Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1871-10-20
PLATI,ETILLE.
PLATTEvILLE, Wis.,, Oct. IA, 1871.

fLATTEFlLLE, w 1871 OCt' IL, 4O't
Ed. CHRONICLE:
By an article in late number of
your paper saw that your readers had
been Informed of the opening of the Nor
NAL School and Of the number in attend
ance. The Institute Course closed on Fri
day of tbs week, Supt. Holford having
taken almost entire charge the last week.
Great excitement has prevailed here
over the great losses caused by the recent
fires in Chicago and in our own State
The citizens have sent both money and
provisions to both localities. One hun
dred and five dollars was raised by stu
dents and teachers Of the Normal School
and sent to Green Bay. This was a vol
untary contribution. The members Of the
Lii brary Association connected with the
school, had prepared to give one entertain
ment for the benefit of their library and
after the sad news was received they decl-
ded to play two evenings, devoting one
half the proceeds to supply the wants of
those made desolate by the fires in he
northern part of this state. The pro-
grsmme for Thursday evening was as fo,-
lows:
Music.
Essay by Miss Lou Folly; Subject
Tasso.
Drama The Woman of the Past, the
Present and the Future.
The first scene was laid fifty years back
in the days of spinning wheels. samplers
and quilting bees. Mehtable Powers, the
young lady who presided at the wheel, was
entirely in advance of her time, as she
found her sphere much too small. The
Woman of the Present was all engrossed
with dress and show. The third scene
was entitled, woman of the Future with
the Gates Ajar" In the background were
the ghosts Of the women of the Past look
ing down IN mute surprise upon the scene
presented AT one side of the stage was
a lady physician, nous and lawyer
at the other a minister and type-setter,
and in the foreground mother with three
children at her feet.
Next was a recitation entitled "After
the Battle" by Miss Nora Bayley. Miss
Bayley has great deal of oratorical pow
pr and dramatic talent, and gave very
effective rendering Of the beautiful poem.
Last wax, Shakspeare's rendering Of Py-
ramus and Thisbe, taken from Midsum-
mer Nights Dream.
On Friday evening the exercises opened
with recitation of Poe's Fire Fiend,'
by Miss Bayley. After terrible descrip-
ton Of the demon, the closing line seemed
strikingly appropriate to the present time
-"All power is of God, of God alone"
Pyramus and Thisbe again repeated
their tragic passion, and between these
scenes were two tableaux; one, 1.-THE ris
ing sun (son,)" and the other, "Our fore
(four) fathers"
Miss Lydia Ruggles then recited 1.-THE
Family Record"
A beautiful pie:e of statuary was now
presented, called Faith"
The closing piece was drama, 1.-THE
Spirit of '76-the scene being laid in 10
76 The most prominent characters were
henpecked husband, a lady judge, with
widow and an old maid, both in pursuit OF
a husband.
The play of the previous evening, Wo-
man of the Past, Present and Future was
an argument for woman's rights, and The
Spirit of '76 burlesque on the same.
will leave it to you, Mr.. Editor, to judge
which received the most applause, and
sign myself. one who believes woman HAS
right to "llfe, liberty and the pursuit OF
happiness. Sclgur.