Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-06-01
"womaniy words-manly deeds"


class of the Abilene high school last
evening, "womanly words, manly
deeds" seemed particularly well fitted
for the FIVE young people who com
pleted the course Of the Abilene schools
and took part in the fourteenth annual
commencement exercises.
The class, two young ladies and
three young gentlemen, was the first to
finish the new four year high school
course OF study and deserves particu-
lar credit nithat account. The diplomas
received by the members admit them
Internationally to the freshman class
Of the state University and are evil
dence of completed work in one of
Kansas best high schools, under com.
competent and progressive teachers.
The large audience that gathered
last evening saw a stage beautifully
decorated. A bower Of vines covered
the chief participants IN the exercises.
A bank of roses hid the footlights and
plants In pr)fusion were at the right
and left of the rostrum. Supt. j. G..
Gray presided,
The exercises opened with an at
tractive chorus by the high school.
The singers we're well received and
under DR.. Hewett's leadership did
themselves credit.
Rev. j. T, Mayor offered an earnest
invocation.
Miss Alma Mary Brown, the salu-
totarian of the class, made a brief but
graceful Introductory address. She
asked that not too much be expected
but promised that all would do their
best, prediction well fulfilled.
MISS Eta May Bruckhart gave the
first Grafton Of the evening. "Fanat'
icism" was her theme. Civilization,
she said, owes it's sway to human
endeavor. The restless earnest men
who seek to lead are often considered
fanatics by their contemporaries, but
teachers by the ages after. Such was
Socrates; Peter the Hermit was a
fanatic; Mohammed was half fanatic;
John Brown was a fanatic, but almost
reformer. The elements Of judgment
and enthusiasm are necessary to the
true reformer, only he who seeks truth
alone can lead. Miss Bruckhart's
essay showed wide reading and careful
study. iler delivery was graceful and
convincing.
A delightful solo, "The Nightingale's
Song" by Miss Ursula Ellison accom-.
panied by Mrs. Niesley followed and
the generous applause showed that
Miss Ellson's sweet voice WAS much
appreciated by the audience.
Charles Edward Smith had chosen
for his subject, princes of Humble
Birth" Some men are born great,
some have greatness thrust upon them,
James | of England was Of the former
class but he did not fulill his trust
The American kings are those whC
have won their own way, Washing.
ton, Lincoln, Garfield and scores OF
others are examples of what can bt
accomplished. True nobility cannot
be Inherited. 1t must be bora in tn,
man. Integrity in word and deed
make the only true nobility. Mr
smith looked his audience squarely II
the face and showed no embarrassment
Neglected Genius" was the subject
Of Arthur Downey Colby's Grafton
Ills address was plea Tor following
the natural development Of talent. L
we honestly followed the occupation
our talents called for there would b'
more enlightenment aud less crime
Mind what Carlyle said; lind your task
stand to II, have purpose in life art
having it put such strength Of mint
and muscle into your work rs God ha
| given you. Blessed Is he who ha
found his work, Mr., Colby had a flu
presence on the stage aud delivered hi
Grafton foroefully and without al
instant's hesitancy.
The high school glee club accompan
led by Mrs. Hewett sang THE Youn
Recruit" with excellent effect
"a Duty" by Jacob Edward Fai
was the only political Grafton of th
evening. The duty Mr. Fair urge
is that we as people must have NOR
education on economic questions. rw
classes the intelligent and the iSnc
rant-arise. The former brings II
prosperity and greatness; the latter
the fate of all nations IN the past
downfall. "As our civiliz alton become
more complex, the unsducated elias
increases at higher rate and the inte
ligeut at u lower.n The truth Of thi
is fully demonstrated when the simpl
economy Of the world for four thou;
aud years is cOntrasled with the cou
{, pleS nature of our national econom
today, Individual responsibility has q
all times been tho fundamental prime
pie of uation's economy and not unit
we all not on the principle which wi
require education can we better on
economic life, Mr. Fairs address w
substantial aud helpful aud Shove
much familiarity with ecosomic que
tiOns
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