The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-06-27
oUR LADS AND LAssIEs.
second Annual Commencement OF the
MheelinE Pnhlic gehools.

thIther, and with the happy graduates
who have completed with honor to them
selves, their teachers and their schools,
the prescribed course Of study, the day
signifies the finished elimination Of
months Of ardent toll and diligent anxiety.
The diploma means much more than Is
written upon 1t, whether II be deserved
or not. II It has not been earned, Of
course 1t Is, to certain extent, allie which
the honest, rough world will duly stamp
a. the days 90 BY. II be deserved, then
the years and months OF toll recorded up
OH It's parchment face Is oriuLure days to
read with pride.
Yesterday was day long to be re.
membered by the boys aud girls Of the
public schools. The second annual com.
mencement exercises took place In the
evening at Washington Hall. The well
earned reputation OF the v heellng public
schools will permit only one opinien Of
the significance OF the closing gala day Of
the year. II means that earnest, diligent
effort has been crowned with Joy.
The building was packed with the
iriendsand relatives OF the graduates long
before the hour arrived for opening the
exercises. In fact, the moment the doors
were opened the crowd rushed In, and
within few moments every seat was oc.
cupied and the aisles were thronged. AT
half.past seven o'clock people were actual.
ly turned away from the doors; the house
was jammed full, and there was not even
standing room 10 be had. Late corners
were accordingly left ont in the cold
lguratively speaking only, as the even
Ing was one OF the warmest OF the season.
II was the greatest crush ever known in
Washington Hall. ...
The stage was very handsomely SET, and
ELECTED warm expressions Of admiration.
A iestoon OF evergreen hung over the foot.
lights, forming loop in the centre, which
enclosed the golden figures 40" The lace
curtains at the back were also tastefully
festooned with evergreen, and beautiful
hanging baskets swung gracefully between
the curtains, Largo vases OF the choicest
flowers stood at either end OF the stage;
beautiful singing birds In gilt cages war
bled necessarily, and 10 one who peeped
forth upon the magnificent floral display
from behind the footlights the usually dull
hta6e WAC AAeuVu " LVSPeIV euCuahtou
isle.
About o'clock Kramer's celebrated Or
chestra struck up march, and the gradu.
ates, twenty.seyen in number, fled upon
the stage and took seats facing the audi.
ence, forming q semi.Circle. Prayer was
offered by Rev. Samuel Steele, pastor OF
North Street NJ. T. Church, after which
there was more music, and the reporter
found time to glance about him and note
who and what he saw. Back Of thegrad.
uating class, behind the scenes, between
the flies, everywhere the people were
crowded together almost sandwiChed to-
gether, as there was scarcely room enough
to move, much less to write. Not one
fourth Of those on the stage had seats, but
they stood the long programme through
and never Ainched.
Among the prominent gentlemen on
the stage We noticed Governor Mathews,
Secretary Of State Brady, Attorney Cen
eral White, DR.. Thomas H. Logan, Rev.
Samuel Steele, Judge R. II. Cochran,
Judge John s. Cochran, Mai. J. 6. Alder.
son, Capt. Joseph Faris, K. ]. Smyth,
Esq, and others whose names we do not
nov remember. The officers and mem
bers OF the Board OF Education, and the
Principals and teachers Of the various
schools, were also on the stage, but they
did not occupy seats, as there were no
seatG to be had.
Prot. John G. Hervey, Superintendent
Of Schools, had charge Of the exercises,
and introduced the performers 10 the 9u-
dience. Miss Edda L. Bingell was first in.
trodnCed, and read well written paper
on "Our Ideals, " and was followed by the
other graduates in the following order:
Annie Brown, "False Judgment" Annie
c. Campbell, "June;" Negley D. Cochran,
"Gold Mines !" Ada NJ. Drake, "Driftwood; :"
Alfred c. Davis, 1.-THE Growth Of the
World;" &Iollie Ellifritz, COLLECTS
and Obstacles" Mary A. Faris,
1.-THE Seventh Ward Graduates" Elmer
Frasher, "Mind and Its Creations;" Mat
tie Gibson, 1.-THE Value OF Time and
Knowledge" Ella r. Greer, "Rehec.
tions;" Maggie Husk, ''The Select SKI"
Mary r. Hart, "know. No." Laura J.
Long, 'TriAes;" Louis B. Merits, smile
Posts;" Annie L. Meyers, "0ne by One;"
Kate B. Myers, ais this World Vale
Mary Reppetto, Pilgrim Mothers" Fan
ME Smith, Beyond the Alps Lies Your
ltaly;" Mollie L. Smith, Plea for Modern
Girls" Lulu Wait, "a Last Will and Tes-
: lament" Minnie II. White, "They Say"
Lillian D. White, "What is the Price?"
Annie NJ. Woodruff, every Cloud has
its Gilver Lining" Retta Wolvington,
Prospect and RettospeGtIH Lizzie Woods,
Spleen"
The young ladies and gentlemen did not
! always speak very loud, and there was
such an incessant tluttering OF fans in the
audience, which, together with number
OF noisy young people in the gallery, pre-
vented those on the stagefrom distinguish
ing word that was uttered. Only after
: Prof. Heryey had exhausted the English
language in repeatedly urging upon the
audience the necessity Of Keeping order,
were We enabled TO occasionally catch a
few disconnected words that fell from the
lips OF the fair speakers. Certainly, II the
speakers could not be heard upon the
; stage, they were not understood by the
audience.
Finding it impossible To hear enough OF
Yhat was going on TO write an intelligent
criticism, the reporter made the best use
OF his eyes possible, and gazed with ad.
miratiOn upon Alex. Bismarck Turner, a
colored friend and brother, who distin-
guished himself by the case and grace
with which he handled the profusion of
floral iavors which found their
way upon the stage at the close
Of each performance. Alexis politeuess,
as he handed the maidens theirnumerors
bouquets, accompanying each with very
low bow, can only be compared to that OF
the celebrated Chesterfield. Indeed, Dame
Nature seemed to pour her choicest offer.
ings at the feet Of these beauteous maid.
ems. There were bouquets of every size,
shape and quality; beautiful vases Of
flowers, elegant baskets Of flowers, hand.
some crosses, wreatls, ANCHORS, pyrahidsI
in fact, there were n sorts Of DEVICES and
designs made up Of flowers.
i An interesting incident, which, as the
showmen say, was midtown on the bills"
was the presentation Of fine gold combi.
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