Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1899-05-24
SiIIln IIlIIIIll.Ill IIlIlIll,lInllIIIll IIlllIll
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT.


The closing exercises of the
South Carolina Co-Educational
Institute, began in the Opera
House on Friday evening OF last
week. This first evening of the
commencement season was devoted
to the primary department, in
which are many bright, beautiful
and promising children, who mall
ifested an unusual degree of in
tellgerce in their rendition of the
various selections assigned to
them, Tho full house seemed an
inspiration, and they appeared in
their different roles, nothing
daunted by the crowd, nor the
strangers that were in their midst.
The initial selection on the pro-
gram was a drill called the "Gos-
sip Pantomime," participated in
by fourteen little girls. It is hoped
that these will not learn the habit
of gossip as readily as they learn
ed to act it.
These little lassies were all ar
rayed in robes of brown linen
unique and striking, with white
neck shawls and caps, and they
wholly disrroved the adage that
"fne feathers make fine birds, ="
for though their costumes were
plain as plain could be, they never
looked sweeter, and it is doubtful
if they ever will. Their little eyes
peeped at us through spectacles,
and made them look sober, but re-
minded one to hope that their
ripening years would make no de-
cline in the innocency of their
faces.
But little girls can't do every
thing, as Dozier Lynch appeared
next on the program to prove in a
recitation called "Why Girls Can't
Whistle" 1t was we'll he proved
this, for the audience was begin
ming to think that little girls could
do everything. Dozier is an incip-
lent orator as he has shown more
than once. His enunciation is clear
and distinct, which is the all i'm
portant requisite for a good speak
er, and it is combined with mod
esty of manner we'll becoming ma.
turer years.
Two other recitations we're rem
dered by Misses Ruby Grim and
Mary Lille Fisher, entitled "Miss
Edith Helps Things Along" and
"The Gray Swan"
The musical program consisted
Of q, piano duet by Ellen Duno-
want and Edwardina Blalock ;
piano duet, Lille May Bailey and
Ethel Mays; piano solo Mary Lii
lie Fisher; piano solo, Edward;na
Blalock; trio, Edwardina Blalock,
Mary Lille Fisher, and Ellen
Dunovant.
The duet by Lille May Bailey
and Ethel Mays, and the trio, were
especially noticeable and showed
much skill and faithful practice
for such little girls. For the most
of them, this was their first ap-
pearance on the stage as pianists.
The little opera in three acts ell
titled "Grandpa's Birthday" gave
an opportunity to all the primaries
to have portion in the exercises,
and 10 Prof. Entzminger to make a
very benevolent looking grand
father. The children were so lovely
in their youthful fairylike Co.'S
tunes that had they done nothing
more than appear on the stage, the
audience would have been en-.
chanted, but they seemed so much
at home and so natural in their
child-like simplicity that one
could scarcely believe they were
acting at all.
After music by the band, which
has now become 80 popular that it
needs no comment. the most ex-
citing event of the evening took
place, the contest for medals, for
the best speaker among the fol-
lowing boys: Lester Broadwater,
Artemus Brunson, Patillo Bla-
locck, Frank Jones, and Bean
Walker, and the most excellent
recitation from the following girls !:
Lutile Holson, Ruby Grim and
Fannie Bellinger. The judges, DR..
Robert Marsh, Prof. Lucas, and
Rev. Mr.. Mercy, could not come
to an agreement as to who should
win the reward, 80 the decision