The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-06-04
ABILENE REFLECTOR.
Thursday, June 4th, 1885.
High School Commencement.


only by the fact that they have learned
to look upon the public school as the
bulwark of our liberty and the founda-
ton of our national intelligence and
virtue. !
Graduating classes are always in1z'
esting because they are products OF 10
cal institutions, and at commencement
exercises people are made to look upon
themselves as generous patrons Of edu-
cation, and the picture pleaSes them.
There is, then, a dual interest which
attracts large crowds of people once
every year to the Opera House to wit
ness the hour of triumph which has
come to the faithful student.
The interest which centered about
the Sixth Annual Commencement OF
our High School was as great as any OF
its predecessors, and before eight
o'clock the Opera House was filled to
its utmost capacity by an intelligent
and expectant audience.
About a quarter past eight the High
School pupils rendered a chorus, during
which the graduating class came upon
the stage. 1t consisted Of Clyde n.
FriZ, Mamie Z. Peters, Harry Barnes,
Annie Macdonald, Howard E. Smith,
Carrie A .KOhler and Orleana A.Fisher.
The class was very young in appear
ance, but its intelligence made up for
its lack of years. The essays and ora
lions embodied some of the time hon
ored and very respectable platitudes,
metaphors, trOpes and hOmilies which
characterize every commencement, but
they embodied also a refreshing Origi-
nality and force that speak well for the
mentality and individuality of the sew
eral members of the class.
In front of the class, suspended in an
arch, was the class motto, Est0 PeTpd-
ua, LET it endure forever" On
either side of the stage were pyramids
of beautiful plants and flowers.
Rev. DR.. Bowers delivered a short,
sensible, appropriate prayer, beautiful
in its language and expression. An in
strumental duet by Misses Orleana
Fisher and Annie Mcdonald followed.
Grafton, Compensation" was deliv-
cred by Clyde n. Friz in a very deliber-
ate and composed manner. He knew
his subject and handled it i'll an inter
esting manner. He followed the law
of compensation, which runs through all
nature and is always just. His illus
trations and applications were good,
and when he sat down the audience
felt that it had been fully compensated
for the close attention given to the
speaker.
Essay, Kindness, - was delivered in
a very sweet voice by Miss Mamie Z.
Peters, who seemed the very perSOnif-
cation of her subject. The effort of
the young lady was well received by ths
audience.
A sextette, by Misses Rosa GleiSsneF,
Lolita Thornton, Carrie KOhler and
Anna Gleissner and Messrs. Sherman
Ellison and Schuyler Petit, was ra-
dered in pleasing manner.
The Grafton, Education VS.. &uh<k
ance," by Harry Barnes, was handled
in forceful and striking manner. l3k
thoughts were vigorous and original
and their delivery full of energy and a.
rection. 1t was one of the best efforts
of the evening and reflected great credit
upon its author.
Essay, Life, A Canvass by Miss
Annie Mcdonald. The young lady's
effort was very pOetical and beautiful.
Her canvas was painted with rare skill.
the easy, ripping flow of her words
being very pleasant and musical. The
aptitude of the fair speakers illustra-
tiOns were apparent to all and the
sweetness of delivery added strength
as well as beauty to her production.
Miss Edith Tozer and Carrie A.
Kohler sang a beautiful duet in sweet
and engaging manner.
Grafton, advance of Liberty in the
10Th Century by Howard f. Smith.
was historical in its trend. Mr.. Smith
is small of stature and young looking.
but his essay was delivered in SO DELHI |
crate manner as to suggest the gravity !
of old age. His acquaintance with po- |
litical, mechanical and religious history |
was large and varied. His Grafton was
instructive.
Poor PuSS Wants a Corner was
the title of very original and striking |
essay by Miss Carrie \. KOhler, of En-
terpriSe. Miss Carrie is evidently a !
young lady of individuality and indie
pendence. The game of 'pusS wants a |
corner was made to admirably illustrate |
the game of life in all its phases. We !
are pleased to state that in her political /
references Miss Carrie was not "offen-
sively partiZan." If there could be n
best among so many excellent produc-
tons, we should say that Miss Carrie
was entitled to the laurel. The essay
was delivered in manner that was al (
most severe Ill its deliberate direction.
\ trio, by James BarcuS, Sherman
Ellison and Harry Barnes, brought
down the house and called for an encore.
The humor OF the song was highly APP
preciated by the audience.
Essay and valedictory. Lessons
from Nature" by Miss Orleana A.
Fisher, herself the sweetest lesson of
all, was pOetical production of much
merit. The valedictory was honest,
direct and touching in its simplicity.