The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1885-07-18
Communicated. J


EDITOR OF MERIDioNAL.-Think'
ing yon are interested in the various
local affairs of your parish, ard
more especially in its educationa
advancement. | will attempt to
give yon a slight sketch Of the
closing exercises Of the Prairie
Greig School, which occurred on the
evening Of July 3rd 1885. Being
only a sojourner for a time, III this
beautiful green parish, | am rnac-
quaintcd with its previous history,
but understand that school exEibi.
tons have heretofore, been exceed.
ingly rare. But it is not surprising
that a people so abundantIy sur
rounded, With the free bount:es OF
nature, the broad fertile prairies
clothed in living green and broider-
ed with the dark rich foliage Of a
semi-tropical climate should have
cultivated the arts Of the light fan
tastic toe" while those of the intel
lect have been left far in the back
ground.
The citizens of Prairie Greig. Ger
tainly deserve great credit for the
interest evinced and the manner IN
which they have ENCOURAGED, this
first attempt at education display
and to lead the young to understand
and value the ADVANTAGES Of intellec
tual culture.
On the evening mentioned, .here
assembled quite an array OF fair
ladies, gallant men and honored citi
zens Of this coast bound prairie to
witness the exercises of the school.
The school had been taught only
three months by the present teacher,
Mr.. S. r. Ellis, and of course no
great advancement OR special train
ing could be expected, still the
pupils acquitted themselves with
credit in the various studies in
which they were examined, and more
especially in the pieces and parts
enacted. Master Oily Lee was first
presented to the audience and de-
liyered a neat address. 1t would
occupy too much of your space to
refer to all as there were thirty five
members Of the school, but we can
not refrain from mentioning Mr.,
Clarence Moss and Chester Han.
chctt as acquiring themselves with
credit, and by your leave Mr.. Editor
we vii! briefly refer to the last per,
formance, which was indeed a beau
tifal aud varied scenc-Thc Nav
Celebration = Miss Malylua john
son, as Queen. The handsome crown
was gracefully borne, and poised
upon the head Of the May Queen BY
Miss Leona Morgan. This young
lady deserves praise for her assidui-
ty in study, and gaining both prizes,
which were offered at the beginning
Of the school, Miss Lena Lee as
Scepter Bearer with betting re.
marks placed the symbol Of royalty
in the hands of the Queen, Miss Nora
Shells personating Faith, laid a
beautiful cross at the foot of the
throne j; Miss Ayalina johnson as
Hope bore the symholical anchor,
and Miss Lete Petry presented a
white mantle, beautiful emblem of
Charity ; Miss Mary Lee represent.
ing Innocence presented a white
.rose-Spring was personatod by
Miss Susie Morgan who placed an
boquet Of flowers in the
hands of the Queen and Miss Viola
Morgan deposited a sheaf Of oats
lieu Of wheat, Miss Clara Collins
a basket Of fruits represented
Autumn, and Miss Lizzie Huff as
Winters gift, presented a spray of
evergreen. Then came Mr.. John
Lee with a glass of water, exhorting
Oaeen to Temperance, and MIR,
Williams as Bacchus, pre-
sented a glass Of sparkling wine,