The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1890-07-05
VALEDECTO2Y.

Kew. Rather. cherished Parents. beloved
Friends.
with the conclusions ofthis night. + the
nrst chapter OF my life, and as | stand on the
threshold OF Womanhood ! can but eycIaip,
now short life is, a lamp that glittars for q
moment, a dream that leaves but faint "a
lnclnDrtnceS 4 term Of probation. neyertha-
less, most important III its results and won
derfully destined to bear it's need cf in fin
enGe for our surroundings, our successors.
ana especially for the welfare of til. INNER,
lshaDle principle within us.
Eight years ago | entered tha4s classic
walls a spoiled wayward child. through the
coDWebS of whose untutored mind the light
of knowledge sh0ne but family. Rut kind
ana Jealous hands stretched cut to helm me.
ana eagerly did grasp their gentle leading,
hNtfy obstacle gave way before their wis.
and ski!lfnl training, and | followed slowly
on the intricate way so steep and winding
seized with avidity the treasures Of knsw,
lcCSe held out, and like u hungry child
cried Tor more, more. step by step have |
climbsd. until as1 reach the summit Of NV
educational course, tonight, / come forward
TO speak words OF parting, which my humble
ups would tam reuse to utter. truly feel
my lnanlity to say what my heart dictates
on this momentOus occasion.
May l claim frsm this noble audience, for
the weakness into which my presenEfeelinrs
forbearauce.
The bright vista of many happily spent
days, meath the shadow of this dear Acads-
my, passes in review before me. Its scenes
of innocent gayety, and haunts of purpst
loneliness, viii no longer be mine. The last
q those happy hours has arrived. Hours
flled not with the false gilded and ROSY tint
ed pleasures of earth, but with those triIa
ana solid joys whose remembrance leavss
not bitterness nor remOrse, pleasures known
only to the true children of God, and of solid
virtue.
The sad thought Of my approaching de.
parture from this sancti1ed SPOT, so linked
10 my heart by a Thousand endearments. is
trying indeed, and stand a pray to con
flcting emotions. Untold half conscious re-
grets Tor the past faults crow d upon me, and
would, so to say, enkindle the desire of living
it oyer again, that l might live it more per7
tectly. All! dear companions, make good
use OF the time for improvement that still
remains to you. Appreciate those dear Sis
tiers, whose worth viii be doub,y enhanced
when you will be on the point of losing their
holy counselS and guidance forever. Let
not the faults of the head prevail ever your
goodness OF heart until too late for amelio-
ration.
Dear Rev. Father and Pastor, allow me
TO offer you sincere thanks. forthe interest
you manifest in our general welfare, expe-
rlenced repeatedly, Notwithstanding your
snort stay among us, and shown by veur
presence at our examination, and, again,
mere tonight. May your reward be great
ana your health and life be preserved for
many years to come.
Cherished Parents, you who have watched
over the long helpless years of my infancy
ana childhood, may you discover in your
enid, a gratitudep proportional to your most
precious beaefits and lavish generosity, a
N~iAS Wv dIlt generous tCNe.
a confiding respectful docility to your.wiu
in all that concerns my present and future.
Beloved Teachers, faithful Guardians. who
directed my hayward steps in the path OF
honor and duty farewell! and pray that |
depart not from the practise of virtue and
integrity inculcatcd by your instructions
and example. ] must leave this dear Sane
tuary ennobled by your labors, where devot-
ing daily and hourly all the energies of yxur
being, you polished and refine the precious
trusts confided, by loving parents, to your
holy keeping. All! well do You fulfil the
charge, and heartily do thank You, though
l feel my utter incapacity to make a suitable
return.
My dear companions and Class Mates, in a
few short moments. | shall have old adieu to
our beloved Alma Mater, hermit me TO repeat
my grief at the thought. our joys and light
sorrows were mutual. so let our affection
continue to endure. Remember the absent
Gee VINO Will often be with you in sp rit and
desire in the dear old class rooms, the be
loved haunts and pleasant play rounds.
Finally when Won return, ana enter daily
into the presence OF our Lord in the Blessed
Sacrament, and approach the shrine of His
Blessed Mother, forget not the absent com
panion who now bids You a fond farewell.
NELLIE oURG.
Academy Of st. Francis de Sales.
Houina, La, Jane seth, 1899.