Primary Education. PART II. One of the first lessons impressed upon me during my first years of teaching, (was that of patience. The child's mind on entering school is impressive, but owing to the fact that an entirely new a world is opening to him, he is not as re L tentive as older children. ’.Vhat attracts him he remembers until something new drives away the first picture, consequent ly the same thought, idea or word must be presented over and over again until it becomes a part of himself. The word system, as we know it now, has been slowly evolved out of the cruder system of twenty years ago. When I first began to teach, it was opposed by parents, as well as by educators, who, themselves were products of an earlier day. I started into the unknown field with 60 children, averaging 6 years of age, in a town of j 2,000 inhabitants. Words alone were i taught, not sentences, until a vocabulary j of so words was mastered, when we pro- j ceeded to sentences. Printing instead of writing was taught as it was considered too difficult for the child to master script at sight, as well as the printed word. One class would read, while the other would go to the board and print the lesson. Nobody knows what a mis ery those crooked a’s were to me. I could not make them, yet the children must be taught to make them. I don’t know by what process it was accom plished, but I remember that at the end of the year I turned out a fair pro portion of neat printers, fair readers, and with a certain amount of arithmetic, for know ye all, that each teacher in that day had printed directions of the number of pages to be learned, figures to be taught to one hundred, combinations to ten, and multiplication table to the 6’s. So much must be done, and if more could be done, well and good. It was in this school that I had daily encounters with parents. Once a burly blacksmith came and threatened me with most ter rible vengeance if I persisted in turning learning upside down for his little girls. It was necessary to call the principal, who stood by while I told the gentleman that when I came to teach him how to shoe horses, it would be his turn to give me lessons in teaching. After that I was allowed to go on my way unmolested, but if I had not succeeded in turning out a class much better than former classes, my fate as a teacher would have been sealed. As it was, the word method be came popular in that town thencefor ward. A great deal has been said for and against the word and sentence sys tem of teaching primary pupils, and it would seem that everybody is so familiar with it that no longer would we hear a disparaging word; but such is not the case, and many of you are aware that there are parents still living, who advo cate the old way, simply on the ground -that they learned their letters first, and can read and spell, therefore it is the only rational way. The opposition now, however, seldom reaches so high a point as in those days. The old way made bad readers, hesitating, halting, sing-song readers, therefore it was bad. But the new way has a fault which must be met and conquered; it does not make good spellers, at least so we are told. Now the question arises where is the flaw, and ---hat must be done to remove it, aud uoes it remain with primary work alone, or does it extend through the whole sys tem? Last year I discovered a curious thing about the spelling lesson. I had placed six words on the board to be cop ied and learned. At class time the words were erased and given out to be written. I soon found that if I pro nounced them in the order in which they stood on the board very few words were missed, but if I changed the order in the least the reverse was the case. The children had formed the picture of the words just as they were written, and by copying them many times had so deep ened and strengthened that picture, that any change produced confusion. Now, \ here was a problem, and I have been experimenting ou it ever since. Be sure, that I never pronouce them in the order written now. Here is an argument for the advocates of the strict phonic sy-s tem. The discouraging part of primary work lies in just such incidents as the above. You imagine that things are go ing smoothly, when the conceit is taken out of you by such a failure, and your work must be done over. You take the beginner and faithfully teach him a word to-day. He knows it, can write it, can find it on the printed page, and can read it on the board. Now, you think there is so much done; but wait till to-morrow. You attempt to review yesterday’s work, and find, instead of a gleam of intelli gence in the face of the child, only a blank look. You try to recall by various means the last lesson. You tell stories, you illustrate, all in vain. Your work of yesterday seems to have been thrown ' away, and you must begin again. You go over the ground again with a trifle less enthusiasm than before, and perhaps again find yourself defeated, but it is the only way. Again and again you must go over the same work. Even the bright ones will puzzle you by their periodical knownothingism. It is indeed hard to be interesting in your way of presenting the same word, say for the 25th time. An Illinois principal was wont to say that 50 repetitions were often necessary. It may be. I have never taken the trouble to disprove his theory, fearing that it might only confirm it, and sink me in everlasting dispair; but I have found that after the first few days the child himself may be brought to recall and re peat former lessons by pictures or ob jects, then I keep them constantly before him; for example, after teaching him the word “boy,” I never let the word out of his sight until I am sure he knows it, both the printed and written word must be there. Every day I add new words, and change their positions every day,reveiwing the words already learned. After a dozen words have been learned I drop from the board the first words, using them in the written stories. One thing must be guarded against, the ex clusive use of the written word. I find at the end of a month of school that I have pupils who can read much more readily from the board the written lesson than the printed lesson in the book, therefore I give them the printed word first, then the written one, then require him to hunt on the book or chart all words of the same kind before showing him how to write it. Of late I am not an innovator, and when I find that work can be success fully done in one way, I am slow to adopt anything new, yet, in order to in troduce variety and keep up interest, I often try everything within reach, and seldom conduct two days’ exercises ex actly alike. I often find in this way something valuable, especially in num ber work. In this I use no one method exclusively, but parts of many, or one method one day and another the next. Numbers by sight to ten, and then their values come first, after which combina nations may be taught in a thousand ways. We do not always give a child credit for what he can do. We find some dull ones, who seem incapable of grasp ing the simplest facts unless clothed in the most alluring forms, therefore our colored sticks, charts, beans, shoe pegs, etc. Bat the bright ones will very soon tire of the old and demand something new, which you must give them, or they w'" amuse themselves in their own way. For this class I arrange numbers in puz zles, or give them cards with figures on, telling them to make them into tables in every possible way. For busy work I also teach them to make figures as far as 1,000. You do not realize how hard theyT will work when they think they are doing something. If told to play with sticks, or anything else, without some definite end to be realized, they soon tire of it. I suppose it is our aim to do what we can (carrying out our metaphor) to make the promising plant of youth a healthy tree, by careful pruning, watering and cultivation, not one with leaves only, but like the orange tree, with fragrant blossoms and luscious frait.some bearing sixty and some an hundred fold. M. J. CORDEAL. The days have commenced to lengthen and the cold to strengthen. Live Pigeons—Cash paid for Live Pigeons. Enquire of A. G. Bump. $100.00 Story & Clark organ for $60.00 cash. Used only two months. At Sutton’s, The Leading Jeweler. The cash in the city treasury is very low on account of slowness with which taxes are being paid just now,—a condi tion largely due to the close times. In order to reduce my stock of organs, I will until January first, close out this line at prices that defy competition. H. P. Sutton, Jeweler. Times never become so hard that they interfere with the consumption of liquors and tobaccos. In 1893 the sum of $1, 641,903,460 were spent for these two items alone. Trendies are being dug for additional water mains for West McCook. This part of the city ought to take on quite a fine healthy growth in the spring on account of the advent of the water works. You can get a Story & Clark organ until January first at about your own price. Call at H. P. Sutton’s, the jeweler. This make was given first prize at Chi cago, Columbian Exposition, 1893. Mrs. Kennedy of Gerver precinct died on last Friday, and was buried in Fair view cemetery, Valley Grange precinct, Sunday. She was in her 83rd year, and a dear old woman who will be missed in that community greatly. Mrs. Mullen is planning to make a 2 story, 8-room addition to her dwelling on corner of Marshall and Dearborn streets, thus giving her a 12-room property in which she will open a boarding house. Her lease on the McEntee hotel expires in a month or two. The second promenade concert of Rei zeustein's orchestra, held in the opera house, Christmas evening, was quite a brilliant affair,and was largely attended. The programme of music rendered was unusually fine and inspiring. A delight ful dance closed the evening’s pleasure. Speaking of the warfare now progressing among the gamblers, a gentleman who is posted stated: “That man Ellis is fighter and will give the other fellows a world of trouble in the meantime, but he talks too much, and lacks smoothness. He will be the under dog, however, and in the end they will chew him up. This fight, too, will have a bearing on the spring elec tion.” Sick ’em. SHIRTS TO ORDER. Dress or negligee. Large line of sam ples to select from. We take your meas ure and guarantee fit and prices. Famous Clothing Co. Treasurer Henton was at commercial headquarters, Wednesday. A daughter was born to Mrs. G. Wey eneth on Tuesday evening. Banker Harden of Stratton was in the city, last night, on business. George J. Burgess has moved to north Madison avenue, this week. No man should become too religious( ?) to be able to earn an honest living. A chapter of the Eastern Star was or ganized by McCook Masons, last night. John Harlan of the Cambridge Kaleid oscope spent a few hours with us, last night. A number of our merchants report the Xmas rush, last Saturday, as unprece dented. _ Chimerical schemes look well enough on paper, but practical business projects count with conservative, safe men. Deacon Morlan is becoming quite a professional cyclist. He rode his Colum bia up from Indianola, a few days since. Ole Landgren, the major domo of the club, was very substantially remembered by the members of the McCook club on Christmas. The December reports of the First Na tional and the Farmers and Merchants banks, showing the excellent condition of those establishments, appear in this issue. The Farmers and Merchants bank cash ed the December city school warrants at their face value, although there are no funds in the city treasury to meet them at present. A business-like investigation of the canning factory project will very likely reveal its impracticability as a paying enterprise. The question of railroad rates alone is a serious barrier to its success. It has come to be an expensive thing to run for office in Red Willow county. After the legitimate campaign expenses are paid and the “blood-money” issuck ed the average candidate’s pocket must feel lonesome. Culbertson is preparing to commence suit for the recovery of the $ 15,000 irriga tion bonds voted by them a year or two since to aid in the construction of the Frenchman valley ditch, which is still in an incomplete state. Divine wrath was visited upon Ananias of old for the sin of lying, but the old gentleman left a numerous progeny that have continued to multiply in numbers even unto this day, all intent upon main taining the family rep. The A. O. U. W. band, which by the way seems to be ever ready to lend its efforts to every public occasion, a fact that is greatly appreciated by our people, marched over the city, Christmas day, and played a number of selections at various points. Mr. Stalldard of South McCook was so disorganized by the festivities attendant upon the marriage of his daughter on Christmas morning, that he had to repose in the bosom of the municipal jug over night to regain his customary composure and sobriety. The Christmas display made by the B. & M. meat market was something that would have been highly creditable in a city of the first class, and caused many complimentary remarks to be uttered. Mr. Wilcox is running a first-class mar ket in Ai style—if anybody asks you. The contract for carrying the Banks ville-McCook mail has been granted to W. B. Catching of London, Kentucky, to take effect on July 1st, 1894. It seems that most of Nebraska’s star routes have been secured by outside parties. They will doubtless seek profit in sub-letting these contracts. Miss Grace Cummings was the object of a very happy surprise party, Tuesday evening of this week, at the home of Mr. Tom Wilkinson, in which the following young friends participated: Misses Grace and Gertie Bomgardner, Pearl Brewer, Maggie Etter, Della Johnston, Norma Noble,Hallie Bomgardner, Mabeljordan, Aimee Strasser; Messrs. Charles Heber, Glenn Carrutli, Charles McConnell, Will Brown, Will Walters, Arthur Douglass, Arthur Wood Elmer Kay. A good deal of this agitation about McCook’s lack of fire protection is non sense simon-pure. This city is as well,if not better, provided with apparatus than most Nebraska cities of our population. For a non-paid department we have had fair results from the department since its first organization eight or nine years ago. It’s a falsehood and an injustice to at tempt to promulgate the idea that our fire protection is so worthless and inade quate. It may be true, however, that the fire department can be improved, even with the means at command of the city authorities, but let us have less of this silly, cheap and sensational clap-trap about McCook being without protection against fire. It’s a libelous fake. PEOPLE YOU KNOW. P. A. Wells had business in Wauneta, Tuesday. Miss Lulu Combes has returned from her visit. Sheriff and Mrs. Banks were with us, Saturday. Judge Welty was a Monday visitor of the metropolis. J. E. Kelley went down to Lincoln, last night, on business. W. F. Lawson is entertaining his fa ther and sister from Riverton. Wm.Black has been down from Hayes county, a few days, on business. PERRY L. Hole,the Arapahoe banker, spent Sunday in the valley’s finest. A. C. Teel of Indianola was among the city’s numerous visitors, Friday last. MRS. A. E. DeGroff returned, Satur day night, from a short visit down the valley. Mrs. Griggs from Hitchcock county is in the city on a visit to her sister Mrs. Woolard. R. W. Grant, the Beatrice architect and builder, was here, Monday, on a land deal. J. H. Stephens came up from Bart ley, Tuesday evening, on nursery collec tion business. Mrs. Bullington has returned from our city to her farm on the Cedar up in Frontier county. Miss Ella Boyd arrived in the city, Monday night, and is a guest at the home of C. L. DeGroflf. Captain and Mrs. Todd of Platts mouth were the guests of McCook rela tives over Christmas. G. G. Eisenhart, one of Culbertson’s financiers, sojourned among the elect on Saturday evening briefly. A. G. Culbertson will remove to Mc Cook in the near future, where he will engage in farming, the next year.—Stock - ville Republican. W. B. Wolfe of the Bank of Benkel man dropped down from the west, Sat urday evening, to devour his Christmas gobbler with McCook relatives. Rev. T. K. Tyson of Lincoln, a dis trict missionary of the Baptist church, was in the city, last Friday, while up the valley on business of his office. S. E. Hager came up from Indianola, Tuesday night, to see his wife off on the Imperial train on a visit to her sister at Wauneta, Mrs. Will Williams, Wednes day morning. Miss Gettings, one of the Arapahoe teachers, spent part of the holiday vaca tion in McCook. While here she ex changed some Wisconsin real estate for McCook city lots. C. H. Russell, the McCormick col lector, was up from Indianola, Saturday, on business. He reports collections, on the whole, better in western Nebraska than in the eastern part of the state. Mrs. L. W. Snow is in from McCook to spend the holiday week with her hus band and her many friends. Mr. Snow has stored his mammoth sample cases and will spend the holidays in Lincoln. —Journal. Hugh W. Cole and Dr. A. P. Welles of McCook and Captain J. C. Hayes of Champion called yesterday (Tuesday) on Secretary of State Allen. The visitors are all prominent A. O. U. W. men.— Lincoln Journal. Treasurer Henton and his success or, Deputy Clerk Barnes, were in the city on important business,Saturday evening, presumably the preparation of a county treasurer’s bond. Mr. Barnes was with us, Friday, also. Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Babcock and family and Mr. J. W. Babcock of Cam bridge, Mr. and Mrs. Will Duncan of Be atrice were the guests of Mr and Mrs. C. F. Babcock of our city,Christmas day, going home on the night train. Mr. and Mrs. C. L. DeGroff went in to Omaha, Sunday night, to secure treatment for their infant boy’s eye. They returned home last night. And we are happy to state the operations per formed promise to restore the member to its complete health and usefulness. Perry Jones, who is now located a few miles from Pond Creek station in the Oklahoma territory, is up in Red Willow county, this week, visiting relatives and friends, and on a little business. He has a good farm down in the territory, and is pleased with that country and his future prospects. Regular morning services at the M. E. church, next Sunday. At night an old fashioned watch meeting will be held commencing at 7:30 and continuing till the new year dawns. On Monday even ing a series of special meetings will open. The pastor will be assisted by Rev. Clay Cox during these meetings. Prof. Valentine addressed the state teachers’ association at Lincoln,Wednes day evening, on the “Lantern.” He took down the lantern owned by the McCook public schools with which to illustrate his address on the subject dear to his heart, and Bert Beyrer and Harry Chapin went along to operate the lantern. And we wager it was one of the most interest ing features of the entire programme. RELIGIOUS MATTERS. Regular Baptist services next Sunday, morning and evening. Regular Episcopal services in Masonic hall, morning and evening. The Sunday school at ten. Holy Innocents’ Day was celebrated ! by the Episcopal Sunday school in the Masonic hall on Thursday afternoon with appropriate ceremony. Santa Claus re membered everybody. In the various churches, Sunday .Christ mas thoughts and topics came from the several pulpits. Special music was ren dered by the choirs. All of which was quite an appropriate preparation for the day of “peace on earth .good will to men” that followed. Watch Meeting—The regular even ing service of the Episcopal church, next Sunday,will be held at 11 o’clock instead of 7:30, in Masonic hall. A cordial invi tation is extended to all to come and think of the dying year and take courage for the new. Do not forget that Eli Perkins is to be here, next month, the 23d. If you have never heard this world famous humorist you should not neglect this opportunity. Of course those who have heard him will be delighted by the prospect of hearing him again. Remember the date, Jan. 23, The Christmas exercises of the Baptist School for Bible Study passed off in the usual orderly manner. Sunday morning the school devoted a very interesting half hour to the study of the special lesson, “The Birth of Christ,” after which Supt. Watson presented the scholars of the dif ferent grades with suitable books. The Progressive grade received copies of Drummond’s famous address,“Love: The Supreme Gift.” The Intermediate grade scholars “How to Become a Christian,” by Lyman Abbott, and the primary folks j received illustrated booklets. The teach ers were each remembered in a suitable manner. The stereopticon exhibition, Monday evening, was without doubt the choicest collection of views, illustrative of the life of Christ, ever shown in this city. They came from Boston and were mostly photographs of famous paintings by cel ebrated painters. The last one shown, “The Boy Head of Christ in the Temple,” by Hoffman, held the audience spell bound. The entire collection was not only very interesting and in the highest sense artistic, but as an educational fac tor in picturing to the scholars the events they had just been studying, it was of great benefit. Mr. McBride’s lecture was in keeping with the rest of the entertain ment. The thanks of the school are due Bert Beyrer and his assistant, Harry Chapin, for the very able manner in which the}- operated the lantern. CHRISTMAS OBSERVANCES. Christmas day was generally and quite strictly observed by the business men of the city, as well as by the churches of McCook. In the churches no effort at display or elaborate decoration was at tempted, but suitable and enjoyable com memorative services and exercises were held, which were largely attended and keenly appreciated. THE METHODIST CHURCH Was crowded to overflowing, and many failed to gain an entrance, Monday even ing, when the children of that Sunday school presented that interesting cantata entitled, “Santa Claus’ Troubles,” or a “Bundle of Sticks.” Will Beyrer imper sonated the genial Santa Claus, and with the presents and sweetmeats distributed, the children had a delightful time alto gether. And the children of larger growth seemed to enjoy the occasion with equal keenness, it may be added. THE baptists Provided a veiy interesting entertain ment at the Lutheran church, Monday evening, in the form of a stereopticon show and lecture on the various views exhibited by Rev. D. L. McBride. The views illustrated the salient features of the life of Christ which the Sunday school has been specially studying for several months past. It was a most interesting affair. At the close the children of the school were given a treat. AT ST. PATRICK’S Three masses were held on Christmas morning, at 6, 9 and 10:30. The altar was beautifully and appropriately decor ated for the occasion. Rev. D. L. McBride's parishioners and friends remembered him nicely in the gift of an easy chair and a set of dining room chairs. Supt. Watson received an elegantly bound volume of Milton’s Paradise Lost, from the Baptist Sunday school. The illustrations were after the matchless Gustave Dore. Rev. Prank Durant of the Episcopal church was handsomely remembered by his parishioners and many friends in the citv, Xmas, in the substantial form of a well filled purse. Mrs. A. J. Beecher came in from Lin j coin, last night, on a visit to relatives in ! our city._ The Tribune wishes its readers the j compliments of this gladsome season. Have your good resolutions on tap. The new year cometh. The Temple Dedication. McCook lodge No. 61, A.O.U.W., will dedicate its new temple on Monday, Jan. 1894, for which event great preparations are being made. The programme will be as follows: 4:30. Procession of local and visiting members, A. O. U. W\, headed by the McCook A. O. U. W. band and Hold rege Degree Team in uniform. 6:30. Public dedication ceremony by Grand Master Workman Tate, assisted by Past Grand Master H. W. Cole, Mc Cook; Grand Foreman, R. W. Laflin, Beatrice; Grand Overseer, J. C. Hayes, Champion; Grand Recorder, L. A. Payne, Lincoln; Grand Receiver, K. A Polley, Seward; Grand Guide, John Hawley, North Platte, and F. G. Sim mons, Esq., editor NebraskaWorkman, Seward. 7:30. Conferring second degree on can didates in presence of members A. O. U. W. only. 8:00. Public exhibition of degree work by Holdrege Team, after which the remainder of the evening will be devo ted to a grand ball and supper. First class music will be furnished. Supper will be served at 10:30 p. m. by the Degree of Honor. The New G. A. R. Officers. At the regular meeting of J. K. Barnes post No. 207, G. A. R., held in their hall on Thursday evening, December 21st,the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: A. P. Sharp, Commander. W. S. Fitch, Senior Vice Commander. G. W. Starr, Junior Vice Commander. H. H. Berry, Chaplain. Sidney Dodge, Adjutant. J. A. Wilcox, Quartermaster. I. J. Holt, Officer of the Day. Thomas Bennett, Surgeon. A. J. Fenimore, Oflicerof the Guard. Hugh Kealiher, Inside Guard. J. C. Predmore, Quartermaster’sSerg’t. iliomas Bennett was elected delegate to the department encampment. W. S. Fitch is alternate. A Small Grist. The regular meeting of the city council was held on Wednesday evening. All present but city clerk, M.W. Eaton being clerk pro tem. Bills as follows allowed. Lincoln Land Co., quarterly tax. .{441.66 Cole & Elbert, paint, cem. fence, 140.00 C. T. Brewer, cash advanced,.... 5.00 Report of City Engineer Meeker relat ing to Main avenue grade was read and placed on file. An ordinance relating to the organiza tion of the McCook fire department was laid over until next regular meeting. Council agreed to pay $60 to help de fray the expenses of a delegation from the McCook department to the meeting of the state firemen’s association at Beat rice, Jan. 16th, 1894. Adjourned. NOTICE. Having purchased the stock and jew elry business of Frank Carruth & Son, I wish to announce that I will continue the business in the same stand, and will at all times carry a fine assortment of the best goods in the market, which will be sold at prices that are right. The high standard reputation of the firm for the last 22 years will be fully maintained in the future, and by fair-dealing I hope to merit a liberal portion of your patronage. Yours Respectfully, Chas. A. Leach, Jeweler. McCook, Neb., Dec. 8, 1893. Two South McCook Events. Sunday afternoon at residence of the bride’s parents in South McCook, Squire Berry united in marriage Andrew Ibsou of Minden and Laura J. Mahanaof South McCook. Monday morning, Squire Berry spoke the words which made Robert W. Forrom of Stockville and Mary Stalldard of South McCook husband and wife. Notice. To you and your friends that wish new hair grown on bald heads. Call on 1). J. Smith, as he will guarantee to grow new hair on bald heads on any person that has been bald from I to 30 years, for $50 to $300. P. S.—He will sell j-ou the med icine for $30, with full instructions how to use it. All consultations strictly con fidential. Devier J. Smith, McCook, Nebraska. D. J. S. The Wonderful Wonder of the World has reached the top round of the ladder of success in the short time it has been used, and many bald heads are already taking on nice coats of hair. Call on D J. Smith at McCook for particulars and terms._ Fine Printing. We make a specialty of fine job print ing. Our samples of fashionable and ele gant stationery for invitations, programs, etr., is not excelled in Nebraska. For Sale. The large wooden tank of The McCook Water Works is for sale. For particulars inquire of C. H. Meeker. Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Bullard of Palisade spent Christmas with their children ir Omaha. He returned on Tuesday night. The Ladies of the Maccabees initiated eleven new members, last night. And still we wonder at crime! i Miss Josie Bantham and sister arrived j in the city on No. 5, last evening. HnrsB For Sake—Terms easy. { Apply to W. H. Davis.