Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-06-14
High School Commencement.


The exercises held in the High School
chapel last Friday morning, in which
four young ladies made their gradual
ing bow before the public, were of
unusual interest, if one may judge by
the general expression of satisfaction
during the exercises and the words of
praise heard since. The day warmed
up to the occasion in fine style. and
naturally the people warmed up with
it, and the morning was thoroughly
enjoyed by the crowd who filled the
hall to. witness the final taking off of
the class of 49, The chapel was beau
tifully decorated with festoons of arbor-
vitae woven into ropes of green. with
great vases OF ferns, with masses of pink
apple blossoms and growing plants.
On a background of delicate white flow
ers the date 1888 was set in dark purple
pansies. Against the wall on Grim
son background was frieze of fleur-
de-lis. A profusion of cut flowers filled
vases, which were sci in every availa-
spot, and altogether, the room looked as
if the late spring had blossomed there
The exercises opened with music by the
ladies' quartette. Miss Carrie Nathan
was the graduate who introduced the
class in an essay on the subject, 1--WE
all wear cloaks." What she had to say
about society shams and make believes,
under this title, was said with force and
originality, and the pleasing way in
which she read her essay and her grace
full appearance added to the pleasant
impression she made upon the audience.
Miss Lena Oswald sang a Swiss
mountain song in very simple, pretty
way, with distinctness of enunciation
which is always charming. and in a
sweet, clear voice.
Miss Velma Trowbridge read next an
essay on "Idols,' in which she discus
sed with much animation the various
!
wood, which people set up and worship,
wealth, fame, fashion and the like.
This treatment of the subject naturally
led into the same line that Miss Nathan
had followed, indeed all the essays
tended in the same direction, but were
variously treated. If the young ladies
seemed to view life and its customs and
ideas from a somewhat pessimistic
stand point, it is certain that most OF
the attacks they made on prevailing
'modes" are not without reason, and
we venture to doubt that they really
think things quite so bad, as for the
sake Of argument they held they are.
Miss Trowbridge read with ease and
distinctness, and her essay was warmly
received
Mrs. Chandler sang next, 1.-The Maid
of the MILL
Miss Luella Rothschild took up the
fashions of the times, comparing them
with those long gone by, which she pre-
dicted were coming back to us since
fashions move in cycles She de-
precated the frivolties and imperious-
ness of dame fashion, who rules the
day, and in humorous way held up to
view the follies which women, and
men no less, commit for the sake OF
being "a la mode This essay was
cleverly written and well delivered.
Miss Laura Schreiner then entertained
the audiance with a we'll executed in
strumental solo,
women in the 10Th Century, was
the final essay read by Miss Bertha
Morse She referred to the condition
of women in past ages, pictured her
slow advance, her position to-day and
predicted for her the triumph of all her
demands, when all men and aOomen
shall have equal rights. She proclaimed
her woman's suffrage principles with
decision, and treated her subject in a
vigorous way, that elected warm APP
plause.
Miss Hattie Hyde and Mrs. Chandler
sang, after this closing essay, a duet,
''Come with me-"
Mr.. McDermott in an appropriate adj
dress, delivered with dignity and grace,
reviewed the school life briefly, coun-
seled the graduates to continued effort,
and presented to them their diplomas,
the sign and token of their. successful
work
We haye neglected to say, what must
not be omitted, that each graduate was
dressed in white, that they were
never prettier and that they were over
whelmed with flowers.
After the presentation of diplomas,
Mrs. Chandler sang, "She Wandered
down the Mountain Side"
The exercises closed as they had be-
gun, with ladies' quartette, "What
beams SO bright =
STRANGE DIsAPPEARANCE.- Last
week Friday young man by the name
of Frederic Hahn, in the employ of
Conrad Vesperman, near Fennimore,
failed to put in an appearance at sup
per time, and search for him revealed
the following facts: He had been har-
rowing during the afternoon and was
seen as late rs five o'clock, in the field