Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-06-14
ADDRESS TO GRADUATES.
Mrs. Laura e. Richards Speaks to the
Grammar School Seniors.

The Methodist church was well filled,
Monday evening. the occasion being the
address given by Mrs. Laura f. Rich
ards Of Gardiner, before the graduating
class of the Fairfield Grammar school
parents and invited friends. 1t has been
sfhe custom for several years to hold
regular graduating exercises. but this
year, 1t seemed advisable to depart
from the usual custom, and Miss Weth-
.erell, the teacher, was fortunate enough
TO secure the services of Mrs. Richards.
The scholars filed into the church at
80, the music of the piano played
by MRS. Fannie Tasker. Miss Cate. the
musical director of the school, follow
ing.
The seats were arranged in the form
If a pyramid at the right of the church.
ON the left sat the teacher. Miss Weth-
Arcl. Mrs. Richards. Supt. of Schools
". w. Drew and Rev. ]. II. Roberts.
The church was very Hastily decorated
for the evening, green and white pre-
dominating, these being the class col
UrS, while Il few buttercups helped 10
brighten up the decorations. A bust or
IongI NV, n picture of his home, and
Il pict,~ of Evangeline finished the
work and lent n charm to the whole
sceEe.
The exercises opened with singing by
the chorus of children, I'm charge of
Miss Cate, and their work was highly
spoken of by all. rejecting great cred
II upon their Instructor Prayer was Of
fcred by Rev. ]. ii. Roberts. Supt. OF
Schools w. w. Drew then introduced
Mrs. Richards in a very pleasing man
ner. saying that nothing had ever been
too good for the Grammar school, that
they had never been willing to accept
any inferior article and that, this year,
when they decided to change the order
Of the -rOgrtm. found that they could
secure ne services of Mrs. Richards.
they felt that they had made a wise
choice. even though they did not have
to go on; oil our own beloved state. or
even out of the Kennebec valley to Sc
cure her services. But" said Mr.. Drew.
iii II had been necessary Miss Wether-
I'll would have taken Il trip to san
Frahcisco to accomplish this mission.
il she had not been able to find one
near home which she thought suited to
the occasion" ana all who listened to
these remarks who know Miss Wether-
ell feel that he knew what he was
talking about.
Mrs. Richards then gave her address
which was highly educational and In
teresting to all who had the pleasure OF
hearing her She spoke to the young
p. ople. perhaps more especially, but her
words were as fitting to the older MEM
beers of the congregation and they en-
Joyed them as well.
After Mrs Richards address the cho-
rus sang the Battle Hymn of the Re-
public" In hhnOr OF her mother. Mrs.
Julia Ward Howe. who composed it.
Mrs. richards appreciated this and
thanked the children for this kindness.
She then told them the story of how
her mother came to write the hymn.
After this Mrs. Richards gave several
selections from her own writings. and
the audience showed their appreciation
of these by their generous applause
The diplomas were then presented by
Supt. Drew with a few appropriate re-
marks. Mrs. Richards left on the Pull
man for her home. After the exercises
many had the pleasure of meeting with
her. and the children gathered around
for some farewell selection which she
clieerfully gave Before the exercises
the graduating class Of the school pre-
scented their teacher with a beautiful
picture to be hung in the Longfeliow
room. The graduates were:
Elvina Baker, Helen May Corson
Harold Owen Corson. Harold Nelson
Ciliey, Herbert Welland Davis, Myron
Jennison Files, Susie Gillis. Carrie GID
son knight. Alfred Rollins King. Elmer
Tearl McGorrill. Excused on account OF
illness). Fred Joseph POoler. Ivan Al
bert Prentiss, Clyde Morton Savage and
Alice May TOzier.