Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-06-09
CLASS OF "a.
Commencement Exercises a,
Harper's Theatre.
STAGE BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED


Excellent Essays Displaying Brightness of
Intellect and Concentratsou Of rhourb,
The Graduates. and Presidents Fsrsu.
sons Address to Them.
The commencement exercises, Of
the Rock Island High school gradu.
ates OF 1894, were held in Hsrper's
theatre last evening before a large
and appreciative audience. The
work OF the past three and four wears
in the High school, was concluded in
a manner that must have been graf
lying alike to both instructors and
pupils, and no less so to the parents
and friends of those who were hon.
ored with certificates of graduation.
1t must certainly be likewise a source
OF satisfaction to Principal Bishop.
who sewers his connection with the
High school this year. to know that
the class which has progressed
through the school under his tuition
should have completed it's course
simultaneously with his departure.
so creditably.
Tho Decorations
The stage was neatly boarded in
front and consisted of four steps
leading from the parquet to the sum-
nit, which were carpeted with white.
ana flowers were strewn about in a
tasty manner. Midway back on the
stage and over the heads of the grad
yates hung a drop on which was
pinned, in letters of white on a back
ground of green, the class motto.
.'On the Way" most symbolic and
hgurative phrase for such an INTEL
lectual class as that of '94, composed
OF 81 ladies and gentlemen.
The Exercises
The exercises opened with an over
ture by the orchestra and the intro
duction of the class and announce
ment of their names bv Prof. ]. A.
Bishop. Rev. L. w. Grafton deliv-
cred the invocation, and the High
school chorus sang 'Gloria," from
Mozart's 18th Mass. The salutatory
and essay by Miss May Dorothy
Walker was one of the most beauti-
full and descriptive that was ever de-
livered in Rock Island. Said she:
Another year has passed away,
and before this audience stands an
other class, the class of '94. In be-
half of this class, l extend to YOU a
cordial welcome. We have Just COM
pleted long, but delightful. Jour-
ney through beautiful meadow.
Many and varied are the flowers we
have plucked, some of which have
been gained by much hard labor and
toll. The labor required for their
procuring. however. served only to
enhance their beauty.
1--WE stand before you tonight with
our arms and hands we'll filled with
these trophies of our journey. Up
to your view, we. with many bruises
and scratches, hold some of the most
beautiful. Will you receive them if
We gently toss them to you? Then
listen to my brothers and sisters as
they speak to you tonight.
perhaps our spells may seem
light and trivial to some. but let all
such remember that .Trifles make
perfection, but perfection is no tri-
fie.'"
Then followed an essay on the sub
]ect, "Trifles Make Perfection. but
Perfection is no Trifle." A most
delightful and enthusing piece Of
composition, and one in which the
golden thoughts expressed reflect
great credit to the little lady from
whose pen it gained its origin. She
spoke of the trifles which had cost
nations their downfall, and the tri-
fies from which greatness and males-
ticalness is attained. She spoke of
the downfall of France at Waterloo,
caused by trifle. rain; of the impos-
sibility of Scotland's independence
but for Robert Bruce seeing the tiny
spider weave its web.
EARLY Roman Character" by Miss
Emile Henrietta Lamp was deliv-
cred in most striking manner. and
was descriptive of Rome and Roman
ism. Character" by Carrie Eva
Colburn. was like its predecessors,
filed with gems Of thought. and was
marked by its excellent delivery.
The double quartet composed Of:
Soprano, Stella Lloyd, Aggie Sears;
alto, Bessie Gilmore. Mary Freeman;
tenor, Clarence Spaulding. Albert
Dart; bass, Theodore Jennings, Wor-
thy Dart. rendered The Belfry
Tower" n beautiful song.
"Chaos Out Of Cosmos" %
Able indeed was the essay of which
Clarence Sidney Spaulding was the
author and deliverer. The subject
was one to which the greatest care.
study and diligence must have
been given. to attempt to
transmit it to the people
such as visited the theatre last
evening. In reviewing the story of
Cosmos, his listeners were indeed
"carried back to the wonderful city
Of the dead. with all its reclining
obelisks and all its sculptured tumula,
the memorial of races that exist only
in their tombs." After describing
life in q philosophical manner. he
spoke of the ending Of earth. He de-
scribed in picturesque languagethe
tide Of reflections which run at riot
through the mind. He described
men as choking on the ruins OF the