The Wilmington Daily Republican

Celebration at Oak Hill. Oak Hill school, presided over by Miss Reba Coyle, of Wilmington, gave a very enjoyable entertainment on the evening of Saturday last. This school at present numbers less than twenty pupils, some of whom were deterred from participating in the exercises by sickness, or the recent inclemency of the weather. The little school room was closely packed with an expectant audience when the curtain was first drawn upon the assembled school, with a background of wall prettily decked with evergreens. "A Song of Duty" was followed by a recitation, "Too Many of We," tenderly spoken by Sarah Way, after which came "Betty and the Bear," by Lydia Williams, spoken with much force and spirit. As pretty a dialogue as one need see or hear, was called "Contrast," given in character by Jennie Williams and Goldie Sawdon, ending with a sweet Song by Jennie Williams. Then followed a recitation, "The Different Creeds," by Miss Florence Blackiston, which though highly amusing, yet sustained a reverent feeling towards true religion. …The train to Mauro," in which a talkative, fussy old lady and her troublesome son, loaded with bags and bundles, tried the nerves of a dignified and patient railroad clerk, was acted in character by Wynona and Arthur Weld and Swifton Springer, much to the amusement of the hearers. A song from the school restored quiet, after which Miss Wynona Weld recited "The Last Hymn" with excellent effect. Swifton Springer warned us in a poem of several verses, to do the best we can, "People will talk." He spoke very nicely. The most charming recitation of all was now given by little Mabel Way, aged seven, "The Goblins will get you if you don't watch out." A duet "The Violet," between Annie Way and May Hartman was charmingly sung, but the gem of the evening was a Temperance duet between Jotham and Hulda, sung and acted in Quaker character by Howard Journey and Sarah Way. May Hartman gave the longest recitation of the evening, "The young gray head" with great feeling and much sweetness. …The Purest Pearl" by Annie Way was nicely rendered, and she acted her part well indeed in the dialogue. "The Charity Pupil," in which Alice Way as teacher, and Jennie Williams, Goldie Smith, Kline and French Co., Louden, Sarah and Annie Way and May Hartman as pupils, sustained their characters in a way that left nothing to be desired. Little Bessie Blackiston, aged eight years, sang "The Blue Birds" as sweetly as if a little bird herself. Masters Arthur Weld, John Hartman, Irving Jay Hollingsworth and Ephraim Williams gave a dialogue, "The Bogus Doctors," with much spirit and in perfect character. The true doctor leaves his office a few days in charge of his two colored servants, one of whom assumes his position and practices upon an unfortunate patient, who dies, and shortly brings retribution upon his destroyers, by a ghostly visitation, causing them to fling aside banjo, jewsharp and dignity, and beat a hasty retreat. Miss Alice Way's recitation "The Weird Visitor," permitted the display of the excellent elocutionary instruction which the school has received and to which she did full justice. Several pretty tableaux were given during the evening, and the exercises were closed by a duet and chorus, "Good Night."

ANON.