The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-03-26
From the Outline.
School Farewell Address.

The following. original address
was delivered at the school house il
Ashton, by Miss Ash, the last day
Of school, and was sent us for pub
lication:
Teacher and Fellow Students
We have arrived, tonight, by rapid
transition, through quickly passing days
weeks and months, to the close of tn il
school term. Every particular portion
or fixed period Of time, (like tale al
told, or properly composed poem) has
its introduction, its middle, and its con-
clusion.
Five months ago this school term had
its beginning, we have passed over its
middle, and have now come to its con
clusion. What should properly be its
close? Does not the conclusion Of this
school term suggest to US the inquiry
what improvement have we made of our
time, and of the opportunities we have
enjoyed for acquiring an education
Have we been storing our minds with
the facts and principles of good educa-
ton Has the progress which we have
made in our studies, been commensur
ate with tie advantages which we have
enjoyed? Or have we been what the
poet calls, "spendthrifts Of time," vast
ing their golden opportunities in frivol-
tiles and in inanitiss.
One Of the ancients, it is said, upon
the review of a certain portion Of his
time, found one day that had not been
duly occupied. In the review of that
days neglect he burst into tears and
and exclaimed, 90! have lost day."
Have any of us been so negligent of
duty during the five months, that now
in the retrospect We are compelled to
say, 90! have lost day." The close
of this school term reminds us that the
allotted period for acquiring an educa.
ton will soon be past, and superseded
by the stern realities ofactive life. The
school-room will be exchanged for the
homestead or lumber camp, and books
for kitchen furniture or implements of
husbandry. One Of our Marys has
already entered her earthly Eden, viz
The married state; and no doubt our
other Mary can say with the poet
Am not tending thither too,
AS fast as time can carry,
Nor do wish the hours more slow,
&C., &c.
BE that as it may, nothing is more
probable, than, that some of us now bid
adieu to the school-room for the last
time, and go out in the wide world to
mingle in the busy practical scenes of
life.
To school, and to school books we bid good
bye,
For the holiday time is fast drawing nigh,
And now we are here on the very last day,
Soon from care to be free, our toll to repay.
| suppose that some think of going away,
1t may be to Europe, or some place as gay,
Or out on the homestead, where sweet robins
sing,
And the laborer rests by the cool gushing
spring.
Then others may spend the summer at home,
Perhaps, with sick mothers to wait on alone,
Or find their delight in the cool evening breeze,
AS they wander alone amid flowers and trees.
Still others who have failed to find fortunes
bright side,
May during vacation in labor abide;
But sweet is the thought, when the days toll
That their duty is done which gives pleasure
the more,
Yet it matters not much how the summer is
is spent,
For if we do right Wen he gay and content,
And when the bright holidays come to a close,
Will we begin school to brave winters deep
snow.
No, not all of US; for when the next
autumnal tints of saffron, and of bronze
are upon the trees, the next time the
leaves fall and the snow covers the earth
some of US will be far from our fellow
students, and will meet with them no
LOT nh rtvh,
pleasing recollectioDs of the many good
times we have had together this winter,
and if meet no more on earth, may we
when this term of life shall close, meet
under sky without cloud, and in a
cline without care, where parting
shall be no more.
Teacher-In behalf of the school, of
which am the authorized representa-.
tive on this occasion, l thank you for
all your kindness to US. We leave you,
but no lapse OF time, no distance in place,
no change for good or evil, can tear from
our hearts the remembrance of your
teachings.
"Like vases in which roses have once been
distilled,
You may break, you may ruin the vase if you
will
But the scent of the roses will hang round it
still"
The school acknowledges your ability,
and bows respect to the disinterestness
of.your affection toward all your pupils
You have been kind to our faults, and 10
our virtues, more than kind. TEACHER
before utter the sad farewell, let me
ask in behalf of the school, that if dur.
ing the past term any Of us either by
look, word or deed, have been migrate
full to you or at any time failed to rem
der cheerful obedience, thai you will
forgive us, and be assured that through
life we shall retain pleasing recollec.
tions ofyou, and dying hope to meet
,,o,, NJ tho r;.,ht bonJ &c Tho JuJro