Daily Republican., 1888-12-21
ENTERTAINMENT.
PLEASANT CHRISTMAS EX-
ERcIsEs.
MRS. Laura o. HRrknesB Gives Her
Pupils and Patrons the Pleasure OF
christmas EntsrtaInment-Pre-
sentsd With . Chair.

Mrs. Laura o. Harkness, principal Of
her own school at Ninth and King streets,
and her pupils gave her patrons and
themselves very pleasant entertainment
yesterday afternoon, commencing at
O'Clock and lasting an hour and half.
The ldlng doors were thrown open and
one hall was made of her suit of rooms
on the second floor, and the place was
filled with the pleased parents of the
pupils.
Mrs. Harkness' rooms are admirably
located for educational purposes, the
ventilation, light and the beautiful view
oil the Delaware being amongst the In
spirating incentives to lure on the in
quirlng mird in the path OF knowledge.
But the guiding and moving spirit of
this splendid school is the principal her
self. A teacher from her youth she has
lost none of her love for her occupation
and she is nevtr happier than when she
succeeds. She points with pride 10 many
OF the leading business men and women
Of the city as having been her pupils
when she was the Acknowledged head of
the public schools of Wilmington.
Her school Ia composed of pupils Of
both sexes and all grades from the pri-
mary to the grammar and language de-
partmeut. She has able assistance in her
admirably arranged school from II. 8.
Prickett, Esq Mrs Scudder and Miss
Bigger.
The exercises yesterday afternoon con-
sisted OF declamations, readings, dia-
logues, singing, and the amusing per-
tormances of the "Peak" sisters.
The exercises opened with song from
the school called "Cherrie time" Mrs.
Scudder presiding at the piano.
Harry BaJnard, was the first orator,
and his call for "Sanla Claus" will no
doubt be answered in person by that ven
cradle old gentleman
Miss Reba Taylor gave an admirable
reading, and a class Of twelve children
had something good to say of the twelve
months OF the year.
"Strategy" was well performed dia-
loGue by I've girls, but Miss Grace Gibson
got to Mulberry Hall" all the same.
AS II anticipating old Nick's" visit
the school sung "Jolly Old st. Nick"
Charlie JetTeris, told how the wren
drove that queer bird, the yellow Jacket,
out OF its nest.
Miss L Holston gave an admirable
reading Of how a young lady who des-
plsed the Methodists became the wife OF
Methodist itinerant
lAhuH u y bHC bhuI . bLOthlukSe- uHuB
the little folks smile as they sang It.
Harry Walrath entertained the com
pany with a recitation and then a class of
girls each with doll sung "Bye Lo
Land"
Miss Edna Bullock gave q pleasant
reading, and then followed an instru-
mental duet by Mrs. scudder at the piano
and John Richie with the flie. "Johnny"
handles TIE flfe with wonderful ability.
The "Peak" Sisters was the comic part
Of the entertainment by ten young ladies
in costume, To them the audience is
indebted for hearty laugh. They were
admir- ibly trained, thou h 1t is sunni ed
that the training was not difficult with
young ladies hent on having little fun
The dear sisters should often appear, and
1t is hoped the dumb one will gain her
speech, the twins be less splteful, and the
tardy one be on time at the next exhlbi
tiOn The peaked hats might be run up
as high as the ceiling would afford.
Harry Yandeveuter may be styled the
boy orator of the OCCASION, Harry told
all about how turkey felt who was to
be killed for Christmas, but who goS of
because 1t was too poor. Speaking is
easy, natural aBd graceful with Harry,
and his oratorioal powers will no doubt
ue Oltou Calitu u lnbO ACTIVE exercise.
Rev. j. B. Parmalee, made a very
brief blackboard address and then follow
ed more singing during which come loud
voices were heard back by the entrance
door and couple OF young ladies were
seen bringing in a large willow rocking
chair, decorated with ribbons. One OF
the young ladies told Mrs Hardness that
the chair was for her and it was but a
small token Of the esteem and love they
had for her as teacher.
Mrs Hardness hadn't this part of the
exc else upon her programme and she
looked both surprised and confus-
ed as she thanked her pupils for
their kind cOnsldt ration. She did
not discover until some time afterwards
that 0ns Of the ladies had slipped nice
silk umbrella up beside the chair
Everybody was pleased and very highly
complimented Mrs. Darkness her assis-
tants ard her pupils upon having model
school.