The Progress., 1893-06-03
vALEDICIORY BY MISS ELLA P. FORT,

Delivered at the High School Nav 26, 1893
Bright days, the spring time days OF
school fade away, the ripping mirth and
gay hours of childhood leave but an echo
for the days that were once so bright.
To-day. dear schoolmates, brings TO
close the first session of our beloved High
school.
The golden chain of association, the
link that has bound us together in close
sympathy. must now be broken never
again To be perfectly reunited.
a little band of soldiers united under .
the motto 'Nulla palma sine pulvere' /
have been waging war against ignorance. ,
Although some few have grown weary /.
and paused bv t.e wayside, still let our F,
hearts De lightened by the thought away !
with fear"
He who is so strong to battle with 70 :,
whoever fails, his love can fail, you never.
Look alofI, Hope on, hope,
None should murmur dirges sad and
drear. but. with new life and endeavOr,
arise to the glorious work Of excelsior
intellect and SEE the dawnng of a
| brighter day.
Though the High school is but a year
old, il is to our little band of fifty Il be-
! loved Anna Mater.
Mind heart and soul are natures puri-
/ ty which rule and mould eternal desti-
nies.
Man feels his deep need of culture to
mober deeds where intellect holds sway.
Idlenes> Is the bane of body and mind,
the muse of raUghtiness and the author
Of all mischief.
Life is a volume which we must COM
pile itS language, the deeds and thoughts
of our own.
Some pages have charms which We
could not forget. others record deeds
which we would not forget. Intellect
proudly climbs Der hill and dale and
from tn golden future lifts the veil. To
pass up the adder, TRIALS come before tri-
umph.
knowing the great advantages under
the able, paIns-taking and efficient guId-
auce of our teachers, and the protector
ship Of our worthy professor, the interest
by which our progress in educational ad-
vauces has accomplished so much, and
, throu-h our esteemed sup rintendent
and trustees, why cannot the High School
of Shreveport become not only the ad-
vertisement of our own city and parish,
but of L uisiana? As my eyes wander
over this cultivated and intelligent as
sembly read nobleness, kindness and a
will TO stand for the right, what more to
tell TO be retained in the grateful heart ;
blessing of every child.
There are many here who would have
her name entwined in ever fiber and be-
come part. Il helper in this grand cause
education. and builders OF the High
School. an edifice to bind the minds of
; our youths and maidens to progress for a
uation's greatness.
Hon honored would our little band feel
to see on the roll call for the coming ses-
sion double the number of ambitious
scholars and, for honorary members, q
long list Of working citizens. Our kind
superintendent would then feel the en-
cuuragement for greater deeds, although
D 80 Que could cast aught but worthy
, praise for the immense work already fur
nished through his industry and Derse
Z yerapce.
c Dear schoolmates, the future only part
its curtain as the day goes by.
Whether your feet may climb the hill
v of Fame or traverse the island of Con
tent in lifes pathway, let each fulfill {
mission.
/ The hour has come when the old famil
lar welcome of the school bell has called
in music sweet, its last song for this year
g To-day ends the session in which we en-
4 tered with so many bright hopes, aspira
tions aud ambitions, and we ask the ques
q tiou. What was the finale? Sunbeam
S of love from our teachers, their kind
patient words full of encouragement
: when they saw our faltering despair
r words of kindness which then seeme'
g stern TO us when. i'm our behavior, W
were not SO perfect as might have been
/ The welcomes OF our girl friends ant
n the shouts of our brave boy companion
are now bushed. Through the cloud o
@ parting, to new months full of encOur
> agement leads before us. Like chill
bidding adieu to home, we meet to-da.
to greet each other for the last time thi
q year, and perhaps forever.
4 To-day ends our tasks for this session
The places at tine old familiar desks ma
81 be occupied by strangers, when again tn
ir roll is called.
, These walls will look down upon Ee'
IL endeavors to learn, but whoever tn
strangers be, let them seek that grea
gift, knowledge; and waste not the golde
hours that slip from their grasp and ca
never be redeemed.
ic You that 90 from us reliDquish not you
Al thirst for learning and rest not until it
=, satisfied.
n. We thank the boys for their kind an
M courteous treatment Of us, and If the
a only continue through life as they haV
-, done here. their lives will not be failure