Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-05-31

Honored.
Friday evening, mid flowers, applause
and good wishes, the honor of gradua-
ton from the Abilene high school was
conferred upon nine more young ladies |
and gentlemen.
Long before the opening of the exer-
cises the Bonebrake was filled to over
flowing with an eager, interested audi
ence, anxious to view the last appear
ance as Abilene high school pupils OF
the '.class of 49," The stage was
tastefully, even elegantly, decorated
with flowers and tropical plants. Above,
were festooned wreathes of ivy leading
away from an elegant hand-painted
monogram of the figures 1888. Just
over the graduates heads was sus-
pended the class motto, "Polma non
sine p,tIrere,' - mo crown without toll,
or literally, "No palms without dust"
On the stage were dozen young
ladies of the present senior high school
class and former graduates.
At $50, the exercises opened with
chorus by the high school and gradu-
ates. under the leadership of DR.. Hew-
lit, Mrs. W. G.. Cowles accompanying
on the piano.
Theexcellent rendition of the chorus
ahn Al al,
reflected great credit upon DR.. Hewitt's
musical skill.
Rev. DR.. j. l.. McKeehan invoked
the divine blessing in words appropri-
ate to the embarking of the young peo-
pie upon the voyage of life.
Next followed an instrumental duet
by Misses Hattie Rice and Grace Sew
ell. 1t was given with true and sympa-
thetic touch and elected hearty ap-
plause from the large audience.
The salutatory, "Self Sacrifice" an
Grafton by Homer E. Ellison, was the
first exercise. The conclusion was, 1--WE
cannot all be Websters; none need be
worthless; all may be men, Mr.. Eli
son has an easy, self-possessed presence
and his words penetrated to every part
of the opera house.
Sarah Z. Hunton recited with clear
and polished delivery the pathetic poem,
''Mona's Waters" AS she told the
simple story of the wave-smitten hero
she held the closest attention of the
audience. Miss Hunton has graceful
presence on the stage and did herself
great credit in the recitation.
Geo. S. Bright chose for his subject
Kansas motto, ''Ad astra per aspera.
He referred to the difficulties through
which the class had passed and to the
future stars which it hoped to reach
His original treatment of the theme
and his practical application of the
motto to the class was the
subject of much favorable comment
The speaker seemed at home upon TIT
stage and gave with excellent emphasi:
the well-written Grafton.
Miss Mamie Hoisington, one of TIT
past graduates of the school and now ;
teacher therein, gave in her usual bril-
liant style charming solo, Its O
Love- and as an encore, in respons,
to the continued applause. she gave tn,
ballad, "Polly and L.
The Grafton, Ambition" by Johl
Mustard, was a well-prepared article
1t gave evidence of much study ant
thought and thorough familiarity will
history. His delivery was forcible and
emphatic. He had no patience will
false ambitions and severely condemned
the gold-seeking aspirations of the
age.
Miss Ella Thornton, who was to have
given an essay, Lights in the Win
dow being absent by reason of tn,
death of her uncle, T. l.. Thornton, he
space in the program was filled by ;
quartette, Misses Sarah Bonell, Lizzie
Anderson, Messrs. Geo. S. Bright
Homer Ellison, who sang, The Mouse
Ran up the Clock" and for an encore
1.-The Whip-poor-will.''
Geo. S. Upshaw delivered "Bernardt
Del CarpiO,' by Felicia Hemans, in ar
excellent manner. MIR. L. is pleasing
and dramatic speaker and he gave the
tale of the Spanish champion well. The
audience hung upon his words and ac
corded him enthusiastic applause at
the close.
Levi Humbargar had selected Victor
Hugo's Nineteenth Century for dec
lamation. Mr.. H. has an earnest and
convincing manner before the audience
aud he made the difficult lines of the
French author shine with a new light.
His gestures were graceful and appro.
pirate. The force of his delivery was
a surprise to even his most admiring
friends.
Miss Hattie Rice then recited the
liquid-syllabled lines of Felicia Hemans'
American Forest Girl." Forcibly,
with easy grace and charming self
possession she made each FORD fall
clearly and distinctly upon her listeners
ears. Her elocution showed careful
training and much aptitude for the