drop

Cuddled down in her earthy bed
Close to her sister flowers,
With the covers over her head.
"Listen!" said timid Violet,
Waking Snowdrop up again,
"Some one is softly rapping,
It must be the April rain."

""Tis still too early to get up,"
Said Snowdrop with a yawn.
"Mother Nature will send a Blue-
bird

To call us when Jack Frost is gone."

Soon came a low, sweet whistle.
Up sprang all the flowers of May,
Nodding "thank you" to the Blue-

in Noble County and his good common sense combine to fit him well for this responsible place.

-E. F. Weckel, teacher of elocution in the Canton high school, won laurels for himself and the senior dramatic club by giving a comedy Feb. 14. The opera house was crowded and the evening was one of rare enjoyment.

Chesterville and Sparta engaged in an oratorical and musical contest Feb. 3 resulting in a tie. Hence everybody went home happy or unhappy, we've forgotten which.

Supt. W. E. Beck, of Port Washington, is serving his seventh year in his present position and is now working under a three-year contract at an advanced salary — the third increase of salary given him. He is one of the examiners of Tuscarawas county, and by hard work and fidelity to duty has won for himself a place among the lead

ers.

- John L. Jones, assistant in the high school at Pataskala, died Jan. 23d, after a brief illness. His going leaves a void in the hearts of all the teachers of Licking county, for he was universally loved. He was one of the most promising young men in the county and could always be relied upon to favor and work for the right in all educational matters. He had the quali

ties that make for leadership and these qualities had already given him a prominent place among the best teachers in the county. In his school work he was greatly esteemed and his death caused great sorrow among pupils and patrons. His memory will be cherished and the nobility of his life will inspire all who knew him.

-The Northeastern meeting at Cleveland, Feb. 17, was successful in every way. Many of the schools in that part of the state dismissed on Friday to visit the Cleveland schools and to say that the time was pleasantly and profitably spent is to put it very mildly. The program was excellent and reflected great credit upon the officers who prepared it.

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Dennison has voted to issue bonds in the sum of $50,000 for the erection of three new school buildings, two of eight rooms each and one of four rooms. These buildings, in addition to present equipment, will give Dennison the means for better work than ever. Our congratulations to Supt. Angel and all the teachers on the hopeful outlook]

The new Fourth Ward Building in Van Wert was dedicated January 12, with a very interesting. programme. Commissioner Jones and Dean H. C. Minnich were the speakers and both emphasized the fact that we are progressing educationally and Americans believe in progress in the schools as elsewhere.

One notable feature is the large grounds surrounding it, almost an entire square. Supt. Sharkey and the teachers are to be congratulated upon this new addition to school equipment.

-Forgive our blushes but it can't be helped when we read this sentence from a superintendent who, having eyes, sees: "Your editorials have the right ring and every teacher should endeavor to pull himself up to the standard advocated by the MONTHLY."

-Supt. H. E. Hall of Cygnet has an enrollment that is an increase of sixty per cent above that of last year. School affairs show signs of vigor up that way and next year Wood Co. will have an educational exhibit at the county fair.

The California State Association enrolled 4,000 members at the holiday meeting and this is a prophecy of what that body of teachers will do in the way of forming the nucleus of a large attendance at the N .E. A. meeting in July. One session will be held at Berkeley and one at Leland Stanford University.

- The Summit county teachers held a good meeting at Akron Feb. 10th with Prof. Glover in charge of the music. An excellent paper on "Sir Walter Scott and Nature" was read by Supt. W. K. Greenbank of Copley, Prin. Lee R.

Knight gave an inspiring address on "The Teacher's Problem," and the other address was given by President A. B. Church of Buchtel College.

- At Clarksburg, in Ross County, there was held on Saturday, February 24, a meeting of the teachers of New Holland, Atlanta, Williamsport, Frankfort and Clarksburg, together with those of nearby townships. Fifty teachers were in attendance, and were entertained by the good people of Clarksburg.

The meeting was held in the M. E. Church, and the interest manifested was such that the church was crowded to its utmost at the after

noon session. The writer was glad

for this interest, as that was one object in holding the meeting. We feel that a stimulus has been given

to the cause of education in our midst. At the forenoon session Prof. J. P. Nunemaker, of New Holland, read a very interesting paper on subject of "Examinations." J. M. Davis, of Williamsport, gave a very interesting heart-to-heart talk on the subject of "Reading in the Grades." In the afternoon, Prof. E. L. Daley, of Atlanta, gave a very interesting paper upon the subject of literature, taking the "Lady of the Lake" for his subject. He was followed by Prof. A. D. Hannum, of Frankfort, on the subject of "Specialization in Education; When and Where." These

The Ohio Valley Round Table will meet in Parkersburg, April 6 and 7.

-The teachers of Licking County held a very profitable Association in Newark, February 10. Professor Wilson, of Ohio Universty, gave an excellent address on "Edgar Allan Poe and Sidney Lanier." Supts. J. D. Simkins, of Newark; C. L. Riley, of Kirkersville; L. W. MacKinnon, of Granville, and Miss Martha Turner, of Utica, were also on the programme.