The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-06-03
Graduating Exercises of the Mankato
High school.

Graduating Exercises of the Mankats
High school.
. Last evening the Opera House wa
filed with large and gay assemblag'
of Mankato people to witness the gradu
ating exercises of the class Of 1881, q
the High School. The class consisted OF
seven persons, five young ladies and tive
gentlemen, rs follows :
Charles d. Buck, William II. Williams
Julia uocrr, Cora Is, Smith,
Emma A. Fletcher, Mary G. Rev,
| Minnie A. McGraw.
They had finished the course of study
prescribed by the Board of Educati"n'
but this does not imply that their cdu-
cation is finished, for it has only fur
nished the class with good knowledge
of the fundamental principles of cduca-
ton, which materially assists them in
gaining higher ground with greater ease.
The programme was an interesting one
throughout, occupying two hours in Its
rendition. The exercises were opened
by an invocation from the Rev. Rich
mond of the Episcopal church, followed
by an overture upon tho piano from
Othello 10y Misses Freeman and Smith.
A salutatory essay, entitled Begin
nings," was spoken by Miss Emma "A.
Fletcher, with good deal of grace and
force, and which Was rcplcte with sage
advice and pleasing thought, well cal
culated to impress the minds of those
whose school iays are but just begun
an essay, "The House l live in" 10y
Miss Julia uoerr, illustrated the mind
as library, filed with choice literature
and knowledge the eyes rs windows
opening from the library, from which We
look to view the passing scenes the
ears rs halls through which is delivered
messages for the library the mouth, a
musical instrument capable of impart
ing sound, and the arms as servants to
assist tho possessor of the household. 1t
was simple, yet admirable illustration.
\ recitation, IAN order for Picture"
by Miss Minnie McGraw, was rem,
dercd in excellent taste; it was
an allcgory, requesting painter to vie
with nature in the execution of his work !;
a song, "The Wood Nymph's Call" was
sung by Miss Louise b. Hartman, ac-
by Miss Freeman on the
piano. Miss Hartman has very
sweet, musical voice although not strong
but under full control. An essay,
'Woman's Work" by Miss Cora b. Smith
was well written and well read. 1t
clearly pointed out woman's duties
and woman's opportunities, placing
her upon an equality with man except
ng physically; showing that she has
wide field from which to choose duties
applicable to her sex and taste. An
,ration "Thc claims of the Age on the
Foung Man Of America" 10y W. ii.
Williams, was rendered with ability
md with the ideas, WAS good and com
nendable, the piece was too lengthy.
The essay, Not to sunshine we live"
showed that considerable thought had
been given in its composition, rel 'ctin"
,redit upon the writer. The knights
Farewell" sung by the male quartettc of
he High School WAS admirable. The
Glass Prophecy,"by Miss Fletcher, rep
,esented view in the tar future Illus
rating the various members of the class
md their occupations, while age had
'Iept upon them, turning their youthful
iollies into grave demeanor and their
once sunny locks into grey. The vale
lictory, by G. ID. Buck, upon Heroes"
md his parting words to the teachers
md classmates were well received, after
which brief address Of sage advice Was
given by Hon. j. \. Wiswcll, who
presented each graduate with adiploma.
The exercises closed by a bcnediction by
Rev. Savidge. The room was bcauti
July decorated with flowers, notices
and cvcrgreens, while the stage was
fairly EMPOWERED with pots of bloom
ing plants, mounds of green shrubs, and
trailing vines; the drop curtain bore
upon its front in large letters the words,
'F'in,s Opus Coronat." The whole was
4 successful and happy termination, and
the teachers, pupils and Board of Edu-
cation can congratulate themselves upon
the fact