The colored men and women of the place laid aside all work to attend the exercises.

The forward section of seats was reserved for the white people.

The congressman, the mayor, the school trustees and various other men of standing came, accompanied by their wives and daughters.
Scholars of various grades had parts to perform on the programme, but the eyes of all sought the bottom of the page where were printed the names of the two oratorical gladiators: "BELTON PIEDMONT.
BERNARD BELGRAVE." The teacher had given Bernard the last place, deeming that the more advantageous.

He appointed the congressman, the mayor, and one of the school trustees to act as judges, to decide to whom he should award a beautiful gold medal for the more excellent oration.

The congressman politely declined and named another trustee in his stead.