Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-06-04
LEAVING THE SCHOOLROOM:
GRADUATION EXERCISES OF THE
CLASS OF 1891.
A Large Audience and an Excellent
Program-The Young Ladies and
Gentlemen Acquit Themselves
with Much Honor.

1t is not unusual TO have a large
audience in the opera house on the
occasion of the annual commencement
of the Abilene high school but it
seemed that Friday evenings gather
ing was one of the most representative
assemblies ever seen at such a time.
Every seat was filed, many were
standing and all paid the closest atten-
tion to the exercises. The stage was
set with beautiful flowers, pyramids
thanking the sides, while the class
motto, "Semper Excelsior" in gold
letters was suspended above the grad
yates heads.
Harrison's orchestra furnished the
instrumental music and it goes without
saying that it was first-class. 1t was
fully Sis when the overture was fin
ished and the Rev. w. L. SeabroOk
stepped to the front of the stage ard
made the opening invocation. This
was followed by chorus, well rem
dered by the undergraduates of the
school, DR.. NJ. II. Hewett acting as
leader. The graduating class, consist
ing of ten ladies and four gentlemen,
entered and took their seats in a semi
circle on the stage, the teachers being
grouped behind them. Their ad-
dresses were given without formal in
PRODUCTION, the class conducting the
exercises itself. Only a brief mention
can be made o. the numbers of the
program; all acquitted themselves with
honor and were heartily and deserved
ly applauded.
Sarah Z. Parent chose "Gather Up
the Fragments" as the subject of her
essay. Commencing with the parable of
the loaveS and fishes she pointed out
the value of little things. Failure,
she said, comes from neglect, success
from making the best of all. Miss
Parents delivery was graceful and her
words well chosen.
Edna NJ. Hornaday spoke on (which
Route?" and her imaginative descrip-
ton of a Bunyanesque trip through
life was decidedly original. The young
have the choice of routes before them
and it depends on themselves which
they shall choose. Miss HOrnaday
made an excellent impression by her
earnest delivery.
Lolita NJ. Towards subject was,
might Brings Out the Stars" Open
Ing with brilliant and vivid descrip-
ton of the bursting into view of the
gems of night as evening draws on,
she pointed out how times of gloom
had brought out great characters.
Strength and power. she says, are the
sure productions of disappointment.
Miss Lolita evidently never has the
blues. Her essay was helpful and
inspiring.
Chas. NJ. Snider's grafton was en-
titled Looking Outward. Mr.. S. is
no calamityite. He believes it is a
privilege to live in this day and nation.
Great questions are to be settled and
men are needed and will be rewarded.
No one can succeed without work.
"DemOgogism, socialism and all other
isms should be banished from our
social and political lives forever" Mr..
S. spoke easily and with strong deliv-
cry.
Elizabeth E. Fritz spoke on
Words" She sees in words, their
history and symbolism, a fascination
that is most pleasing. Words are
thoughts with life and walk the earth.
A word often saves man or woman.
There should be more care in the words
we use. The essay was a thoughtful
one and showed much study.
Hattie K, Reeds effort was we'll
called "a Symphony" She pictured
in unsteady fitting words the compari-
son between the various sentiments of
life and the answering notes in the
symphony of nature. Life is indeed a
symphony of strong and weak notes, as
we make it. The thought was delicate
and the essay much enjoyed.
Minnie d. Smiths essay "Alone" had
a minor chord running through it that
touched the hearts of those who have
felt the influence of solitude. Alone
man bears life's burdens, alone he lays
them down. Our life is as we make it
and no outside strength can come 10
our Utmost life. The thought was we'll
portrayed.
Mary J. Downey in THAT Boys
Mother" gave an original and striking
picture of the influence of the mothers
of the land over the youth of the next
generation. She quoted number of
great men who owed their success to a
mothers inspiration and paid delicate
homage to the noble mothers whose
hands that rocked the cradle rocked
the world.
Ralph n. Gorden's Grafton on 1.-The
American Citizen" was one Of the
most practical of the evening. 1t
dealt with live political questions and
showed a wide familiarity with the
b;sf0rxy Of TODAY In cpifa Of our cd