The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1888-06-22
Commencement Exercises at Ban
croft.


| From tie AdUsrfissr.
The interior walls of the Congregational
! church were considerably spruced up last
week Thursday night. Festoons of ever
greens hung in graceful folds upon the
walls and plants and perfumed flowers q.
| dorned the rostrum. Behind the pulpit,
in letters of greenest hue, was wrought
the legend.
CLASS OF 'SS.
LIFE IS SHORT AND ART is LONG,"
An immense crowd filled the church.
and many were unable to secure even
standing room.
The exercises commenced at a little after
o'clock with prayer by Rev. A. T Wat
erman. He gave thanks to the Giver of all
Wisdom for the many years of opportun-
ity, and for those opportunities improved
A quartette composed of Mr.. and Mrs.
j. s. Lemon, Florence Wilcox, and Ed
ward Sloan, rendered beautifully the song
Gathering Home" after which,
PLINY NJ. LYMAN,
the ONLY boy in the class, arose and read
well-constructed essay on "Michigan's
Place in the Union" He had chosen an
important topic, and he handled it in mas
terly manner. The essay showed consid-
cradle research, was full of interesting
information, and was delivered in q
forciblc manner
MINNIE FOWLER
followed with a crisp essay on Popular
Superstitions," brief, but decidedly pointed.
She related several incidents to demonstrate
which she did clearly, that superstitions
have not altogether disappeared from the
face of the earth, not even in America
Her enunciation was clear, but not loud,
and her thoughts cleverly woven together.
CARRIE A. LYMAN
chose for the subject OF her essay, "Wait-
ing for Bite" The paper was replete
with smiles and other rhetorical figures
and was delivered in an easy graceful
manner. 1t was chiefly descriptive of
that deplorable class of mankind who pre-
fer to linger in seclusion waiting patiently
for golden opportunities which never come
After the close of Miss Lyman's essay,
"Twilight on the Sea- ,''was rendered by
the quartette mentioned above.
l.. MAUD ELLSWORTH
Then read carefully prepared essay On
the mound Builders" She drew from
this strange subject many interesting
thoughts. The Sphinx-like obscurity
which surrounds those people was the
theme upon which she dwelt. The style
of her paper was good, the language per
feet.
EDITH l.. KNAPP
Presented "The Old and the New" IN an
original and entertaining manner. She
held that modern literature, art and inven-
ton are all dependent on the authors
artists and inventors of the past. Miss
Knapp's sentences were well.formed, and
her essay partook of that quality ofcxcell-
ence which characterized all the efforts of
the evening.
STENA p. BILLINGS
Is always spicy, and her essay on the
History of Education in Bancroft was
full of charming reminiscence and pleasant
anecdote of by-gone days. She read clear
and loud, with excellent emphasis, and
exhibited remarkable aptitude for descrip-
ton. characteristics of former teachers she
described with considerable wit, and paid
glowing tribute to the worth of the late
Hon. N. G. Phillips who had been mem
Der of the district board for years.
Miss Mary Cooper then rendered q
beautiful piece of vocal music, after which
DAFFIE f. SHELLEY
Read her essay on Faces, (which was full
of deep thought and expression. decid
edly original, and possessed remarkable
symmetry of language She described
her essay possessed an attractive style and
tone that marks il as specially entitled to
commentator.
JESSIE LYMAN,
The last, and apparently the youngest Of
her class, read her essay, entitled, I'VE
are what we make ourselves" She began
with n beautiful quotation from Long
fellow, and followed with practical thought
eXpressedin in very comprehensive language.
She thought that poets and cranks are
more the freaks of nature than its legiti-
mate results" Speaking of self-made men
she alluded to Gen. Il. A. Alger as an
illustrious example. which elected consid
cradle applause. Hers. was an excellent
essay.
TIE CLASS ADDRESS
Was delivered by Prof. V. G. Lanning,
and was an excellent paper, full of lofty
ideas and wise advice expressed in eloquent
and forcible language. Mr.. Lanning pos
sesses a fertile imagination and wields an
entertaining quill. His address was loudly
applauded and unsparingly praised.
PROF. f. +. BUMPS
Who has done such excellent work in the
school. and to whom belongs the credit Of
establishing the first graduating class,
made a neat little speech and presented the
graduates with their diplomas.
After whcih more music was furnished,
and the people went home. highly pleased
with the first graduating class of the Ban
croft public school and the splendid work
of its principal
THE RECEPTION.
Friday night the graduating class gave
reception at the residence of Mr.. and
Mrs. Roger Sherman. The doors of the
house of the hospitablc hosts swung easily
on their hinges, and all who came were
welcomed. A delightful evening was
passed. Maud Ellsworth read a spicy
History of the Glass, Carrie Lyman pro
phescd its future, and Stena Billings recit
ed the Valedictory. Then refreshments
of ice cream and cake was served, with
which the delighted people were regaled
Thus ended the commencement exercises
of the class OF '68.