The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-07-02
commencement Week.

Il
ously announced, was fully and successfully
carried out, beginning with the ebaccalaureate
sermon by Prof. Estabrook, already noticed
IN our columns.
IL was week of extraordinary inter
est and extraordinary labor on the part of
all, and in the examinations of the various
grades and classes, the pupils have acquitted
] themselves in a manner rejecting great
credit on themselves, their teachers and the
school. One present at the Friday morning
session-the last of the year-when the GER
tiicates of promotion were presented and
grades formed for the coming school year,
could not have failed TO note an amount of
enthusiasm, on the part of the pupils, beyond
the ordinary interest of such occasions, and
full of promise for the future efficiency of
our school.
| To claim that no failures have occurred,
or that no mistakes have been made would
most certainly be untrue; but that in
nearly all grades much smaller per cent of
failure to pass satisfactory examination
has occurred, can be justly claimed and
amply maintained by the examination papers
now on file in the Office of the principal.
Examinations were finished Wednesday af-
ternoon, and the usual Thursday vacation pre-
paratory to commencement evening was
taken.
GRADUATION EXERCISES.
Long before the hour for opening the
hall-the new rink having been chosen for
the exercises as being more commodious,
and the opera house being engaged for
other purposes-in fact almost Immediately
after the usual hour for tea our citizens
commenced focking towards the rink. A
large crowd soon collected and blocked the
4 xuolta randaripn ip,rcaothIa
after repeated assurances that there was
ample room and no need of haste to secure seats
the crowd pushed and clamored to be ad-
mitted, only to sit and swelter for over an
hour in the sitting heat and wish themselves
outside again.
The rink had been tastefully and elabo-
rately decorated for the occasion by the skill
ful fingers and most excellent taste of those
in charge of the preparations for the even-
ing's exercises.
The large stage was hung with heavy
drapery of elegant lace curtains kindly fur
nished by our genial merchant, Cummings of
the double Store" who also spent hours of
valuable time in placing them in position, in
which service he was ably assisted by Miss
Cora Root of Avery's well known dry goods
and fancy store and Mrs. B. f. Heckert for
merly of our corps of teachers. Among the
lace drapery were hung floral baskets, and
choice house plants decorated both windows
and stage, while the floor of the stage was
covered by rich carpet from Broughton's
and seated with easy chairs from Osborn's
and Jones'.
The exercises opened at eight o'clock by
| the appearance of the class upon the scene,
and the overture Enchantment" by the
orchestra, followed by an eloquent prayer by
Ii Al
church. The salutatory by Miss Nina Row
land, who with Miss Lizzie Haigh, constitut-
cd the "fairies attendant" was delivered in
an admirable manner and received, as it
richly deserved, great applause from the
audience. Were this article not for the
NoRTHERNER, the writer would predict great
success for Miss Nina whenever her future
school work may call her before an audience.
| The essay Goose Quilts" skillfully drawn
analogy between the quill pen and life, by
Miss Martie Clayton, evinced much thought
beneath the surface by the fair writer and
deserved more than passing consideration.
"Wise and Otherwise" by Miss Zilpha Har
rison, proves that the same careful study
which mas characterized Miss II. throughout
her high school course was given to the pro-
| duction which was to crown her school
| work, and ranks her as wise and not other
wise. Chas. Il. Mason, on the subject I" Re-
formers" gave an original, practical and for
cible Grafton, all the more meritorious when
the trite character of the subject is consid-
cred Miss Grace Woodman's "Cross and
Crescent" reviewed, by the light of the pres
ent, the influence of Isamism in the past,
and its relation to christianity, past and pres
ent and was worthy the attention given it.
The whole class, individually and collect
| lively, did themselves and the school great
credit by the character of their productions
and by their easy and unaffected bearing, so
remarkably free from the stage pomposity so
| frequently observable on such occasions.
The pianists, Misses Rowland and Har-
wick, fell no whit behind their former
achievements, or the other parts of the mu-
sical programme, and the orchestra, so lately
organized, "did themselves proud
The vocal music for the evening was
commendable and showed that the audience
was composed of persons of intelligence who
could appreciate the good in music. The
trio. by Mrs. Paige Miss Blackman and
Judge Hilton was well rendered, listened
to attentively and received with manifesto
tions of pleasure. Mrs. Prof. Russell was
unfortunately, suffering some inconvenience
from cold, but her ability as singer was
not unknown, and, as she stepped to the
front of the stage she was received by that
degree of respectful attention which spoke of
high expectation, which was fully realized,
as was manifest by the acclamation
which followed the sound of the last tone.
Mrs. Paige rendered the last solo of the
evening in her well known, happy style, fully
sustaining her reputation as first class vo-
calist, receiving the undivided attention of
her listeners who manifested their hearty
appreciation by liberal applause.
At the close of the exercises the class
arose and Sup't. Russell delivered to them
neat and feeling address, well adapted to the
occasion, containing much good advice which,
if carefully observed by those to whom it
was directed, will tend to make their
lives not only useful and beneficial, but also
make themselves eminent among their fell
lows. The address was followed by the pres
entation of q diploma to each member of the
class, as visible evidence of their having
successfully completed their course of study.
ALUMNI BUSINESS MEETING.
The business meeting of the Alumni Asso-
citation was held at the rink, at the close Of
the commencement exercises.
The class of 1885 was admitted TO men,
bership in the association, after which the