The morning news., 1891-02-26
cARBOR DAY.
An Interesting Occasion at st. Jo-
seph's Academy.

seph's Academy.
WASHINGTON, GA, Feb. 2S-Tbe young
ladies Of st. Jossphs Academy compli-
mented their friends with Invitations,
printed in gold letters on natural magnolia
leaves, to witness the exercises which they
had arranged to celebrate Arbor day. Quite
/ a large number Of ladies and gentlemen
assembled On Monday afternoon, Feb. o.
and thoroughly enjoyed the delightful pro-
gramme presented
The guests were seated on the spacious
I piazzss, which we're handsomely decorated
with masses Of evergreen and groups OF
United States flags. splendid bust of
| George Washington stood over the great
hall door, surrounded by the stars and stripes
/ The floating bunting was stirred by breezes
already fragrant of spring and the grounds
were carpeUed with fresh green. At O'Clock
| .. N. sharp tap of the drum was heard,
and at the signal the merry girls emerged
| from the left and right wing of the academy
in two long files, and keeping time to the
| rat-tat-tat Of the drum marched across the
| open space and formed half circle directly
| in front OF the central or main entrance,
where waited the expectant audience. The
folio wing programme was then rendered:
Song-''To Arbor Day" School
Address-"our New Holiday" Miss Nellie
Horne, Atlanta
ReciiAtion-''R -''Resurgam," Miss K. Kennedy,
| Augusta
EssAy-"The Magnolia" Miss Maggie o'Con-
Hymn-"League of the Sacred Heart"
School
Recitation-"The Oak" Miss Katie Mehrtens
Recitation-'The Flower Of Liberty" Miss
May Roman, Savannah.
Recitation-'song of the Maple" Miss Retta
Essay-"our Umbrella Tree" Miss Gussie
Thompson, Atlanta.
Hymn-'Ora Pro Nc" School
Recitation-"Our Beautiful Trees" Miss
Recitation-"Planting OF the Apple Tree"
Letitia Johnson Rome.
Recitation-"what do We rlant when We
Plant the Tneei' Isabel Horne. Atlanta.
Hymn-'To st. Joseph" School.
March and Song.
Decoration Of the new trees.
Recitation-"Mssion of the Flowers" Miss
Florence Nugent Savannah, Ga.
Recitation-'The Flower Garden ''Tbe
Little Folks"
song-'"The Morning Glory" school.
America, school.
TREES PLANTED AND DEDICATED.
Magnolia, TO Rt. Rev Bishop Becker.
Oak, to Rev. J. NJ. O'Brien.
Umbrella. 20 Rev. L. x. Basln.
Maple, 20 Very Rev. B. ]. Kelley.
Idesia, TO Rev. A. j. Semmes.
Catalpa, to Mr.. Jas. A. Benson.
Apple tree, 10 Mr.. L. J. Guilmartin.
Miss Nellie Hornes address told OF the
| origin of Arbor day in the states, and how
st. Joseph's girls decided to celebrate 1t by
planting trees and dedicating them to dear
| friends of the school and graduating class
OF 1891. The magnolia planted for the Rt.
Rev. Bishop Becker she declared should have
the tenderest care and watching, as the girls
appreciated SO deeply his kindness and in
terest in them and their beloved alma
mater. The oak for Rev. Father O'Brien,
founder OF the school, because he, like the
sturdy oak, had weathered the storms
which always assail such foundations.
The girls voted Rev. Father Kelley a
maple, and for Father Bazin the glorious
shade tree, as he gives shelter and protec-
ton to so many defenseless heads.
Mr.. James A. Benson Of Washington,
Ga, has been the "friend special" Of ST.
Joseph girls for many year, and his tree
was given a choice place.
The recitations and original essays were
admirably given, and the songs we're musi-
cal as the choruses Of merry birds glad
some over the birth Of new forest, where
they could rebuild dismantled nests and
| find safe homes, never again to be driven
| forth by the avarice and greed of men,
| Another tap Of the drum closed up the lines.
and singing gaily the "merry chanters''
marched around the ground, and
With handsome scarf and
flag. The dignified graduates, looking quite
scholarly, in Trinity College caps, bure the
right reverend bishops colors and a royal
purple scarf depended from the magnolia.
The next class wore blue for the oak. sturdy
and true. Then came red and white and
green lilac, and the pink of the apple bios.
som.
Forming again the semi-circle, the "Lit-
tie Folks" daisies, buttercups. lilies and
roses. each and all Of the flower family, ex-
pressed their Joy of this happy day.
With hearts and voices vibrant with
patriotism, st. Joseph's girls closed their
new holiday with the glorious anthem:
My country 'tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty,
OF thee We sing
The guests were delightfully."- entertained.
| aud, still better, infused with the spirit of
Arbor day. Several gentlemen declared
| their intention of planting many forest
trees, and begged that the young ladies
would every year remind them so pleasantly
| of their duties on Arbor day.
| The little folks entertained their friends
in the academy parlor in the evening with
an interesting programme of music and
| recitations
The sisters and girls deserve great praise
| for the excellence and taste Of the whole
days proceedings
| QUITMAN'S NEWS BUDGET,
Il