Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-06-19
The high school Commencement


Last Friday the fourth annual commence
ment Of the Lancaster High School took
place. Thirteen graduates recesved The di-
p.oma Of the institution. In Attendance and
brilliancy Of surroundings the commencement
was not inferior TO the best Of the past years,
except that there was no instrumental band
to punctuass the exercises with music. The
hall was very tastefuIly decorated. It must
have been skillful hand that wove the ey-
ergreen letters SO artistically suspended in
front Of the stage, and made to read the
class motto-''No Steps backward Two
stands placed Oh the front OF the
stage could not have escaped the
eye Of any visitor; the arrangement
of the vines was SO exqusiteIy artistic The
other decorations we're not as profuse as on
former occasions but were fully az good in
delicacy and taste. On the stage sat all the
teachers and with them two members Of the
school Board and three ministers The Rev.
G. W. L. Brown opened the exercises with
prayer. The essayists and orators were pre-
sented BY Mr.. Davies, Principal, in the order
named on the programme. Miss Name Bar
nett's essay was not handled in an "Odd
Chance" way. 1t was well written and
cleverly read composition. Will Woodhouse
handled his subject. "what Sphere in Life -
as If ne we're able to choose sphere in life
for himself without much hesitation, Miss
Olive Muesse gave evidence that there
was good 'Inteletual Power" behind her per-
Torrance. Joe Wilstenholme's "Shams of
the Age" is published in this paper and speaks
for ITSELF A fault in which he had compan
ions in the class, was in assuming province
that belongs only to age with wisdom--that
of advising and warning. There is, however,
no erroneous advice in his speech. Miss
Clara Mitchell's purpose in Life was good
enough for any purpose and she is good
reader. Miss Otie Woodhouse did not salk
against the Current" though that was her
subject. The current was all in her favor.
John Muesse's "InAuence of Surroundings"
was well handled. Miss Minnie Hedges was
down on the "Tramps," as the reader will
see it he makes search in this paper. n
would take superior newspaper scribbler to
treat the subject in a more mastery manner.
And here we will say that we asked for this
essay and Mr.. Woolstenholme's grafton for
publication because they are Epe subjects,
new upon the minds of newspaper readers.
Their authors would say we fattered If we
pronounced them the best that were heard on
the stage. Miss Emma Schreiner's.,T Thoughts
were wed expressed and well received. The
"Claims of Labor" had a thoughtful and ora,
torical champion in Will Draper. Pretty
is an adjective that fits well to
Miss Laura Covers "Bels" She rung them
in all the changes of tone. Beauties of the
Invisible" by Miss Amelia Smith should
have been Poscer of the Invisible. Her es-
say reasoned that the nearer we approached
to invisibilty the greater the power, The
mosl powerful agent in nature is electricity
audit is farthest from visibility. Following
the subject to its farthest limit, the Invisible
God is all powerful. The Valedictory by
Charlie Hyde was admirably suited to the oc>
casion. 1t had more internal evidences of
originality than any other of the productions,
without being inferior in thought or diction.
Surprising the orations and essays, here very
briefly reviewed, to be all original-we
suppose every reader understands the ap-
plication of this word-they would pass
their authors as fit for entering. upon almost
any sphere in life, bounded by the English
language.
One of the interims was occupied by
Miss Carrie Barber who, with Miss Edith
Fisher at the organ, sang, Tender and True"
"a performance very highly appreciated.
The diplomas were delivered by Mr.. John
Schreiner, one of the school officers. Mr..
Jones, another officer, addressed the audience,
administering a pill (He is druggist) that
had but little sugar coating.
The Commencement was evidence that the
Lancaster High School is prospecting. II
will no doubt become famous.