Oak Grove School Commencement Celebration

COMMUNICATED.

DEAR REGISTER.– The large and flourishing school so ably taught by that popular teacher Mr. Jesse A. Engle, gave their friends a rare and intellectual and literary treat at the close of their school. This affair was of such an interesting character that it is entitled to a notice in the newspapers, hence your indulgence is asked for a brief notice. The entire community seemed to be interested and turned out in large numbers. In the afternoon at five o’clock a feast of good things claimed the attention of all present; this feast was prepared in excellent and superb style, for which the ladies of that locality are noted. The large baskets were like preachers pockets, no bottom to them. The sight of this bountiful array of choice edibles would have made a country editor dance with joy– say, for instance, the Charlestown editors. The enormous capacity of one would have been fully satisfied, and the limited capacity of the two spindling ones would have been overtaxed to do ample justice on this occasion. Why, sir, the loss of “two hams” would have been lost sight of entirely. A pleasant time was spent in the grove until eight o’clock, when the large school house was thronged with a brilliant and fashionable audience. The school-house had been put in perfect order for the occasion and was a model of neatness and cleanliness. The floral decorations of the stage and the entire room, were unique and beautiful, and displayed great taste on the part of those who did the work. The fragrant odor of the sweet flowers pervaded the air, and amid the brilliant lights the scene was one of real beauty and grandeur. A full chorus of the entire school, male and female, at the opening showed careful training of voices. A fine programme of choice dialogues, declamations, original essays, and vocal music, afforded an entertainment of real merit that brought forth thunders of applause, and meads of praise from a delighted and charmed audience. An amusing dialogue entitled “Aunt Betsey’s Beau,” was rendered to perfection and was the occasion for deafening applause. Miss May Cockrell read a selection exhibiting some of the trials of teachers with beginners at school, and Master Dennie Daniels, dressed in full uniform with drum, led the procession of little folks, and won great praise. The essays of Misses Maggie Moler, Jennie Cockrell, Mary Moler, and Maggie Flanagan, were well written, and showed great depth of thought and a knowledge of their respective subjects. All performed their part well. The valedictory address by Miss May Moler was excellent, and was repeatedly encored. Miss Nannie Daniels and Mr. Frank M. Moler rendered valuable assistance in carrying out the programme. Miss Fairy Bell Daniels received the highest number of head marks during the year, but this was closely contested by the entire school. The whole affairs reflects great credit upon Mr. Engle as a teacher, and showed the fast progress the pupils were making in their various studies under his teaching. All present on this occasion will ever have pleasant memories of the closing exercises of Oak Grove School in June, 1885. Good will and harmony exists within the bounds of the school. Mr. Engle has the interest of his school at heart. The name of Moler in this school is legion; it was Moler to the right of you, Moler to the left of you, Moler in front and Moler in the rear, in fact, they were almost as numerous as the seventeen-year locust, and the Flanagans are almost as numerous.

OCCASIONAL.