American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-01-09
witherspoon Institute.

Christmas was an interesting day with our
young people of the Witherspoon Insti-
tute. On that day the school adjourned
for the holiday recess, and it was thought
by the scholars to be a fit occasion for
making some public expression of regard
toward the Pprincipsl of the Institute
and his assistants.
This was conducted on the principle of
asurprise. The arrangements were made
with wonderful secrecy. Meetings
were held, propositions discussed, com
mittees appointed, papers circulated, ar
ticles purchased, speeches prepared,-bu
how, when and where? were among the
privacies that the young folks knew how
to keep to themselves. About the mid
die of said day request was made by the
school for short recess. This being
granted, one of the young men, Mr.. Press
" Scott, arose from his seat and advan-
ced to the Professors desk, in the midst
OF profound silence, but many significant
winks, and knowing looks, and happy
faces, and laid upon it full suit of su-
perfne broad cloth, a fur muffin, and
beautiful pair of driving gloves. He ac-
companied the act with an appropriate
address, saying that he presented these,
on behalf of the young ladies and gen.
tlemen of the school, as Christmas gift,
in token of their personal esteem for him
aud their appreciation of his services as a
teacher The Professor, though at frst
evidently surprised and begildered, soon
recovered himself and responded in his
usual affectionate and humorous manner.
The ceremony was highly gratifying to all
parties, tending to confirm and strengthen
that mutual affection and esteem which
already exists between tes cher and pupils
But the ceremony did not end hero
Another recess was asked for, when the
German class introduced their teacher,
Monster Dolmasch. On entering tie
room he was addressed by Mr.. YIN. G.
Brown who, in the name of The class,
presented him with purse well filed
with greeabacks. Monsieur was so taken
by surprise that he could not say in plain
English all he wished to say; and as but
few of the scholars could understand
either the German or French, what he
failed to say in words was .abundantly
supplied by those eloquent gestures of
which he has an unlimited supply, and
which are full of meaning to those who
understand them, and With which his
hearers were highly delighted.
In the afternoon of the same day, the
Primary Department, through Master
Oliver Thompson, presented their teach
or, Miss Mamie Davidson, with beau
tiful Bible as token of their esteem
And as Master Oliver was afraid 20 trust
his extemporaneous powers at speech
making, he accompanied the gift with an
elaborate address in writing, a copy of
which has not been furnished us for pub.
iication, but will probably appear in the
history Of the Institute yet to be written.
In the evening Of that day the Music
Class, through committee appointed for
that purpose, waited on their teacher,
Miss Mary Sullivan, and expressed their
affectionate regard toward her by similar
substantial tokens, the details of which
ceremony and gifts have not yet trans
pired.
1t is gratifying to know that such
pleasant state of things exists in this In,
stitution of learning. Professor Brugh
is yet almost stranger among us, but
his reputation as ar. educator of youth,
which preceded him, has been fully sus>
tanned thus far. The Institute, under
his management, is increasing in favor
smoug us daily. 1t now has the full con-
fdence of our community, and that con.
fdence and favor is spreading further and
wider. 1t has now, we understand, over
i Ahundred students in regular attendance.
In passing by the school building few
days age we were surprised to see how
rapidly the contemplated improvements
were reaching completion. Two wings
have been added to the main building,
giving it front of ninety feet, with,a
rear extent of sixty feet. This will con-
ain, when finished. twonty four rooms,
Including two commodious school rooms.
with additional room for rscItations and
instrumental music. These wings are now
up and enclosed, and it is expected will
be entirely finished by the opening Of the
Sn-ing term of school, when boarding
house will be opened BY the Principal for
the accommodation of those from dis
tance who wish to attend the school.
-
Horace GIeely, for Congress, ran
about 1000 votes more in his district than