EMERSON INSTITUTE, MOBILE, ALA.
BY MISS HELEN D. BARTON.
Anniversary exercises at Emerson Institute, May 25th. The much-talked-of and long-looked-for last day of school had come. Though it was the last day many of the last things had already been done. The last hour of hard study was over, the last recitation heard, the last examination paper marked. The two days preceding had been devoted to what were, by courtesy, called oral examinations. In reality, however, much of the time, in the lower rooms at least, was devoted to the entertainment of the visitors. The favorite songs were sung and the best recitations made. If George Washington’s mother or sister came in, George’s classes were called, his slate work was examined and compared with others, and he was invited to recite his “speech.” A variation from the programme was made again and again that as far as possible the visitors might judge of the work of the children in whom they are more especially interested. This could be done as the certificates for promotion were given on the standing of the pupils in the written examinations held the second week in May.
Friday morning the children came together as a school for the last time. After devotional exercises the departments were dismissed to their own rooms, where the teacher read the per cents. of the examinations and presented each pupil with a certificate grading him for the coming year. Many faces brightened with pleasure. Some few showed dissatisfaction; having fallen slightly below the desired average they find the obnoxious word conditionally written on the card. Others still feel bitter disappointment; having failed, they must remain in the same grade. Some of these deserve our sympathy, the failure being caused by poverty or sickness; others are only reaping the reward of carelessness and indolence.
When the distribution of certificates was completed, Miss Caughey, the principal, went in turn to each department, and after adding her word of encouragement to the disappointed ones and approbation to the successful ones, invited the promoted class to seats in the room the next grade above. This ceremony was impressive, and many showed the conflicting emotions of joy and sadness, joy at the honor conferred and a sadness at the thought of separation from teacher and schoolmates which caused them to go reluctantly to the places assigned.
At the appointed hour in the evening the assembly room was filled to overflowing with the eager happy children and their friends. After prayer by Rev. O. D. Crawford the exercises given by the pupils were called in, according to the programme. Mr. Crawford and General Slaughter, Post-Master of the city, made brief remarks. Where each one endeavored to do his best, it is difficult to mention those who excelled. “Mother Goose and her Friends” chiefly served the spice for the entertainment. One of our white friends found it difficult to believe that this ancient singer of nursery rhymes was not a middle aged woman instead of the young girl she really is. The “Friends” were received with enthusiasm also, even down to the “brave boy” Johnnie Horner, the baby of our school. The tableau of “Hiawatha” was thoroughly enjoyed. In “Songs of Seven,” the recitations “Seven Times One,” by little Odelia Chavanah and “Seven Times Seven” by Miss Sallie Washington, were received with gratifying applause. The valedictory by Miss Belle Daniels deserved and received high praise. To critical eyes, no doubt, many defects were evident; but our audience seemed well pleased and congratulations were freely given. I think most of those present would agree with old Aunt Gracie in her remark, summing it all up: “It was delightful to be looked at.”