The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-04-27
Prize Medal Contest at Melmar
Academy.

Prize Medal Contest at Melmar
Academy.
A large and appreciative audience gath
cred IN the Presbyterian Church of Zion on
last Friday evening the 10Th inst. to attend
the Demorest prize medal contest gwen by
the students of Meimar Academy. At eight
o'clock the school marched i'll in beautiful
order, keeping step to n brilliant march
performed on the piano by Katie Rutherford,
and took their places on large platform
elegantly trimmed with flowers and conspi-
cuous from all parts of the house. An Easter
Anthem, "Christ Arose was sung for all
opening chorus by all the voices with good
effect. Then followed the devotional exer-
cises, responsive reading of the scriptures
and prayer by the principal. The school
showed training in the responsive reading.
And | am informed that this is part of the
daily routine in this Academy, which is
praiseworthy. After the devotional services
came another chorus, "Winter's Going"
| Then came the first selection on Temperance
| given by Paul Cameron which was well re-
ceIved by the house. Next was duett,
Rough and Ready Polka by John and
Josie Miligan, very well done for the little
folks. "The Singing Lesson" by Gertie
| Martindale was spoken, not sung and spoken
| in no sing-song manner, but straight for
| ward and to the mark. The next Temper
| ance selection by Sallie Grove was given
| with vim and force and assured us that our
| speaker was in dead earnest. "Sighs and
4
little person. too-of Mearnsie Moore, but
he was not "crying" nor even "sighing,"
| but nearly laughing, he knew that he had
something good and could well afford to
laugh, and so we all thought and joined in
the laugh with him, The next came on
| with a gallop, a "Gollop de Concert" by
Lidie Lewis and Miriam Dewitt. The per-
Torrance was good. Walter Hynson intro
duced his "Hero" which he addressed in a
mastery manner. The next was pleasing
march performed by Becca Milligan. The
next Temperance selection was given by
Thomas Holt in a clear and thrilling voice
that held his audience to the end and elic-
tied great applause. Josie Milligan brought
rs to the bedside of an over-fed victim of a
Thanksgiving dinner. The vocal Trio by
Mrs. Milligan, Clarence McVey and Willie
Lewis was well rendered. Mrs. Milligan's
voice is we'll known in Cecil county, but the
boys rather surprised us.
The "Picket Guard" by Bessie Davis was
notably good. The next temperance sub
iect 1.-THE English Sparrow Must Co." met
with the approval of every one present. A
duett by Misses Squier and Lewis followed
They played we'll together. Miss Lewis is a
pupil of Miss Squier's, and Miss Squier has
charge of the musical department of Mel |
mar Academy. She is an excellent teacher
as the instrumental part of the program
fully indicated, but she also excels as a per-
former, having, as many teachers have not, |
the art as well as the theory of music. Part |
second was opened with chorus Spring, |
Lovely SPRING" a recitation "Warren's |
Address" was enthusiastically given by |
Johnnie Clifford. The "Infamous Liquor |
Traffic" was unmasked by Emma Lewis in |
scathing terms that produced an effect upon |
the audience. Miss Emma is spirited |
speaker and with proper training will be-
come an adept in the art of eocution. "Sil- |
very Wave was next rendered by Katie |
Rutherford, and was given, as all her pieces |
are, in a fluent, easy STYLE that betokens a |
finished player. Philip Cameron spoke on |
temperance. Philip has quick intuition |
of his piece and masters the sentiment well. |
His speech was well received. The "Whip- |
poorwill Song" was good, better than the
bird itself. Miss Lidie Lewis imitation of
the whippoorwills note was extremely fine. |
John Mil!igan rected an "Incident in a |
French Camp" with Napoleonic nerve and |
manner. Walter Hasson recited the "Fam-
lily Ounce" with effect Harry Martlndale |
showed us that the hope of our country lies |
in prohibition. The vocal solo by Lidie |
Lewis rendered in her usual effective |
style. The "Sewing Circle was given py
Nora Mearns pleasantly and naturally. |
Clarence McVey closed the list of temper |
ance speakers with a studied and finished |
address which did him great credit. Bessie |
Clifford followed with Failing Leaves
well done! We listened with pleasure 70 |
Miss Mary Leonard's rendering of ''CurfewA
Must Not Ring Tonight well-worn |
theme but fresh as a strawberry from Miss |
Mays hand. Katie Rutherford's Little
Hero was all that could be asked of her. |
Katie can speak piece as well as play the |
piano. The vocal Duet by Lide and Emma
Lewis was choice and satisfactory. Becca
Milligan recited "Bingen on the Rhine
with grace. The program closed with solo
by Miss Squier Home, Sweet Home" by
Thalberg, which dismissed us to our homes
with its sweet notes, but not until the
judges had awarded the prize to the fortu-
nate winner. This proved to be Clarence
| McVey, who received from the hands of the
judges, j. NJ. G. Carhart, Aaron Duyckinck
and Dexter Lee, the silver medal presented
for the occasion by w. Jennings Demorest, of
| New York. Favorable mention also was
made of Emma Lewis and Thomas Holt.
Others perhaps are equally deserving, and
all certainly did we'll and Melmar Academy
has cause to be proud of the exhibition of
talent given in the program of Friday even
ing last and published in her own paper,
| The Neltar Chronicle.