The Choctaw Freedmen Part 22

If the necessary materials are on hand, this is the golden time to start the older and best trained boys on the permanent improvement work outlined for the year, such as fence building, sprouting, clearing of new lands, the construction of conveniences for the school, home or farm, the repair of old, the erection and painting of new buildings and finally, the preparation of the ground and planting of the crops for the next year.

The boys, however, are never taken to the timber or fields when the ground is damp or the weather is cold and unfavorable. When from these causes they cannot work to advantage, they continue their studies in the cla.s.s room, all the day.

The two winter months of January and February have been ordinarily unfavorable for student work in the timber or fields. The work is then, to a considerable extent, limited to the carpenter shop, cellar, or indoor work on new buildings.

IMPROVEMENT WORK

In order that the work performed by the students during the industrial hours of each week, may serve to promote the welfare of the inst.i.tution as well as for training the individual, it devolves upon the superintendent and matron to have ready suitable work, and all the tools and materials necessary to execute it, when the students are ready for a.s.signment.

This work includes the ch.o.r.es morning and evening, the preparation of the fuel--about twenty-five cords annually, first in the timber and then at the woodpile--the cultivation of the farm and garden, the harvesting of the crops and the care of the stock, all of which may be termed necessary routine work.

In addition thereto there may be permanent improvement work, such as the clearing of new lands for cultivation and enclosing them with good fences, the repair of old and the erection of new buildings and the manufacture of articles of furniture or comfort, for the better equipment of the many rooms in the buildings.

A plain statement of these two kinds of work will indicate to nearly every one the prime importance of endeavoring to accomplish as much improvement work as possible each term. There is now more of this improvement work pressing for immediate attention than possibly may be done during the next three years, but it needs now to be contemplated, intelligently provided for, and then executed as speedily as possible.

SAWING WOOD, A PICNIC

Sat.u.r.day forenoon has come to be recognized as the special fuel or timber day of each week. It is a busy and bustling day for all. For this day's work two dozen boys are organised and equipped with axes, a splitting outfit, four crosscut saws and the mule team. The axe men are divided into two squads, the axe men or stumpers who cut down trees, and the trimmers who trim the trunks and large branches. Three boys are a.s.signed to each crosscut, two of whom are expected to keep the saw running steadily, while the third one, who is supposed to be resting, carries a light lever and, with the weight of his body raises the log under the crosscut, so it will not bind the saw as it goes through it.

By taking turns at the saw and lever, the hardness of this work is greatly relieved, and it sometimes is surprising to see the amount of work, done by the small boys, when they have "a mind to work." If the logs are large or the saw runs hard, it is not unusual for them to couple together and merrily make the running of the saw a four-handed affair. The superintendent, or one of the older boys acting as a foreman, goes before the saws and with an axe marks out the work for them, so they can work speedily, and so that every piece that may serve for posts, long or short, or for fence props or rails, is cut the proper length.

The boys have worked faithfully and industriously in the timber on Sat.u.r.day forenoons. A rest of fifteen minutes has always been given, about the middle of the forenoon. When the signal is given, they a.s.semble at some convenient place, where there are several logs suited for seats; for all are required to be seated as the best way to rest their weary limbs, during this period.

A pail of fresh water and a paper sack filled with soda crackers is always provided for their enjoyment at this time. A smile of pleasure and delight is sure to light up the countenance of every boy, when, taking his turn, he thrusts his hand into the paper sack and draws therefrom his appointed number of crackers.

At these periods of rest and lunch all usually seem as happy as if they were enjoying a regular social picnic dinner. Amid the merriment and pleasantry of the occasion they seem to forget all consciousness of weariness, or thought that their work is hard, and resume it again with pleasure and delight.

XXI

OBLIGATION AND PLEDGES.

OBLIGATION.--ENDEAVOR.--SELP-HELP STUDENTS.--TEMPERANCE.--THE INTOXICATING CUP.--PRESIDENT LINCOLN.--PRESIDENT HARRISON.

"Thy vows are upon me O G.o.d. I will pay my vows unto the Lord, in the presence of all his people."--David.

I. THE STUDENT'S OBLIGATION

On being received as a student of this inst.i.tution, I do solemnly promise, G.o.d helping me, that I will be obedient to the rules of this inst.i.tution and endeavor to prove myself an earnest student and thoughtful, faithful worker; that I will be prompt in responding to every call, pay the cost of repair to any furniture or gla.s.s broken, as a result of thoughtlessness or carelessness on my part; and that I will refrain from the use of profane or angry words to man or beast; and also from the use of tobacco, cigarettes, snuff, dice, gamblers cards, and intoxicating liquors as a beverage, while I enjoy the privileges of the academy.

II. CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR PLEDGE

Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ for strength, I promise him that I will strive to do whatever he would like to have me do; that I will pray to Him and read the Bible every day, and that, so far as I know how, throughout my whole life, I will endeavor to lead a christian life.

III. PLEDGE OF SELF-HELP STUDENTS

As long as I am accorded and enjoy the privilege of a home and of a student at Oak Hill Academy, recognizing the fact that my time during the periods of work does not belong to me, but to the inst.i.tution;

I solemnly pledge my word and honor, G.o.d helping me, that I will refrain from making any engagement elsewhere, that might interfere with the faithful and constant performance of the duties devolving on me at Oak Hill; that I will conscientiously keep my word as to the time of my return, when absent from my home at the academy; that I will yield a prompt and cordial obedience to all the rules and regulations relating to the conduct of students at the academy, and that I will constantly endeavor to show myself worthy the confidence and esteem of the superintendent and his helpers; and not leave the inst.i.tution until I have honorably met all of my obligations.

IV. TOTAL ABSTINENCE PLEDGE

"Abstain from all appearance of evil."--Paul.

"With malice toward none and charity for all, I the undersigned do pledge my word and honor,

"G.o.d HELPING ME

"To abstain from all Intoxicating Liquors as a beverage and that I will, by all honorable means, encourage others to abstain."

An acre of government land costs $1.25, and a bottle of whiskey about $2.00. How strange that so many people prefer the whiskey.

[Ill.u.s.tration: The Intoxicating Cup]

THE INTOXICATING CUP

Within this gla.s.s destruction rides, And in its depths does ruin swim; Around its foam perdition glides, And death is dancing on its brim.

WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT IT

A curse.--Queen Victoria.

A scandal and a shame.--Gladstone.

It stupefies and besots.--Bismark.

The devil in solution.--Sir Wilfred Lawson.

The mother of want and the nurse of crime.--Lord Brougham.

Saloons are traps for workingmen.--Earl Cairnes.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

The following is the pledge of Abraham Lincoln, the great emanc.i.p.ator.

"Whereas, the use of alcoholic liquors as a beverage is productive of pauperism, degradation and crime, and believing it is our duty to discourage that which produces more evil than good; we, therefore pledge ourselves to abstain from the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage."

When Lincoln signed the pledge he was a tall awkward youth, and the only one that went forward at the meeting in the log school house to sign it that night. When he was president, "Old Uncle John," who induced him to sign it, called on him at the White House and Lincoln said: