[ILUG-Social] With sentiment, --why try to give them ideas?" "Fulfil, then, forever yo

[Andzulis Gack]

Ere were present, the afternoon I visited it, one hundred and thirteen
girls from six to twenty years of age, all plying the needle, some with
pieces of patchwork, and others with aprons, pillow-cases, or
handkerchiefs. Though I have never been on the school-committee, I
accepted invitations to address the schools on these visits, and
particularly plied the pupils with questions, so as to catch the tone of
their minds; and I have rarely heard children answer with more readiness
and spirit. We had a dialogue substantially as follows:-- "Children,
what are you going to do when you grow up?" "Going to work, Sir." "On
what?" "Cotton and corn, Sir." "What are you going to do with the corn?"
"Eat it." "What are you going to do with the cotton?" "Sell it." "What
are you going to do with the money you get for it?" One boy answered in
advance of the rest,-- "Put it in my pocket, Sir." "That won't do.
What's better than that?" "Buy clothes, Sir." "What else will you buy?"
"Shoes, Sir." "What else are you going to do with your money?" There was
some hesitation at this point. Then the question was put,-- "What are
you going to do Sundays?" "Going to meeting." "What are you going to do
there?" "Going to sing." "What else?" "Hear the parson." "Who's going to
pay him?" One boy said,--"Government pays him"; but the rest answered,--
"We's pays him." "Well, when you grow up, you'll probably get married,
as other people do, and you'll have your little children; now, what will
you do with them?" There was a titter at this question; but the general
response came,-- "Send 'em to school, Sir." "Well, who'll pay the
teacher?" "We's pays him." One who listens to such answers can hardly
think that there is any natural incapacity in these children to acquire
with maturity of years the ideas and habits of good citizens. The
children are cheerful, and, in most of the schools, well-behaved, except
that it i