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About The Chemawa American (Chemawa, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 31, 1917)
i ~ i ; i t 2.0 3 MAY 8 t/ C O rY - i j o ö a • The Cheihow^ American P r in t e d a t C h e m a w a , O re g o n , a n d D e v o te d to th e In te r e s ts o f In d ia n E d u c a tio n Vol. X IX W ednesday, January 31, 1917 OUT OP STEP No. 16 than do it, they make those around them uncomfort able and unhappy. It behooves us to examine ourselves and see wheth er we are out of step in any sense of the word and preventing, by our attitude, that condition of har mony without which any society, school, or com munity cannot be a success. If we find we are out of step and cannot or will not keep up, we shall sooner or later be left behind the ranks and, sad to say, classed with the back numbers. Out of step, or keeping step, conveys a deeper mean ing between the lines that might be noticed by the cas ual reader. We may be out of step in many ways be sides the actual one of walking or marching. Out of step! What do the words suggest? Disagree ment, discord, inharmony; and we may find this in many ways. In music, for instance, no matter how well the performer may know his part, be he the small est fraction of a note too fast or too slow, as compared with the other players, the whole effect is spoiled. He “QUITTER” was out of step. When do we enjoy music? Only when all the instruments or voices are in accord, and Occasionally you notice certain young men of splen although an ordinary listener might not detect the fault, did physique, well muscled, agile and quick, who take it is there, known to most of the performers, and grates up athletics and indulge in all practice meets, and who on the trained ear of a connoisseur. apparently are superior to most of the players, but when One may be out of step in his methods, for keeping it comes to the selection of the squad to represent the up means progression. Teaching that answered very school in regular contests, are invariably left out. The well a hundred years ago will not do in thi? age of ad writer has observed this a good many times and the vancement, and the successful instructor or leader will question is often asked why such a splendid looking look for the best methods that are to be found and keep athlete, with all the outward appearances as well as himself thoroughly posted regarding them. The Chi ability to play well, is left out? The reason for it lies in the fact that the captain of nese farmer with his wooden plow of one thousand years ago would be sadly out of step with the modern agri the team knows that such athlete, while able to play well, lacks the staying qualities when called upon to culturist. Without progress there can be no compet do his utmost. In other words, he is a ‘ ‘quitter, ” or as ition. We must either advance or retrograde. such quality is called, has a “ streak of yellow” in his Employees may be out of step with their superin make-up. He is unable to stand up and do his best tendent, teachers with the principal, or pupils with under adverse circumstances. Consequently he is not dependable and is left out. their teacher; and what is the result? Unpleasantness The same will apply to certain students who have a in every quarter. Schools have failed of success for propensity to desert from school. It seems that all our no other reason than this, when a little yielding on Indian Schools are to a greater or lesser extent troubled the part of someone would have settled the difficulty with a class of students who are “ quitters,” have a earlier. How often have we heard a teacher say, “ streak of yellow” in their make-up. They lack the staying qualities and are unable to withstand a desire “ If it were not for one or two pupils, I should have a to go home or elswhere when something comes up perfect schoolroom,” and yet these one or two either to their distaste. A “ quitter” will never amount to through thoughtlessness or stubbornness, keep upjthe much. When things are hard is the time to prove the mettle of a person, and only by rising above the desire discord. They are out of step. to “ quit” or desert from school or any other proposi Let us see which is easier, to keep in step or out. tion, can a success be made. It takes an effort to keep up. We must brace our Deserters from school or those who desert from anv selves, and, without watching our neighbors, look to duty, will generally follow the habit of being “ quitters’ ’ ourselves and see if we are all right. Perhaps some through life and will seldom, if ever, attain to any sta are out of step from physical weakness (they are un tion such as will render them a subject for commenda tion or praise. Stay with your school, or with your job, fortunate), and will have to leave the lines unless a and prove that you are made of the right stuff. When change comes. Others have some hobby, fad, or a difficult or unpleasant matter faces you, then is the mannerism, which they dislike to give up, and rather time to prove your worth. Do not lie a “ quitter.”
