The Schoolmarm

October 10, 2000

Dear Readers,
Not too many years ago the school marm would live in the homes of residents
of the school district. The families would take turns during school terms
for the teacher to reside with them.  Sometimes that was included in the
small stipend the teacher would get or a small amount charged for the stay.

After dinner a few weeks ago in Uncle Buck’s family home we were sorting
through a box of old papers and letter was found that I thought was
genuinely unique.  It really brings home and to heart the plight of our
families and their struggle for their children to learn to read and write.
We have dated this letter around 1880 around the Lamertine area and know
the schoolteachers were living with Grandpa and Grandma Sewell.

Dear Miss Georgia:

I beg to say in reply to your note that I am zealously in favor of building
the toilets you asked for: but as you well know the “school law” provides a
stipulated amount for incidental expenses, and we have already gone our
limit.  Now if you with the others concerned can get this work done in a
legitimate way, I bid you God’s speed, or I am perfectly willing that Mr.
Sewell and Mr. Rodgers do as they see fit.

Very Respectfully,
J. E. Young


Readers the loose papers and notes are the flavors of our past and to me
this is a priceless piece of paper.  I do imagine Isaac Sewell and Mr.
Rodgers did see fit to legitimately build the toilet.

Aunt Ludie