The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-06-21
ELKTON ACADEMY.
Annual Exhibition by the Pupils
The Broom Drill.

The annual exhibition by the pupils of
Elkton Academy, under direction of the
principal, Prof Thomas b. Graham, took
place at Odd Fellows Hall on Tuesday
evening last. A good audience was pres
ent though the house was not full, Ow-
ing no doubt to the extremely warm
weather The programme was long
one and it was nearly eleven O'Clock
when the aud .ence left the hall. All the
participants acquitted themselves admir-
ably and many of them are entitled to very
great credit for the excellence with which
they executed the various parts assigned
them. The exercises were opened with
prayer by Rev. Mr.. Beers. AS we said
all the participants acquitted themselves
admirably, but some of them exhibited
decided talent and besides some Of the Sc
lections were of more merit than others,
giving the personators or reciters more
scope and a better opportunity to display
their attainments. The orphan girls
prayer was admirably rendered by Miss
Carrie Ricketts, Miss Carrie Hall gave
a naughty little girls views of life, just
as naturally as though she were
naughty little girl herself; Miss Elva
Gipin discussed the occupants of pho
tograph album in Il very interesting man.
ner; Miss Arrie Rowland, told about
shams, in Il pleasing style; Miss Emma
Jaquett reae decidedly meritorious
essay on morning; Misses Estella Haines,
Lucy S. Litzenberg and Emma Mil
Ter, each executed piano solo, in
such manner as to show that they pos
sess decided ability in that line. One of,
in fact we thiuk the best recitation of
the evening was, Only Brakeman, by
Miss Nettie Mcfarland. This young
lady possesses marked dramatic talent.
Az instrumental duet by Misses Laura
Maxwell and Clara Scott and vocal
duet by Misses Clara Scott and Josie
Mahan We're both rendered remarkably
WELL Mice at play, select reading by
Miss Mary Is. Miller, was excellently
recited. An Grafton entitled, Patriotism
the first selection on the programme, by
I. b. Miller, was delivered in a mastery
manner. Mr.. Frank Harvey sang very
pathetic ballad (thc title of which we
did nor cttch) and was rewarded by an
enchorc. One of the funny selections
WAS a dialogue entitled. The way to
Wyndham, which was well handled by
Masters Is. Ricketts, and III. w. McNeaI.
y piano and cornet duet by Messrs.
Ascher Scott and John Dunbar, was
greatly enjoyed, besides these there were
several dialogues in character by mem
beers of the school, which were much en-
joyed by the young folks, but the crown
ing effort of the evening and to which
all looked with expectancy was the
s'Broom Drill" by a company of young
ladies Miss Mary Miller, captain), the
broom berg substituted for the deadly
rifle.
If battles could be fought with this
weapon there would probably be as much
dust kicked up rs ever, but less blood
split. Tie fair young soldieresses exc
cuted the manual of arms. marched and
counter-marchcd ard fired by company
standing and kneeling with as much
precision rs odd vets In going through
the manual Of arms the command was
not shoulder arms, present arms, &C.,
bnt shoulder bruoms, present br0oms,
Ne. As the arm had neither lock, stock
or barrel when the command Sire" was
given each soilieress pulled an imas mary
trigger aud each pair of red lips uttered
Il sharp "bang'--nu smoke followed the
report and the gun is always loaded, and
in these respects has the advantage over
the ordinary arm. A new movement not
in "Cptons Tactics was introduced.
This was the company sweep, and con-
sisted of swinging of the broom from
right to left, the broom just touching the
floor in time with the step as the COM
pany moved forward or back ward in line.
This was one of the most interesting of
ali their movements. Altogether the
broom drill was great success.
as we have been compelled to do at
each yearly repetition OF this exhibition,
We once more make mention of the out
ragcous behavior of a crowd of small
boys ill the hall on Tuesday evening.
yelling, stamping, clappins their hands
without an object in the world but to
make a noise. \ police officer should
always be provided to look after these
IL