The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1898-06-29

OPERA HOUSE THURSDAY EVENING
ALUMNI RECEPTION A PLEASANT AFFAIR.
Education is the chief defence of ma
tions."
The above class motto, on an arch sup
ported on two columns wound with red,
white and blue bunting over the stage
at the rink Wednesday evening, was the
first thing to catch the eye of one at
tending the high school commencement
exercises last Wednesday evening, and it
was in peculiar harmony with the back
ground of national colors also the
class colors - that stretched entirely
across the back of the stage and the
selection of these patriotic colors by the
class of '9S was peculiarly appropriate
to these times of war and patriotic
activity in our land. In the center
of the background were the figures '98,
brilliantly lighted by circle of incan-
descent lamps around them.
The class and high school faculty en-
tered and took their places on the stage,
while the Beckwith orchestra played a
march, after which Rev. III. w. Harvey
offered tie invocation, which was followed
by an overture by the orchestra, "The
Jolly Robbers" which was one of the finest
selections ever rendered here by this
favorite orchestra, and was easily the
best of their musical program for the
evening.
The first graduate on the program was
Miss Lotta Jennings, the subject of whose
essay was Retrospect" She spoke of
! JOY and sadness because the school days
were over, and then reviewed briefly the
history of the class during its high
school course, from the time of entering
it, through the various years until IA of
them were seniors, ''in those coveted
back seats, but not possessing a particle
of that dignity we had supposed attach
ed to all seniors" The dignity and grace
with which the young lady acquitted
herself showed that the seniors must
have improved their opportunities dur
the closing year of their course.
Next came Clyde Emmons' grafton,
Grit" He spoke of life being the scene
of conquests, some of greater and some
of lesser Importance. The success of our
endeavors depends largely upon our pos
session of grit. Grit lost, all is lost.
The speaker related the incident of Nc
Donald and the drummer boy, spoke of
the grit of the heroes of Bunker Hill, the
boys of 81, and of brave Admiral Dewey
at Manila. Education is the chief de-
fense of nations, but grit is the corner
stone of an education.
Miss Pearl Waters acquitted herself
creditably in her essay, "The Influence
of Literature" She considered no other
department of study more important. In
ventions have not been of greater value
to mankind than elegant and beautiful
literature. The influence of good books
on the mind and in the formation of
ideals in the minds of the young was
strongly and forcibly contrasted with the
evil effects of pernicious reading.
This essay was followed by another
selection by the orchestra "Pickaninnies
on Parade"
Miss Gertrude Lyle gave character
sketch of Charlotte Corday," that re-
markable and beautiful woman, whose
almost insane devotion to principle and
hatred of the Jacobins resulted in rid
ding the French nation of the monster
Marat, while she herself expatiated his
murder on the guillotine. The sketch
was well written and we'll delivered
Next, Miss Vivian Broughtor told
about Being a Girl" and she is compe-
tent to tell, she herself being one of the
brightest and most vivacious. She didn't
like the idea of the sweet girl grad"
being made the especial target of the
funny man" in the newspapers. and
didn't propose to subject herself to his
filings because she had been too much
occupied with her studies to get any
serious ideas about the way to manage
the universe, such as the girl graduates
are supposed to have. She gave neat
rap" to the boys with foot ball hair and
sweaters that disturbed the quiet of the
schoolroom, and contrasted "being
girl" with "being boy" Her essay was
filed with drol humor, and was one of
the best of the evening.
Next came Mr.. Harry ID. Spicer, with
an Grafton on THE Ideal Citizen" He
dwelt upon man as an individual being
capable of improvement, hence also the
|
zenship as the right given to man to take
part in making laws and effecting their
enforcement, and applied the same def
milton to ideal citizenship. The ideal
citizen should be free to engage in active
public life. His education should be
liberal, patriotic and religious, to enable
him to stand for the right. He should
possess the qualities of leader-in short,
he a manly man. The Grafton evidenced
much thought.
Miss Rae Showerman, accompanied on
the piano by Mrs. Friskey, sang two fine
selections.
Miss Mabel Andrews gave Types of
True Womanhood," citing many noble
women who gave time, talents and even
lives for the attainment of laudable ambi-
tions or the accomplishment of worthy
ends The essay was interesting and
we'll delivered.
Roy J. Moshier gave the class poem,
"The Building of the Temple" 1t was