The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-06-15


brooms were carried with thesweep ur.
AS the Broom Battalion moved
across the stage tii column of fours,
and turned the corners square as old
veterans, and as they moved by COM
pany front at s,Oecp arms down TO
the front of the stage, sweeping all be-
fore them, the scene was indeed q
royal one and the audience In the
heartiest applause attested to their APP
probation Of the brilliant spectacle.
And ut the charge 6dyonets another
salvo Of applause greeted the gallant
battalion. In fact from beginning to
end the applause was hearty and pro-
longed. The evolutions throughout
were executed in the most excellent
manner. An old soldier present who
served all through the war aud held
high commission, said that the exact
ness of step OF the march, and the
precision Of the movements were
among the most perfect he had ever
seen during his long service. We feel
certain that the evolutions were
finely executed and we take pardon
able pride in the great success of the
Battalion. The first appearance at
the former entertainment was excel.
lent. The second was twenty five per
cent. better if that were possible. The
manual of arms was gone through
with in regular order and was well
executed, although any one who has
ever handled gun and then at
tempted the same manual with the
broom will find the latter far more
difficult arm to manage owing to its
light weight.
The music 70: the marching OF the
Broom Battalion was furnished by
Mr.. Frank Settclle on the piano, and
Master Stoddard Bard~ell on the
drum.
III this connection we are compelled
to write of Il matter which seems uuch
as an act OF egotism, and for which
we must claim the indulgence of our
readers. At the close of the broom
drill Mr.. Johnson called the editor of
THE ADVOCATE to the front Of the
audience. The Captain of the Broom
Battalion pruceeded to pass the sem
tence of the court and said, addressing
The prisoner at the bar:
Mr.. PARSoNS:-In the name of the
Ridgway Broom Battalion, Co. O,
First Regiment, First Brigade, | pre-
sent YOU this token of the esteem in
which we hold you as gentle
man and friend. Also as n slight re-
| tiuuerntion for the valuable and untir-
ing services which you have 50 kindly
rendered as in drilling our company
in such Il thorough and efficient Iuan
ncr. May you and yours I've long,
prosper, ana be happy is the sincere
wish of ever young lady of the
"Ridgway Broom Battalion"
The token is beautiful silver
cake dish of unique design aud latest
pattern on the base of which is en-
graved Boldly in script
"Prcsenfcd to Henry Il. Parsons by
the Rjdgi0dy Broom battalion, June
9th, 1897
The whole matter was u complete
surprise party to Us 50 quietly had the
! entire affair been managed. And still
greater was the surprise when, as we
| endearored to ut least thank the young
ladies, the curtain dropped aud com
pletely cut us out.
The work of drilling the Battalion
was done without expectation or de-
sire for tho least rccoiIipensc. And
the Eoble manner III which they ac-
quilted themselves was sufficient re-
ward fer the little time aud slight
trouble taken to instruct this brightand
beautiful Broom Battalion. Thus we
| feel twice paid and must ever after
owe them debt Of the kindest regard.
THANKS.
The Captain and tie young ladies of
the RidgI7ay Broom Battalion will
please accept my sincere thanks for
the beautiful token" the valuable and
hondsonie gift. This will I hold III
the choicest remembrance, not for the
| value or the beauty Of the token" ,"
though it possesses both, but for the
spirit that prompted its giving and the
pleasant memories that will ever clus-
ter around this "tok enu ita I back ward
glarce over the page of time, and
fancy again in beautiful array the
seventeen charming young ladies who
composed the Ridgway Broom Batta!-
ion. And in the days TO come when
the mists of years shall have gathered
around your brow and mine may the
pathway of your journey adown the
hilIy sleeps of time bestrewed with the
| flowers of peace, prosperity and hap
piness. May your story be told as you
wish it to be is my sincere wish.
Cohen Bros. & Brownsteine of the
/ New York Store beg to announce to