The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, August 1, 1897, Page 21

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, AUGUST 1, 1897‘. Perhaps in all the world one could not find a class or body of individuals follow- ing one special calling whoare as unitedly enthusiastic as our educators. -Whateser petty jéalousy there may be is confired to | ¥ few, and the majority press along | the v hanpily: pleased with-thieir work,and sux- ious that their efforts shull tellfor the best In:tlie fture of “the young Americans un- ter their charge, o th impressed me when I visited them. ind so'their words led me to believe they felt: T have taught thirty years,”” said Miss Ruth . Campbell, in: answer to the only question T’ conld ‘think fo :ask when she first..came into the eczy:- little pariors.at berhome at 1220 Jackson strest, *Thirty years? Why that seems a life- time, and. you have spent it in a ‘school- room?" And then I glanced at her rosy chesks and brighteves and dark hair, and with- drew into myself, as: niost of -ug do when we have made s mistake. But_she only-laughed. It does seent a long time,” she replied, “but the longest lifetime -is. short-when one wishes to siccomphsii anything: “The years: pas- .so -guickiy . that yon ¢an scarcely realizé that ihey.are really years, and you Jook‘back over them wondering. what has been: accomplished. +But it is strange,’”” she - wenton. Ity wenderful to see the advance ‘that: :nas been madein educational circles in'the last ‘ten years:in - this: City. Noone con appreciate it, I think, unjess he -has been right in-the midst of it. - You . know one cun’t: fully - realize what victory means unless he'has helped 10 fizht the battle. ‘When 1 began:teaching the children came to sehool ‘because they were compelled to, | With " & few." exceptions their ~faces lengthened at:-Toll-calland brightened at - dismissal. School was :a. place to scheme to. keep' away from, and ‘their teachers were regarded as their natural enemies to be accordingly disliked and avoided. - Their studies were: to. be neg- lected. Arithmetic, spelling, grammar, reading and geography ‘were -tolerated be- | canse it was necessary to knaw something of these things, but anytbing else was considered. so much useless rubbish, and the time - spent in studying slong those lines was thought to be thrown. awav. THE | That is changed now, and is constantly | ehanging, and for the better.”” | “How?” 1asked. -‘“Are the children of {to-day any less anxious to play truant; any more willitig to accept the advice and experience of their-elders?”’ +No, not quite that yet,” she said. *‘But | thay are now more earnest, and they do not sate the school-room. They have begun | to-find that it 1s about as comfortable and | attractive a place as they are ever in, and | they realize, too, that it is not merely | ‘two-and-twe-are-four’ that we -expect | them to learn, but the power of retaining | | and reasoning and above all, self-control. | ' THE WOMEN — | dav when she said: | there is an unconscious and unspoken in- | fluence that every strong person exerts WOMEN EDUCATO the future lives of the children have missed and of all'that the teacher failed to understand. That tactis so well dem- onstrated by a teacher's remark the other ‘A teacher’s life out- s.de of the school is not the affair of any one but herself, so long as she is looked up to and honored by her associates and pupils.” You see, most peopte do not know or else they will not believe that over others, and that children receive im- pressions likea flash and never lose them.”” The thought of all that the training of children meant never so oppressed me be- fore and I spoke of it as I rose to go and of-how wearing that thought would be- come in thirty years. But again her bright smile and earnest | 00 0= | The Anierican children need. that lesson | more than sny other. ‘When they have| | once. ‘mastered " that, -they . will - have mastered the: world. For after all,” what | is there. thét men or women:cau not con- | trot if they. can control themselves? |=ivIn s this:Iate- trouble,”’ she wenton, {'“there wasnothing wrong in' the :-begin- [ hing;: and 1 can see nothing wrong now. ! There:should be a rigid inspection of the sehoals and ‘the work fhat-the teacheérs tate doing. : Why not?* We have our foad | inspeciors: and road inspectors. - We nre. protecied from foods: that: are: unheaithy or poisonous: -They are generaily careful of the Highways and byways. - Surely it is |-of -more: ¥ital importance thit they kKesp 'watch lest'thé minds.of the' cEildrea: be ! rendéred uphealtby by wrong teaehings | and influences; for we teachers have inour { keepinig the inture ofour country, Surely 1 thatshould be inspected carefally. | “And then I d¢n’t see’ why any one | shiould object. “Weall work hard and like our work. We shauld te. proud to have |-onr citizens come and see what we are do- ing, and it should’ be our principal’s duty to say with kind.intent in what we have j made mistakes.” We arenot all’ perfect.” ' - What a weighty subject it was and was there any wark in life ‘that did not bear [ with it an ‘overwhelming responsibility? I Iwondered if ail the teachers realized the importance, and I asked her. | - “No,” she made answer; *‘thev are good | 'women and true and earnest, but toey do [ mot pause to think of the intensity offife | until perhaps thousands of children have [-passed from beneath their care .and the :chances they had for influencing them in so many quiet ways are lost. Then ~comes - the thought of 'what o==o==—oc 1155 ¥ . MOLUE CONNERS 1Y TR eyes mace me understand that there was| some mistake. ! “It is not,” she explained, ‘that Wa{ must keep thinking always all during thirty years,” and she laughed at me. “Not that we must not do this nor say that nor allow our thoughts. to dwell upon - the _other lest it will : HE ERs THE WoHEN s«:quTI?‘T!5 R }mz WOMEN SPEAK ?ts THE WOME Qfflculs ] V, Thg Womgy imoress the children. That wouid be like suadenly pulling up a runaway animal, and the children would insensi- bly feel the jolt of each separate pull up. Bat it is in living a calm life with the highest ideal in view always. The ambi- tion of a schoolteacher does not: consist in teaching day after day the rudiments of learning. That would be a sure course of stagnation. But' it lies in being or striving to be all thatis truest and best in life and influencing the future generation to be that.” Just then some: one drew back the cur- tains and smiled in at us. “Tell them,” she said, “that we are all sincere' and earnest.” And then shedisappeared and I heard the rustle of her skirts as she hurried up- stairs. “That is my sister, Miss Campbell, vice pringipal of the Broadway = Grammar Sehool, in which 1 teach,” explained Miss Ruth. - “Miss Gene Parkeris the principal of the'schook. ‘When I come to think of these women and the earnestness that my sister spoke of, I.cannot help saying that the future of the schools of the:country is. anexceptionally bright one, AsI told you before. 1 have watched the growth of the schools and the advancement of the minds of the pupils, and I am very sanguine in my hopes for the coming generations. . .You know Iwas very much opposed tothe pen- sioningof teachers.: Itdid not seem to me tobe right; but Isiw that the times were getting ahead of me and I bad to echange my 1deas to keéep pace with' them:. ~Still you must not. forget to say that we are enthusiastic.”” But1 thought it would need no words of mine to convince any one of their earnest- ness. Mics Jenny Smith, the- principal of ‘the Longiéllow Primary, -recéived me: cor- dially—and they all recaive you as:though you were a friend—these women with the high purpose in life. They do not pause to question :your - purpose: They meet you on their -plane, and tell you unsus: piciously all that they. know: And that thought led us to speak of suspicion and the reason for it. “They teil me,” Miss Smith said, “‘that the uneducafed are very suspicious of every one, and I have wondered if it is because they do not understand, and con- sequently fear, or is it a mistake and do they look for kindness?’” “Are people ever suspicious of kind- ness?" I remarked, cynically. «0ii, 1 hope s0,” shesaid. *1 should dislike to. think they did not expect it from us. I-have noticed something of that spirit in the parents once in a great EVENTFUL BEGINNING OF A HISTRIONIC LIGHT. A curious coincidence was called to. my. atiention one day this week by & gentle- man of the theatrical profession. - He had a clipping from anewspaper in his hand, and ‘appeared : to . derive considerable personal amusement ffom a perusal of it. | “This,”” hie said, ‘'refers to :an o¢casion twenty - vears ago, when. I' was arrested for condneting:a theater. without a: H» I was ‘then a lad of 15. I had been born and .raised in the theatrical realm, and meant to. be an actoror noth- ing. At fifteen 1 was managinga.poys" company, with:s stable-for a ‘theater, and our parents” cast-off ‘clothing :for cos- tumes. This relates: oné of ‘the -most striking results of that enterprise,’” and he held out & clipping for me 1o read. It was from the New York Herald, and narrated g certain lamentable:incident as here followeth 5 ‘A YOUTHFUL MANAGER. Harry Clarke, 15 years old, who was arrested on Monday night for running a theater with- out a license in Lexington avenue, between Eighty-fifth .ana: Eighty-sixth streets, was ar- raigned yesterday before Judge Kasmire in the Harlem Police Court. -Clarke_is: & son -of: H: G.Clarke, manager of the Union-square traveling combination.. In company Wwith & namber of young companions-he rigged up deserted stable “fn Yorkville and opened a variety performanee on Monday night. - He charged five cents admission to the parquet nd dress circle and ten cents for ‘8 private boz, Officer Thomas McGuire of -Captain 1 Robbins’ staff obiained frée admission of the | doorkeeper, advinced to.the. tootlights and.| | demanded of Clirke, who wason the stage, o | gmpse of his licunse. Clarke being ui:able | to.comply was lifted over the footlightd and | escorted 1o the Eighiy-eighth stréet police sta- tion.: :No other arrésts’ wére made. . The pris- oner. remained ¥n. tonfinemsnt “wotil - yester- day aiternoon, whih his moiher;. 4 fine- looks ing lady, appeared ‘iv.grest disiress beiére. Judgs ‘Kesmire ‘and informed ;him thatshe had been-unable 1o procure & Hondsman, “Bui he 18 only.& boy, your : Honor,” added the Iady, “and 6id not know any better.”- “Thi taw presimes all persons 1o be {amiliay withiis requireinénts,™ was the reply. Lok “Bnt; - Judge, I'm a greai Qgak older ‘than Henry,-and am 8s ignorant in the matier as be. is.” The judge: glanged ‘&:.mohient ‘at ‘the:pe- titioner: and’ thei ‘sent for. James W..Graff, & well known Tesident of Hatiein, who' wis: in eourt. : Tea s 2 . 4Mr;Graff, wiat shail we do in this case? “Well, -your Honor,” “replied- Graff, who bears the. tHtle ‘of ““Everybcdy’s Friend,” willigo segurity forthis young man: if you de- sire it?” g S “That's the idea exactly,” smiliigly. anc swered the judge. . Mrs, - Clarkeé. hearing- Graff’s .liberal offer, {Hanked that génti¢man, sud.mother and sof 1 soo1 ifter 1€ft the courtroom. “That -was twenty years ago; sée.-how time brings -its transformations,”’ . re:. marked Mr. Clarke, who is.now one of the most widaly known ~comedians ‘of. the countiy, and who can well afford to lock back uvon that disaster to his youthiul yenture with equanimity. *Only a few days ago the same bapet printed the fol- lowingconcerning _that self-same an- licensed youth'of the stable theater—and itshows what & difference there isin.the morning: A i *Not iong ago Mr.Clarke went. to-the land of the Kanaka -gud “Honotulu's theater-goers gave him their bestand warmest wishes:in a dozen or more of :delightinlly poztrayed roles: The isiand papérs compared him mostfavora- bly with Nut C. Goodwin, who appeared ‘there. upon-his retsrn. from.Australia.. The subses quent Pacific -Const tour: witi-the .Frawley. company was the mecinm by whicki Mr. Ciarke WwoR many. golden laurels’ Los Angeles be- stowed: the highest:praise ipon him-doring:{. his ‘starring’ engagement of six :weeks 'last spring, and new'he: {8 at San ‘Francised again: with the Fraw ing : and by his. perséverance 'and uiiquestioned ability meking for himself & place among the:| greatest actars of the land. R 5 dict, -and bought & ‘bouquet . looking little finwer-girl u in other peoplé’s way. “That’s the very ' bes Mr, Clarke,”” . ¥ouchsafed ' the maiden, proudiy, as thouch glad that he -had se- cured the treasure. “That's right, little.one,” he responded, humoring ‘her™ genially, and taking an €qual pleasure: in . hier own gratification. “Perhaps sne will live-to'haye nice things said about her in' the wpapers,” he said. “She is young, and the world is before her.” 5 “Perhaps she will,”” I'agreed, making a note oi‘it, “and even before she ceases to be young. These are rapid times.” = 2 C.°D. WOMEN PHIANTHROPISTS) EWOMEN ARTISTS. MUSICIANS. o7 S==_ 7z while. It must be an inborn distrust of humanity.” *‘Then we need edication?” I ventured “Yes, indeed,” she exclaimed, vehe- mently. ‘The more the better. - Distrust is & horrible thing. Think of being sus- pcions of ‘every one and ‘everything. Why, it would ‘kill ‘even the love one has for ‘children, would it not? It would make the world impossible to live in.” It was then for the first time that Tap- preciated just how unworldiy these good women are. Beyond the few little glimpses they have into the lives of the children ander their care the great world with all its want and misery and distrust and dis- satisfying joys is' a sealed volume, They cannot understand the criminal and they would be more than just to the sinner. It is best so—it-could not be otherw:se ‘since théy must deal a whole lifetime with the minds of immaturity. “I have taught over twenty years,”” Mise Smith said, *'I began to teach the day after I graduated and I have tanght ever since with restonly in vications.” Anad I could not help saying: “In any other ~ cailing in life - one . would' be worn and wearied and would hava lost all signs of youth long ago.” And she answered, thoughtfully. *I think the constant association with young minds and hearts keeps us young. The years pass ‘just the same and they take with them much that we prize and leave the scars behind; but we stiil have the love of the children in our hearts; the strongest tie on earth it comesto be. And the children, with their bright faces and eager hearts, are always with us. **‘And there is such real pleasure in training them,” she went on. “So much to- be thought of and for, and such ccn- stant planning to overcome difficulties.”” “But tnere are so many minds working together for the same end.” “Yes, she affirmed, *‘there are. Women, you know, are singuiarly conscientious about whatever they attempt to do and in their love and anxiety for children they are really remarkeble in that respect. I shouid not like to say that men are not as successful as instructors as women are, because I have had mencome into my school and hold the rap: attention of the pupils: by the ‘hour; but, as a general thing, the women are dominant.” One of the committee of a hundred chosen for the drawing up of the charter (and the one woman among the ninely- nine men)is Mrs, L. V. Burke. She has been a teacher in the San Francisco schools almost all her life, and to-day is a grandmother of ‘teachers. Sne is a sister of Kate Kennedy, so well known here on account of -her connection with educa- tional circies years ago, and for years she has been the able secretary of the Teach- ers’ Mutual Aid Society. No title could.ever bave been invented more honorable than that which I heard given to Mrs. Burke one afternoon by a teacher in our pubiic schodls. “She is the children’s iriend,” she said. Mme, C.. R. Pechin, the principal of the Cooper; has also spent her best days in the training ‘of our youth. By her effi- ciency and readiness of wit and kindness of “beart she has made her presence strongly felt, not only in. her school, but throughout all the schools in the City. One of the instructors in.the Polytechs nie, " Miss ~ Mary ‘E. Donnelly, also has =pent over thirty years of her life in the school: work, and has earned the praise she receives from the teachers and pupils. Of the Girls’ High School, Mrs. Mary Prag is perhaps one of the vest know and- most worthy teachers.. Her life I'a been spent in serious thought and stuoy and her faithfuiness to her chosen woik has evoked special comment. But ‘perhaps the best known and the most seriousin the line of character study is Miss Laura T. Fowler, princ¢ipal of the San Francisco Normal School on Powell street. Miss Fawler is generally beloved by tnose who are under her charge, and respected by her co-workers. She has been in the department jor many years and is one of the strongestin every way within it, Another teacher and one who is held in reyerence by every pupil who has ever been under her: care—a woman who is Known throughout the State and greatly admired for her prilliancy of intellect and strength of ' character —is Mrs. L. R. Griffin, Though a member of the San Francisco department Mrs, Griffin has for years been an instructor in the Oakland High School and a leadér in that institu- tion. It was a great loss to educational circles when Mrs. Griffin withdrew from there and was no longer able, on account of failing heaith, to- make her presence feit. And in speaking of those who have withdrawn from the profession the editor of the Oakland Saturday Night is still a member of the department, although she does not intend to return to tesching. In speaking of education Miss Conners says: “Women as educators stand first, but the educators of to-day are unfortunately so bound hand and foot that they are not able to breathe freely, let alone have any real, genuine ideas. Why, if a woman thinks in some departments, not very far away, she is tried for insubordination, and I can show you one who has passed through that ordeal. It does not seem to me that there isary future for the teach- ers. - The children dre all right—that is, E suppose that the sort of education they get is better than none, but with the teachers what is there?. Nothing but dictated narrowness. In Holyoke, Mass., they have begun to think and allow voters to do the same, and this year they are going to try the plan of individual educa- tion according to the inclinations of the varions children. I think they will savea great deal of ammunition and cultivate & great many brains during their trial.” ‘And there are hundreds of others in the public school department just like these thoughtful, faithful- women, taking life seriously and making all ‘that is possible of it. Certainly, if any city in-the world has the opportunity to make itself stand first educationally our city has. . For/in spite of our women’s lack of the voting. power, there can be no inflnence greater than that wielded by them inour public schools. And a good woman—and they ars all good women—is—well, sha is everythinz. Murier BaiLy. SN brated: roles, ' A vivid incident in-the theatrical caréer of one of our prominent actors of to-day. -Look first 'on this picturé ‘and. then on the ope printed below, which portraysthe youth after twenty years, when success has.crowned ‘his ambitions. Thne three por- traits are respectively of himself i his natural aspect and intwo of his mosi cele-