Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1907-06-05

delightful fuss and tradition incident to the ambitious school
programme that was once looked forward to as the
crowning glory Of the educational The times
posy and decadent and school days have lost their chief
charm.
How different it not many years ago, when com
mencement day the occasion OF local festiyty and
pride Time and the cares OF life have scared the brows
Of the mothers and fathers Of today but the memories Of
that glorious hour that marked the consummaton Of
youthful achievement still bright and grow but dearer
with the passing As distinct though we're yester
day the picture rises before u.s. and again sit among
classmates in exaaton awaiting the progress
OF the programme to where shall be announced
and shall stand before the assembage with swimming
head and choking voice to speed message to the
world.
First there is the class song the air Of which is carried
by the girls while the boys, somewhat abashed growl
ncoherent accompaniment. During this number have
chance to look at the audience We know them all.
There in the third row we see the members Of our own
family stiff and starched in painful decoum Father has
his high collar and black and there is express
sion OF proud martyrdom his honest face. Mother is
slyly prm but from her eyes there shines that bea6c
love, that transcendant unse6shness which do not
then under stand and may realize until her sweet
spirit shall have crossed the threshold. Friends and
neghbors eans6xed with soap and starch there in
that audience, and away back catch glimpse Of the
smaller brothers and sisters to whom arrogant
" Indifferent
Girls Of the long ago in Paris muslin dimty organdie
and dotted Swiss do you remember those optimistic hom
lies spoken with such innocent to the dear old
gray-haret FOLK who smiled at your honest simplicity?
You odtem that The Night Brings out the Stars" and
that in spite Of the hardshps Of life and the weary Jour
ney that Beyond the Alps Lies Italy" Many Of those
dear girls Of long ago in Paris muslin dmty organde
and dotted Swiss have looked in vain for the Of life
and have faeed and stretched out appealing hands
toward that Italy Of happiness which lies so far beyond
the Alps Of struggle and sacrifice.
Boys Of the long ago. in your FIRST cuffs and red neck
tie conspicousy lingering the gold watch-chan that was
given in recognition Of your completing your school days
do remember those sage messages you Numbered at
the commencement" audience? The Future Of America
priceless forecast in which you the solution
Of Our National Destiny" And then there was our
alton on The Way Of Success" which, in your sublime
confidence, pointed out the road so plainly that one
could miss it Sometimes you think that oration
which you still repeat gbl, but somehow it doesn't
quiet the same The trials and the obstacles have
oberated the road and you have been lost in the
fusion and among the discowagemens Of that pilgrimage
But il all easy and beautiful the day you stood upon
the Threshold, Alas! boys and girls Of the long ago,
we only could have kept to our ideals and if the world
were only roseate It appeared to us then! But it
was something to have dreamed and the dream remains
with anchor that holds us fast to that sprngme
that found standing upon the threshold