History Of The "Old High School" 1828-1840
by Charles Wells Chapin




        One of the pupils (though "Bliss"-ful the reading of these pages may add to his joys) writes from the "City of Churches by the Sea": —
        "The town was divided into the 'Hill' and the 'Street' interest. The result was a vote diminishing the appropriation, which brought about the resignation of Mr. Story Hebard. The salary which he formerly had was cut down and he resigned. The attachment of the pupils to him was so very strong that the boys rebelled against the teacher that was hired in his place. They took advantage of the teacher's ignorance of the names and when the roll was called answered to wrong names or did not answer at all, and when his back was turned some of them crept out on their hands and knees, and every device was practiced to embarrass him. The monitors who were appointed and sat on the platform with the teacher, to mark any delinquent and report the same, did not do so, as they were rebellious. When Mr. Simeon H. Calhoun became the teacher, he was wise enough to have one of the committee who knew the names of most of the scholars present when the roll was called at the commencement and close of the school, so that the boys who had run out of school were caught. After a few days in which he let the boys have their own way, he said, 'Boys, you have ruled long enough, and now it is my turn.' And with a determined and severe treatment he brought the school into subjection. The revolt was universal, it had no leaders. The committee suspended three of the pupils, which was unjust, and they were received back by Mr. Calhoun. The school became harmonious and united; he was loved and obeyed, and during his administration there was a revival of religion in progress."
        One of the genial scholars residing in the Rocky Mountain region writes: "While I cannot recall any particular pieces the boys used to speak on Saturdays, I feel my ribs rising at the comic and amusing speeches which at that long time ago set them in motion. Brevity with some was closely studied, wit and comic would be mingled with

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