The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-05-31
EPSON HIGH SCHOOL.
CLOSING EXERCISES LAST THURSDAY


an institution which challenges the
highest admiration and deserves the
most liberal support. Prof. W. T..
Allen is principal, and Miss Annie
Abernethy is assistant, with other
help, and more capable, careful, thor
ough, conscientious teachers can not
be found. This school has done a
good work for that community and
its usefulness and influence is far
reaching and widespread.
1t was the editors privilege and
pleasure to attend the closing exer-
cises last Thursday. The ceremonies
in the afternoon consisted of decla-
nations by the advanced scholars and
delivering the medal to the successful
contestant. Following was the pro-
gram:
Loss OF the Arctic-Walter J. Aston.
Jamie-Vann Duke.
Lasca-Emma Aston.
ration Of an Amphitheater-Jame
Howard GoOdsOn.
How Kate Shelly Crossed the Bridge
Susie Green.
Asleep at the Switch-RansOm Duke.
The Black Horse and his Rider-Arthur
A. Medlin
Our Country, Past and Present-Willie
Ayscue.
Old Sue-B. Perry Aston.
The speaking was OF a high order,
much above the average, and i'm
pressed the large audience present
most favorably. There was not an
number on the program
while some of them were exceptionally
good. The contest was very close
between Miss Vann Duke and Willie
Ayscue, while Ransom Duke and
Arthur Medlin acquitted themselves
very creditably. Miss Duke was clear
ly the winner until Mr.. Ayscue, who
was the last speaker among the list Of
appeared upon the scene.
And although he was declared the
victor it was by a narrow margin and
but for the fact that he had the advan-
tage in age, experience and a better
subject the result would have been
different. Sentiment gave it to the
young man but sympathy was with
the young lady. Hon. W. H. z.
jenkins, f. A. Powell and Thad Il.
Manning were the judges. 1t was a
difficult and delicate task they were
called upon to perform and the regret
wa. that there were not two prizes
instead of one to be competed for. In
the decision Mr.. jenkins,
who has had large experience in such
stated the situation as the
Judges had found it and said that in
their opinion Miss Duke was not only
entitled to honorable mention, but
she deserved medal also, and a
medal will be given her.
1t is but proper to state that B.
Perry Aston, who won the medal last
year, did not contest for it this time.
He spoke, however, and spoke well.
Thad r. Manning presented the
medal to the successful contestant.
The next feature on the program
was the literary address by Hon. w.
H. p. jenkins, but on account of the
weather Prof. Allen an
nounced that this would be deferred
until the evening exercises.
At $3.50 o'clock the following pro-
gram was rendered the exercises be-
ing of more varied and interesting
characteristic gem of the whole
thing:
Cholus-High School March, Veasic
Our Girls March-PduE J0nes-Vann and
Earl Duke.
MOllie-Vann Duke.
Busy BeeS-ClaSS.
Cousin Sally Dillard-Arthur Medlin and
others.
Blue Bells-Primary Glass.
The District School-Myrtle Weldon and
others.
The Catholic PSalm-Earl Duke.
No Cure No Pay--Nora Ayscue and
others
Sunday Fishin'-Wiliie Daniel.
Chioky- My CrainyC Grow - Ransom Duke
and Susie Green.
Joan de Arcs Defense-Rowena Daniel.
The kaZOO Band-ClaSS.
DOan Ye Cry Ma Honey.
Where all were so good perhaps
we should not particularize but it
is not too much to say that Miss
Duke did even better than in the
afternoon. while Ransom Duke and
Susie Green were very meritorious in
their parts this being one Of the best
features on the program. Rowena
Daniel quite distinguished herself
and the opinion was expressed that if
she had competed for the medal and
done as we'll in the afternoon she
whould have got it. Willie Daniel
was also good, as in fact all Of them
we're.
There was a large crowd present
and the exercises were greatly en-
joyed. Mr.. jenkins delivered a splen-
did address full of beautiful thoughts
beautifully expressed, Astounding in
good sense, sound logic, true philos-
ophy. wholesome advice such as he is
capable of, quite characteristic, and
entirely creditable to him.
Some oil paintings by Master Ran
som Duke, II or II years of age, son
Of Mr.. Simon Duke, were much adj
mired and highly praised. They
stamp him almost prodigy with
the palette and brush. There was a
perfect blending of colors. delicacy
of shading, harmonious effect. accu'
racy of detail, correct expression and
trueness to nature born of genius
and which marked the master artist
in embryo. Master Dukes work
speaks well not only for bright ana
apt pupil but for the skill and ability
of his teacher Miss Abernethy.
The GOLD LEAF predicts for thi:
young son of Vance brilliant ano
successful future as an artist, if in
deed fame and fortune do not avail
him, provided the opportunity be at
forded to cultivate his taste and de
velop his talent as it should be.
The music was an enjoyable fea'
ture. We have not heard better from
the same number and class of instru
ments. And it was all home talen,
too, Nat Mitchell, piano; Bob New
ton. violin; d. H. Dickie, guitar; OF
lie Newton, guitar.
1t was real pleasure that we en-
joyed in meeting and mingling with
the good people Of the EPSON neigh
borhood, than whom no county boast:
Of hot citizens and the time Snen'