Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-05-30

schools. Hanging above the gradu-
ates. who were nicely seated on the
stage, was the class motto: xxi
gui numero, sed bello vivida vir-
tus." while potted plants added
beauty to the scene. Dropping
from the stage was bunting repre-
sentative Of the class colors, black
and yellow. while the national colors
were likewise in evidence in appro-
pirate places. At the rear Of the
graduates on the stage was a flight
of steps, each one of which repre-
sented the strides which .hey have
made in the past four yeats. namely:
Freshmen, sophomore, junior, senior
aud graduate.
The exercises opened with an over
ture by Schillinger's orchestra.
which interspersed the program
with enchanting selections. Then
came the invocation by Rev. Ira w.
Alien, of the Central Presbyterian
church.
salutatory Address.
The salutatory address was dcliv-
cred by Miss MAY Gilman Ferguson.
who ably described the class motto.
and related the experiences of herself
and fellow scholars in their battle to
conquer educational questions.
Rollin Summers Sturgeon spoke Of
the "Bible as a Literary Work" in
a plain and convincing manner.
1.-The Soul Of the Violin" was the
subject of a defamation in the de-
liverance of which Miss Eva Viola Bar
Der displayed to great advantage her
graceful elocutionary talents. Miss
Barber carried her audience through
the touching story gently and pa
thetically.
Miss Caroline Ehrhorn gave a
scholarly translation of Carlyle's
latin essay on Labor"
Miss Olga Anna Rochow gracefully
handled q German essay entitled
Morning on the Rhine"
Miss Sityl Louise DAT related the
"Class History" dwelling on the
fact of how dear should be the men,
ory of school days to all the grad
yates. and recounting various incl
dents of life in the High school the
past four years in very happy
strain.
THE Biography of Louis Pasteur''
was related by Carl j. F. Rochow,
who talked interestingly OF the career
of him whose work in chemistry won
him such a name.
Miss Grace Burdick Hamilton
handled the subject of "The Holy
Grail' in an able manner.
.Our National Memories" was the
title of a neat little talk by Leonard
Marcus Totten, who reiated how
dearly our county revered its heroes.
Miss May Orilla Young gave an
essay on Autumn Thoughts" which
was very pretty and nicely deliv.
cred.
Harry Homer Hubbard, in a clear
and silvery voice which would do
credit to an orator. spoke on Glass
Prophecy"
The closing address was made by
Jerome Gustave Appelquist. who
gave and able and eloquent descrip.
tion of the journey of himself and
|'class mates through the Rock Island
public schools.
Fro .idsnt Robbins' Address.
The diplomas were then presented
to the graduates by President F. f.
Robbins of the board of education.
MY dear young friends" said MIR.
Robbins, lit affords me great pleas.
ure in behalf of the board of educa-
tion Of this city to give you these d.
plomas. They mark the completion
Of your WORK in our public schools.
They mean that you have the strength
and power to do more advanced
work. and let me express the hope
that each one of you may continue
your education in some higher school
of learning. Your whole life will be
q schooling. Your observations and
your experiences will teach you tc
the end. When you become old
enough to live you will be ready to
die. Such seems to be the divine
order of things. and it is well. per.
haps. not to question the wisdom oil
it. The practical lessons Of life are
not book lessons; they are the ex.
periences that come to the thousands
of men and women, in the cities and
in the country, who toiled today,
some in sorrow and some in Joy,
and so in sorrow or JOY
these problems will meet you
with lights and shades that will re.
quire clear heads and true hearts.
Young people standing upon the
threshold Of life have very imper.
feet idea of its real duties and re-
sponsibilities. The world is very
fair and alluring to them. Standing
on level and looking over q great
plain its surface appears smooth and
regular; the hollows aud the pit
falls are not seen. We find them as
we cross the plain. 1t is 90 with life,
and the road which now looks % fair