, 1888-12-22
A FITTING CLOSE.
Interesting Closing Exercises at the
High School Yesterday.
An Afternoon with the Holmes
/. Literary Society.
Determinations, Recitations, Essays,
Music and a Debate.

The Christmas exercises of the Holmes
Literary Society at the high school yes
terday afternoon were entertaining, inter
esting and instructive. The participants
had carefully prepared for the occasion
and all did remarkably well. The attend
ance was large and the audience a very
appreciative one.
The first number on the programme was
a very pretty chorus entitled. "Hark, the
Herald Angels Sing" Mr.. Aliens music
lessons have been very beneficial to the
scholars, they showing a marked improve
ment in this direction.
Books" was the subject of a very SEN
sible defamation by VIM. Clutch.
Katherine Murray's essay on "Bayeaux
Tapestry" was a creditable production
well read.
Jack Homer was nicely recited by
Marie Wedemeyer.
John kelly's essay on The Cowardice
of Crime was original and evidenced
that the young writer had given much
thought TO the subject.
In a well-modulated voice Mamie
Thompson told a pretty story of city life
called Little Rockets Christmas"
Leah Ringolsky added fresh l%aurels to
her reputation as a musician by her skill
full rendition of a difficult piano solo.
"a Christmas Story was the title of
a clever novelette, written by Edith john
son. The plot was unique and the moral
good.
The patriotism of his hearers was
aroused by Herbert Glcason's delivery of
a defamation called THE Impossibility
of Conquering America"
1.-The Closing Year." a retrospective
essay by Ada Williams, was well written
and contained some healthy sentiments.
That beautiful descriptive production,
THE Painter of Seville, was recited in
fine style by Elsie Myers. The story is
one that appeals to the better nature of
mankind, and was feelingly told.
Now came the soclety's favorite. John
Morrison, who was enthusiastically ap-
plauded as he advanced to the rostrum.
He is a manly looking lad with a splendid
voice and excellent ideas on elocution.
His defamation. The Defense Of
Hofer." was admirably rendered, his
gesticulation being well nigh perfect.
Part second opened with a chorus.
Glad Christmas Bells
In his Grafton 1.-THE Dawn and Develop
ment OF English Liberty" James Ben
nett told the story OF the Magma Charta
in a forcible style.
Jamie" a pathetic narrati We of a
runaway boy wa recited by Gertrude
Morgan and was one of the best things
of the afternoon.
The witty local hits in Lisle Smiths
original Christmas Poem" provoked
much merriment. The young lady evlnces
a faculty for topical verse making.
Quartette-Star Of memory.
The debate on "Resolred, That Napo-
leon was a greater man that Cromwell"
was the feature of the entertainment.
As principal for the affirmative Martin
Sachs reviewed the life of the great
Frenchmen, emitting none of his achieve
ments.
frankie Himstreet proved herself mis-
tress of the invective in a scathing denun-
citation OF the little corporal.
According to Leslie Snow Cromwell
was a pretty tough customer and would
have experienced difficulty in getting a
job as life term prisoner in a penitcntiary.
He said hat Cromwell was a rebel, MUIR
derer and usurper and Napoleon a patriot.
Clarence johnson, the youngest of the
debaters had prepared a very good biog-
raphy of Cromwell. He reviewed his
actions as man, leader and ruler, and JUS
titled his course toward Charles 1. The
charge of hypocracy was refuted.
Martin Sachs briefly paid tribute to
Napoleon again, and the debate closed.
The Judges were Attorneys Potter,
Bryant and Clark. On the merits of the
debate they decided for the affirmative,
and the verdict was greeted with ap-
plause.