THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES w, f* THE CHILD'S PARADISE EDUCATIONAL BOOKS IN PROSE BY THE SAME AUTHOR; Frochel's Educational Laws Dicken as an Educator Mistakes in Teaching Training the Children Adult and Child The Child's Paradise Stories and Musings for Parents and Teachers BY JAMES L. HUGHES The earth should be his Paradise, His home a shrine, Where he may grow in happiness Towards the divine THE RYERSON PRESS PUBLISHERS - - TORONTO COPYRIGHT. CANADA. 1919 By JAMES L. HUGHES PRINTED IN CANADA PREFACE THE Stories and musings of this book represent the methods of good and evil in child training. When old methods based on tyranny pass away in the homes and Schools; and homes and Schools become "free republics of Childhood" in which the individual power of each child may grow, and bloom truly, and ripen fully the world will enter on a new era of growth in power and skill, and brotherhood. JAMES L. HUGHES 602227 UBRART CONTENTS PAGE THE CHILD'S PARADISE . . . . .9 THE MOTHER TO HER BABE . . . .11 A PRAYER ON RETIRING . . . . .12 LIFE'S WIDER VIEW . . . . . .13 DADDY'S LESSON ....... 14 BLESSED is HER MEMORY . . . . .16 SUE'S SUGGESTION . . . . .18 IN THE OLD SCHOOLROOM ..... 20 A HAPPY HEARTED BOY . . . . .21 WHY HE WAS A TRUE MAN 22 OUR TEACHER 26 MY KINDLER 28 THE FATHER'S CRIME 30 "HELLO JIM" 32 NEVER SMILE BEFORE YOUR CLASS . . .34 THE KINDLING TEACHER 36 ENOCH KNEW WHY 39 IN WHAT RESPECT AM I LIKE SQUEERS . . 40 O! THE DIFFERENCE . .. . \ . . . 41 THE FATHER'S DREAM 44 A HERO ........ 46 A VITAL LESSON . . . . .47 MCWHACKER . . . .50 I GUESS HE NEVER WAS A BOY . .; . .51 FRED'S SYMPATHY . . . . . .53 THE BRILLIANT DUNCE . . . . .55 ROBBED OF CHILDHOOD . . . . .59 7 PAGE OUR FIRST FEMALE TEACHER . . . .61 JIM . .../,. . t . 63 How HE WON His SPURS . . . . , . 68 How TO HARDEN STEEL . . . v .71 I SHAKE IT OUT OF HIM . . : . . .72 THE DUNCE 74 JIM'S BIG BROTHER . . , . . . .76 His FIRST MORNING . . .'. . . .78 I CANNOT KEEP THEM DOWN . . . .81 THE STEP TEACHER >. . . . . .83 Two CHARACTER BLIGHTERS . . . .84 DREADFUL DICK .86 BRAVE JOE 88 SHE FAILED . . . ... .91 SHE COULD NOT PASS . . . ... 94 THE TEACHER'S STORY . . .' . .99 LET CHILDHOOD'S FLOWERS BLOOM . . . 103 SECRETS OF FAILURE 106 HE WAS REMEMBERED 107 WHO RUINED FRED . . , , . . 110 TEACHING ME TO LAUGH , . . .- . 112 TOM AND JIM , . '. . . . . 114 HERMIT JOE ....... 115 CHILDHOOD'S KNIGHT .-"' '. . . .119 HURRAH FOR You . . , . . . 121 A MAY DAY RIDE , . . . . .122 TREAT BOYS RESPECTFULLY . ., . .. .. . 124 MERRY YOUNG ROBINS .~ > ., '. . 126 8 THE CHILD'S PARADISE THE earth should be his paradise, His home a shrine, Where he should grow in happiness Towards the divine. The sun and moon, the stars and sky, Are all his own: The flowers and trees, the hills and dales, Are his alone. When he is free to do the things He plans to do, His soul responsive to the Light Of Vision new Wakes to new power; then beauty's charms, And sweet bird-songs Fill his young life with glory that To him belongs. The homes and schools of childhood's years Should ever be Soul growth republics where the child Is ever free, Developing his power to win High destiny; Encouraged by approving smiles Of sympathy. The man who stands between the child And God, is he Who drives him out of Paradise By tyranny; Who robs him of his joyousness, And puts a blight On his best soul buds, opening In God's clear light. 10 THE MOTHER TO HER BABE IMAGE of God, little one, Sent by the Father divine; You are His thought and His plan ; You are His grandest design. You have begun your great work Though but a babe at my breast; Your cry enkindles my heart; Your smile awakens my best. Your life reveals a new hope Lighting the future to me; Bright in my love dreams for you Visions of glory I see. Destiny watches for you Pointing your path to the height; God give me wisdom that I Ever may guide you aright. 11 A PRAYER ON RETIRING No other term reveals so great an amount of soul dwarfing influence in unlightened and presumptuous adulthood, as the term "child queller" used by Dickens in describing Mrs. Pipchin. ^ FORGIVE me Father, if today At any time or place I quelled the spirit of a child ; Or brought to his fair face A shadow dark, where should be light; Or made life seem to him less bright. Help me, O Father that I may Tomorrow truly aid Each child to live his free soul out Serene and unafraid. Guide me that I may ever be With childhood in full sympathy. 12 LIFE'S WIDER VIEW UP to the top of the mount take me Out of the valley small ; Is there a great world beyond to see ? Or is this valley all?" So to his father once spoke a child Longing for wider view. "Yes, son," he said as he proudly smiled, "Come, I will climb with you." Up to the mount crest they climbed that day, Climbed till the boy could see . Wideness and beauty, far, far away Over the land and sea. Long did he look till a wideness new Set his best life aglow; Narrowness left him and vision true Started his soul to grow. Never again was the boy the same ; Bondless and hopeful he Climbed towards Life's crest with his heart aflame, Broadminded, strong, and free. 13 DADDY'S LESSON 4 4r-|-*EDDY", I said, "I must whip you, lad, For you have been bad today." 'Daddy", said he with a wistful look, "Is there not some other way? T "I am a child only ten years old, And you are a grown up man; Wait till tomorrow and you may find A kinder and better plan. "You were a boy, and your mother kind Was tenderly good to you. Daddy, you told me her loving smile Helped you to be good and true. "Often when I am alone at night I wonder, dear dad, if she Loved with a deeper and truer love Than you ever showed to me. "I had no mother to love me, dad, And give me her tender care; No one to sing by my bed at night, Or teach me a boy's first prayer.' Then I looked back to my own boy life, And saw that my child was right; "Teddy", I said, "I will love you, lad, You've waked in my heart new light. 14 "Chums we will be through the coming years, And I will your partner be; Trustfully I will rely on you, And you may rely on me." Beautiful tears filled his big blue eyes, Bright tears of true joy were they, Quickly he leaped in my arms, and said, "Dear dad, you have found the way!" 15 I BLESSED IS HER MEMORY WAS a farmer's oldest son, My age fourteen; A large, strong boy who had not thought What life might mean. My simple duties on the farm I tried to do; I was content, and did not dream Of wider view. I learned the lessons of the schools ; They gave no glow To kindle my awaking soul, And make me grow. I saw God's miracles each day On earth and sky, But did not look beyond to see The reason why. Then came a teacher to our school Who knew the heart Of nature. She awakened me With matchless art. I learned to understand the cause Of day and night. The seasons and the changing moon, And with delight, 16 I woke to see the universe And know that man, And God, and all He made are one In His great plan, And the wide vision that I gained Has proved to be Worth more than all I ever learned In school to me. 17 SUE'S SUGGESTION HOW we enjoyed the spelling game In our old village school! When we went up and down the line According to the rule That those who missed went down, and those Who spelled correctly higher rose. How earnestly we tried to reach The top and start again Down at the foot to climb once more! And he who first made ten Round trips from foot to head had won. Our spelling game was real fun. My little sweetheart could not spell She often missed, and so The dear girl's constant place was at The bottom of the row. Great was my joy, when I could stand Beside sweet Sue and hold her hand. But I could not remain with her Unless I missed words, too So going home from school one day I shyly said, to Sue "If you would learn to spell, then we Would rise together, don't you see?" 18 She blushing stood, and I could see Her merry eyes grow dim, And then she smiled and sweetly said "I love you near, dear Jim, I cannot spell the words, but you I think might sometimes miss a 19 IN THE OLD SCHOOLROOM LONG years ago I taught you here A youth of twenty then; To-day I see you, girls and boys, Come smiling in again Unchanged by years, for I forget And dream that I am twenty yet. And as I see you sitting there, Each desk recalls a face, Whose glow of waking consciousness Made this a sacred place, When to each soul came vision true Of purpose high and power new. And I have watched you as you climbed Through all the happy years, And, when you won your victories, I felt responsive cheers, Dear boys and girls, ring in my heart, Because you nobly did your part. Through all the fruitful years my life Brought blessings rare to me, But, as serene and free I stand Reviewing life, I see No record of a greater hour Than when I kindled your best power. 20 A HAPPY HEARTED BOY 1LOVE God's stars and flowers and trees, And wheatfields waving in the breeze; I love His glory on the sky, When day is whispering good-bye; I love to hear His wild birds sing To welcome waking life in Spring; I love His mountains and His sea, But best of all His gifts to me I love a happy-hearty boy Who helps to fill the world with joy. 21 F AR in the country he was born Upon a forest farm. Where in the woods a boy he played Enjoying Nature's charm. The squirrels and the chipmunks first Were friends with whom he played; And even of his collie dog Those friends were not afraid. So he grew free and never felt A bond his soul to blight. And beauty on the earth and sky Gave him supreme delight. In gloaming time one calm June eve From a tall hemlock tree He heard with rapture a bird sing Divinest melody. And through the years he listened on To hear that song again; But never heard so sweet a song As in the hemlock glen. So evermore that gloaming song To him remained the best; Its melody his soul tone formed Interpreting the rest. 22 For there are epochs, when a child In an enchanted hcur, Has centres started in his soul Of beauty and of power. With rich environment of things He could transform at hand, He made new plans for work each day, And did the work he planned. His strong self -active tendency Into a habit grew; Achieving visions each new day Gave power of vision new. Through the green meadow near his home Ran his own purling stream; And lost in flowers upon its bank He often sat to dream Grand plans of work in coming years, When as a man he'd be Achieving for his fellowmen The visions he would see To lead them towards the shining heights, Where they would all be free, And join together to achieve Their highest destiny. 23 And so in childhood's paradise He lived through kindling years ; His spirit thrilled by beauty, and The music of the spheres. He learned the joy of comradeship With parents kind and true, Whose loving sympathy he had In all he tried to do. The radiant glory of those years Ne'er in his soul grew dim; But, with increasing brightness shone To light life's paths for him. Into his soul God's beauty shone, And music's kindling cheer; And freedom gave him wings to fly Where others crept in fear. Alt his best elements of life; Of love, and trust, and truth, Of vision and achieving power; Were planted in his youth. And rooted in the fertile soil Of pure unselfishness, Enriched by loving service for Those he had power to bless. 24 So he developed power to plan And propagate the good, And be a noble man who lives For closer brotherhood. The saddest sights in all the world Are men's powers used for wrong ; And men unconscious of the powers God gave to make them strong. The natures of such men were warped; Their soul-hood robbed of might; When driven out of paradise By trainers without light. O, parenthood! O, teacherhood! God made the children right. Keep them in paradise, do not Upon them put a blight. Provide employments suitable That they may happy be; Save them from dwarfing tyranny, And let their souls grow free. Give them your comradeship and love, In climbing towards the height; Then they may grow towards the divine With joy and conscious might. 25 OUR TEACHER ARTHA was old but her loving heart Grew younger as day by day She won our hearts in the little school That stood near the wide, blue bay. M Others more learned there may have been, But none have I ever known Richer in life and revealing power To kindle our best alone. Comrade was she in the fields and woods Revealing life's wondrous plan; Showing how Nature's growth giving laws Relate us to God and man. Soon we had diamonds in the dew And gold in the sunset sky; New were the glorious mysteries We learned from the stars on high. O how we studied great books when she, Their secret of uplift told! "They are the gold mines of truth," said she Then trained us to search for gold. Reverently at the close of day We stood as she led in prayer, Asking the Father throughout the night To guard us from ev'ry care. 26 After long years in the old white school Gray men and gray women met, Her boys and girls in the long ago Who loved her memory yet. Reverently in the graveyard then On top of the hill we stood Round a tall shaft on whose side was told Our story of gratitude. When on her grave we had placed our wreaths, We stood in a circle there, While a most eloquent preacher spoke, And led us in hopeful prayer. Each one recalled that, when Martha came, The preacher an orphan lad, Was by the pious condemned because They said he was "awful bad." Memory brought to each one that day A thousand great epoch hours, When throught the years seeds that Martha sowed Bloomed forth into life's bright flowers. And as the visions came back again Of Martha and childhood's years, Hearts beat with joy, and tears filled our eyes, But thev were exultant tears. 27 I MY KINDLER N dreams I sit beside your desk In life's great epoch hour, When with your matchless kindling art You first awaked my power. The other boys and girls had gone When school was out, but you Had asked that I should stay that night Some special work to do. You sat beside me and I felt Your deep, true friendship shine Out of your heart with kindly glow, And wake response in mine. You said I was a thought of God, And that in His great plan I had some special work to do To help my fellow man; And that to find my special power Should be life's greatest aim; Your words, your tone, your brother touch Set my young heart aflame. I took your hand and looked away Through long, achieving years, And tears came in my eyes, but they Were hopeful, joyous tears. 28 A vision shone through Heaven's gate Of what my life might be, And angel voices seemed to bring Great messages to me. To see the setting sun that night I climbed the hemlock hill. I heard the messages again And answered "Yes, I will." 29 THE FATHER'S CRIME TO Custom's tyrant rule I bowed And told my son That in the morn, I'd punish him For wrong he'd done. I had not thought about my crime Enough to know That it was barbarous in me To treat him so. When I went up to bed that night I heard him moan, And then the sorrow in his heart Awoke my own. In early morning, when I woke, I dressed, and then I listened at his door, and heard His moans again. "O! God," I said, "forgive my sin" For then I knew That I had robbed him of his rest The long night through. I went into his room and saw His tear stained cheek. He woke, and when he saw me, gave A piercing shriek. 30 I clasped him in my arms, and said, "My darling son, Come let me wash your tears away, And when I'm done," "I promise evermore to be More kind to you, And guide you in a better way The right to do." "I, too, have been unhappy, son Through night's dark hours, But love-light shines now in my heart With vital powers." 31 "HELLO JIM!" HEN I was but a little boy Just only eight years old, We had a neighbor named Bill Smith And I was often told W To keep away from him, because He was so very "bad", He scared me sometimes in my dreams, When I a night-mare had. I met him on the road one day, I was afraid of him, But he looked kindly down at me And said "O, hello Jim!" And, when I go along that road I always think of him, I see him smile and hear his voice Say kindly "Hello Jim." They said about another man, That he was "always good, And when I grew up, I should be, Just like him, if I could." When I met him, he did not smile, Nor speak, nor look at me His face was solemn, and his heart Seemed icy cold to be. 32 I wondered why religion made A man so hard and grim, And thought that I would never be A gloomy man like him; But grow up "bad" and try to be A jolly man like him Who won my heart with happy smile And said, "O, hello Jim!" " 33 NEVER SMILE BEFORE YOUR CLASS THEY Taught me at the Normal School That I should always be Sedate in school, and never smile But let the pupils see Upon my face just mystery, Stern and impressive dignity. And for a time I meekly thought The books and teachers right, And on frivolity in school I promptly put a blight. "No foolish levity in school," Was my first self controlling rule. When funny incidents occurred My humor I would hide ; I bit my lip and quickly went To freely laugh outside. That it would never, never do To smile in school I surely knew. But now I know that he who robs A child's young heart of joy, Works but for evil, when he clouds The face of girl or boy ; But he who helps to make it shine Aids in unfolding the divine. 34 And more I know, the teacher who Fears he will lose control Because he joins the child in joy, Is dwarfing his own soul; For all the seeds of power and right Grow to perfection in the light. I 35 THE KINDLING TEACHER ALONG the winding woodland path The happy children went to school; They loved the flowers along its sides, And ferns that grew where woods are cool. And when they found a flower unknown, They took it to their teacher, who Loved Nature's life in all its forms, And gladly told them what she knew Of wonders of the earth and sky, Of beauty springing from the ground, Of leaves so varied on the trees, And joys that she had always found In seeing God in all His works A flower, a fern, a blade of grass, A gleaming star, the changing moon, And seasons, as they come and pass. She told what children ought to do, Some needy neighbor's heart to bless, And said "each child had power to bring To some one greater happiness." Two girls one morning, as they passed The recj-roofed cottage both agreed To make some person happy, if They only knew some one in need. 36 Then Kate said "Nellie I have thought Of one whom we can help to be More happy. She's the crippled girl, In there. She needs our help for she "Can not go out to see the flowers, Or trees, or ferns, or stars, or sky; To raise some money, Nell, to buy A nice wheeled chair for her we'll try. "Her father's dead, her mother poor She needs some one her heart to cheer: She is the one that we should help, I'm glad we see our duty clear." They spoke of it at Sunday School; They went through all the neighborhood; They raised the money human hearts Are glad to help in doing good. The people thanked the little girls For kindly thought and helpful deed; They gave their money freely, and They wished the happy girls "God speed." They bought the chair and dresses, too, For Mary, and one happy day They wheeled her to the school, and she Just wept the thanks she could not say. 37 And all the children cried for joy With Mary, and the teacher, too; Then Katie said, "O, teacher, dear! We owe the kindly thought to you." The pastor came that day to school, And told the teacher that he thought The lesson that had kindled hearts The grandest lesson she had taught. A famous doctor met the girls With Mary on the road one day; He heard their story, and proposed To treat her without any pay. She grew quite strong, and happiness Filled the small house with roof of red; And when the people thanked the girls, "Give our dear teacher thanks," they said. 38 ENOCH KNEW WHY YOUNG Enoch Simpson was but ten. He was a merry boy, And "as an egg is full of meat" So he was full of joy. He led in mischief at the school Yet never was unfair, And when the master punished him, He did not seem to care. One day the master called him up And Enoch calmly went, And smiling stood unflinchingly Awaiting punishment. The master said, "I'll whip you well, And you can tell me why?" "Yes, Sir, I can", the boy replied, "You're bigger, Sir, than I." 39 IN WHAT RESPECTS AM I LIKE SQUEERS? 'OST kindly people when they read Of Dotheboys shed tears, "Then heave a sigh, and say "Thank God That I am not like Squeers. M What they should do is seek for power To dry the children's tears And ask the Father to reveal How much they are like Squeers, And for a higher truer love Of childhood through the years, And clearer vision of new light That they may dry its tears. 40 O! THE DIFFERENCE REGINALD Jones on a summer day Went with Jim Brooks to the woods away Out from the town, where the hawthorn trees Waved their white arms in the gentle breeze, On to the valley beyond the hill, Where by the pond stood the old red mill, And by the stream fairest flowers grew Kindling their souls with enchantment new. Two happy boys spent the afternoon Hearing the bobolink's sacred tune, Wandering on by the river's side, Chasing the chipmunks that ran to hide, Gathering strawberries in the grass, Watching white clouds o'er the blue sky pass, Floating bark ships on the river, till Afterglow shone o'er the tree crowned hill. Hurriedly homeward they went at last Blissfully happy. Their hearts beat fast Throbbing in time with a grand new tune Learned on that glorified afternoon. Each with a feeling of pure delight Carried a handful of flowers bright; Flowers for mother to make her glad Carried each happy and hopeful lad. 41 Reginald's mother in anger threw Out his wild flowers and treasures new; Told him he never must go again Out with that wicked Jim Brooks, and then Scolded and threatened her little lad; Wondered why he had been born so bad; Mourned for the clothes he had soiled, and sent Him straight to bed as a punishment. Supperless, heartsore, the weeping boy Ended in sorrow his day of joy. Jim's mother kissed him and fondly smiled; Told him that she was a country child Fond of the flowers in wood and vale; Listened with joy to his boyish tale; Sent him to wash, and when he was done; Gave him dry clothing and said, "my son You must at supper your father tell All you have seen, he will like it well." Two mothers looked at their boys that night Lying asleep in their beds so white; One with a face that was pale and sad Wept as she looked at her little lad ; Noted the stains of his bitter tears; Prayed that his badness would pass with years ; Asked God to comfort her aching heart Selfishly thinking she'd done her part. 42 Jim's mother looked at her sleeping boy Dreaming in peace of his day of joy Said "God I thank thee for little Jim, Help me to kindle and nurture him. Gateful am I that he loves me so, Help me to guide him by love's bright glow, Make me his comrade and partner true Cheering him upward to higher view." 43 "I THE FATHER'S DREAM 'LL Whip you in the morning, boy," I harshly said, "Stop crying, or I"ll whip you more, Now go to bed." When to my room I went that night I heard him moan In sleep, and ere the morn I dreamed That he had grown Until he was giant large And strong, and grim; Who dared me then to come and try To punish him. Then to my coward heart there came A message new And to my soul a vision clear Of higher view. I lay reflecting on my dream Till daylight came; And, when I thought about my boy, I blushed in shame. When he awoke, I said, "I have A better plan. I'll treat you as my chum, and be A gentleman." 44 "O, dad," he said, "that's decent. I'll Be decent, too, And we will have a jolly life, Hurrah for you !" 45 T A HERO 'HE little boy who says "I won't" To a command From a big man, a hero is With courage grand. His teacher dare not say "I won't" To giant grim Three times his size who in loud tones Would order him To do something he did not wish To do, and he Should learn that boys don't disobey When they are free. Till tyranny distorts their souls All boys obey, And gladly work with comrade guides Who show the way. 46 I A VITAL LESSON WENT to tell Dick's mother About her wayward lad ; That he must be suspended From school he was so "bad." I found her in a garret Down in a narrow street ; She stood before her wash tub With baby at her feet. I said "I am Dick's teacher." "I'm glad you came," said she, "I'm proud to be the mother Of such a son as he. "His father died last winter, He had been two years sick; But Dick has been my helper, A fine boy is my Dick. "He starts to sell his papers Before the rooster crows, Then eats his well earned breakfast And whistling off he goes. "After the school is over He works from four to eight, And Saturdays till midnight. O, my dear Dick, he's great! 47 "I thank you for your visit, I hope you'll come again; You must be very happy In making boys good men." I could not give the message I went to give, so I Just said, "Tell Dick I'm sorry He was not here, good bye." For when I heard her story Of what her boy had done, I knew I was a failure In training such a son. I knew that I had never Dick's best life understood; I thought him "bad," his mother Had proved that he was good. I learned a vital lesson From her that epoch day; I went a thoughtless teacher; Transformed, I came away. I learned I could not kindle True soulhood with a stick; I'd studied how to govern ; Henceforth I'll study Dick. That day I said, "I'll never Coerce a child again," And since I have been happy In aiding "to make men." I told Dick all the story Of what I went to do, And how it made me happy To find he was so true. I asked him to forgive me For wrongs that I had done, And his bright smile and hand clasp Showed that his heart was won. We spoke about his mother, About the baby, too ; We spoke about his future, And each had vision new ; We pledged a lifelong friendship; We still are comrades true. 49 MCWHACKER MCWHACKER was a teacher man, He went to church on Sunday, And prayed that he might have the strength To beat the boys on Monday. McWhacker was his proper name For he did surely whack us; With rawhide in his big right hand He daily did attack us. He flogged us for the wrong we did Right on our heads he'd crack us; He flogged us for mistakes we made And where he'd hit he'd black us. At length he died through making love Too much to old God Bacchus; But we remember through the years The way he used to whack us. 50 "I GUESS HE NEVER WAS A BOY" (Told by one of the boys) THE trustees met to hear a charge The teacher made against his boys. He said that we were rude outside, And in the school made too much noise. "The very first day I was here They gathered on the hill," said he "When school was out, and when I passed They all joined in and snowballed me." The chairman rose and looked severe, "I'm sorry, boys," he sternly said ; "Why did you treat your teacher so?" Then Enoch Simpson rose and said, "I asked him if he'd take a ride, I did not do it to annoy; He threw my sleigh clear o'er the fence, I guess he never was a boy." We snowballed him, sir, 'good and hard,' He got the worst of it, and we Think he deserved it all he got And we were hopeful, sir, that he Would tell us he was sorry, when He came to school next day, but O You should have heard how he did scold. He told us he would make us know" 51 "That he was boss. We shouted "boss! Co boss! Co boss!" We made some noise, But honestly now wouldn't you Have done so, too, when you were boys ? We meant no harm, and we'll behave If he will only learn to see That boys have rights. We'll all be glad If he our comrade friend will be." The teacher promised, and the boys Cheered loudly, and the trustees, too, The Chairman said, "he hoped that all Would now unite our best to do." The teacher said, "I will be square, I see that I was wrong, and here I offer an apology To all the boys, with heart sincere." Loud were the cheers the glad boys gave From hearts that overflowed delight Until the happy teacher said, "I wonder, Simpson, if tonight You'd let me ride downhill, with you?" Simpson /stood up, and said "O, yes !" Then in a kindly tone he said, "Fellows, he was a boy, I guess. 52 FRED'S SYMPATHY WE lived in a cottage beside the sea And when I came home one day I did not see Fred little Fred just eight- Who loved with his "dad" to play. And daddy loved, too, with his happy boy To play, when his work was done, Or climb to the top of the hill with him, To look at the setting sun. "Dear, where is our boy," to my wife, I said, And sadly she made reply; "O Fred was so naughty this afternoon To punish him I did try, But, when I commanded that he should come, Authority he defied, And knowing that I could not follow him Crept under the house to hide." "Then give me the rod," I most sternly said I'll teach him he must obey." So after him slowly I crept until From him but two yards away. And then with a look of deep sympathy He whispered so low to me, "Say dad! is she after you, too?" Now who Could whip such a boy as he? 53 We went to the top of our sunset hill And watched till the sun had gone, And saw in the glory of afterglow The day's fond goodnight shine on. And there as we stood in that sacred light I lovingly spoke to him, And told of the shadow on mother's heart Until his blue eyes were dim. And as we came down with his hand in mine He said, "I am sorry Dad, But if she'll forgive me and love me still I'll try not to be so bad." I tightened my hold on his little hand And felt his response to me, Till out from his heart a love message came, "I'll tell her tonight," said he. Her face was o'ershadowed by sadness still, But soon it was changed to joy, And lighted by love shine, when in her arms She held her enkindled boy. 54 THE BRILLIANT DUNCE \ THEY called him "dunce." In olden time It was a very common crime To call boys names, though wiser men, Said it was wicked even then To call boys "bad," or "dunce," or "fool" Because they broke some needless rule, Or could not spell, or were not quick To learn the hard arithmetic. The teacher who would use a name That brings a tear, or blush of shame To any child ; has not been taught That each child represents a thought Of God some vital uplift plan Of service for his fellowman ; Or he would know that boys should be From such insulting language free. They called Pete "dunce," and his nine years Had brought him many bitter tears. He could not read at nine, and they Would shake their book-crammed heads, and say, "He cares not for his books, and so His brain, poor boy, will never grow. He does not understand. Alas ! He cannot learn. He will not pass." 55 Enlightened teachers clearly see That some were never meant to be Book students; but most teachers yet This basic principle forget. They mark book crammers very high And others "dunces" classify. Achieving men .are greater far Than mere book students ever are. Pete cared not for the printed word, His interest had not been stirred By anything his teachers taught, And so they most unwisely thought He was a "dunce," and said that he Of dunces had least power to be Of any use. They did not know How quickly souls, when kindled, grow. His teacher left; another came With faith in boys, and heart aflame. They told him Pete was just a "dunce." He listened, and replied at once, "I'll study him, and try to find What cause obscures the poor boy's mind. I'll try to kindle him, I know If kindled, he will start to grow." 56 For weeks the teacher saw no sign That any light began to shine In Pete's dark mind, until one day He said, "I have another way Of teaching drawing, boys, to wake Their minds, and not mere pictures make. I will come twice each week at eight; I hope you'll come; you'll find it great." He hoped one half his class to find. The "dunce" alone with dormant mind Came. "Pete'*, said he, "I'll try to do The very best I can for you. To start the power of just one boy To grow would give me greater joy Than to be King; If you will try We'll be good comrades, you and I." Pete understood. His first design, Planned by himself grew line by line. He did not copy. He was free To be original, so he Was kindled, and a vital light Shone in his eyes and made them bright. The teacher's smile brought joyous tears That gathered through unkindled years. 57 His soul awoke in that great hour, For drawing was his special power, Related powers woke, too, and he Gave promise of his destiny, And made it to his teacher clear That he would have a fine career. An architect renowned is he, Whose fame is known beyond the sea. When teachers learn to kindle souls, And start their growth towards special goals, Each one to his own goal, they'll know That men's best powers can never grow By knowledge only. They must be First kindled, then made truly free. All teachers are dunce makers, when They think of knowledge more than men. 58 ROBBED OF CHILDHOOD A Father and a mother came A hundred miles to see A teacher with their little boy Because they heard that he Was fond of boys and power had To kindle those whom they called "bad". "We've no control whatever, sir," They said, "over this lad, And we can find no reason, sir, Why he should be so "bad." We ask, if you our son will take And see, if you his will can break." "He knows the Bible, sir, by heart; We've tried to make him good. We ought to know the rightful way To train as parents should. Our fathers both were preachers true, Who, how to train their children, knew. "They never let us have our way When we were young, and so We could not learn to do wrong things; Obedient we did grow, But he gets angry, when controlled, And answers us in language bold." 59 "I'm sorry for your little son," The teacher kindly said, "You did not try to train a child, You trained a man instead. You cannot truly train a boy By robbing him of childhood's joy." A boy in childhood should be free To think, and plan, and do. Your son can never truly grow So long, my friends, as you Refuse to let him have his way Enjoying work enjoying play." "To know the bible all by heart At ten, cannot be right. To make the sacred book a task, May cloud the guiding light That it should give to lead him through Life's coming years, and make him true." "He is not "bad", but warped, because . His growth has not been free. I like your boy, and soon I hope To win his love for me. We will be comrades full of joy, And he will be a fine true boy." 60 OUR FIRST FEMALE TEACHER THE School board met one night to choose A teacher for the coming year. The chairman was a cultured Scot Progressive, earnest, acrid sincere. One was an Englishman, the last From Ireland came. The chairman read The written applications, then "I have a great surprise," he said. "One from a female teacher came Whose writing is the very best, Her spelling and her grammar, too, Are far ahead of all the rest." "Of all the teachers who applied The female teacher I would choose." Then spoke the Englishman who said "To vote for females I refuse, "I want a male." Then Erin's son Expressed with force his simple plan, "For nayther male nor female I Will vote," said he, "I want a man." The chairman reasoned earnestly; The Englishman was stubborn still. "Women should stay at home," said he, "To vote for one I never will." 61 To Tim, the chairman then appealed, Until the Irishman said, "Well, Perhaps you're right. I hope you are. I'll vote with you, and time will tell." And time did tell for soon she proved That both her head and heart were right. She won the happy girls and boys, And filled their parents with delight. Then when the Englishman would meet With parents anywhere he'd say, "I'm glad that we appointed her For she has surely won her way." 62 JIM JIM'S Teacher was a kindly man, But in the "good old training plan" He still believed. "No boy," said he, "Can be from evil ways made free Unless you use the rod, until You change his heart and break his will. I do not like to whip a boy, But do it that he may have joy, When he is old enough to see That he should ever grateful be Because I punished him at school And made him always keep each rule. All boys are born corrupt within, Their natures love the path of sin. Their evil natures are so strong They hate the right and love the wrong. And so I use correction's rod To turn my boys in youth to God. I whip to drive the evil out. I turn the wayward boys about, And make them keep the narrow path To save them from eternal wrath." He was an earnest man and true Who said his duty he must do To save the boys. Poor thoughtless man ! He never sought a better plan Than beating boys to kindle souls, 63 And guide them towards the higher goals. His boys oft ran away from school, But he declared that proved the rule That boys objected to be trained, And hated school because restrained; And so his days were grimly spent Awarding brutal punishment. The best boys ran away he knew, But still he beat the patient few Who stayed. He never tried to find A plan less brutal and more kind To stimulate the youthful mind. The largest pupil in the school, Jim Johnston, one day broke a rule; A hundred rules the master had, A hundred ways of being bad; And when with visage dark and grim The master loudly ordered Jim To come for punishment, he stood, And in a calm, defiant mood Said "No!" The master in a rage Roared like a lion in his cage, And struck the boy a savage blow, Then ordered him from school to go. Active, and strong, and undismayed A rush the maddened pupil made. Upon the startled master's head He rained fierce blows, and firmly said "I'll go when I my debt have paid, 64 And you have full atonement made, For even as a little lad, When first you foully called me "bad," And beat me I resolved to pay The debt I owed some future day. That day has come and, when I go, I hope you'll learn your lesson so That you may find a better plan To train a boy to be a man." The master said that Jim should be Expelled from school so bad was he; But the Inspector kindly said That he would transfer Jim instead. "And so his part not mine you take," The master said, "Sir, you should break His stubborn will." "No! I'll not dare To break a will so strong and rare. His will is God's best gift, and I Will help the boy that he may try His will to strengthen that he may Be strong and true for God some day. I'll not deny the boy his right To kindly guidance towards the light." "He must apologize to me," The master said. "Wait, let me see, Did you apologize to Jim ? Remember that you first struck him Unlawfully upon the head," 65 The kind Inspector calmly said. "Take my advice, do not object To his transfer. Learn to respect The rights of children. Start anew To study them. Be kind and true. You might be punished for the blow Severely in the court, and so A comrade not a tyrant be. Kindle their powers. Let. them be free. Trust them as partners in the school, And let them help to make each rule. Don't try to make a boy a saint. Let law be guidance not restraint. Restrictive law each power destroys That should unfold in girls and boys. Train them to plan and do, and they Will grow in vital power each day, And life to them may ever be A progress toward divinity." Jim's second principal was wise. Jim said of him, "he always tries To be a comrade with the boys In outdoor sports and other joys That real boys all like so much When kindled by a human touch." He welcomed Jim and said "we need You Jim to help us; you can lead Our football team to victory. We'll all be glad if you will be Our Captain, won't we boys?" said he. 66 They answered him with three times three. And Jim remembered through the years His heartglow, when he heard their cheers. New elements of hope and power Were kindled in his life that hour, New visions of what he might be Swept through his soul and made him free. He promised he would do his part To prove that in his grateful heart He'd keep the boys and master, too, And to their trust be ever true. Jim's leadership was strong but kind. His team with him in love combined. They won the cup but more they learned 'That triumph ever must be earned, By each one working at his best In partnership with all the rest. They felt new consciousness of power. They learned to spend no idle hour, But practiced well each foot ball art That each with skill might play his part. Life had fresh interest for Jim ; Each day revealed new hope for him ; Achievement gave new power to do The greater things of wider view, And elements of true success Entered his soul his life to bless. Training may either bless or blight May make life dark or guide to light That shines forever on the height. 67 HOW HE WON HIS SPURS T WO teachers from our village school We helped to drive away; They did not like our boyish tricks, And so they did not stay; And, when the village school Board had Appointed Number three, We planned to drive him quickly out, And let him, too, go free. He said "good morning girls and boys," When he came in, and then, When no one answered him, he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, "When they are spoken to arise And say 'good morning,' too, Again I'll say 'Good morning,' then I know what you will do." He said it in a comrade's tone, And looked so kind and true, That, when he said it over, we All said "good morning," too. He smiled and said "I hope that we Will always be in school Young ladies and young gentlemen, I have no other rule." 68 When he began recording names I thought that I would be A little funny, so I said "My name is Pat Turlee." I said it in an Irish voice. He saw the others smile, And so he quickly answered me, And spoke in Irish style. "Jist judgin' by yer looks," said he, "That name wud suit ye well, But if ye plaze, my jolly lad, Yer right name now ye'll tell." I saw his twinkling eyes and said "Ed. Turley not Tur-lee." He answered promptly "all right, Ed. Good friends I'm sure we'll be." Then stepping down he took my hand And said "Your name I knew, For when I asked the 'Bad' boy's name, Each one I asked named you." "I like you better, Ed., for that When I was young as you, They called me 'bad.' I tried to prove That what they said was true. 69 "You are not 'bad' ; the jolly boys Are nearly always kind, And I expect that I in you A trusted friend will find. "You planned at my expense to have Hilarity with me ; I think that you expected, too, That I would angry be. "The poor new teacher often has Some trials his first day, But he may win his spurs, if he Accepts them gracefully. "And so I won't think less of you Because you tried to be A little mischievous, and have Some merriment with me." Then I stood up and said to him . "Whatever, sir, occurs We'll all stand ever true to you, For you have won your spurs." 70 T HOW TO HARDEN STEEL HE blacksmith threw a piece of steel Upon the ground and said, I cannot harden it. It seems To be as soft as lead." His son stood near and promptly said, "It soon will hardened be, If you will 'lick it,' dad, I know That's how you hardened me." 71 I SHAKE IT OUT OF HIM A TEACHER said, "There is one boy I will not stand; The sullen, stubborn boy who sulks, When I command." "I will not reason with that boy, Nor patience show; I'll shake it out of him, that he My power may know." O, blighter of the souls of boys! O, tyrant blind! Such boys need doctors, and the smiles Of teachers kind. A gloomy farmer came to get His photograph; He looked like one who never hau A jolly laugh. The new photographer said, "Smile ! No change was made; "O smile, sir, smile!" he said again; The sad look stayed. "Come, you must smile!" he louder said. He failed again. He took a pistol in his hand And shouted then, 72 "Smile, will you!" He was quite as wise As teachers mad, Who shake the sulky, stubborn boys To make them glad. 73 THE DUNCE LUCY was merely "the dunce" to me. Dullest of all in the school was she. "Dunce" she was called when to teach I came, And I remembered that conscious shame Burned on her cheeks with indignant flame, When she was called that degrading name. So though I knew she seemed dull and slow Sympathy ever I tried to show. Calling her "dunce" could not make her bright ; Baseness so mean robs dim souls of light. To the poor girl I was just and kind, But I neglected her dormant mind. When in October my class began For the school closing to make our plan, Lucy came shyly and said that "she Would be so glad to recite for me." "No!" I replied, for I thought at once That her class reading was bad, poor dunce. Yet the next morning she brought a book, Gave it to me, and said, "Please do look ; Find if you can one I may recite, Then I'll be happy on closing night." Still I said kindly, " I think not, dear." Then in her eve I could see a tear. 74 Tenderly to the poor child I said, "Choose one yourself, dear." She raised her head. Quickly my words chased her tears away; Fondly she smiled at me through the day ; Then at the close she came up to me. "Thank you," she whispered, "just wait and see." Lucy came early next day to me; "Hear me recite, if you please," said she; Joy was still dancing in her blue eyes. "Gladly," I said, and to my suprise Lucy recited with power and grace, Hope's light transforming her glowing face. As I walked homeward that happy night, Into my soul flashed a message bright. "Lucy has power," was the lesson taught. Clear to my mind came the humbling thought, We were the dunces to let her go So long unkindled, but now she'll grow." "Interest has been aroused in her, Soon her dull mind will begin to stir Wondering, longing to understand. O ! how I'll watch as its powers expand. She has revealed her best power to me. Blind I have been, but thank God I see." 75 JIM'S BIG BROTHER jrr-iWAS Winter time. Upon the farms The year's hard work was o'er, * And earnest young men came to school To try to learn some more. Strong limbed, athletic men were they, Strong hearted, forceful, true, Men who love work in open fields Grow strong, but tender, too. Dick Andrews was a splendid type Of force, and skill, and grace. No other lifted such a weight, Or ran so swift a race. Our teacher beat the small boys most, And O ! he whipped us hard ; And often our poor backs were blue, When by his rawhide scarred. He called Dick's little brother up One day to punish him. Dick said, "My brother's sick. You must Not punish little Jim." "Then I'll beat you," the teacher said, But, ere he struck a blow, Dick knocked him down and sat on him, "Now, sir," he said, "I'll show 76 "You how a rawhide hurts, and make You understand the way Poor, helpless little fellows feel That you beat day by day." And so he did. He beat him well Until he writhed in pain, Then rose, and to the teacher said, "I hope I made it plain." "That rawhides hurt, and I intend To punish you, whene'er You beat my little brother, so Just do it, if you dare." At noon that day some little boys Said, "Dick, we're glad that you Beat the old sinner, and we wish You'd be our brother, too." 77 "I HIS FIRST MORNING 'LL read my thirteen rules to you,' The teacher harshly said, "You'd better pay attention, too," And, when the rules were read. He took a ruler in his hand And struck the desk a blow, "Now dare to break one of my rules," He said, "and out you go." "I'm going to be master here Or know the reason why, And, if you mean to disobey, I'd like to see you try." Tom White, our largest boy, said, "Bah!" We answered with a shout, "A bully is a coward, sir, Now come and put me out." The teacher quailed; we cheered, and cheered. Astonished at the noise The principal came in and asked, "What is the matter, boys?" The angry teacher answered him, "Why, sir, I never saw Such boys as these. They've no respect For me, sir, or for law." 78 "Tom," said the principal, "please tell Me what has happened here," "He's not a gentleman," said Tom, We answered with a cheer. "No word of greeting did he give When first he took his place; He simply stood, and glared at us With fierce, unfriendly face. "He read us thirteen silly rules, Then struck the desk a blow, And said, 'Whoever breaks a rule Out of the school will go.' "We were indignant, sir, at him, Boys have their rights, but we Will be polite to any man Who treats us decently." The principal then kindly said, "I'm sorry, sir, but you Were wrong, for these are earnest boys, Kind hearted, helpful, true." "I will report at once that you For this school will not do. You, sir, should never teach again Until, with wider view, 79 "You get a new respect for boys, And learn a better plan Than bullying to train a boy To be a gentleman." Then turning to Tom White, he said, "Tom, I have faith in you, Please lead the class, for I can trust These jolly fellows, too. I'll try to get a leader soon Who'll be a comrade true." 80 "I I CANNOT KEEP THEM DOWN 'M sure that you have given me The hardest class in town, They won't obey, and I confess I cannot keep them down." "You should not try to keep them down," The principal replied, "Your duty is to guide them up." "I can't," she said, "I've tried. "I've punished them to make them work. And yet it seems to me, The more I punish them the worse The bad ones grow to be." "Is that the best that you can do?" The teacher answered, "Yes." "Then never while you live again Such ignorance confess. "God gave you higher kindling powers Than force of strong right arm; That is your weakest power; the one Most certain to do harm. "Learn your high powers of mind and heart To kindle childhood's best, And study children's interests That you and they be blest. 81 "Don't keep them down, but guide them up In love's enkindling way, And they will grow in happiness And vision day by day. "Thus clearer light and higher view Will help your soul to grow, And you will find the highest joy A teacher's life can know." 82 THE STEP-TEACHER ARY heard her mother's friends Talk about step-mothers' ways, Always telling of their faults, Never speaking words of praise. M Mary, when she came from school Pleasant stories used to tell To her mother ev'ry day, For she loved her teacher well. But one day her face was sad, For her teacher kind was ill, And another had been sent For a time her place to fill. "Our new teacher is so cross," Said she, "and she scolds us so, Mother dear, that she must be Just a step-teacher, I know." 83 TWO CHARACTER BLIGHTERS BILL'S teacher was solemn, his father was, too Believing that earth is a sad vale of tears, They made his life teary in youth so that he Might be well prepared to endure through the years. They robbed him of childhood and taught him that God Was watching to punish him, when he was bad. The true joys of childhood they made into sins To try to prevent his becoming too glad. His teacher seemed happy, when he could report Some wrong he had done, or some failure he made; Then father would mourn o'er his terrible end, And make him kneel down while he wailingly prayed. When any new vision shone into his mind, And he began doing some things that were new, They stopped him and said, "Don't! Sit still and be good;" And made him a "don'ter" with nothing to do. And thus they soon strangled the best in his soul; His life was embittered, his heart became sad; Then those who had robbed him of growth-power and joy Coerced him more harshly, and said he was bad. 84 Bill sullenly listened to censure and prayer. He gladly accepted their verdict, and tried To prove he was bad but relief came in time The teacher he hated grew sick and soon died. All life changed for Bill, when his new teacher came ; He proved to be brotherly comrade and friend, Who kindled his powers, awakened new aims, And ever was ready with smile to commend. Bill's winter was past, and life's frost- fettered streams Flowed out, when set free by the sunshine of trust, And watered the roots of his soul so he grew In faith in himself for his teacher was just. Bill's father soon noted the change, and he said, "My son, since your teacher is dead I can see His death has been hallowed to you, and I hope That you will continue more worthy to be." Bill smiled as he answered, "Yes, dad, I agree, His death was indeed a great blessing to me." 85 "DREADFUL DICK" YES ! I taught a village school, More than fifty years ago. Teachers then believed the rod Must be used to make boys grow Into good and useful men; Beating boys was common then. When the trustees first engaged Me to teach the village school, The last teacher said, Dick Green Never would submit to rule; So four times a day he had Punished him, he was "so bad." "Then," said I, "I do not see? Why he is so good, poor lad, Beaten as you say he was. Beating helps to make boys bad. Beaten he will never be, While he comes to school to me." On the road I met the boy, And he tried to pass me by Without speaking, but I said, "Dick, I hope you'll not be shy; I am the new teacher, so All the boys I'd like to know." 86 "How'd you know my name is Dick?" "People told me you were 'Bad,' And they called you, 'Dreadful Dick,' So to meet you I am glad. Beating is the only way You can be made good, they say." "I do not believe that, Dick, I have found boys love to do Right far better than the wrong. From your face I judge that you Have just been misunderstood, And that in your heart you're good." "Say!" said he, "I wish I could Just believe all that. Will you Come with me a-fishing now, If you've nothing else to do?" "Yes! old sport, I'll go with you, And you'll find that I am true," Coming back I said to him, " 'Comrade Dick' I'll call you, boy, 'Dreadful Dick !' Let's bury him," Then his face lit up with joy, "Trust and love you'll get from me." "I will trust you, too," said he. "Yes ! I heard him preach last night. And he rilled my soul with light." 87 "Y BRAVE JOE OU did it, sir, I know you did." The angry teacher said, His voice was loud, his tone was harsh, His face was very red. "I did not do the printing, sir," Replied the honest lad; "Don't dare to contradict me, boy, I know you're always bad. "To save yourself from punishment I know you'd tell a lie." The boy in answer calmy said, "You're lying, sir, not I." "I saw the printing done, and so I know the truth not you What you have said is not the truth, What I have said is true." The teacher raised his cane to strike, But ere he struck the blow, A trustee, standing at the door, vSaid, "Stop! What's wrong with Joe?" The teacher told his story; then Joe told his story, too. And said, "He does not know the truth, But what I said is true." 88 While Joe was speaking, Susan Brown Came late, and heard him through; Then said, "I did the printing, sir, What Joe has said is true." , The teacher harshly said to Joe, "Why did you not tell me?" "You did not ask me," Joe replied, "And, if you had, you see, "I could not be so mean, as tell What I had seen Sue do; You might have thrashed me till I fell, Before I'd peach on Sue." The teacher claimed that Joe should make Apology. "You know He said that I was lying, sir, You can't deny it, Joe." The trustee said, "I think that Joe Has proved an honest lad, You said you knew you did not know; You basely called him 'bad.' "You said that he was lying, though He told you what was true. To use your vulgar words, he has As good a right as you. 89 "For boys have rights, as well as men; Teachers have claimed, too long, That might is right, and beaten boys Because they were so strong. "And he was right. It has been shown Your words were false his true; You should apologize to Joe, I hope that's what you'll do. "And let me add, what Susie wrote Was merely meant in fun; If you had laughed, the pupils' hearts You surely would have won." SHE FAILED { I iHERE never were such horrid boys In all the world, I know, * They make such noises I can't teach; They shout, they sing, they crow. I will not stay another day With children who will not obey." "I've punished them, and punished them But they are just as bad. Their mischief-making deviltry Will surely make me mad. I will resign, and let them see They cannot act that way with me." Then the inspector calmly said, "Dear lady you are wrong; The blame for what you say of them, Does not to them belong. For boys were never yet the cause That led to disrespect for laws. "Boys love the laws of games, and if They're wisely ruled in schools Their love of law develops their Respect for all good rules, And law becomes respect for right Through life a guiding moral light. 91 "Directive not restrictive law All children love, until Some tyrant dares in home or school Respect for law to kill By robbing them of freedom. They Learn then to dare to disobey. "You punished them. It did no good. It did do lasting harm; You might have won them in an hour With kindly, loving charm. You've many powers to help and save, You used the power that must deprave. "God gave you power of heart and mind To kindle and uplift His highest gift to human souls You do not use that gift. You have a hundred powers to charm ; You basely use your strong right arm. "Coercion is an evil thing That cannot kindle souls, And souls unkindled never rise To reach life's highest goals. Coercion is your lowest power. Plant seeds of love, and let them flower 92 "The powers your pupils use for wrong Should bring you happiness. All evil springs from misused good Develop don't depress. Guide all their powers to work for right; Misused these powers their lives will blight." 93 SHE COULD NOT PASS NELL'S learning was not very great. For years she could not "pass." Each time she failed her crammers said "She did not 'pass.' Alas!" Each year much younger pupils "passed," Crammed through the highest class. But Nell came back another year, And tried, but failed to "Pass." Nell still went calmly on her way, Until at length she "passed" ; And then her crammers smiled and said "Well, Nell got through at last." They shook their learned heads and said " 'T will never, never do To let her try to teach a school, Although she has got through." And wise inspectors were quite sure That Nell would fail, but she Worked faithfully until she found Her place of destiny. They sent her to the poorest part Of all the city, where The children were allowed to grow With little guiding care. 94 It was not right to send her there, Such children need the best; It was not just to Nell, but she Began her work with zest. With simple faith, with spirit strong, With heart serene and true; She entered on her chosen work, And triumphed in it, too. As comrade in her pupils' lives She led their work and play. She did her best, but tried to find Some better way each day. She made her pupils partners, too, In finding better ways To fill their lives with interest In work, in games, in plays. She went with them on Saturdays To factories to see How men and women work; and plan What they in life should be. And sometimes on a holiday Out to the woods they went, And freely under God's blue sky Rich, happy hours they spent. 95 They learned to love the flowers so much That they would not destroy Them. Each took home a single flower For some sick girl or boy. % She taught them how to grow fine flowers In window box and pots; And clear their rubbish heaps away, And make bright garden plots. And soon she started clubs for them, Where girls and boys could meet, To learn to work, and play, and sing, And even learn to eat. Then she got carpenters to come To train the boys to use Their tools, and shoemakers to show Then how to mend their shoes. The fathers and the mothers, too, Would younger children bring, To watch the pupils at their work, And hear them sweetly sing. The crammers smiled at Nell's queer ways ; Teachers who failed before In Nell's school said, "Just wait, she'll fail." But when the year was o'er, 96 Her pupils took a higher rank Than any crammer's class; Awakened by new interests They did not fail to pass. Relating home and school, awoke The district, and ere long The men became more sober, and The children grew more strong. Nell's pupils, leaders soon became In helping others. She Trained leaders in the games at school, And taught that each should be A leader in the game of life To help to make men free, And over evil try to win His special victory. While learned crammers, crammed and crammed To get their pupils "through," Nell's pupils learned the vital things To think, to be, to do. Mere knowledge never has been power, And never power can be, Till it is wrought in, and wrought out Of souls divinely free. 97 When Nell grew old and left the school Her portrait was unveiled; Her gray haired pupils knew that she In life's test had not "failed." 98 THE TEACHER'S STORY SAM JOHNSON was a jolly lad One of the brightest that I had. He was the captain of my team Of football boys, and his bright dream Was that our team would surely be The winners of the cup. and he Would proudly hand the prize to me. Sam's father thought his boy was "bad" He often punished him, poor lad, And told him "he would go astray Because he was so fond of play," So in his room to make him good Alone in dreary solitude In his dim room he shut him in At night to keep him free from sin. Misguided tyrant he believed That he his purpose had achieved Because Sam seemed subdued to be And yielded to his tyranny Although he yielded sullenly. Sam made excuses day by day Because he could not stay to play. At last his father came to say That Sam from home had run away With money stolen from the till. "I tried," said he, "to break his will ; 99 From him all evil things I took And made him read the sacred book. I knew that he would go astray, If you could have your wicked way, And waste his precious time in play. I kindly said, "Were I your son I think from you I'd quickly run Away. What could a poor boy do Who had a father such as you? You robbed him of his right to play, Or be himself in any way. He is a boy, a real boy, Whose heart should glow with boys' true joy. To try to make a boy a man Is ever the most certain plan His higher selfhood to destroy, And rob him of true power and joy. If of your tyranny afraid Your son might still at home have stayed Enduring hopelessly the wrong You did, but Sam is far too strong To yield to tyranny, and he Has bravely left his home to be From his own tyrant father free." "Free from coercive tyrant rule Your boy was always good in school, No child can ever grow to be What God has planned unless, he's free 100 To see, and think, and plan, and do :- Achieving visions ever new. Sam loved to work as well as play. Play is a boy's most perfect way To set his highest powers free, And train his leadership that he A forceful, helpful life may live And of his best to others give." "I'll help you now your boy to find, If you will promise to be kind And just to him, and set him free From your degrading tyranny. If you will promise to be fair And try his boyish plans to share As comrade, and with him will go To see him play that he may know His father's sympathy, why then As Captain of our team, again You will be proud of him, and he Will love his father tenderly." He knew his plan had failed, so he With mine was ready to agree. We found Sam angry, bitter, sad ; A hard, resentful, heart-sore lad With all his better nature turned To evil. In his soul there burned The agony of conscious shame For which he knew he had no blame. 101 His father said with feeling strong v He now could see he had been wrong, And asked his boy's forgiveness. Then Sam's better nature shone again. I told how glad the boys would be Their Captain on the field to see, And that his father would be proud To lead the happy cheering crowd, When he as Captain handed me The emblem cup of victory. Off rolled the shadows from Sam's heart "O, dad," he said. "I'll do my part, If you will only freely give Me just a chance to truly live." Dad promised, and to Sam was just, Enjoying comradeship and trust, And, when the cup at length was won, He gave to his triumphant son Fine medals for his team to wear To prove his sympathy and share With others on that day of joy The honours heaped upon his boy. 102 LET CHILDHOOD'S FLOWERS BLOOM I HAVE a boy just four years old The worst I've ever known. He is my only child, and I Have lived for him alone. "I was a teacher so I know Just how to train a child." At that I turned my head away And coughed, and broadly smiled. "A preacher told me once," she said, "That he was not born bad, But I know better, for my boy No chance has ever had "To learn bad things from other boys; I kept all boys away From him. He never left my sight. I never let him play. "Now what would you advise?" said she. 1 looked her in the eye, And calmly said with earnestness "Are you prepared to die? "There is no other way to give Your boy a chance to grow In body, mind, or heart, if you Are not prepared to go. 103 "Unless you let your child be free And be a real boy Without an intermeddler near To rob him of his joy. "He never had a boy's true play; He never has been free To plan and then achieve his plans, And learn to do and be "What God meant boys to do and be To kindle their best powers, And make the seeds of happiness Become Life's perfect flowers. "You turn his joy to bitterness; His love you turn to hate; And then blame God for your own crimes. O learn before too late, "That God gave you a child well made With powers that never die; You have prevented their true growth And yet you wonder why "Your boy does evil. You must learn That evil is but good Misused. Your son is God's own boy By you misunderstood. 104 "Fear not the evil. God still lives. Your boy will not go wrong, If freely in his life you let His good grow truly strong." 105 SECRETS OF FAILURE HE must fail in child training who day after day Tells a boy he is "bad" in the old fashioned way Till the good in his life is transformed into bad And his power for right has been blighted, poor lad, For his badness is goodness until tyrant man Interferes with the freeness of God's child-growth plan, And the man who remembers that he was a lad, Is the hope of the children some trainers call "bad." Men must fail in the training of childhood, if they Have forgotten that children are happy at play, And that all a child's goodness grows strong in the light And the warmth of his soul, when his heart-shine is bright. The great world to him is a realm of the blest While he's free to enjoy it with childhood's keen zest, So the man who can kindle a child with true joy Has the mind of a man and the heart of a boy. The child grows by doing not "don'ting" and so When his doing is stopped, his best ceases to grow. Given freedom to plan, and with comradeship true With his father and mother the child loves to do What is right not the wrong, for God made the child right, And, if evil his action, 'tis proof of man's blight. The child loves to do, not "to do what is wrong," For by doing his powers grow vitally strong. 106 HE WAS REMEMBERED IN early life I taught a school, And after forty years I went To visit in the village, where My long past teaching days were spent. I hoped to find some pupils who Remembered me, and still would show Their joy at meeting me again, Their teacher of the long ago. I went into the village store, Where kindred spirits often met, To see, if from those gathered there, I could some information get. I knew that I had so much changed No one my face would recognize ; But soon I heard one speak my name, And listened with suppressed surprise. "O! you may talk about the way The teachers beat boys now," said he, But they are gentlemen compared With one who broke his cane on me. "Tim Brown put pepper on the stove, But Jackson thought I did it, so He called me up. 'Did you do that ?' Said he. I promptly answered "No. 107 "I don't believe you, sir," he said "I'll whip you for your falsehood, too" ; I would not tell on Tim, and so He beat me till my back was blue." "In some way he found out the truth, But seemed to feel no sense of shame For flogging me for what he knew I was not really to blame." "I have despised him ever since And his old pupils even yet Say had he been a gentleman He'd have expressed sincere regret." I first decided I would buy Some trifling thing, and haste away ; But then my better nrture said "No ! Be a gentleman and stay." They all looked startled, when I said "My name is Jackson, gentlemen, I was that teacher, but I've learned Sincere respect for boys since then." "Boys have their rights, as well as men And I apologize to Jim For he was brave and truthful, too. A man then stood, and said "I'm Tim." 108 "And I apologized to Jim Long years ago; I felt the shame Of letting him take punishment For what I only was to blame." Then round me gathered my old boys, And Jim forgave me for the past. In his own home we formed that day A friendship that will always last. 109 WHO RUINED FRED? FRED was in jail for burglary. When his old teacher heard how bad His life had been, he shook his head, And said, "he was a wicked lad." "Some boys are born so bad they love The paths of wil fulness and sin; They hate restraint, they disobey, They won't submit to discipline. "I whipped and whipped, and whipped him, till He ran away from school. I feel I did my duty faithfully But could not break his will of steel. "I told him he was wicked, and I told his mother as a friend. I did all that a man could do And warned him jail would be his end." The teacher's was the crime, for he Had never tried to study Fred, Or kindle what was good in him, But whipped, and whipped, and warned instead. Coercive punishment alone He tried, and yet he dared to say "He did all that a man could do." 'Twas he who drove the boy astray. 110 His own best powers he never used ; Fred's best he never tried to wake He used his least effective force, And tried Fred's splendid will to break. Inflated ignorance could find No baser, surer, swifter plan To rob a boy of hope, and faith, And conscious power, when a man. Ill TEACHING ME TO LAUGH f I i WAS in the "good old times" when men Trained in the "good old plan" * Of beating brutally to make A boy into a man. Our red haired teacher had one eye, And on a day in June His one eye closed in peaceful sleep One hazy afternoon. And while Jie slept the girls and boys Quit work to have some fun. We spent the time in merry ways, And I had just begun To smile at pretty Susie Jones And truly happy be, When he awoke, and from my dream He rudely startled me. He thought I smiled at him and so, He shouted, "Jim, come here, And I will teach you how to laugh," Then smiled with bitter sneer. I did not think that I had need Of smiling lessons, yet I went. "I'll teach you, now," said he, "What you will not forget" 112 "And you may choose the instrument/ He added with a nod, "The rod, the ruler, or the strap." At length I chose the rod. "Oho, and so you'd like the rod," The jeering tyrant said, "Well then, my boy, if you like it I'll take the strap instead." He tried to break my laughing heart : 'Twas more than he could do; I'm glad, too, that he did not stop My smiling at sweet Sue. I meant to teach him, when a man How boy's hot wrath can wait, But life brought such a store of joy I lost my power to hate. My memory retains the good; The horrors pass away ; And I can even laugh at him Who punished me that day. 113 TOM AND JIM TWO mothers sat upon the green In May; Their year-old children sat between At play. The mothers started in the shade To talk; The babies rose, and efforts made To walk. Both babies fell, as babies will. Tom cried. Jim tried to rise. He fell, but still He tried. Tom's mother lifted him, and said, "Poor, dear, Sweet tootsey!" dropping on his head A tear. Jim's mother said : "Good boy!" at length, When he Stood firmly, happy in his strength, And free. Tom learned to flounder in the dust, And cry; Jim learned on his own power he must Rely 114 HERMIT JOE JOE'S mother died, when he was young. His father drank and so his boy Through childhood's years grew up alone With little care and little joy. The neighbors told their children, they Must keep away from Joe; because, Untrained, unguided, and unloved, He had not learned respect for laws. His drunken father caused him shame; Morose and sullen at fifteen He shrank from unjust scorn, and soon Became a hermit seldom seen. His father fell and broke his leg. And Joe ran out some help to find, He met the teacher on the road And found him willing, wise and kind. He helped the grateful boy to bring His father in, and paid, "He'd go To get the doctor." Then he stayed Throughout the night to comfort Joe. The teacher did not know Joe's past For he began the week before To teach the school, but that long night Joe told his story o'er and o'er 115 "O, Sir ;" said he, "No other man Has ever tried my friend to be, I've never known till now that life Had any hope for dad or me. "But you have lit within my heart The gleam of friendship's kindling ray; And vision's hopeful, glowing dawn Shines o'er life's sky to guide my way." "And to your friendship I will be True while I live. All life is new, And I will follow in the light The light of hope that shines from you." Each night the teacher sought to find Some willing neighbor who would aid. They all confessed neglect, but soon Their past arrears were fully paid. Awakened hearts the district stirred, For kindly deeds bring spirit new. Men learned the joys of fellowship. And more unselfish daily grew. The drunkard's heart to human touch Responded freely. When he knew His neighbors truly, he reformed, He signed the pledge, and kept it, too. 116 His social spirit woke, and gave All life new meaning till the law Of unity of man with man And man with God he clearly saw. With kindled soul he said, "My son. I know I've robbed you of the joys, The education, and the love, That justly are the right of boys, "But all I have and all I am I'll gladly use to make amends." And father, teacher, Joe became With purpose high devoted friends. Joe's mind in Nature's school had grown. He learned from stars and trees and flowers, And in his heart were centres rich In which were planted life's best powers. Great things that are not learned in schools Had entered the free soul of Joe, And the warm touch of friendship's sun Started these seeds of power to grow. Enkindled now he studied hard And, guided by his teacher still, Began to climb to reach the light That he revealed upon life's hill. 117 And when a man of wealth and power, A leader in his country, he Wrote to the friend of early years, And said, "Dear teacher, live with me; "You gave me vision, you alone Showed me life's wider, higher view. Share all I have, my comrade guide, For all I am I owe to you. "I was a lonely hermit boy, My mother's love I never knew; But heaven opened, when I found A mother's tenderness in you." 118 CHILDHOOD'S KNIGHT The worst robbers are those who rob children of their real childhood HAIL, Dickens ! Valiant hero-knight ! The children's friend ! All hail to thee ! Who burst the bonds of children's souls And bravely set the children free. Thine was the clarion voice that made Christ's loving child-growth message clear; Of childhood's right to childhood true Thou wert the great prophetic seer. The "baby savage" of the slum; The child "who never was a child" ; The "voices grave" of St. Antoine; The "ancient face that never smiled"; "Poor Jo," with undeveloped mind, And soul unkindled by the light; Fair Alice Marwood, mother-curst, Neglected outcast of the night. Young Jackson with "no charm of youth," Nor "grace of childhood" when a child ; Starved Oliver who asked for more . And Abel Magwitch law-defiled. 119 The Gradgrinds, Tom and Sweet Louise Who had no childhood but in name; The Smallweeds with no child at all Till Grandma's second childhood came; The victims of the Pipchin rule Who had no childhood of their own; Poor Paul who wished "to be a child" ; Miss Panky, Briggs and Bitherstone. And Smike the tyrant's feeble drudge Who never knew a mother's care, Abused, unfed at Do-the-boys, Till death relieved his deep despair. These were thy children, dauntless knight, For them thy noble work was done, By them thy sweetest message sent, Through them thy greatest triumphs won. And men throughout all time will be, More reverent to childhood's rights, Because you were the children's friend, And bravely fought the children's fights. 120 HURRAH FOR YOU HURRAH for you ! Hold up your head ! Believe in two great Kings; God and yourself. Yes, even you, And let your faith have wings. You are a thought of God, and He Has made a plan for you. You are his representative Important work to do. God is your partner, but He will Not do your work for you. Live out your soul and He will give Each day some power new. And He will give new vision, too, And stronger, clearer light To guide a kingly man like you Up ever towards the height. Do joyously and hopefully The work each day may bring. Remember ever you were born To represent The King. 121 A MAY DAY RIDE WHEN I called you "my big daddy," And you called me "your wee boy" ; Once I rode upon your shoulders Glowing with the world's new joy, When the buds awoke in Springtime And began to dress the trees, And the warblers' merry music Floated to us on the breeze, Till it mingled with the echoes Of the hemlocks' grand amen, While we watched the ferns unfolding Near the streamlet in the glen; When I rode along the valley With green hills on either side, Where the beauty of the flowers All the lowlands glorified ; When marshmarigolds were yellow ; And the trilliums red and white ; And the bloodroots, queens of springtime, Held their faces tc the light; When the thorns had snowy blossoms, And the violets were blue; Then my heart grew big with loving All the glory, dad, and you. 122 And the glory never leaves me For the flowers still are mine, And each year I know more surely That their message is divine. And through all the years, dear daddy, As I stray in springtime bowers, I recall my waking heart glow That May day among among the flowers. 123 TREAT BOYS RESPECTFULLY A MAN named William Jackson Jones, A city man was he, Came often to my father's house My sister Sue to see. He gave me candies just as if I was a girl. He thought A boy like me, eight years of age, By candies could be bought. He called me "Bub" and "Sonny," so I hated him : you see He made me feel so small, while I Wished a big man to be. Another man came courting Sue, They called him "Jolly Tim"; He called me "Bob" and "little Man," I soon grew fond of him. He talked about my collie dog, About by pigeons, too, And helped me plan so many things A boy like me should do. He showed me how to make a kite, And make it fly so high; So with big brother Jolly Tim A happy boy was I ! 124 I said one day to sister Sue, "Jones never shall get you. I think that you should marry Tim, He is so good and true. "I love Tim very much." I saw A twinkle in her eye. She made me happy then and said, "Dear Bobby, so do I." 125 MERRY YOUNG ROBINS { { T T7 THY teach the children singing?" said \ \l A man in olden days, "To keep them merry robins, sir, With cheering, winsome ways." "Why do you take your children out To see the woods in spring?" "That they may find a joy divine In every growing thing." "Why waste their time in play, when they Might study hard, and learn?" "To keep the children healthy, sir, Is my supreme concern." "Play keeps the children happy, sir, And strong, and bright, and free To make and then achieve their plans That they may grow to be "Achieving men and women who, When they grow up will be Achievers for the truth and right Of visions they will see." "Why do you play with children ? You Will lose your dignity." "I try to be their comrade, sir, And keep them loving me, 126 "That they may learn true brotherhood, So when they older grow, They may enjoy sweet comradeship, And shine its vital glow." 127 Warwick Bro's & Rutter, Limited, Printers and Bookbinders, Toronto, Canada. UNIVEK3 .-T O,' 1 ( ... i , v. -v UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY A 000 861 635 1