The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-05-07
For the anderson MtelHgencer.
Nav Day in Anderson, 1874.

we OuC0 luOIO luudlS tlIC OAOhohA VI AoSNo ~.-->~
pinks, honey-suckles, jasmines and cedar, and
many other sweets of the lovely spring-time-
all collected and displayed to such wondrous
advantage and exquisite effect, as in those dear
old time festivals, still common to many schools
in our land, thanks to a gracious Providence!
Even here, oppressed as we are, our maidens
at least have retained the spirit and energy to
accomplish again some entertainments that
remind us of those scenes so brilliant and
precious in our memories-those gay May fes-
tivities in happy days gone by.
Do not many of you remember the beautiful
pictures displayed by the crowds of youthful
representatives of Flora's kingdom in our old
University, as we'll as the new; later, those
on the green connected with Mrs. Murray's
school; those merry pic mic throngs, and the
lovely Floral feasts and fairs? Then, too, the
startling effect produced on that memorable
May Day, 1865, after our inglorious peace had
already been proclaimed, and our youths and
maidens were trying to forget the horrors OF
war in their innocent pic mic pastimes, only to
be driven back to their homes in terror, by the
sudden inroad of that fierce band of marauders
and raiders, sweeping like terrible simeon
over our hitherto unmolested community.
But. alas this is too dark a shadow to mingle
with the glow of the present.
Since that time, we have not enjoyed many
such pleasant privileges in our poverty and
desolation, and even yet they are mostly con-
fined to the innocent, guileless children here,
who have not yet imbibed the sordid selfshness
too generally prevalent. But, as Time hurries
on its fight-each day marked in our memo
ries by some notable event. with here sudden
death of an old citizen, and there the burning
and destruction of our neghbor's hard-earned
property, and much consequent trouble, with
rains and storms, threatened volcanic eruptions
and political revolutions-we must not forget
to pause once more, as the citizens have done
in other communities to celebrate Memorial
Day in honor of our soldier dead The 10th
of May is near at hand, which we have before
kept sacred to this patriotic and grateful pur-
pose. AS the 10th is the Sabbath day, we must
needs appoint another more suitable, whilst
we are enjoying this wealth of floral beauty,
that skillful fingers may weave into garlands
and emblems for the score and more OF brave
spirits who slept their last long sleep IN the
Baptist and Presbyterian cemeteries. Can not
voluntary committee of ladies and gentle
men be formed to make it day of interest, by
inviting suitable orators for the occasion from
among the gallant soldiers of the war? Per
haps Gen. Capers might consent to visit anc
address US on theme of such sacred moment
or some other gallant and eloquent soldier
leader in days agone might give US brief
review and elegy of general interest, if it car
only be promptly arranged. Our village
choirs, too, might unite in the largest church
to get up some suitable odes for the occasion
But have wandered far away from the imme'
diate scene of innocent glee and beauty thai
I started to depict, in compliment to the pro-
gressive spirit which is beginning again te
to develop in our youthful teachers and pupils
Mrs. Murray's school participated in
charming little pic mic at the Fair Grounds OF
the morn of this auspicious day, and on tina
lovely moonlit eve, the little school-room
Misses Pet Allen and Rosa Webb adjoining
by their gay and tasteful decorations, brigh
lights and glad young voices summoned many
of us together once more, old and young, grave
and CAV, to witness the beautiful performance
of their young pupils in royal scene OF Flo
ral's Court, so we'll arranged, memorized an(
enacted, that all exclaimed they had never seer
ANYTHING better, as older sovereigns and sub
iects in such scenes are generally too timid tt
do WE'LL and these young creatures know moth
ing yet save duty and mirth.
| The whole display was enchanting Th'
entrance of rope-bearers, with their verdan
arches the fancy little Herald, with his bugl
and speech; the wee winsome, rhyming Howe
maidens, bedecking the pathway of her petit
majesty, Miss Nellie Hoyt, who was seated OF
her miniature throne by two gay and gallant lit
tie pages-where she presided with charming
grace, dignity and selfpossession, which adde'
to her perfectly sculptured features, sweet volc
and conscious air, rendered her most oewltch
ing picture. The tiny crown-bearer, Louis
Nardin, with her lisping yet distinct utter
ances, as she handed the daintily woven coro
net to the fair child crowner, Samuella Brown
the nicely presented sceptre by Fannie Slmp
son, with her part expressively rendered; tn
various fragrant gifts of gentle Lucille Nardln
so sweetly delivered the beautiful decorate
Seasons, with their varied offerings; and last
the touching episode, where the delicate littl
Lucy Hoyt threw the garland of green aroun'
the form of her precious queen sister Nell, wa
most impressive, bringing unbidden tears iron
sympathetic hearts, who rejoiced to feel tina
such beauty, love, harmony and innocence still
dwells on our oft-shadowed earth.
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