Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-06-18
Commencement.

of IS of the Lancaster High School took
place Friday last, June ~, in the school
chapel. The hall was well filled, the
available standing room as well as the
seats being occupied. Festoons of ar
Dor vitae wreathing were draped above
and about the platform, and with the
potted plants and bouquets and the pic
lures upon the walls, made very taste
full and appropriate decorations. This
graduating class is the fifth that has
completed the full course in our school,
one having finished under Prof. Brind-
ley. two under Prof Davies and two I'M
der Prof Wood, the present principal.
The Glass of 'S5 numbers but four mem
bers, Miss Eva Thomas and Messrs.
Edward Schreiner, Walter Lewis and
Ralph Strong. The subjects selected by
these young people for their orations
and essays were good and showed per-
haps in each case the line in which their
school work had especially interested
them.
Edward Schreiner's theme was
one which, from its announcement, Sc
cured the eager attention of his hearers.
"Chinese Gordons" name is so familiar
and SO dear to all that of him no story
is too old to bear repeating. He was a
| grand man and this the speaker seemed
to realize and wish to emphasize. Had
Mr.. Schreiner's delivery been as DELHI
crate and distinct as his voice was clear,
his Grafton would have been vastly inn
proved in the giving.
Ralph Strong's subject. 1.-The Wonders
of the Atmosphere, was we'll handled.
After defining the atmosphere as "a
mighty ethereal sea, whose waves wash
the mountains and the Valleys" and
dwelling upon its vital Importance to
US without the atmosphere there
could be neither animal activity nor
vegetable life; no sound could be pro-
duced, no breeze would blow, no re-
freshiGg shower fall the blue sky
would disappear and the fiery sun blaze
IN unmitigated fierceness; no twilight
would follow sunset, no rosy color tinge
the western sky he refers to the va
rious atmospheric phenomena, the
aurora, the wind and the storm In
conclusion he well says: San Almighty
mind alone could conceive and execute
the wonders which form such constant
attendants upon our daily lives. The
thoughtful mind can find even in the
wind-stirred leaf abundant food for re-
lection
Walter Lewis spoke upon Ideals and
his Grafton showed perhaps the most orig
inal thought. We are all controlled and
! governed by our ideals, consciously OF
1nconsciously formed, said the speaker,
and it behooves us TO make these high
and noble and true. ave are the
architects of our own careers. If we
surmount every difficulty with the in
vincible energy of Hannibal sealing
the Alps, success, the beautiful fame,
wealth, or by whatever name we choose
to call the practical ideal of our lives, il
is ours, ever remembering the we'll
| known lines:
Though thou have time
But for ne be that sublime.
Not failure, but low aim is crime"
Miss Eva Thomas made much of her
theme Modern Decisions" Herman
ner was pleasant and her delivery very
good. Merely touching some of the
superstitions of ancient and modern
times, she dwelt upon the decisions
which possess and hold with such re-
lentless strength the men and women,
the boys and girls of our day-that the
getting of wealth is the getting of hap
piness, that the pursuit of pleasure is
| the chief end and aim of life. AS vale
| dictorian Miss Thomas, in choice words
and with a manner showing that they
were heartfelt, addressed teachers, Off
GERS of the Board. classmates and
friends, bidding them adieu and thank
ing them for the help and encourage
ment given.
The essay by Miss Mamie Book of the
Glass of sc was well written and espec-
tally well delivered
Miss Laura Schreiner's recitation,
MARY, Queen of Scots,'' was given
with spirit. Miss Schreiner has a good
voice aud recites well.
The music added half to the pleasure
of the occasion, being of high order OF
composition and well rendered.
In awarding the diplomas, Prof
Wood, in few well-put words ex.
pressed his qualification at the work OF
the Glass during their years of school
life, urged them if possible to pursue
farther their studies, and whether or
not they entered a higher institution OF
learning, at least to make this day truly
but commencement, the mere initia-
tory step toward the trae education il
was in the power of each to give him
self. With the diploma given to Miss
Thomas, was also given. as mark Of
especial honor and diligence and faith
fulness in work, a certificate of scholar
ship in Adrian college, Michigan. Miss
-Eva's average in all her school work fol
the past year has been 90 and fraction
per cent.
The floral tributes given to the grad
mates were many and beautiful. Per
h3ps the most conspicuous was huge
basket of white carnations edged with
roses. presented as testimonial of es-
teen to Walter Lewis, by three of his
chums and particular friends. On the
ground of carnations were the words,
walter Lewis, 1885, . in blue immor-
telles
The exercises of the day were un.
usually pleasant, and The HERALI
wishes God speed" to these young
friends who have SO successfully com
pleted their work in our schools.
SCHOOL FUND. The public school
fund for Grant county, amounting to
/ So. 629 so. has been received by the
/ Countv TreaSurer and is ready for dis.