THE OLD-TIME SPELLING SCHOOL IN THREE PARTS PART I--GOLDEN VALLEY PART II--THE CONTEST PART III--MUSICAL BY JOHN G. ELLENBECKER MARYSVILLE, KANSAS H. M. & L. R. BRODRICK, PRINTERS MARYSVILLE, KANSAS 1922 Copyrighted, 1922, by JOHN G. ELLENBECKER Marysville, Kansas Dedication This little volume is respectfully inscribed to the schools of Marshall County, Kansas--its patrons, teachers and pupils--in humble acknowledgment of the great good these schools have done for our citizenship and our government. Preface This poem was not written to bring fame, nor to waft a fortune; for, fame and fortune are but small incidents when compared with the higher things in life. It was composed more for pleasure--the pleasure of meditating on, and the commemorating of, the splendid people who were among the many fine early settlers of this state; and likewise to impart this joy to the readers who may peruse this little story of pioneer days. Then the old “Spelling Down”--once so common in schools and so brilliant for its academic value, and keen social enjoyment--should be rescued from oblivion; yea even revived. If the sending forth of these simple stanzas should bear any fruit, may some of these be the happy harvest. --The Author. Sylvan Heights, Marysville, Kansas Dec. 24, 1921. THE OLD TIME SPELLING SCHOOL PART I GOLDEN VALLEY O worthy friends, at last we’ve met again; I feel that we have met in days before; And hope as gladly now as we did then, To contemplate some things in days of yore; In those days when our parents still were young, And we in youth around the school house swung. It won’t take long--a fleet winged hour or two-- So, let us raise the curtain of the past, And bring again those good old days to view, Which are long fled in years that sped too fast; Let us together take a pleasant trip On mem’ry’s wings for kind companionship. In those good times of years long, long ago Were many hardships, that we should forget; But still, among these troubles, toils, and woe, Were sunny spots that will delight us yet. And one of those affected by this rule Is the old time rollicking spelling school. The young folks of today would scarcely guess Their fathers and their mothers, in those times, Could stand for hours the stern onslaught and stress Of stubborn words, in long contending lines-- Arranged around the dingy school house wall To see who was the speller best of all. The country school was then the favorite nook-- A kind of home spun university-- Where old and young their worth in spelling book Exhibited in a friendly rivalry. And those of later times, of course, don’t know What they without these sports sadly forego.