Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1900-05-10

SdAQS
Friends, Schoolmates and Teachers:
At the close of these exercises this
evening, it seems fitting that the
| class, in whose honor you are assem-
bled here, should express its appre-
citation In q formal manner to those
TO whom We are indebted for count
less acts Of kindness and generosity.
During the past years the favor of
the patrons that has been shown to-
ward our school has encouraged and
inspired Us to persevere in the strug-
gle until we have at length reached
the limit of education to be obtained
ia this High School
Many years have passed away since
We, as children, entered this school as
regular pupils and during all this
time we have studied and looked for
ward with thrill of anticipation to
the day on which we might say, ''Our
school life here is finished" But now,
at last, that this day has arrived, it is
with sorrow that we realize that our
school days here are no more aud that
which had formerly seemed but
mere shadow continually slipping
from cur grasp has become reality
thrust upon our lives by the fearless
hand Of fate.
Il was not without hard work and
toll that We have reached the position
We now occupy, but school life, how
ever arduous it may be, has it's joys
and delights as we'll as sorrows and
1t is with honest regret that We are
about to leave the school room.
Our school life here has been a
happy one and though we, as class,
are about to be separated we will still
be held together by bonds of sympa-
thy-tbe outgrowth of class feeling
mstured through years OF our school
life.
We each have different paths in
life to pursue, bat, through our whole
life the thoughts and memories OF
our class of 1900 and our classmates
will be ever with US. The visions of
the many happy days spent in the
of the aggrsvating moments when X
would not equal Y, or where Caesars
bridge would seem to wsver in it's
creation; the remembrance of the
times when our teachers praised or
censured us-alI will be brought be-
fore our minds IN rapid succession
and We will be living our school days
over again in spite of the three score
| and ten years that may have piled
themselves ruthlessly upon our heads.
But, let as not look to the future as
| much as to the present. Our school
days here are oyer Rud We are about
to enter upon the threshold of new
world, the world of life in reality.
Heretofore we have viewed but the
brightly Illuminated preface of the
great book of life But now, at last,
after years of toll and preparation,
we are ready to begin the first chap
ter of the great volume itself.
Having now glanced over the bril-
liant frontispieee, We turn to the dim
mer and more untelligsble surface of
the first page-picturless, except for
the visions of happiness or misery to
be unfolded from the dark realms of
the uncertain future to our wonder
ing minds. There may be page after
page of Joy and gladness awaiting Us,
Of which we will dream for years af-
ter. Again. there may be toll and
privations, for,
Unto each ones life some rain must
fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary."
But to q great extent it lies with Us
TO be seen whether our lives shall be
filed with sorrow, misery and strife,
or happiness and joy. Classmates,
our choice lies before as. Two paths
are lying in view. Shall We turn to-
wards the one that directs Us to life
which will make US none the better,
greater, or grsnders Or, shall we
take that leading to pure and noble
life reached, though it may be, by
serious toll and effort? Shall we lead
d life inspired by noble thoughts and
actlens such that our friends and
teachers will be proud to have knowH
and taught uss
Let us attain that height if no
more. Let as at least attempt the
snrmounting of the obstacles and diff
ficultles that may present themselves
to interrupt the smoothness of the
sea of our life. Let as, as mighty
Hercules, push them aside and make
our life as a steady, equable current
unvexed by storm or tempest by 80
doing. we may IN small way repay
those. who, in the school room have
toiled with us hour after hour; who
have untiringly labored that we might
be prepared to mount the ladder of
fame and success; who have befriend-
ed and taught us at all times
s.Our Teachers"-that phrase will
ever be imprinted IN fiery characters
upon our memories, from the kind in
structor who expounded the myster-
les OF our 4 B OPS, to the one under |
whom We have just finished our High |
School course. The kindness and |
natianna which they have exh1hikad |