The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1902-06-06
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATING CLASS

0lun OUnVVL INaUUhllNU VLhOO.
Three Tenth Grade Pupils In Our schools
Were Awarded Diplomas.
AS announced last week the gradu-
aiing exercises Of public school pupils
took place at the court house Thurs
day evening. The available sitting
and standing room was all taken long
before the program OF the evening
was commenced and many people
were turned away because vi insuiii-
cient room In the building. The
court room was tastefully decorated
with ROwers aud greens and gave the
appearance OF veritable bower OF
ilowers. The program was carried
out as published and was one Of the
best ever produced In Rathdrum. As
the graduating class was the star at
traction Of the evening our attention
will be directed to II. Each pupil
gave ample evidence Of thorough
training and the department Of the
Glass was exceptionally good. The
subjects handled were gone into In
detail and delivered In manner
highly appreciated by the audience.
As we believe works, rather than
eulogIes, will better show for them
selves we publish the finished product
OF the class and let the public be Its
own Judge.
ssPEARL OF THE ANTILLES
tBy Minnie Waddell)
Cuba IS the largest and most west
ely Of the West Indies and lies at
the entrance to the Gulf OF Mexico.
1t was discovered by Columbus at the
close Of the fifteenth century. 1t Is
an island OF volcanic origin $50 miles
in length with an average width Of
SO miles. Its highest point reaches
an elevation OF 5000 feet. II was
settled by the Spaniards ut the be.
ginning Of the 10th century and wa.
used rs the base Of operations ID
carrying on wars against the native.
OF South America and Mexico. The
climate Is very mild and equable and
throughout the year an abundant
rainfall supports luxriant tropical
vegetation. The island produces
sugar, tobacco and fruits and export.
these products IN large quantities
There are vast forests of hardwood
such as mahogany, cedar, ebony and
rosewood. The orange, the wild
line, the palm and other tropica
fruit trees grow here. The cocoanu,
tree which belongs TO the palm fami
by produces nuts In large clusters a
the top which are highly esteemed b!
the Cuhans. Another tree which
draws the attention OF the visitor Il
the silk cotton tree. This tree orna
ments nearly every estate but Is use
less either for timber or fuel ant
yields u very small amount OF cotton
One Of these trees on the Santa Ann;
estate reaches u height Of 100 fee
and for S. feet Is smooth cyllnde
without knot or limb. The trunk a
the base measures 46l feet IN circum
ference. 1t resembles a white monu
ment surmountcd with crown o
green foliage almost 200 feet in diam
eter. From its widely extended
branches hang great vines which
reach the ground like coils OF rope
These vines furnish sweet. milk!
juice which proves y delightful bever
age. The coffee plantation which
because vi its beauty Is called "Para
disc" is uneQualled in peace ant
grandeur. The coffee plant ha
snowy, fragrant blossoms which emf
sweet odor. Another beautiful
sight, the most beautiful perhaps o
all, is the orange grove during tn,
fruit season, There are trees will
ripe oranges, sometimes with bios
SONS aud oranges on the same branch
which give luscious appearance
while the air is full OF sweet per
iumc. Large bamboo groves stretcl
along the banks OF streams; the up
lands with banana fields, oranga or
chards and lnxuriant foliage, make |
beautiful picture with the blue Sc,
stretching away off to the dim hori
zon. The largest city and capital y
Cube Is Havana whose streets are s,
narrow that there is scarcely room 70
two vehicles TO pass abreast ant
hlockades are common. The walls U
the houses are often two or three fee
thick. built Of masonry and painted
with various brilliant cu,ors. Privat,
houses are usually but one story ant