Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-08-22
in THE EMPTY COURT ROOM.

Comet GoneI All gone! A few
hours ago these empty seats were fill /
ed with as lovey and as intelligent
looking body Of men and women IL
could we'll be found. in search all
over the State; here the fans waved /
a mimic breeze, tempering the oppres-
sive heat Of the August hours and Civ
ing the necessary glow of health to |
the face which would otherwise be 4
pale with anxiety and fear. For was I
, not that hoyTid examination close at
their backs" The skeleton at the |
Intellectual feast" the thorn among
the roses, the bitter 10 be slipped with |
this cup of elevated pleasure. The /
wild, misshapen and deformed crea-
tion Of our Legislative Solons, that
might have been thing OF beauty to
be eourted and admired, but for its |
premature birih. Was this not enough |
to rob the eye OF its luster; the cheek |
of its glow. Yes; and 10 cue could !
have blamed the teachers if sullen
books and growls had spoiled the |
pleasure of the whole week. Why |
was it otherwise? First, here stood !
Prof. It, G. Miller as firm as pillar
of marble, who s fine form and grand |
c0untenance inspires every one with !
a semblance of that firmuess, serenity
and determination SO characteristic Of
his OVID actions. The very air that
floats around him careSsing The broad, |
thoughtful brow and lowering around
the firm but tender mouth seems
charged with some subtle Influence
that inspires you with loftier, aobler
feelings while his deep, clear voice
and steadfast eye, stills the tempest
within you and makes you determin-
ed to be loyal to the laws of your State
whether they suit your feeling or
not:-
And here, too, was that tall, much
admired Prof. A. Il. Wade, the COM
mauder-in-chief of the army Of Re-
form IN Public school work, in w.
Va. Here he stood, with a sculptor's
eye, poets soul, heart tender and
loving as a woman's-drinking in great
dranghts of exquisite pleasure from
the lovely flowers and lovelier faces
before him; but these delights were
absorbed only to be reflected back to
the audience 10 flashes of wit, humor
and meTriment I'm touching pathos,
in winning SYMPATHY a depth Of
noble love aud care for you that an
almost irresistible impulse seizes you,
to hold his small, shapely hand in
yours while you kiss it with reverence
and eXclaim, "My father, my
friend !"
And here, too, was Prof. Crago, the
brilliant scholar and talented Elocu-
ZIONIST, whose superior wenever heard,
in Martinsburg;every eye grew brlgh.
ter, every heart beat with happier
thrill when we knew he would be
with us again Here, too, Miss Chap.
man favored us with her powerful
and beautiful voice. Miss Ada Dodd,
who wears the well earned laurels
won in the teachers ranks, favored
US with two pieces rendered in a most
attractive stye. Mr.. U. S. Grant
Pitzer in his Supposed Speech of |
Regulus" sustained his high reputa-
ton as an orator. 1t needed no great |
stretch Of the Imagination TO belive,
for the time being, that he was with
his handsome face, dark, flashing |
eyes, fine form, powerful voice and |
proud bearing the very Roman hero
himself. Here Prof. Shurbert won a |
fair share Of praise for the beautiful |
aud finely executed organ solos.
Here, Prof VIM. Gerhardt delivered |
his fine lecture and in Il voice tremb-
ing with emotion closed by saying, |
Though not in the ranks my heart |
is still with yoE in your work. May
God ble-s and prosper you is my
prayer" "Not in the ranks" we re-
peated, but he ought to be and may /
the just God who watches over the
destinies Of individuals, as well as
nations, replace what the hand OF in
justice tore from You is the prayer of
many for you, Prof. VIM. Gerhardt.
Here, Mrs. Louisa Bailey sang like
any bird. There is a magic about
that voice-a fascination about the
little woman-that thrills you and
sways you az few others ever can.
That is Love,n Katharine Ma
vourneen," and at Pays to Put on
Airs" am sure will never be forgot
ten by any one present; and, too,
there was dear little Clara Wolfes
with her haxen hair and inimitable
grace who sang The Old Fashioned
Dipper F" and "She is as Pretty as a
Picture " to the intense delight of all,
Such perfect impersonation, express
sion and self-possesslon may well be
envied by older ones and gives evi.
dence Of mastery teaching and talent
Of the highest order. that will, with.
out doubt, place her among stars of
the first magnitude at no far distant
day. Who is her teacher? All these
attractions and more.
Elk. Co. Superintendent D. II. Dodd
was here also, as much in earnest
over the work as if he still held the
reins. His efforts have made a mon.
ument to his memory, that will re.
fleet honor and admiration oyer all
his future life. Here, too, the pres.
ent Co. Supt., p. T. Keesecker, threw
off the cold reserve, that so long held
him in chains of silence and actually :
made a worthy address which assur-
ed the teachers of his friendship and
aid and we wish him every success.
We have little joke that Is too /
good to keep. In the Court House he t
found glove and sought its owner, q
but found none. A little perpIexed. =
he held the glove up wondering what