Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-11
WITH THE TEACHERS
Special Treat at the Academy Meet
ing Yesterday Afternoon.
NEW CENTRAL BOARD MEMBERS.
The Scarcity of Natural Gas Has Been
Causing Trouble Lately.
RECENT ENTERTAINMENTS BY PUPILS

RECENT ENTERTAINMENTS BY PUPILS
At the special meeting Of the Teachers
Academy held yesterday afternoon all
business transactions were postponed till
the next regular meeting, and the members
were there for entertainment. In the abb
sence of the Vice President, j. M. Logan,
Prof J. z. Bare acted as Chairman. A
class of 30 pupils, in charge of Miss Gala
CHER. of the Grant School, rendered
Farther On" and "Home, Sweet Home"
in a we'll trained and pleasing man
ner. Master Oscar Radin, also of the Grant
School, gave an exhibition of unusual talent
in his violin solo of the variations of Home,
Sweet Home"
Prof. C. A. Riddle, of the Minersville
School, then read paper on American
Literature. The age of American litera-
ture he considers about 80 years, while that
of England is over 500 years old. Ameri-
can literature he said must stand on its
own ground, making no claim on the score
of youth and other disadvantages. German
and French journalists consider Americans
the best story writer's. A distinguishing char
acteristic in American literatureis humor,
Harte are examples of this. In regard to
novel writing, he told how American writers
tried to make their productions entertain
ing. As for Robert Elsmere, he said its
success was due to the advertisement the
church people gave it.
Among noted Southern writers he men-
toned Charles Egbert Craddock, and he
added that the South is furnishing more
magazine writers than any other section.
He said also the picturesque field of Amer
lean fiction is to-day iI the South. Maga-
zine writing Is at present the cruclble OF
criticism.
In conclusion, he thought that literature
in America is assuming its distinctive dress
made after the nature of its people, and
that eventually this country's productions
will compare we'll with those Of other
nations.
At the next meeting Hepburn Johns,
of The DISPATCH, will address the MEM
bers.
There are six members of the Central
Board whose termsexpire this year and two
elections to return the old members or elect
new ones have been occurring for tine past
two weeks, and the list is now nearly COM
plete. DR.. Swentzel has been elected to be
the representative of the north district in
place of DIR. Berger; Mr.. Hugh Adams, of
the Forbes, has been reelected; also Silas
Gray, of the Liberty. Mr.. Mccain, of the
Morse, and Blaze, of the Humboldt; Mr..
Spinneyweather will represent the'St Clair
district instead of Mr.. Carr; Mr.. E. Sheehan,
the Riverside, as Mr.. Buckley has removed
from the ward; Mr. Lsughlin, the Mononga-
hela, vice Mr.. Herman, deceased, and Mr..
John McElroy, the South, vice DR.. Benham,
deceased. The Franklin, Minersville and
Allen have not yet elected. In the Spring
field district il is tie vote between DR.. Nc
Cready and Mr.. Shears.
u
The Forbes High School class forgot the
hard study, which is the portion of every
High School class, for the past four months,
when they assembled at the residence of
Miss Mckinley, of Allegheny, the assistant
of the Forbes School, in response
to her invitation to celebrate the successful
passing of all their candidates for High
School. After singing and recitations, a
dainty lunch was served. Directors Adams,
Martin, Campbell and Sitzler were present.
In addition to the election of teacher to
succeed Miss Seese, who was married Christ
mas, the Allen School Board at its meeting
last night prepared circular to be pre-
sented to the people of the ward
asking their consent to increasing the
assessment / mill to erect the new school
building necessary, and explaining the kind
of structure they propose to erect and Civ
ing some other information.
One hundred and fifty dolls, all dressed in
their best. were the cynosure of all eyes in
Room No. 1, at the O'Hara School, last Fri
dav afternoon. They were presided over by
Miss S. Roosevelt, It was thelannual dolls
day, when the pupils of the other
rooms and visitors are invited to see the dis
play OF the dollies. The Friday reception
was unusually we'll enjoyed.
u
That much talked-of article, natural gas,
was very irregular in its supply to o num-
Der of the schools the past week and
doubling up" rooms, dismissing early and
having no ventilation to Keep a reason
able temperature were the consequences.
The Humboldt School intends to return to
the use of coal.
At the Birmingham School next Thurs
day evening the building will be thrown
open for the people of the district to view
the furniture placed in the building at the
of the tall term. Later the pupils
will give an entertainment in the hall.
=
The Division Institute for the teachers of
Step I, which was to take place next Satur-
day, is postponed till the Oath inst, owing
to the illness of Miss Fundenberg's mother.
Miss Fundenberg is to give the class drill.
y
The re-examination of the pupils who
failediin one branch at the preliminary ex-
animation for High School last month will
be held tomorrow at the High School.
Miss Jennie Hively, of the Soho school,
gave practical drill in arithmetic last Fri
day to her associates and visitors, which
was very highly appreciated.
The teachers are discussing a new benefit
society which some of them have Joined.
Miss Cora Marshal has been elected
Al