NORMAL SCHOOL, WILMINGTON, N.C.
BY MISS A. C. CHANDLER.
The examinations at Wilmington Normal School closed Thursday, June 1. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, quite a number of interested parents and friends came in to inquire and see for themselves what their children had been doing for the year. After listening to various recitations and exercises, they expressed themselves highly gratified.
Friday evening the annual exhibition took place in Memorial Hall. About 400 were present.
No special attempt at decoration was made, yet the stage was not wanting in floral adornments, two large, tall baskets of handsome flowers standing one on each side. The wall back of the stage was prettily and tastefully decorated with green boughs, moss, and a little white drapery.
At a little past eight o’clock the school marched into the hall, and took seats as near the front as possible. The children made a good appearance, being neatly and some of them very prettily dressed.
The programme consisted of about twenty parts, interspersed with good music. The selections specially attractive were the cantata, “Grandpa’s Birthday,” three recitations upon the subject of temperance, a concert declamation entitled “A Leap for Life,” given by seven young men, and the recitation, “Auction Extraordinary.” Some of the pieces given by the little folks were very pleasing. The selections were all well rendered, and won many complimentary remarks from those present.
Rev. Mr. Dodge being called upon, responded with a few well-chosen words appropriate to the occasion, after which the benediction was pronounced.