The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-06-21
For the VALLEY vIRGINIAN.
DAYTON HIGH School Closing Exercises,

For the VALLEY VIRGrNIAN.
Dayton High School Closing Exercises.
The work of the whole school year looks
| towards its end. The earnest efforts, the
trials and labors, the home separations en-
dured by those who leave home to seek
knowledge, all find some relief in looking
| toward the close. 1t is then that the care
and worry OF school life is thrown off, and
pure enjoyment sought. The last week is not
only .hc most pleasant to the students.
but, all account of the public exercises, to
the community.
The close OF the above named school was
highly satisfactory to all-the students wore
pleasant faces, and the crowds Of visitors at
tested the interest of the people. The ex-
aminations were conducted during the day
from Monday till Thursday morning, when
the grades were read and the closing re-
est prayer offered in behalf of the students,
and oil felt ono years work was done and
its history written.
Tuesday evening-June II, was the first
evening OF the Literary entertainments. A
house full OF people was present. The ex-
ercises were opened by an anthem by the
vocal class with the instrument. after which
prayer WAS offered by Rev. Mr.. Holt. A
quartette. ''She sleeps in the Valley" was
then rendered with good effect. The Intro :
ductory Address was by Master Andrew
Shaun. When we saw this little boy acting
his part SO. well,we could only offer the pray :
er that one so promising may be long spared
to fill his place OF usefulness. This was fol-
lowed by an essay, by Miss Ada Funkhouser,
subject; "a place for everyone a useful
subject and well handled. w. r. Berry
then delivered an Grafton on "Hope and
Memory, "a production, original and thought
| full, giving good promise for the future.
| Then followed music by the class and in
strument, March Of the men Of Harlecll. !"
| ''The spirit OF song" was the subject Of
an Grafton by G. P. Holt. Though this
| speaker seemed to be somewhat embarrassed,
| his production was well received. The
thought it contained, clothed in beautiful
language, caused its real worth to be appre-
ciated by the audience. Then followed a
which was one of the prettiest things we
have ever seen. Miss Mary Shum then read
her essay on the 'sInHuence OF Love-" This
was a lengthy production, bat its real worth
prevented it from becoming tiresome. Music
again enivened the exercises. "Failures."
was the subject of an Grafton by H. N.
Whitesel. The earnest delivery of this speak
err secured the attention and well-wishes OF
the audience. 1.-THE entertainment inter-
rupted," a dialogue BY young men was re-
ceived with great applause. This and the
Recitation, "The Months was so repeated
ly called for that they rendered them again
the second evening. s'Brevities by Little
Girls' was next on the programme, after
which piece of music was sung. The last
for the evening was an essay, by Miss Ratio
A. Fries, subject; ''Life's Beauties" besides
being we'll delivered, it's sparkling gems OF
thought and common sense view of things
made it highly appreciated by the audience.
blessing and Glorying," an anthem, was
rendered by the class, the benediction was
pronounced by Rev. J. W. Howe, and the
congregation dispersed well pleased.
Wednesday evening was the browning
part Of the entertainment by the school.
The house was beautifully arranged, and
decorated with festooning and appropriate
notices, and was densely packed with eager
listeners. A well rendered piece OF music in
troduced the exercises, prayer was offered
by Rev. Mr.. Hoover, and another most ex-
cellent musical performance, and the regu-
lar entertainment began. D. Fl. Zigler, ora
ton, Life" was we'll delivered and highly
appreciated. The pretty recitation s'Sum-
mer'' then delighted the spectators. The
snow white dresses OF the little girls covered
with flowers made one think of fairy land.
Miss Ada Bnrtner, then read "Cobwebs,"
an essay distinctly read and well received.
"Call John,'' was then we'll rendered by the
vocal class, and was cheered from all parts
OF the house. J. S. McLeod's Grafton was
next in order. Transformation" was his
subject. This production manifested vigor
OF thought and was earnestly delivered.
s'The Cooking Club, a dialogue by the Ia
dies, was well performed with pleasing eff
feet. Master Charlie Long then detained
the midnight Murder The very name
brought attention, and after the startling de-
scription that followed, the audience were
raised to high pitchof mirth to find that
the murderer ''relentlessly killed''-a mos
quito. '"The Better Wish,' was then sung
by Messrs. Funk and Brenneman. This
piece charmed the listeners. ssSuperstition,
an Grafton by s. X. Wine, followed. This
speaker made some very happy hits, and was
received with applause. The spelling class |
was well given by class Of little boys and
girls. Miss Mamie Howe, acted the part of |
teacher nobly. Miss Alice Funkhonser then
read Housekeeping, a fine art Too
much stress can not be placed upon house
keeping. This production was well received.
spreading Rumor,' was sung and so true
to nature was it, that it was loudly cheered.
Mr.. w. o. Fries delivered an excellent ora
ton on wealth vs. Poverty" It would |
have been more highly appreciated had it |
been spoken with more earncstncss. An |
essay on man, was next expected. The au-
dience however, found themselves complete |
ly sold. when the two letters s. A.. on the |
back of Prof. Fries were brought to view by |
the drawing OF the curtain.
The last on the programme was decla- |
nation by Miss Matte Holm IN, Smother, |
Home, Heaven" The three beacon lights |
OF life's ocean were beautifully brought be-
fore us. A chorus was sung, and benelic- |
ton pronounced by Rev. Mr.. Nihiser. The
plentiful effusion Of flowers on these even
ings, made one ask. where did they come
from? Until a late hour were these auden-
ces held delighted by the good things Of the
occasion.
Thursday evening pleasant congregation
assembled, just enough to fill the house, to
hear the lecture of Rev. j. E. Holt, subject;
edgar Allen Poc." Music was finely rem.
dered, and prayer offered by Rev. J. S. Loose.
Then a fine duett Miss Howe and Mr.. Holt
was given. A full report of the lecture would
interest your readers, but as we are now too
long, suffice it TO say that it was grand. Bril-
liant ideas clothed in beautiful language, de- /
lighted those who had the privilege Of hearing
it. We hope to hear fsom Mr.. Holt again, and
feel sure large audience will be his at any
time. After fine music by the class the al-
dience was dismissed with the benedictIon