t me to the alcalde of the province. Nor was this the end of my
troubles. A few days afterward some of the parents of the children
presented themselves under the convento and I had to call to my aid
all my patience and resignation. They began by reminding me of former
times when teachers had character and taught as their grandfathers
had. 'Those indeed were the times of the wise men,' they declared,
'they whipped, and straightened the bent tree. They were not boys but
old men of experience, gray-haired and severe. Don Catalino, king of
them all and founder of this very school, used to administer no less
than twenty-five blows and as a result his pupils became wise men
and priests. Ah, the old people were worth more than we ourselves,
yes, sir, more than we ourselves!' Some did not content themselves
with such indirect rudeness, but told me plainly that if I continued
my system their children would learn nothing and that they would be
obliged to take them from the school It was useless to argue with them,
for as a young man they thought me incapable of sound judgment. What
would I not have given for some gray hairs! They cited the authority
of the curate, of this one and that one, and even called attention
to themselves, saying that if it had not been for the whippings
they had received from their teachers they would never have learned
anything. Only a few persons showed any sympathy to sweeten for me
the bitterness of such a disillusioning.

"In view of all this I had to give up my system, which, after so much
toil, was just beginning to produce results. In desperation I carried
the whips bank to the school the next day and began the barbarous
practice again. Serenity disappeared and sadness reigned in the faces
of the children, who had just begun to care for me, and who were my
only kindred and friends. Although I tried to spare the whippings and
to administer them with all the moderation possible, yet the children
felt the change keenly, they became discouraged and wept bitterly. It
touched my heart, and even though in my own mind I was vexed with the
stupid parents, still I was unable to take any spite out on those
innocent victims of their parents' prejudices. Their tears burned
me, my heart seemed bursting from my breast, and that day I left
the school before closing-time to go home and weep alone. Perhaps
my sensitiveness may seem strange to you, but if you had been in my
place you would understand it. Old Don Ana