Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1881-06-02
BRIDGEPORT.

The Commencement exercises of OuI
High School occurred in the Presbyteri-
an Church. on Thursday evening last
and were far more interesting than any
similar performance ever given in bridge
port. We simply reflect the one senti'
ment of our entire community, when we
Say that the present elevated and eff
cient status of our schools is largely due
dent, I. Z. Orr. The cause of education
in our midst has stepped forward and
upward under his care.
A large platform had been erected for
the accommodation of the High School
and teachers, Board of Education and
distinguished visitors. The stage was
tastefully decorated with evergreens
ferns, and flowers, and large horse
shoe of rare exotics was suspended over
the middle of the platform.
Prof. Scbofield conducted the music
Miss Ida Todd presided at the organ,
while Messrs. Liller, Clayland and Hath
away assisted in choruseS. Much praise
is due Messrs. Clark, Brice, McCOnahey
and Mckee for the ease and grace with
which they seated the large audience land
carried the armsful of beautiful flowers
to the appreciative recipients. To par
|tieularize would be tedious; suffice it to
say the music was excellent-alwayS so
under Prof. Schoiield's directions, and
the audience the most appreciatiVe we
ever saw in Bridgeport. All the per-
formances were highly creditable, and
elected from competent judges the high
est need of compliment. Miss Annie
Baggs opened the program with "The
Ride of Jennie Mcneil" and we hesitate
hot to pronounce it a bit of rare elOcu-
tionary excellence. A passing train in
terrupted the next performer, Miss Icie
Wilson, and John Sells had the misfor-
tune to forget once, but both received
great credit for success under such try
ing circumstances. An essay. Locks
and Keys" by Miss Mamie Cooke, ,daugh-
ter of DR.. Cooke, showed careful train
ing, Il broad graSping comprehension of
the subject matter, which was unlocked
most beautifully by the key of spright-
ly Imagination, and rendered in an ele-
CANT and accomplished manner, elected
much praise. Miss BERTHE Rice recited
Whittiers Marguerite" in good style,
and was followed by Mr. Charles Helm
lein. in an oration, "The Pleasures of
knowledge" This performance reflect
ed great credit upon the young orator,
who acquitted himself most handsome
ly, excelling many more pretentiOus
graduates of our colleges. Gail Hamil-
ton never wrote anything that afforded
more pleasure than Archie Dean," got
ten off by Miss Jesse Bates and Miss
Mamie Duncan. These two Misses rem
dered their parts with consummate
Arch-ness. The Dean of the faculty
convulsed the audience with laughter
Then came the closing exercise of the
graduating class, an essay, "The Marble
Lies Waiting,.' by Miss Minnie Alexan-
der, daughter of Hon. Il. J. Alexander
Never did we witness the unfolding of
a panorama, ravishing the senses with
its developing loveliness, more pleasing
than the living characters which sprung
quick and fast. as under Miss Minnie
magic chisel, the block of marble was
transformed into living thoughts, beau
tifully conceived and elegantly ex-
pressed.
On behalf of the Board of Education,
]. M. Todd presented the Diplomas to
the three graduates, Misses Minnie AL
exander and Mamie Cooke, and Mr.
Charles Heinlein. Judge Cranmer, of
Wheeling, closed with an address to the
graduates, replete with wisdom and
sound moral sentiment, most eloquently
expressed.