Hinesville, Ga., July 3. – [Special] – The spring term of Tranquil Institute of learning, situated in Flemington, Liberty county, closed yesterday. The day was spent in examination of the various classes, awarding prizes, etc. The principal, Mr. J.Q. Spencer, was assisted by Professor S.D. Bradwell, principal of the Bradwell Institute, Hinesville, Ga., and the students showed how thorough had been their tutorage by their ready and correct answers to the questions propounded. The parents of the pupils were quite delighted to note the rapid progress up the hill of knowledge by their children since the last examination.

The entertainment of the evening consisted of recitations by the young ladies, extracts from the youths and young men, charades and an original speech by Mr. Jos. B. Way. The recitations were beautifully rendered. Miss Sallie Lou Way recited “Roger and I,” and elicited much favorable comment. Miss Laura Fraser recited St. Michaels and was applauded much for her ease of manner and force of expression, Miss Mata McDonald gave us a selection from Mark Twain, which was well rendered and brought down the house.

The boys spoke their extracts well, showing they had been well trained and had thoroughly memorized the selections made for them. The acting in the charades was good, and the young ladies proved how good care can be taken of a rich aunt who is in search of a dear, good faithful niece to whom she can bequeath her immense fortune.

Mr. Way's speech was carefully prepared, and delivered in a very entertaining and forcible manner and was loudly applauded.

The “Quaker Courtship” rendered by Master Arthur Spencer and Miss Eva Casseis, was a prominent feature of the entertainment of the evening, and was much applauded. When the exercises were concluded, the audience was favored with a ready, a sermon and several comic songs by Professor Brown, of Savannah, which created an immense amount of fun, and he was called out repeatedly until the soreness of his throat prevented him from continuing his performances longer. The building was comfortably filled and every one appeared to be much pleased with the entertainment, and at 2:30 a.m. returned to their homes with their minds filled with happy recollections of the pleasures of the evening.

Source: The Atlanta Constitution, July 4, 1888, page 3

Submitted by Bob Franks