The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-01-01
THE HIGH SCHOOL EXERCISES

The closing exercises of the High
School last Thursday afternoon were
well attended and fully sustained the in
terest manifested in them. The sober
vein was well balanced with sparkling
humor, and the quiet streak of satire
that interspersed the whole disarmed
by the merry spirit of the exercises in
cident to the occasion.
Peterkin's Christmas Tree" tale
of Christmas humor, opened the exer-
cises, and was effectively read by Chester
Bradford. 1is
abigail Becker" recitation by
Clara Barnes, though excellent in itself,
was more marked by its presentation.
1t was clear, earnest, and attended with
what is not less rare than commendable,
easy and appropriate gestures and indi.
Gated thorough preparation. IL,
A very entertaining feature was the
Offering from the other departments
scattered through the programme and
representing different degrees of ad-
vancement Little Jennie Slosson recit-
ed THE Night before Christmas re-
markably well for one so young, and
enhanced by a delivery peculiarly her
own and the song, " Fill up the Baby's
Stocking" by little Laura Moore, was
especially expressive and sweet.
Mile Reynolds and III. Parker SEEM
ed quite well fitted for their parts in a
short dialogue and the intermediate
department, under Miss George, furnish
ed an amusing dialogue, "Who on Airth
is her" exhibiting the incongruities of
country gossip in very comic light.
A recitation, Tennyson's death of
the Old Year." was very we'll delivered
by Maggie Messier and after the
:" Sleigh Ride" chorus, we'll rendered Thy
those of the school who sung it), "Bob
Crutchie's Christmas" was related ap-
preciatingly by Lizzie Zweenic.
He Doeth his Aims to be Seen of
Men," recitation by Mary BlacKman,
was full of satirical pungency, and the
meaning was well interpreted by the de-
livery-indeed, a caustic coat for whom
sOever it fits to put on. .
The next, "The Man with a Cold in
the Head" was recited with seemingly
very unaffected art by Daisy Lane. It
was, indeed, laughable. but doubly laugh
able by reason Of the well brought out
initiative delivery. u
"The WEIGH Classic" recited with q
clear and easy presentation by Guy
Dunning, was followed by Chow Christ.
mas came to Rocket" recitation by
Josie Huck.
After the song, Christmas Carol"
followed sound grafton on True
Manliness," by Carl Smalley. Then the
exercises were dedicated to Christmas by
an excellent effort, an essay on "Christ-
mas" by Lottie Schroeder. This, mark
ed by considerable research in collating
historical truths and rhetorical ability in
its composition, as we'll as skill in felici-
tously introducing familiar and appro-
pirate Christmas sentiments, was, per-
haps, the pre-eminent feature Of the ex-
ercises.
The closing feature was farce ludi-
crously caricaturing some of the crudities
of modern elections and legislation.
As whole, the exercises were excel
lent and indicated efficient work under
Prof. Leach and other teachers, and Ke-
nosha has every reason to feel sense
of pride in her High School and other
departments as we'll.
Evolutionary training, as any one may
convince himself by attending the gen.
eral exercises of the High School, is re-
ceiving considerable stimulus but its
importance, especially to young men,
can hardly be over-estimated. ~4$@r
Clearness, iforce, and earnestness,"
says Webster fare the qualities which
produce conviction" Force and earn
estness are somewhat lacking, though
perhaps elsewhere in like manner, never
theless here. Only effort will restore or
secure these qualities but if he wills
and makes an effort, whatsoever he may
be, he may prove false even Webster's
statement, Labor and learning may
toll for it, but they will toll in vain.'
M. e. B.