Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-06-02
REFORM HAS COME
Ard st. CIairsyiIIe has Set the
kesdsd Example.
Old-Time Commencement Usages Laid to
Rest by Natural and Uaaf-
fseted Class Of Young
Ladies,

Them never was rs large q crowd in
Weldayrs Hall, st. Clairsvilier as gathered
there on Thursday evening, 80 greet the
high school graduating class. There was
not an inch of standing room and hundreds
we're turned awsy. The stage was beauti-
fully and tastefully decorated with cut and
pot flowers, and the fair graduates, all in
white, werea an appropriate, bright and beau
tiful central setting TO the large floral arch
over the stage front. A beautiful floral
good-luck horse shoe, and the illuminated
figures "1SS3," topped out the arch. The
essays of the young ladies were
ONE ASp ALL EXCELLENT,
being in a different vein from the usual
humdrum commencement" style, and for
that very reason were particularly we'll
enjoyed by an appreciative audience. They
showed that the young ladies, who were
standing on the threshold of q new eIpe-
renee had profited by the past. They
hsd given the subjects very large amount
that speaks well for them aud their past
instructors. Where all did so we'll it would
be hard to discriminate and speak of indi-
viduals. The usual simpering and whim-
pering, which may do very well in private,
but is so ridiculous in public, which is
so common on these occasions, was
entirely done away with, and the
young ladies appeared in their natural
and best light, and not in the usual affected
srAGE-DYIHG, RAREwELL-BIDDISG SCENES,
where a disguised audience feels like call
ing for an onion, red lights and the cur
tain, out of pure sympathy, The orations
by the young men Of the class were we'll
composed and delivered, and showed that
they had a perfect knowledge OF their sub
jects. The address to the class by Presi-
dent Pendleton, OF Bethany College, was
an excellent one, and the breathless atten-
ton given il. shows how well il was ap-
preCiated both by the class and audience.
The music by the orchestra was one of the
features of the evening, as was also the
vocal selections. All in all, the Glass of
l>S3' covered themselves ali over with
glory and can feel satisfied that their first
lesson is ended" satisfactorily, ut least in
the opinion of their friends. The class is
an exceptionally popular one, and much
was expected OF them, and all were well
pleased with their effort.
MEMORIAL DAY.
The drilling rain on Memorial day was
the cause of large amount OF disappoint-
ment to the large crowd of men, women
and children who had gathered together to
do honor 10 our nations dead. The exer-
cises were held in The Court House, and
were opened by prayer by Rev. Robt. Alex
ander ID. d.. followed by a short. apprO-
pirate Grafton by James NJ. Rees, Esq one
Of the boys who wore the blue. Tine ritual
of the Post for the occasion was read by
Col J. f. Charlesworth, Post Commander,
after which the audience was dismissed
with the benediction. The Post immed =
atey formed on the outside of the Court
House. and although it was rainy and wet,
some twenty young ladies joined in the
line oil march to the cemetery, where tie
impressive ceremonies of the Post
were held over the grave of Cap
tain Drummond, which was beautifully
decorated. The line of march was then
resumed and the graves Of all the soldiers
lying IN the different cemeteries were
strewn with flowers. The music for the
occasion was furnished by drum corps OF
eight boys, under the leadership Of Prof.
K. Burlington, fifer.
At noon an excursion was run over the
Northern road to Wheeling, for the bene.
hit of those who wished to take part in the
ceremonies there, and some twenty-five
in all, members OF the Post and others,
took it in.
F. II. w. Drummond, Esq, assistant
editor of the Peoria Journal, came all the
way here to see his fathers grave decora.
ted, but arrived Just after the ceremonies
were concluded. The Post OF the G..
A. X. here was named in honor Of his
father, Captain Drummond.