Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-05-30
THE COMMENCEMENT SEA
son
Inaugurated at Bridgeport Last
Night.

NAShNs
The graduating class OF the Bridge
port High School held the annual COM
mencement at the Presbyterian Church
in that village last evening. The Church
was crowded with friends OF the class
and the other performers, all OF whom
seemed we'll pleased with the entertain
ment offered. The Church was taste
fully decorated with flowers, flags and
garIands, which lent their aid 10 make
the occasion enjoyable.
Miss Mary Ciayland, a teacher IN one
OF the schools, presided at the organ,
and her accompaniment was great aid
TO the vocal music.
The exercises opened with an anthem,
Daughter Of Zion, by the school, led
by Prof. SchOfield. The singing OF the
class is, TO say the least, equal 10 that OF
some much older trained singers.
Miss Maggie Gilmore then recited
LongfellOw : poem Lady Wentworth.
Miss Maggie's manner Is unconstrained
and free from attectation, and the beau
ties Of the selection were we'll brought
out bv her rendering. The recitation
would have been improved had the
Young lady's voice been just little
stronger, but this is fault II fault 1t
can be called, for which, perhaps,
neither the young lady, nor her IN
,tructors can be blamed. There are
only exceptional circumstances, also, in
which a soft voice can be said 10 be OBJ
iectiOnable in a lady.
'The Fireman was declalmcd by
Charles Heinlein. With the exception
of being a little too hurried, the per
torrance was very creditable, and
elected applause az It's close.
Miss Annie Bags chose for her reci-
tation "The Wedding, - a not unnatural
subject. Her fault was the same as Miss
Gilmore s-her voice was hardly power
iul enough 10 reach all portions OF the
audience. Still. the lines were given IN
a mannerwhiCh showed that she had the
proper conception OF them, and was in
sympathy, for the time being, with the
sentiment expressed.
Chwatal's Lovely Night was rem
dered in good style by the singing class,
and then Mr.. !. NJ. Bags read the first
graduating essay, the preceding per-
formances having been given by yolun-
teers from the Junior class. Mr.. Bags
took for his subject small Beginnings.
He alluded 70 the discovery by Slr
Isaac Newton OF the theory OF gravlta-
ton through the medium OF a falling
apple, Of the Lighting OF an engine
fires with match, itself OF the
slightest significance, and yet causing
such astonishing results. Many OF our
most useful and complex inventions
have resulted from trihing beginnings.
Watt, by observing his mothers tea
kettle, discovered the power OF steam,
and applied it as a motor. The trltiins
seed germ was c0ntrasted with the tow
ering monarch of the wood. All Of these
were likened to the growth OF habits
IRON little COmmenCementS, and the
writer closed with a reference 10 the
history OF Jesus, and quotation from
beautiful and familiar poem, by Charles
Nackav, with the same title rs the es-
say.
Miss Lucy Alexander then read Bry-
ants grand old poem, "IhanaiopsiS,
in a manner which, while pleasing, was
well in keeping with the dignity
of the subject and the stately measure
of the verses. We are inclined 10 give
the palm of the evening to this young
lady. We have seldom heard the read
Ing excelled 10y one so young.
GENTLY Down the Stream Of Time,
a solo bv Miss Mamie Cooke, IN the chO-
rus Of which the class joined, was next
on tine programme. Miss Mamie has a
sweet vo.ceoi good power and compass,
seemingly IN gyoj training, and her rem
iiti1u of this selection was q pleasant
feature of the entertainment. The ChO-
rus was beautiful.
Miss Ella Clark took as her graduation
theme. "Our Boat Is Launched, but
Where Is the Shore?' Her
STYLE is a happy one, and
her enumeration distinct and pretty.
The essay reflected credit upon herboth
as IT, author and as It's reader. Ii was
a reference 20 lie as voyage, and the
figure was well carried out. 1t was re-
ceiyed with the heartiest applause VI the
evening. and ~ lis close Miss Clarke was
made the recipient o. q number OF beau
tiiUl bouquets.
{. 4. Rice. q member II the gradual
inc class. gave as a defamation a selec-
ton from an Grafton 10y Rev. Henry
Ward BecChcr on The Restoration OF
the Flag on Fort sumter The manner
Of delivery was earnest and graceful,
and the address was well received, and
appropriately followed by the singingby
the school of a Patriotic G.ee.'
Andrew J. Hein.eln delivered an ora
ton as his graduating performance, tax
in. for his subject The Free lnstltu-
tons OF America We regarded the
Grafton as really remarkable proiuc'
ton. the subject being treated in 4 fit
ting manner. and with more depth OF
thought than could be anticipated.
Like his predecessors, the speaker was
az his ease in the presence OF the audi
euce, and delivered his Grafton with
spirit, and in a style which showed that
be was master OF his theme.
Jean lngel0w's poem The High
Tide. Wa, given in an audible ard
clear voice by Miss BERTHE Rice. Miss
BERTHE seemed almost entirely uncon-
scious OF her audience, and her rendition
of the sweet lines was very pretty indeed.
With thorough training. this reader the
Youngest. perhaps, OF al. the perform
erS, will make an accomplished elocu-
zionist. She was unfortunate enough
20 forget her lines once or twice, but
nothing abashei thereat, she took the
book. and proceeded with the recita-
ton. thus showing that she posses sed
pluck. as well as other desirable quail
ties. The audience showed their appre-
citation Of her triumph by hearty APP
Vlause.
The school sanE the Pilgrim Chorus,
from Verdi, a quite difficult selection,
but they mastered it without apparent
difficulty.
Winters wel-known verses. The
Angels OF Buena Vista. was recited by
Miss Mamie Cooke. The selection Is
a difficult one % 10 justice To, but il
did not suffer a. all a; Miss Nannie's
hands. Her appropriate rendering was
TO many an agreeable surprise.
Miss Minnie Alexander. q daughter OF
Hon. Il. j. Alexander. reci,ed Hamil-
ton Aides rhyming story OF the miner
who was mysJeriously missing on
the eve OF his wedding 10 a fair maid,