Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-03-02
For the SPECTATOR
An Exhibition ut Stuart'S Draft.

On the 23rd inst, the large and flour
| ishing school at Stuart's Draft in this
county, under the supervision of Mr..
Yancey, as principal, and Miss Levenia
Wallace, assistant, celebrated It's expi-
ration by an exhibition, charades, tab
leaux, Rotations, &c. Previous to the
closing event, the announcement was
only heralded within the immediate vi
entity, but through constant inquiries
and the fleetness of our courier, bore in
telligance OF its approach far beyond the
bourn of the locality, Just ia time,
however, for us to reach the rendezvous,
though not until the preliminary exer-
cises had commenced. No little diff
Guilty was experienced in finding the
school-house, which only exposed its
occult situation by the flash of the glar-
ing lights, darting through the thick
bushy jungle of the woods around.
The moping owl, as he flies across the
heath and screams amid the mighty
senatara of this DARK forest, can not
complain to the moon for her effulgent
light because the mellow heams fall
powerless L S:se S-aoSs. 81 the slumber-
ing grove.
Far from the ignoble strife of mad
den'd crowds, or the busy haunts OF
:Ien, "a inglorious Richard Henry Lee
here may seek cool, sequestered vale,
to lead a recluse and monastic life, or
less distinguished Patrick Henry to
shelter under the dense foliage to instil
his mind with treasures of knowledge
that shall one day read his "history in
a nations eyo."
Pardon our depression, Mr.. Editor,
and we promise, in conclusion, a brief ac-
count Of this exhibition, arising from the
want of a programme, and our cramped
and crowded position, incident to an
incOmmodious structure and large
gathering. which fatally debarFed note
taking. Sometimes bad acoustics pre-
vailed to such an extent as to completely
divert the attention OF the auditor.
Under such circumstances, to attempt
anything like a just and accurate report
would inevitably create censure from
the close observer. However, consider
ing the number of mere children who
engaged in these exercises, and evil
IDENTIFY their first debut on the public
stage, we take great delight in main
tanning the very elegant, commendable,
and credltable manner in which each
and every one sustained his part
throughout the entire evening. One
piece in particular that elected great
demonstration was dissertation on a
vegetable. The young gentleman who
recited it possessed an unassuming air
a grave and melancholy expression
about his visage, and, in wavering and
unsteady voice, uttered his appeals to
his father of a sad and forlorn charac-
ter, causing much sympathy from the
spectators for his miserable and de-
pIorable condition, when suddenly their
lachrymations were changed to rounds
of applause by his attrih9ting it to an
undigested cucumber he had eaten for
supper.
Another noticeable feature, and one
that we'll merited the applause it re-
ceived, was the Heipsidam Debating
Society, in WHICH the question for dis
cussioh read thus :-"Resotyeoz. THAT
the right of suffrage should be extended
to women" Miss Felix Jones, in siren
uous ami animated terms, advocated the
cause of women's rights, and concluded
by denouncing her antagonist, Paul
Slocum, a braggart and an ill bred gen
tleman. Slocum withstood the fiery
darts of his enemy ike true bachelor
until his turn came, when he rallied
down upon his opponent in the severest
and most sarcastic language imaginable,
openly accusing her of being despica-
bic and contemplate old maid, sour
enough for forty-elevenlh proof vine
gar. In the midst of the heated con-
test, q number of youthful aspirants,
visiting the society as spectators, reared
in the remote .precints OF Heipsidam,
untutored in parliamentary rulings, be-
came so terribly boisterous and indeco-
rous in their behavior as to.defy further
proceedings, consequently no decision
was rendered, but, judging from the
confused way in which tie members
dispersed, the society adjourned sine die.
This piece eclipsed by far the many
ludicrous plays Of the evening. Polite
Slipper read didactic essay on the
"Lover's Plea" At late hour in the
night, the, finale was announced end con-
Guided by the execution of the laughable
farce entitled Handy Andy" Aware of
the arduous and irksome tasks in in
structors for the stage, especially those
yet in their novitiate, how to perform
and appear sc as to produce effect, we
can heartily congratulate the managers
of this affair upon their successful and
enjoyable entertainment, and assure
them that their untiring and indefatiga-
bic endeavors proved of avail, and sadly
regret we are not sufficiently posted to
give the names of many Of the promi-
nent characters. Although the hour
pointed to midnight, we were loath to
depart, but, with heavy heart, we
babe adleu, While our burning thoughts
were directed towards SHERANDO.
AlBoLT.-There is rumpus among the
Readjusters at Richmond, and the Wig
is boiling over with rage. 1.-THE man
and brother' has "gone back on" his
late associates, and the Wig is calling
on the faithful to Hook out" That re-
minds us of the Irenchman who, upon
receiving a warning couched in these
very words. did look out' and got his
head bumped. "Queer language dis"
said heei ven you say look out, you
mean, look H." And that is Just what
the Wig means. Look in L ook into
the ranks OF the party. for there is dis
cord there, and its hitherto firm cohe-
| ciOn ia broken Tho ,,ooro 10.