Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-28
BEDFORD's RECEPTION.

Children Receive Visits From Many, IncIud-
ing Santa Claus.
If one wished to see happiness personifed,
a visit should have been made to the Bed
ford school building last Tuesday afternoon.
1t was the day before Christmas, the last of
school until January 6, and the children's
reception day to their papas, mammas and
their friends. 1t is no wonder that with
this happy combination of events that the
little innocent faces beamed with smiles and
the little eyes sparkled with the happy ex-
pectancy of Christmastide.
Mamma, l must put an extra shine on
MY shoes to-day, because am going to
make a Speech" said little Ralph in the
morning Others must have said the same
to their mammas, as the little ones appeared
in their neatest attire and obeyed their
teachers in a manner that would chase the
signs of care away from the faces of these
public guardians, if the scholarly decorum
of visiting day was continued throughout
the year.
Shortly after 1 o'clock Prof Ettling, the
calisthenic director, arrived and commenced
at room No. 1 to give an exhibition drill.
From the way the little tots twisted their
heads, arms, legs and bodies to the soft,
chant-like music, it would seem that they
were not in need of further physical cult
ure. AS the drill progressed blushes were
seen to spread over their little faces, from
the exertiou, as rose opens from the invig-
Grating influences of the sun.
Prof Golden was here and there, all over
the building welcoming the visitors and
showing them around the different rooms.
The scholars in each "step' had prepared
manuscript specimens of their work, each
one having cover bearing the name of the
scholar and the study. The specimens of
work showed conception of the different
studies that was remarkable, especially
when the ages.o of some were considered.
One thing that was noticed by all present
was the high character of the designs and
drawings displayed. Little children of z
and 8 years showed outline work that was
worthy of much older pupils, and in some
instances indicated true artistic appreciation
of the work done. As Prof Et-
Ting advanced to different grades,
classes, the calisthenics became more
complicated. In room No. wand drill
was given, the wands being wrapped with
the national colors. In room No. 8 the drill
was varied by exchanging the wands for
dumb-bells with bells on the ends, the ma
tional colors still being used as decoration.
Room No. 8 varied its programme by select
piano music, with Miss Jennie Evans and
others at the piano. The room was beauti-
fully decorated with plants, etc. Nearly
all of the rooms had blackboard cartoons Of
Santa Claus in various postures, and kindred
subjects OF Christmas cheer. They were in
most cases executed by the pupils.
The visitors passed through the rooms and
examined the work of the pupils or stopped
to hear the recitatlons and speeches. Each
roon, bad proOramrna and oarriad II orf fo
the letter. At last the sound of fife and
urum was heard, and the guest OF all others
appeared. 1t was Santa Claus, personated
by Mr.. james E. Finn, and preceded by the
Bedford Fife and Drum Corps. Behind
came persons carrying big baskets laden with
bags Of candy and nuts. After a neat speech
in each room the scholars. were all given a
bag, of candy, popcorn, oranges, ETC., and a
bag of nuts.