The Iola register., 1891-07-31
COMMON SCHOOLS COMMENCEMENT
A Fine Class. n Large Audience and an In
teresting Program.


A Fine Class. n Large Audience and an In
teresting Program.
The class of '91 of the Allen county
District Schools may well feel proud
that the Opera House was packed
with friends to greet them Tuesday
night in spite of the rain. And the
class was certainly worthy of the COM
pliment. 1t consists of 55 young men
and women, bright-eyed, well dressed
and alert, who give every promise OF
good citizenship and useful manhood
and womanhood.
OF course, it was impossible that
the entire class should have places
on the program, SO though all wrote
essays or orations, only eleven were
selected to represent the class before
the public. After several well-receiv-
ed selections by the Normal octet,
and the invocation by Rev. Freed,
Miss Rose Travis, of Dist. -, read a
thoughtful and clearly written essay
on "Robert Burns". She sketched
briefly the erratic life and interest
ing character of Scotland's sweet
singer whom she regards as true po-
ct of Nature, the revealer of the spir-
it of the Scotch people. Miss Travis
easily held the attention of the aud
fence throughout, by her pleasant de-
livery and distinct enunciation.
Kansas as well as Scotland has Civ
en- inspiration to much good poetry and
more good prose. An example of real
ly poetic Kansas prose is John J. In
gals "Blue Grass" which was recited
by Mr.. Ord Christian, of Carlyle. Mr..
Christian was self possessed and easy
and left pleasant impression with his
hearers. If he would learn to appeal
more directly to his audience it would
add force to his delivery.
Miss Nora Wray, Of district Is, fol-
lowed with an essay on Success"
Miss Wray thinks that success consists
in devoting ones self conscientiously
to the vocation to which one is best
adapted. She believes that the "gen-
ius for hard work" is one of the great
est gifts. Miss Wray's enunciation
was excellent and her delivery force
full.
"Well begun is half done" was the
title of the next essay, delivered by
Miss Bertha Hartsock, of district 80.
Her style is very clear and simple and
the essay contained many excellent
precepts. Miss Hartsock could be easi-
ly heard all over the house.
Mr.. Edgar Brown, of district 50, in
his Grafton on 1.-THE Keys to Success"
told his audience of the marvels which
had been and could be accomplished
by the homely virtues of patience and
perseverance. Mr.. Browns easy de-
livery and careful choice of words i'm
pressed his hearers favnrably.
The quartet with guitar accompani-
ment, which followed, called forth an
enthusiastic encore.
A declamation--a stirring account of !
Clusters Last Charge" was rendered
by Mr.. Brett Clarke, of District 4. Mr..
Clarke spoke clearly and with evident
of his selection. He was
warmly applauded.
Miss Myrtle Gay, of district ii, gave
an intelligent rendering of the decla-
"Ioline." Miss Gay has a
pleasant voice and was very self-pos-
sessed.
The essay of Miss Hattie Moules,
district SO, on Labor" was marked by
the simplicity of the composition and
the good sense of the ideas contained.
An extract from that mastery ora
ton, Lincoln's Second Inaugural Ad-
dress, was given by Mr.. VIM. Dicker-
son, of district 80. His effort showed
careful and intelligent preparation and
was well received.
Miss Maggie KnOwlton, of district ],
next read an essay on Life is What
we make it," Miss Knowlton spoke
with much earnestness and energy, |
directly to the audience, and
close attention.
Mr.. Ira Denman, of district 79, spoke
in hopeful and encouraging manner
Of "Our Country's Destiny" Mr. Den
man thinks that we will eventually
root out the evils which threaten US
and that the republic will be preserv-
ed. He will, with practice, become a
very strong speaker.
After a humorous selection by the
Normal octet, Supt. Barber presented,