The most important qualification of teachers in those days was their dexterity in the wielding of the birch, and their astuteness in the detection of boys who were unfortunate enough to be discovered in the breaking of some of the numerous rules read in the hearing of all the pupils on the opening day of school by the teacher, and approved by the Board of Directors, for the governing of the school during the term for which the teacher was employed. The teacher’s wages ranged in amount from $15 to $25, and board thrown in. Teachers boarded ‘round;’ that is, each patron was required to give entertainment to the teacher one week at a time until the complete circuit of the district was made; then start again at the beginning of the circuit, and so continue throughout the term. These duties were cheerfully assumed by the good housewives, especially when the teacher was good company, could crack his joke and was able to eat a hearty meal, thus indicating to the housekeeper his appreciation of her good cooking, and a hint dropped occasionally that her good cheer was a ‘leetle’ superior to that which he had been compelled to endure, just a few weeks prior, at another neighbor’s just across the fields."

[ Back ]  [ Next ]  [ Up ]  [ New Search ]