St. Landry democrat., 1885-07-04
Commencement Exercises of
OpeIOusas Institute.

or the "Op6IOuSaS 1uSIIbuGS uAOOA WIG
direction of Mrs. NJ. M. Hayes. The
marked improvement of her pupils in
their several classes, and the high grade
of scholarship attained by the senior
class, are in themselves indisputable
proofs of the admirable system of the
school, and the educational capabilities
of the accomplished superintendent and
her able teachers.
On Thursday and Friday, the 25th and
26th of June, the Commencement Exer-
cises were held at Perrodin's Hall, the
schoolroom of the Institute, not being
large enough to accommodate the crowd
which always gathered at that time.
But the hall, large as it is, proved too
small for the immense assemblage from
all parts of the Parish. 1t was so dense
" packed with those fortunate enough
to get seats, and those compelled to
stand, that no one could force way
through the dense ranks of men forced
to stand as erect, and take up as little
room as soldiers on parade. Great
Pluto how hot it was! The thermom-
eter was Heaven knows where in that
mephitic atmosphere. The pitch in the
pine boards of the ceiling, melted and
oozed out-the moisture from human
breaths gathered like mist on the
window panes, and rolled down in great
water drops. We thought of the Black
Hole of Calcutta, and how long human
lungs could stand an atmosphere robbed
of all vital principle! But all the same
we stood our ground, and every hot
perspiring grum bier did the same. The
Adelphian Society controlled the enter
tainments Of the first evening. It is a
society formed in the Institute for the
purpose of self culture, and by the way,
it has issued very creditable little pa
per, the "Adelphian Echo" containing
some well written articles by the mem
bers. About s o'clock the Adelphians
marched in, music playing, banners fly
ing, and the opening chorus, "All by
the Shady Greenwood Tree" was ad-
mirab1y sung. The music which fol-
lowed" Message of Love-" Annie
Lisle" and "Visions of Paradise" were
we'll rendered by Misses Estelle and
Maggie Hedrick, Miss Jennie jackson,
Miss Ida Wright, Miss Fannie Lou
White and Miss Leola White. The
frat two mentioned young ladies
have remarkably sweet voices. Miss
Bessie Lewis recited 1.-THE New Church
Organ" with a deal of humOr and spirit,
bringing forcibly before the audience
the old time sister with her protest
against church innovations. Two
poems were read remarkably well by
Misses L. Hudspeth and III. Wilkins.
The reading bore testimoney to the at
tention which is paid in the Institute to
that branch of education-one too much
neglected, and which contributes so
largely, to the enjoyment of the domes-
tic and social circle.
1.-TWO Ghosts in White" was an
amusing farce and much applauded by
the audience. Music followed, and we
take occasion to pay we'll merited
compliment to Mrs. M. Lastrapes for
the proficiency of her pupils. A thor
ough and accomplished musician her
ssIf, she seems to have impaired to her
pupils, the frmness and delicacy of
touch, the perfect time, and expression
which characterizes her own inimitable
performances. Miss Addie Humble
read an essay on ''Epitaphs." It was an
original subject, and very well treated,
though we did not hear as much of it as
we wished, in consequence of the terri
BILE noise in the hall.
The class in CaIisthenics made a
beautiful tableau. The dress was strk-
ing and becoming, and the young ladies
went through their evolutions graceful
ly and well. Then followed another
farce, "rPhe Rough Diamond" very
amusing to the crowd which filled the
hall. 1t would be unjust to mention
the excellence of any special performer
when all played their parts well.
AT the close Of the evening a very
striking poem, Sister and T." was re-
cited by Miss Corinne Isaac, and
brought down thunders Of applause. 1t
is very common in country towns to
hear Of some wonderful dramatic
genius, whose reputation never seems to.
get beyond its limits. But we are much
mistaken if Miss Isaac's is OF that kind
or degree. A gentleman from New Or
leans. himself no inferior critic, re-