The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-05-29
THE HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT.

livery seat Ill Tie opera I1OuSe anu
all the available standing room was
occupied last Friday night by patrons
of the school and others anxious to
hear the graduating exercises of the
class of 'S5. A few minutes after s
O'Clock the class, led by the teachers of
their department, and followed by I'M
dergraduate members of the pro-
gramme, by Rev. E. s. Miller, the
school board, the county superintend-
ent and the singers, entered the hall
and took their places on the stage. The
usual barrenness of the stage had been
gratefully relieved by the tasty and
beautiful decorations furnished by the
undergraduates. Across the front of
the stage was suspended in letters of
flowers, the class motto, Nil Desperdn-
dun, while below this shone three
stars brilliant with various colored
blossoms. At one end of the stage was
very prettily arranged display of hot
house plants which with other decora-
tons, including the "fair girl gradu-
ates" and their companions on the
programme, made the stage a grateful
resting place for weary eyes.
The programme as already published
was carried out without announce
ment, the speakers rendering the parts
assigned them without individual in
PRODUCTION.
Mr.. James NJ. Rose was the first
speaker and delivered in very credit
able manner defamation, 1.-THE Art
Galleries of the Skies" Mr.. Rose rath-
er misjudged the size of his audience,
pitching his voice higher than was
necessary and maintaining so strong a
tone throughout that it was impossible
to give the modulations necessary to an
entirely pleasant delivery. His pres
ence was very good, however, and his
gestures informally free and natural.
Miss May Ewing followed with a
very thoughtful and practica- essay on
the subject, ~ serve" The compost
ton, We thought, betrayed somewhat
hasty and careless preparation in some
passages, but the thought was so
strong and original and the bearing
and voice with which it was read were
so good that the effort was entitled to
rank among the very first on the pro-
gramme.
Miss Fannie Mcclure has long been
a favorite with lola audiences, and her
recitation "Scotland's Maiden Martyr"
was certainly no disappointment to her
friends. The story itself was an ex-
tremely interesting one and was told
with remarkable compOsure and grace.
After piano duet by the two grad
yates, which was generously applaud
ed, Mr.. Leslie Potter delivered the last
part of Blaine's magnificent eulogy on
Garfield very acceptably. The speak
er at first betrayed some embarrass-
ment, but soon regained his compos-
ure and was able to do himself credit.
Miss Anna Pickell. a representative
of the class of 'S7, read very spicy
and at the same time vigorous essay on
"Habits begin in Co5webs and end in
Chains.n In addition to great deal
of sound advice, it contained numerous
"tricksy turns" that were highly ap-
preciated by the audience.
Miss Effiie Scott's recitation "The
Hero of the Tower" although a little
long, was carefully listened to and
kindly received by the audience.
Miss Alice Hendricks took the mot
to of Kansas as the theme for her
graduating essay, and in her treatment
of it gave new evidence of the irrepres-
sible tendency of Kansans to advertise
their state. The writer evidently
didn't intend to lay herself liable to
this charge, but she couldn't
help it. She could not mention her
subject without naming the state,
sand to name it was to praise There
was a great deal besides this, however,
in the essay, which displayed no little
originality, together with thorough
and careful preparation. Miss Hen.
bricks certainly deserved the armful
of boquets that were sent her.
Miss Meadea Brewster, as the Other
member of the graduating class. de.
livered the valedictory under the title
Roses Under the Snow" The
thought and language of the essay
could hardly have been improved
while the illusions to school mates
teachers and the old associations wer'
very touching and beautiful.
On behalf of the school board, Prof
H. l.. Henderson, in few well chosen
words, which were credit to his lat
Unity, presented the diplomas to tn
graduates.
So, after closing quartette, endet
the first commencement OF the loli