full course of eight years of ten months poi year.- President Felke!, Crand Kapid.i. Midi., School Hoard. One of the worst features of our American life is its invasion of pri ' vr.oy. There is frequent complaint tha individuals with us have no security, and that the pencil of the reporter an the camera of the nhotorranhor ionv re'- - - i - - cord with impunity tho doings of Individuals without possibility of redrew for those who suffer. Indianapol Nev;