Morning journal and courier., 1886-04-15
SEMPER CRRsCENS.

 nOon-Mr. BrOokss MaSter1y Orat1on President YOrk,s Address.
 Yesterday was one of joy and pride among the members of the graduating class | of the High school and their parents, it be- I ing class day. The doors of the school were advertised to be open at 1:3O o'clock, and by l that time nearly three hundred people were waiting admittance, but through some un- explainable reason they were kept standing there until five minutes before o'clock be- fore the doors were opened, and five min utes later the hall was crowded. The stair ways leading to the hall as well as the hall itself were decorated with potted plants, and over the center of the stage suspended by wires were the class motto "Sem per Cres- cens" in letters of roses, pinks and smilax. Promptly at 2:15 o'clock President of tI Q class s. Albert York, took his seat on the platform with w. R. Smith, the secretary Of the class, and moment later the members of the graduating class marched in and took their seats in the front row of benches President York then opened the exercises with a welcome address during which he said: The members of the class of 'S6 wei come you here to attend the class day exer- cises and to join with them in making the last gathering in this hall as class g pleas ant and memorable occasion to them. The four years that have passed since 'S6 entered Hillhouse High school have been short and pleasant, bringing us many new friends and acquaintances and leaving us with only the pieasantest memories of our school hfe After referring to the memento which the class of 'S6 leave in the High school hall, beautiful nf Temple" which stood on an ivory easel on the platform the speaker continued as fol- lows: While the class of '86 has not as many members as the previous graduating classes have contained, nevertheless there is no reason why the friends of the school should be discouraged or it's opponents elated, as the outlook for the future is most favorable.
 Mir. York's address was heartily applaud ed and he received three handsome gifts of flowers, 8 basket, 8 harp and 8 cross.
 Under the direction of Professor Jepson the class then sang the Bridal Chorus" from '"The Rose Maiden" by Cowen in a very pleasing manner, which went to show that Professor Jepsons efforts with this class had not been vain.
 Miss E. B. Sheldon, daughter of Judge Jo- seph Sheldon, then began the reading of the class history, during which she pulled many of her classmates over the coais in such a manner as to cause frequent bursts of laugh ter from those present. Of Miss Sarah Louise Garfield, one of the shining lights of the class of '86, she said: Miss Garfield is very particular about being called Louise and to call her by her first name is 8 very grave offense. Her industry is something wonderful to some people and how early she comes to school or how late she leaves has never been ascertained, and there is more dignity to the square inch in Miss Sarah Louise Garfield than in any other square |, oe the class president Miss Sheldon said: Samuel Albert, our honored president, since he has come to this great honor has been promoted in several ways. It is the old story, to him that hath shall be given. Yes, Sammy is getting to be quite a little man! His geographical studies are simply astound- ing. One of the most startling of these ls that the nearest way from any one place to any known spot on the face of the globe is around by Orchard street. It is reported that certain young lady is frequently heard to murmur Now is the winter of our discon- tent made glorious summer by this son of York;"
 Miss Sheldon also successfully handled several other members of the class in a man. ner most pleasing to all, and the "jokes" and ''grinds" were such as not to offend the most susceptible.
 The oration, "Semper Crescens," by MT. Frank Terry Brooks, was the next on the programme, and when MT. Brooks stepped forward to the platform he was greeted with loud applause, and during his delivery of the oration held the audience in rapt attention. He spoke of the class motto "always ready" and wove, in the course of his address, some admirable advice to his classmates. The address was worthy the occasion.
 The oration was delivered in a very able manner, which showed MT. Brooks to have great ability & speaker, and he deserved the hearty applause which followed the ora tion. MT. Brooks will go abroad this sum- mer and return in time to enter college in the fall.
 R. T. Percy followed with piano solo, af- ter which w. B. Beckley, the class prophet, took the stand and read the prophecy mak- ing out an almost improbable future for some members of the class.
 0. W. Boltwood then gave violin solo, after which G. B. Thorp, another historian, read several more grinds on the members of the class. Miss Bessie L. Crawford followed with more history which was excellent, she saying of. Miss Alice Louise Chapman Miss Chapman is what is known by the rest of the class as sweetness long drawn out, and one of the prsttiest young ladies in the class. She takes German instead of physi- ology, because she says the latter study makes her sick, but for all that she is the only girl in the German class, and perhaps the boys are the reason she takes German. This young lady states that she had rather live
 
 reason we don't know. Miss Crawford in an able manner roasted about a dozen others and closed by saying: My task is done and I hope nothing worse ever be said of the members of the class than has been said this afternoon.
 The vocal duet by Miss M. H. Mansfield and A. w. Jepson, "I Feel Thy Angel Spir- it," was well rendered and received hearty applause.
 The class poem, "Semper Crescens," was next read by Miss NJ. R. Atwater and was as follows:
 sEMPER CREsCENs.
 A thistle lightly rocks in the sunlight,
 Dauntily swaying to and fro,
 Cheered by the birds as they sing about her,
 Softly kissed by the winds that blow.
 The days pass onward, but still she stands there
 Growing more lovely day by day,
 Till at last we see her decked in beauty, With royal purples rich array.
 Now she has reached her full perfection TN, The blooming thistle so brave and bright. Haunting so gently her rich attire, And gladly dancing beneath the light. But To, as she stands in all her brightness, Heavily blows the north wind cold, And the dainty flower is rudely shaken AS the fierce blast haStenS across the Wold. Then comes fercer and louder storm blast, And the flower is roughly torn apart, Hither and thither fly the bright petals To bring them back is beyond our art. Some float onward and some fly backward, while others upon the dark ground lie, But some there are that, mounting upward. Steadily journey toward the sky. Ever upward their way pursuing, Rising above their former estate, Il Till at last they vanish within the brightness Of the shining clouds all roseate. No more a class shall We walk together; Each must mark for himself course Each much choose for himself his life work, Whether for happiness or remorse. Some of the thistle down petals went backward, But may none of us share their lot; While others kept to their former level, Rising nor falling single jot. A few there are among us, it may be, Who will not rise to higher life, Who will not seek by brave sndeavor To mount above the common strife. We saw that some of the dainty petals Fell to the ground in black despair; Their llfe's journey was steadily downward, Quickly withered their beauty rare. Always advancing, ,' this is our motto, Always rising to higher thingsn