The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1896-07-01
WHOLE NUMBER 2154.
SCHOOL YEAR CLOSED.
THIRTEEN ARE GRADUATED
FROM THE PAW PAW HIGH SCHOOL,
EXERCISES OF THE WEEK.

FROM THE PAW PAW HIGH SCHOOL,
EXERCISES OF THE WEEK.
Between the past and the future"
So read the motto which adoraed the
high archway at the end of the rink
Wednesday evening of last week, the
occasion OF the graduation of the class
of '96 from the Paw Paw high school.
The letters were in pure white upon
background OF pale green-the class
colors. A broad stairway, covered with
lovely white rugs, led up to the carpet
ed stage, which was beautified by it's
surroundings of ferns and evergreen,
seats in semi-circle being reserved in
the center of the platform for the class,
the board of education and the teachers
and singers occupying seats at either
side, while just in front of the main
stage and at one side was the platform
for the orchestra. The rink was bril-
liantly lighted with arc and incandes.
cent lights, especially arranged for the
occasion.
Before the hour for commencing the
exercises arrived, the seating capacity
of the vast hall was we'll filled, proving
that the nominal charge for admission
keeps but few from the graduation.
Led by Supt. Wilson, the class came
up the aisle and assembled the platform,
to the strains of march by the Beck
with Theater orchestra. This was at
5 o'clock, and inaugurated the evenings
exercises.
Rev. +. w. Corbett offered an invo-
cation, after which the orchestra gave
descriptive conglomeration by Chas.
Lovenberg, "Nigger in the Barnyard,"
representing life on southern planta-
tion in slavery times. During its rem
dition, the barnyard sounds were so
realistic as to transport the hearers, in
fancy, from the brilliantly illumined
rink TO some farm or river scene that
arose to their memories.
Miss Lena f. Moshier, the first grad
uate TO come TO the front of the plat
form, delivered an excellent essay,
Unseen" The unrest and discomfort
that causes humanity TO continually
strive for the unseen and unknown
were nicely portrayed, as were also the
effect of great men on the affairs of
the world, according as their ambitions
were selfish or for the good of humanity.
Miss Moshier made an excellent i'm.
preston on the audience, leaving them
anxious to hear the balance of the class
Miss +. Mabelle Cummings, in her able
oration on "Offsets," cited some we'll
known truths as making plain the law
of compensation. Milton lost the price
less pearl of sight, but gave the world
that perfect gem, Paradise Lost. Great
achievements are of little value unless
with honest purposes in view. If Cesar
had been SO actuated, his life would
have been glorious instead of ending in
ignominious death. What restless
ness there is in the world, but also what
compensating, perfect peace.
After waltz, Jolly Fellows" by the
orchestra, Mr.. Lowell A. Packer gave a
comprehensive Grafton on Applied
Electricity" He, in general way,
covered the progress of electrical science
from period prior to the christian era,
but more especially from the sixteenth
century to the present time, predicting
great and glorious future for the
workers in the line of electrical invest
igation, as he believes the science to be
yet in comparative infancy.
Burt Nj. Mcleod was the class histor-
ian. The size of the class prevented his
going into details as to the individual
eXcellencies of the class of '96 (although
there was material for an excellent
paper of that character had time per-
mitted its presentation). He therefore
was compelled to confine himself to or
iglnal generalization, and the history
was both unique and interesting.
Mrs. Emma Paige, accompanied by
Miss Bernice Quick sang "tor all Etern-
ity" is SO pleasing manner as to call
forth generous applause.
Into Other Fields" was the title Of
Miss Ella G. Taylor's essay. The char
acter of the production showed her
mind to be fitted to enter into other
fields, where every man has work to do
according to his abilities and oppor-
tunities," as she expressed herself in the
essay when speaking of the class. May
We be able to go onward, outward and
upward, was the substance of one of
her prettily rounded sentiments.
Uncut Diamonds" were taken in
hand by capable literary lapidary,
Miss Alice M. Bangs, and finished to a
brilliant luster She drew comparison
between the rough stone in the sculp-
tors hands, the garden under the gar
dener's care, the rock from which the
| finished diamond is brought by skill,
and the human mind under educational
influences.
Another descriptive fantasie, "Down
the Mississippi" by the orchestra, was
so well received by the audience that
another selection had to be played to
quiet the applause.
Michael G.. Dillon gave an excellent
grafton, THE American Student" call
ing on the scholars to take more
active part in politics and government
as the only chance for Improvement in
government affairs he believes to be
through the university man. His
talk was brimful of glowing Am
ericanism He demanded liberal edu-
cation for young men, and thought
every young man, before maturity,
should select some avocation in life
and then devote his energies to it.
Miss Zella Nj. Harvey, the class
prophecies, concealed the real nature of
her Grafton under the unique caption.
"The Liberty of Thought" Her
thoughts, given absolute freedom, play
ed prettlly with words and ideas por-
traying the bright destinies of the class
of '96. Whether or not Zella is true
prophecies, 1t is reasonably certain she
did not err in assigning to the other
members honorable places in the