The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-10
TO BATTLE WITH THE WORLD.
FifSy-Three High School Pupils Ready
to Make Their Start in Life.

The stage in Tomlnson Hall last night
resembled nothing so much a huge bank
OF snow freshly fallen from the sky I'M
spotted as yet by any soling material of
earth. The snowy appearance was caused
by the forty or more young girls. all
dressed in white, who babe farewell to
their high-school days md began the ca
reers they are to lead n the real life be-
fore them.
The graduates were not all of the Sweet
girl kind. but the young men were far in
the minority. There were Just enough of
them in their somber attire of conventional
black to mark a pathway through the
drifts of white on either side, and carry
water to their fair sisters whose threats
grew dry.
There were fifty-three in all of the class
who graduated at this (the twenty-ninth)
commencement OF the Indianapolis High
School. Jessie Bowman has the honor of
receiving the highest average for her four
years work, Frances De Frees and Grace
Gookin following in the order named
After the opening overture by the orches-
ira, the Rev. j. ~. Sargent offered PRAYER
invoking the divine blessing on the lives
of the young people now just beginning
their real work. Frances NJ. De Frees was
the first speaker. the subject of her essay
being IRREGULARITIES of Queen Elizabeth as
Seen i'm SCOTS Kenilworth'' The subject
was well handled and the essay was inter-
esting both from u historical point of view
and from the entertaining manner In which
1t was written. Mary Pierson followed
with a sketch entitled a Glimpse of Colo
NAL Life" She drew pleasant picture of
social life in the old colonial days Of pow
dered wigs and silken hose.
After another selection by the orchestra
Grace f. Gookin offered Some Thoughts
on Novel Reading. which were at once
valuable and entertaining Edgar A Eek
house, a sturdy young man with an earnest
manner, gave voice to some hard-headed
thoughts ON Ambition as a Motive Prin-
ciple." Louisa A. Van Dyke came next
with "A Conversation Between Mrs. Angle
and Mrs. "" The conversation was an
imaginary one between the two mathemat-
ical symbols. one of whom was born in the
whom spent her childhood playing with the
Ptolemy girls at the base of the pyramids
When the orchestra had played again.
Ethel l.. Brown stepped forward to deliver
her Grafton on Some Evils of the CONNER
cial Spirit" Ii proved an Grafton indeed
and its author was called upon 10 respond
with a second bow To the applause which
came at its close. Miss Browns delivery
was extremely forcerul, and the audience
was with her throughout In her empha tic
denunciations OF the mean things i'm the
with an Grafton on THE Decline OF the
War Spirit" He held that peace Is more
conducive TO the development of national
and individual virtues tnan a state OF war
Jessie +. Bowman. the Valedictoran of her
class. closed the speaking with an essay
on The Higher Education OF Girls OF
course, she spoke for the higher education
of her sex. and gave many solid arguments
! in support of her views. though she adj
mitted the folly of a 5000 education for a
50-cent girl. just as ii would be a folly in
| the case of her brother.
| Diplomas were presented to the members
OF the class by the president OF the Schoo