Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-05-21
Speakin' and Re citation Day.

stiltpI IpOlH N.itll luF luislti ailllpuIlt-
ed before di.missimg the school that "on
next Friday afternoon there will be no
recitations, but after hearing the reid
ing lessons Svery yonns lady viii read
All original composition, and every
Young man commit piece TO memory,
of poetry or prose, which he will speak
from this stand, and who fails to do
either will be punished"
How the perspirafion started on the
brow of the timid ones as the solemn
speech was made, Even the boy who
had put his mltteus on under the desk
and placed his foot out in the aisle al
ready TO go, at the words, school is
dismissed pulled off his mittehs and be-
gan searching Tor a book to take home
TO learn something out OF and whis-
pcred profanity, such a. darn it, "cJn-
found the luck, came up from behind
desAs-and all felt as il there was to be
an eclipse aud no glas, had been smok-
cd, except the one smart chap who had
rather speak than not and the girls
who had big sisters at boarding schools,
whose previous literary efforts at home
afforded rare chances for plagiarism,
which by little help would deceive the
teacher.
AT last the anxiously y-awaited day ar
rves, the forenoon is passed in tn. us
ual manner, but at noon there Is dcci-
ded change made III the appearance of
the scholars and the school room. The
big girls are dressed up for the occa-
sion. Their gowns are OF a finer texture
than those worn during the week; ONE
are adorned with their mothers breast
pin and pair OF prize earrings, white
stockings take the place ot literary
blue or black ones, which would not
look so well on the platform (iOr there
were no dresses en- train in those DAYS y
nearly all wore beau catchcrs' plaster.
cd on the side OF their iureheads, and
charcoal from the fireplace had been used
rs dentIirice during the lntermlsslon
between fore and afternoon.
The little bare-footed girl appeared in
bright, copper toed shoes and tape en-
broidercd pantalettes OF a nankeen style.
With the BOYS there was also an attempt
at improved toilette; boots had been
creased, paper collars turned, and pOr-
ton of their SUNDAY -go-to -mcetin,
clio 0thes "donned for the occasion. Shocky
heads of hair had been combed into
partial subjection, and the boy with
chapped hands had soaked his hands in
bran and water until portions OF the or
iginal cuticle were visible. The doctors
son. exhaled powerful aroma all his
fathers iiayoring essences, and the'tav-
ern keepers" boy had annointed him
self with" Jamaica" as a substitute for
Bay Rum The master, to maintain
a dignity equal to the occasion, had al
80 exchanged his every day coat for a
'swing-tail of fabulous length, and shi-
ny i'll spots as ducks wing. The bell
rngs-reading lessons, are heard-books
put away, the speaking platform cleared
for work, and the show opens.
Samuel Snubnose. calls the teacher
and Samuel with a parting glance
at his books, stumbles along toward the
stand, where he becomes the target OF
a hundred ewes, and his face the color
of a turkey gobbler's wattles. A bow,
such as he would have made if a brick
had struck him at that instant in the back
OF the head, and he essayed to speak:
'The curfew tolls the knel of parting day
The lowing (pause) herd winds slowly o'er tine
lea
The = the-(prompter) 'plowman' = powman
leaves the weary way,
And pfods the dark TO worldness and to me-
The moping moon doth to the owl complain
(snickeriDg)
Saye(te he he he) where the beetle WELD, his
best right bower
And drowsy tinkings hull her distant reign.
The teacher raps on the desk and saws:
Samuel no levity,' and Samuel, who
has forgotten pretty much all his clergy
concludes as follows:
He rests histha ha) head (snort) upon the lap
OF yearth
A youth to (proonged snicker) unknown.
Melancholy marked him at his birth.
And science trOwned on him for her own.p
Sam goes to his seat and holds his nose
to keep from laughing out loud, while
at nod from the master 'LucindB Wirth'
trips, all smiles and bushes, to the plat
form, and after 'kurtseying,' proceeds
to read in an inaudible voice something
about BE kind to thy father The teach.
er says Louder and we catch few
words: Your father'loves you and has
been at a great deal of expense abrinp.
ing you up, and you should obey him
and nOt-,' here ensues tumble of
sounds which no one can interpret.
which cease, and after folding the com.
position Lucinda lays it on the teach.
er's table for inspection, 'kurtseys' and
goes to her seat. George Francis Spain,'
says the teacher, and spruce looking
chap, whose hair is goose oiled into curl
mess, steps boldly to the front.
George likes this business : he is GO
ing to make . lswyer-and in . shrill