Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1897-06-30
THE ALUMNI MEETING.
Comments of an Alumnus Who En-
joyed the Reunion.


Last Saturday evening the ninth annual re-
ception and banquet of the Watertown High
School Alumni association was held in the
Concordia Opera house. These affairs have
always proven enjoyable, and have been cher
ished accordingly, insofar as opportunity is
afforded to revive those many pleasant recol-
Iections of life long ago in old ALMA Mater,
and to renew friendships of high school
days; and in the preservation of this
vital characteristic of the association the
committee in charge of this years ar
rangements was remarkably successful. Due
to their efforts, not only was the hall very
prettily and attractively decorated with ferns,
palms and flowers, but an air of novelty, very
much appreciated, was induced by quite a
number appearing in costume, it being char
acterization evening" The. reception commit
tee. Misses Ella Wilder, Ella Brickel and Jen-
ME Meier, and William H. Broenniman, well
coined the guests of the evening and presented
them to the latest contingent Of mem ershlp,
the class of 81. The evening passed all too
quickly and too soon the guests repaired to
the lower hall, where covers were laid for lou,
and when all were seated at the festive board
it was found that, while all were amply accom-
modated there was nevertheless no room to
spare. The banquet, in charge of Mine Host
Buthorn. of the Junction hotel, was decided
surprise and admirably did he sustain his
reputation as an epicurean. The service, by
the young ladies of the junior class, was etfi-
cient and pleasing.
Interest. however, as was to be expected,
was conferred in the program of toasts. Miss
Agnes Chapman, '94, as Helen of Troy, made
a charming toastmistress and fulfilled her posi-
ton as mistress of ceremonies admirably. Al
ter a few happy remarks, Columbia Miss
Julia Ruebhausen-was called upon to respond
to Student Life in America" 1t proved one of
the most enjoyable toasts of the evening, con-
sisting of an exceedingly clever metrical version
of the trials and tribulations of the student"
as a freshman in university life, following
that checkered but interesting career through
ont aud interspersing it with side lights of trite
humor. The conception was strong, which,
combined with a happy delivery, made it
most effective effort.
"Reminiscences" by George Washington ;
Ned Rack lin character)-was looked forward
to with much complimentary anticipation and
he disappointed no one While, due to the nat
ure of the theme, his response partook largely
OF local class QaVOr, nevertheless 50 pI6SndHO
were the sallies of puns and so trenchant his
illusions that it appealed to all alike. Its
conception and execution were alike clever.
''Portia, . bringing with her the cool, refresh
ing air of sky-blue Belmont, emerged once
more from her quiet, scholarly seclusion, and
speaking through hollow centuries, again gave
utterance to those ennobling, heart inspiring
ideals, on this occasion symbolized by The
Cap and Gown and Miss Barber in perfect
keeping with her characterization responded to
this theme. Her style was serious and forclble.
In point of treatment it .was doubtless the
strongest effort of the evening.
No banquet being complete without some
comments by Prof. Viebahn, he, displaying
admirable tact and recognizing the lateness
of the hour closed the program with but
a few remarks. Adjourned Ito. the upper
hall. the remainder of the evening was
snent in dancing. Take it for all in all, it
was a most successful affair, indicative of a
most fourishing growth of the association,
and the alumnus departed glad to have been
there. and kindled anew with revival of the old
cherished dreams of long ago" happy times
snent in his Alma Mater, he went forth once
more into the impetus of the industrial whlrl,
with something of the same sensations OF hope
and happy anticipations that he experienced
leaving the old walls years ago.