Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-06-25
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High School was begun with many
more members than you see before you
tonight; but, one by one they have left
u.s. some to enter school elsewhere.
others for various reasons, until only
the six persevering students remain.
Then, only three of the present MEM
bers were under the watchful eye Of our
ex-Superintendent. In our junior year
Della Luscombe and Gordon Tower
from the Otisco school and Clarence
Golden from the Palo school united
with us TO form the most studious and
glorious class from the Belding High
School-the class of '96.
Tonight, we stand before you as hav-
Ing undergone and surmounted all the
terrors of Latin, Euclid, Physics and
many others offered in the Belding
schools but, beloved Juniors, we leave
them all unharmed for you.
The tales Of experiments wise and
otherwise performed by this class in
both the chemical and physical lab
oratories none but the good FAIRIES Of
those sacred halls could tell. Prac-
tical jokes are unknown To US, as the
graduates of last year, and our most
worthy Juniors, now Seniors, can
affirm
Tonight the class age is Ill years,
D months, and IA days; we have an ag-
gregate height OF 33 feet and Z inches,
and an aggregate weight of S22 pounds,
the first accounting for our wisdom,
the second for our grace and beauty
and the last for our unusual mental
capacity. Our average age is 10 years,
] month and 2 days.
As TO our favorite branches of study
three prefer Science, these as is
scarcely necessary TO mention are the
gentlemen OF the class-one Mathema-
tics one Reading, one Literature aud
one Language
j general our relations with our i'm
mus hSts-4 Ia y. ,.se,., snco- issacsA,ssF
their learning has inspired us with re-
spect, their personal kindness has won
our love. The friendly anxiety with
which they have watched every germ
OF knowledge, the care with which
they have nursed our budding ideas
until from the weakness of the lower
grades we have become what we are,
pausa ne IN lao 1aanly ;n1ab,al 10
them. If however a teacher is repaid
by the brilliant progress of his pupils
the debt is already cancelled with
large balance on our side. But to-
night, as it is rightly named, is but
the commencement of our life as well as
our apprenticeship in life's experience.
We all intend not to marry directly,
though, rs a class we look forward to
that as the most happy and ennobling
life, but TO train ourselves for life, in
its most stern yet sacred aspect.
OF our number two aim to be grad
yates Of our own immortal University
of Michigan; while all, filed with an
not merely to exist or to seek
pleasure alone but with courage To
battle all difficulties are determined To
become college-bred men and women.
Our history is made and written, and
we look with fearful eyes upon our old
school home, ours no more, where we
have spent so many, many happy
hours; and even the seats OF that dear
old place are covered with the thoughts
Of memory's golden flowers. No more
shall the old bell summon us to our
daily tasks all those dear old days are
gone forever and ever, and wonderingly
we seek to peer into the dim future:
what will it bring to each one of us,
dear classmate?
Listen To the words of prophecy:
Ponderng one day till nearly distrought.
Rackng my brain for one happy thought,
For professor and classmates had decided one
day
That / certainly must write a brilliant essay
Concerning the fate OF this wonderful class,
A prophesy true, which must all come To pass.
Straightway in moment, my heart in n tiutter,
For how should ! know such an intricate mat.
ter:
When, all of a sudden an unearthly glow
fllled my room all about above ana below.
More dazzling than sunshine more brilliant
than gold,
II glistened and flashed with beauty untold
Amazed, as gazed my wonderment grew,
Aud what could IL mean For very well knew
That never before had seen such a flame
And now | must know IL, and give IL name.
Then slowly and softly voice seemed TO say
You recognize surely the Roentgen X RAY"
But how can this aid me, I wonderingly ask
As gaze on the flame. through the delicate
glass,
For, the rays though so potent to penetrate
tissue,
Cannot pierce the dense darkness surrounding
the issue.
OF life with it's measure OF losses and gains,
It's plans and devices. it's pleasures and pains
Then with brain weary of study and thinking
! still tried TO solve this problem so vcxing:
As 10 how could fathom, by what means find
see
The mystery so hidden OF true prophecy.
Then suddenly as II by magical force,
My mind seemed inspired 10 follow this course
which we hope may aid every mind, trained IN
wisdom.
When doomed by classmates TO this task, most
grewSOme
Until with the advance Of civilization.
Educational boards are embued with consider
alton,
And an orator shall pleasure mpart
Rather than youths little trained in the art
calm
(Contiaued on Page Eight)