Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1878-07-06
Alto Institute.

Enron RIcRLAsp BEAc0N-lt was my
Good fortune 10 be nj the closing exercises OIL
thi. school to-day can not say commences
ment. because there were no degrees coh'
terred-but for school Of only SIX rnoh'is
standing il was complete success, an"
have seen examinations Of schools oil zen
months 81 ,sion where scholars fell lar Dehihu
these.
The exhibition, to>day, consisted, LIST. In
smelling by the entire school In tins branch,
the examination was perfect and thorough,
conducted by Miss Fannie Clark The schol'
ars acquitted themselves with honor. was
not there at the commencement, bnt suppose
these exercises lasted near one hour and
half; children who started in their A Us,
stood the test at least :one hour. Miss Fans
ME Clark needs no commentator nor praise
from my pen. All who know her know that
she is highly accomplished and Of long ex>
periencc in teaching aud one OF the most sues
cessfuI and popular lady educators IN North
Louisiana. | was pleased to-day to see the
many marks Of affection and esteem shown
her by her pupils.
After the close Of this interesting exercise,
the principal, Mr.. Fletcher, announced that
speaking was next in order.
Master Willie Martin was introduced on
the stand, who delivered the salutatory.
Master Martins composition would have
done honor 10 an older head. His language
was ciaste, well chosen and full of meaning
his words of welcome TO classmates, parents,
patrons and friends Of the school were de-
livered in quite an oratorial STYLE and AT the
conclusion the young orator was greeted
with rounds Of applause. MIR Albert Camp
bell was next introduced. Theme: Our
Obligation" Mr.. Campbell made good
address on orr obligation to society and our
country, the improvement Of the same.
Next in order came speeches, dialogues,
etc, from the little boys and missis, which
were amusing, laughable, and highly intcr>
csting to the audience.
Wealth nut a Criterion" Discussed by
Master William Fountain. This Young gen
tleman did credit to himself. and made i
appear that brains made the man, not wealth
and fine clothes, nor superficial appearances.
1.-The Used up Candidat-;1 BY Master
William Garner. Master Garner plead his
cause for the suffrage" of his feIIow-citizens
in fine style, and before he got through, had
il not been fer the many severe cuts and sar>
castle remarks Of the "sufIagans, your cor
respondent would have been convinced that
Lookout, candidatesr' if you ever cons
mitted any sin in your life you will be sure
to have it rel,ashed before the tides Of next
November"
"None Excel Without Great Labor Mr..
Jefferson Mccoy. Mr.. Mccoy made some
good points.
This ended the literary exhibition Of the
day, which was highly credi,abIe to teachers
and schoara
The average attendance, End term, fl pu>
pills. Average scholarship ranged as follows:
lowest, 6; highest, 10; tie number being
perfect: 10 being one tenth less than perfect
Then followed oi,hand remarks made by
Mr.. H. F. Vicker, yonr correspondent, and
the principal, Mr.. Fletcher.
Mr.. Fletcher informed me that the only
| special preparations made for this examina-
ton was made during this week.
| Next in order was the dinner. .Hpropos.
Mr.. Editor, had your correspondent been a
connoiseur Of the culinary department or Of
| the picnic, he might come near doing justice
t, BE matrons Of DE Alto vicinity. bu, in this
| ne his education is deficient; but this much
| can say in all good conscience that every.
thing tiat the most fas,idious epicure could
desire was spsead before tine anxious and
hungry spectators, to the great delight Of all,
and especially the little folks, who were hon
ored " i'h the first seats at the table
The attendance has been very regular, and
! think Mr.. Fletcher has COOL ground 10 con.
graduate himself on his success and the
people and patrons or tie school have every
reason 70 corgrsaulate themselves that they
have been so fortunate as to secure the service
Of such an efficient and exemplary teacher.
for one feol proud that Mr.. Fletcher has
identified himself with the Alto people, and
that again on the 23rd OF next September he
will reopen his school.
And now a word to the patrons Of the
school. In order TO make the school success
full we must give our unqualified all. We
must remember that Mr.. Fletcher is teaching
for the money, and that tie patrons must be
as punc;ual and faithful in paying as lie Ina:
been in teaching. He has been at much out
lay in starting this school, it IS private enter.
prise he has built his own house and this j:
not all, he has gone to the expense Of procur
ing an assistant that any institution of learn
ing might well be prond Of. To person.
abroad having chrildren TO educate. and hav'
ing to send from home, take pleasure il
recommending this School.
Very Respectfully.
JOnS A. HENLER.