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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 19:56:06 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 19:56:06 -0700 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/31618-8.txt b/31618-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..99df585 --- /dev/null +++ b/31618-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3128 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Silver Links, by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Silver Links + +Author: Various + +Release Date: March 13, 2010 [EBook #31618] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SILVER LINKS *** + + + + +Produced by D Alexander, Juliet Sutherland and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + SILVER LINKS + + A COLLECTION OF SALUTATORY, VALEDICTORY AND + OTHER ADDRESSES DELIVERED AT THE FIRST + FIVE COMMENCEMENTS OF THE FEMALE + STENOGRAPHIC AND TYPEWRITING + CLASS OF THE GENERAL SOCIETY + OF MECHANICS AND + TRADESMEN + OF THE + CITY OF NEW YORK + + + COMPILED BY + W. L. MASON + + + NEW YORK + ALBERT B. KING, 89 WILLIAM STREET + 1892 + + + + + TO + MR. ISAAC PITMAN + THE "FATHER OF PHONOGRAPHY" + THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS MOST RESPECTFULLY + INSCRIBED + BY + THE COMPILER + + + + +Introductory Note + + +It is always beautiful to see the young confront the uncertainties of +the future, and look forward with faith to happiness and success. I am +proud of young women who are willing to devote their evenings, when +they must toil for a livelihood through the day, to a course of study +which will secure to them the knowledge of a mechanical art. This +knowledge becomes a treasure which no disaster of fire or flood can +ever destroy, and a source of comfortable income through life. It +makes dependent young women independent, and I congratulate every one +who graduates from this excellent school of instruction with her +well-earned diploma, which is more valuable to her than any legacy of +gold or precious stones. + + Martha J Lamb + +New York City, April 16, 1892. + + + + +Address of Rev. C. S. Harrower, D. D. + +_To the Class of '87._ + + +"Ladies of the graduating class,--Ladies and Gentlemen: It seems as +if words were hardly in place to-night, because of the interesting +programme which is before you. I suppose we have no conception of +the exercises prepared for us this evening. I never knew of this +Institution until Mr. Moore told me of it, and I am particularly glad +to be here. + +"I have often remarked that our New York life is like the life of one +of our great rivers,--the Hudson. Did you ever live upon its banks +and look away upon its stretch of water to the south or to the north; +count its sails, and its tugs, and its fleets of canal boats and all +its life,--for half an hour fascinated by the beautiful scene; and +then go away to your work, or to your pleasure, for a few hours, and +return and look upon that great stretch of river and see that other +sails had taken the place of those first sails, and other vessels +were coming into view, indicating the marvelous life of that mighty +stream? I did that, year after year, and it seems to me that the +General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen is like the mighty river +Hudson, doing its work day after day and year after year,--a work +that seems to me to be so useful and inspiring. + +"The gentlemen interested in this Society are to be congratulated. +It seems to me that such an Institution as this is among the most +beautiful, among the most stimulating of all institutions that mark +our civilization." + +Dr. Harrower then spoke of the serious consequences which often follow +the carelessness of a lawyer, the blunder of a switchman, the neglect +of a servant, or the indolence of a physician, and, in contrast, dwelt +upon the beneficent results attained by close attention to duty, +explaining also how great good arises from even very trifling acts. He +also remarked how strange it is that some people have every chance of +getting on in this world, while others are "mortgaged to begin with," +and hampered and chained through life. + +"But," said he, in conclusion, "it seems to me that this Society is +engaged in a work that is characteristic of the civilization to which +we belong, and is following after our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, +who lived not to serve Himself, but the world. I congratulate you, +young ladies, that when you were put upon your trial it was found that +you had been laboring in the race of life; and to-night you are to +receive the signal token of the skill you have attained, and of the +favor in which you stand in this school." + + + + +Salutatory Address + +BY MISS S. J. SIRINE. + +_Class of '87._ + + +In meeting you this evening, gentlemen of the Committee and friends, +we, the members of the Classes in Shorthand and Typewriting, +experience a double pleasure. First, is the satisfaction that we +have accomplished the task which we undertook last October, and the +consciousness that we are about to go forth carrying our diplomas as +proof that the Winter has been well spent, and that we are master of +a very fascinating and important art; and, secondly, we feel the +delightful sensation of being highly complimented at the kindly +interest taken in the Class displayed by those present this evening. + +We sincerely hope that the exercises of the evening, and the gratitude +of the teachers and class, feebly expressed through this channel, will +be ample proof to you of our appreciation of the compliment conveyed +by your presence, and trust that we shall continue to receive your +good wishes for our success; that we shall go forth into the business +world making good use of our profession, and worthy of the interest in +our progress displayed by the Committee and friends of this Society, +and of the care and attention bestowed on us by our teachers. + +To my classmates, cordial congratulations that we can meet to-night, +and, comparing notes, find that the report for the Winter is goodly +evidence of time well spent; that, in spite of what at first appeared +to be the insurmountable obstacle of the alphabet, we plodded bravely +on to the primer, and from the slowly and carefully drawn outlines of +familiar words, we entered at last into the spirit of our art, and +with pencils tipped, as it were, with electricity, learned to catch +the swiftly flowing words from the lips of the speaker, and to present +them in a tangible form, ready for future reference. So also with +typewriting. Though the unruly instrument at first persisted in +spelling "cat" t-a-c, and always put an interrogation point where a +period ought to be; still, with patient perseverance, cheered by the +inspiring words of our teacher: "I used to do the same thing," and +filled with envy at his display of skill, we took fresh hope, tried +again, and, as we were told we should,--succeeded. The pleasure of the +art of shorthand, more than any other, is not confined alone to the +artist. You all know the important offices in business life which +shorthand fills; of its importance to the press and all departments of +the literary world, it is not necessary to speak. From the eloquent +words of gifted speakers to the eagerly watched for words of the +President's Message; from the business letter in the merchant's office +to the words of the witness on the witness stand; our art fulfills its +important mission of giving to others the pleasure and satisfaction +which are experienced on hearing them. + +This evening forty more are added to the list of American writers of +the Isaac Pitman Phonography. It is to be hoped that none of us shall +ever, in any way, be the means of bringing reproach on our art; but +rather that we shall work to make many improvements, that we shall +help to prove its value in the different departments of business into +which it enters, and ere another fifty years shall cause the trumpet +of Jubilee to sound throughout the land, this class of Isaac Pitman +phonographers shall have been the means of bringing to ripe perfection +the system of Phonography. + + + + +Valedictory Address + +BY MISS N. C. STEPHENS. + +_Class of '87._ + + "The Spirit of the Time shall teach me speed," says Shakespeare. + + +How truly that applies to the present day, when one might say we are +living, as it were, in an age of rapidity, and cannot fail to catch +the infection, for the very air seems filled with it. Competition is +met with on all sides, and, in many branches of toil, "the race _is_ +to the swift." + +Contrast the world of a hundred years back with the world of to-day. + +These people were satisfied to plod along in the good old way which +their fathers had trod before them; content because they knew no +better, and the times demanded no better. + +But, think you, would the simple appliances used then, meet the +demands of to-day? + +No! decidedly, no! I hear you say. Why, may I ask? Simply because the +necessity makes the demand, and the _necessity_ is the ever-advancing +spirit of to-day, which urges all to attain something that will not +only benefit themselves, and be an incentive to others, but will +enlighten and ennoble the coming generation as well. + +But the world has made rapid progress and if we would keep pace with +it, we must call to our aid every known means of saving time and +labor. + +And not the least among the many methods and inventions for this +purpose is Phonography or shorthand, which is finding a place in +almost every branch of business. + +Man's thoughts fly faster than his fingers, and it is only by the +"wingéd words" of Phonography that the hand is enabled to keep pace +with the mind. Almost inseparably connected with shorthand, is the +typewriter. + +These two go hand in hand. What a boon they have proved to the busy +merchant, the lawyer and the literary man! + +To this end, the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, +recognizing the growing demands for the use of Phonography and +typewriting, added to their already large benevolence a class for the +study of these branches. + +And it is to this Society we owe a debt of gratitude which words are +inadequate to express. + +Our hearts are full, and "out of the fullness of the heart, the mouth +speaketh." + +Especially to the School Committee would we convey our grateful thanks +for the interest you have manifested in the Class; and for the +kindness and consideration with which you have met all our wants, +doing all in your power to facilitate our studies. + +We trust that our success in the future may be such as will reflect +credit on this Society. + +To our teachers, Mr. Mason and Mr. Spaulding, you who have so well +performed your part, we hardly know how to thank you for your patient +and persistent efforts to fit us for the calling we have chosen. +Taking up this work after the fatigue of the day, with body and brain +already wearied, _your_ task, as well as _ours_, has been a +difficult one. + +But you have ever been ready with words of encouragement to help us +over the hard places. Faithful, conscientious, you have gained our +respect and esteem, and we feel that in parting to-night we bid +good-by not only to teachers, but to earnest, helpful friends. And +yet, not a final good-by. For, are we not looking forward to many +pleasant meetings of the "Phonographic Alumnæ Association," when you +have promised to meet with us, and by your presence aid and encourage +us to continue our practice and by united efforts help one another? + +For we believe the old maxim is true in this connection as in many +others,--"In union is strength." + +Fellow classmates: For seven months we have met and studied together; +and now that the term is over it is with mingled feelings of joy and +regret that we meet to-night for the last time in this place. + +Joy that our task is done; that the time to which we have looked +forward has come; for to many it has been a severe strain to continue +to the end. _We_ alone know the difficulties we have had to contend +with; the pleasures given up and the sacrifices made to be present at +the class. + +But who shall say it has not fully repaid us? Is not this knowledge we +have gained all the more precious because so dearly obtained? + +Some have already begun to reap the reward, others are eagerly looking +forward to the time when they shall be able to put this knowledge into +actual practice. + +With what bright anticipations we took up the study of Phonography +last October! + +But what a mountain loomed up before us in the shape of the alphabet. +Then the strokes and curves, and circles, how we puzzled our brains +over which was which, and how proud we were when we began to form +words and to air our knowledge of these mystic signs; only to be met +with such questions as these, "How many words can you write a minute?" +or, "Do you think you could take down a sermon?" "Let me dictate this +piece from the newspaper to you," all of which made us feel how +limited was our knowledge and how much we had still to learn. + +Then the examinations; how they hung over our heads like dark clouds +threatening us at every turn! + +But that is all past and gone, and time, with its never ebbing tide, +has brought us to this parting hour. + +What our future will be depends upon our own individual efforts. Let +us remember: "What is worth doing is worth doing well." + +In climbing the ladder of fame, let us gain a firm footing on the +bottom round, then, if we fail to reach the top, we will, +nevertheless, command the respect of our fellow beings. + + + + +Thoughts on Graduation + +BY MISS S. J. SIRINE. + +_Class of '87._ + + + At last all the lessons are ended, + Our pencils and books laid away; + And gathered to-night in the class-room + There are many young hearts blithe and gay. + There are loving congratulations + From classmate, and teacher, and friend; + A smile! Then a sigh at the parting, + And the feeling that this is the end. + + It is pleasant to know we are through, though, + Yet saddening to know we must part; + And 'mid the light jest and the laughter, + Comes a sharp touch of pain in each heart. + There's a hush in the happy assemblage, + While a prayer is upraised to the Throne, + And "We thank Thee, our Father," is uttered,-- + And the minister speaks not alone. + + For the tokens of love and remembrance, + And kind wishes expressed for our weal, + We would thank our dear friends and our teachers, + And voice the affection we feel. + And we thank Thee for these many blessings; + Yet most for the blessing that we + Can, by striving, attain to perfection + And Thy mercy and tenderness see. + + + + +Address of Rev. N. B. Thompson + +_To the Class of '88._ + + +I assure you that it is with a great deal of personal pride, +satisfaction and comfort, that I come before you to-night. These are +my girls,--that is, I am the father of this class. Several months ago +when this class was organized, a gentleman, not myself, was invited to +come here and offer prayer, and give the young ladies a few common +sense ideas, such as would benefit them in after life. My friend +failing to come, I was called upon to fill his place, which I did to +the best of my ability, and when I look over this programme and find +that there are more than forty in this class who are to graduate +to-night, I take it upon myself to say that they received some very +sound advice, for they are about to graduate; that is, I have made +forty-four converts, at least, in seven months. + +I am very glad to have opened this class, although I have had nothing +to do with the instruction of it, for in that event the graduating +class would not be so large, but I do feel very great pride in being +here. + +Were I so disposed, and you very anxious to be tired with a long +address, I could say a great many things touching the real purpose and +idea of these young ladies and their instructors. There was a time in +the history of the world when it was a very grave and serious question +as to just what the position of woman was in society; what God meant +by her creation, what was her place. There are some men who think the +highest ambition of woman is the wash-tub; that when she finds her +vocation there she has fulfilled her mission, and when God has +prepared a place for her in the Kingdom of Heaven, He takes her home, +and gives her a diploma. There are others who have an idea that the +place for woman is a little higher up; that she is to bask in the +sunshine of life--that she is a kind of butterfly. That is an +erroneous idea. I think personally, and I am sure there are not men +enough here to out-number the ladies, that the position of woman in +this life, socially, politically, religiously, or in a mercantile +sense, is right alongside of the best man the world can produce. + +I remember, while pastor of a church in an Eastern city, the smartest +man and preacher of that city was a woman. She was a man in every +sense of the word, she had the power of a man and the charms of a +beautiful woman; I was a little jealous of her, because her church was +a little too close to mine and she drew a great many more. She was a +beautiful, godly woman, and took out of me some of the false ideas and +thoughts that I had, relative to the work of woman in the world. So I +have lost all sense of jealousy, and I am perfectly willing to be +deposed by the women, and there is no true man but will give the women +just as good as he wants in his life. + +I was thinking, when I took up this programme, there is a certain +society of a secret order that has a motto like this: "By these signs +we conquer." That is a very wide and universal order, but, if I +mistake not, there are forty-four members of a society not as +universally known, its extent is not as large as that order and +society, who are to go out into the world and, "by these signs, +conquer." The latter is just as potent as the former. I told you, +young ladies, some months ago, about a system of shorthand and the +first experience I had in that line. Some of you will remember it. +You will remember I told you about a system of shorthand that I had to +read before it got cold or I could not read it at all. + +I want to congratulate you for this delightful evening; I want to +congratulate you in view of the pleasant exercises you are to behold. +I want to congratulate these instructors for the very good and +efficient work they have done during these months. I congratulate you +upon the marvelous work that has been done. You may not all be called +upon to report my sermons; some can report 120 words, some more, some +less. You are going out into the world, some of you immediately, to +begin your life work. Do not feel, because you are a woman, that some +aristocratic specimen of creation--man--looks down upon you. Just hold +your neck as straight and your head as high as he, and I do not know +but you would be par excellence above the man himself; you have an +opportunity. + +There is one thing I regret, however, in regard to your special +calling, and it is this: I read advertisements in the papers where +employers advertise for young lady typewriters and stenographers and +it has pained me to see the low rate of wages, oftentimes. Let me put +a bee in your ear. You are in possession of one of the greatest +sciences I know; there is nothing above it in the realm of learning. +Do not for one minute submit yourself, any one of you, to a service +below your worth, for God has implanted in His Word this truth, "Every +laborer is worthy of his hire." + +I thank the gentleman who has invited me here. When I become older +than I am now and fail in preaching, I assure you I shall come to this +home of hospitality and kindness, and shall try to take up the art +myself, thereby becoming as efficient as some of you are. + +God be with you and in His own time take you home to His abode where +you will not be troubled with taking down the ideas of men. + + + + +Salutatory Address + +BY MISS L. E. TAYLOR. + +_Class of '88._ + + +Gentlemen of the Committee, and friends, teachers and classmates: With +what unbounded pleasure we greet you this evening; our task is +accomplished, the goal is won. After the labors of the past seven +months, assisted by the kindly interest of the Committee, and +encouraged by the earnest and untiring efforts of our teachers, we +have at last mastered that wonderful art, stenography, which will +enable us to go forth from here, possessing an accomplishment the +benefits of which are many. This art, the outgrowth of one great mind, +that of Mr. Isaac Pitman, is of the utmost importance to the members +of the press, of the legal profession, and the business man, as well +as in all branches of literary work. Ordinarily, we hear words, but +this science enables us to use them; thus they actually assume another +form, as it were, and are deeply impressed on our minds and thus +ineradicably memorized. My classmates, we meet to-night to prove that +patient effort on the part of teacher and pupil has not been in vain; +that our busy Winter has left us rich in knowledge of this noble art, +and that, though oftentimes discouraged in our progress through the +alphabet forward through the intricacies of dots and dashes, hooks +and circles, and outlines dark and light, over these apparently +insurmountable barriers we have reached the height on which our hopes +and our ambitions had been centered during our daily pilgrimage toward +it. So has it been with typewriting. At first we made many mistakes, +such as making an interrogation mark where the period was necessary, +thus questioning Mr. Jones' or Mr. Smith's right to his name +instead of asserting the fact; or striking a letter instead of the +space-board, and vice versa. The result left the astonished beholder +in doubt whether the word produced were a representative of the +Chinese or the Choctaw language. But now we have overcome these +difficulties. Sustained by the kind encouragement of our teacher we +have struggled bravely until we are enabled to write on the machine +readily, and with rapidity, from dictation, and our vernacular can now +be recognized as English, without any difficulty. We sincerely hope +that the exercises of the evening may interest you and may show our +appreciation of the instruction and innumerable benefits which have +been conferred upon us by this Society. We are now prepared to take +our place in the rank and file of the world's army of workers. The +elevating and benevolent influence of stenography and typewriting +in the life of women is becoming more and more recognized. What the +sewing machine is to the needle, shorthand is to the pen, and, in the +great future, the world shall see and acknowledge the vast importance +of this economizer of time and labor. + +Yes, another forty of us are ready to use these servants of hand and +pen which the generosity of this Society has placed at our disposal, +and we hope to do so worthily. May we, by our subsequent efforts and +future progress, show that none of us will bring reproach on the noble +art which we have adopted, or on the Institution to which we shall owe +our future success and our chosen profession. Rather let us help to +prove its value in the different branches to which we may be called. + + + + +Class Poem + +BY MISS A. L. COX. + +_Class of '88._ + + + I did not come prepared to make an address here to-night, + But when I see you all, dear friends, 'tis such a pleasant sight, + I can't refrain, but feel that I _must_ say a word or two, + And give a hearty welcome, yes, to every one of you. + A little band, we gathered here upon this very spot; + Just eight short months ago it is, since then we cast our lot + Together for our Winter's work: resolved that we would try + Our best to win; with hopes and purposes and aims set high, + We went to work. The opening lecture seemed so clear and plain, + That we could almost grasp the prize we were so sure to gain. + First came the alphabet. But we in sad dismay found out + That was an obstacle indeed that we could scarce surmount. + At last we thought we had it; yes, were sure we knew it all. + "You may each one recite it." Hark! it was our teacher's call. + Just imagine how we did it? You will guess it nearly right. + And then to say it backward! Were you e'er in such a plight? + Then we studied till (I mean it) e'en the paper on the wall, + Each door, and sash, and picture frame, and objects one and all, + In strokes and angles fairly danced before our very eyes, + And in our dreams they haunted us in every form and size. + + Next in their turn the vowel sounds,--the symbols, dash and dot, + With rules and regulations charging us "Forget-me-not." + Wish you could have heard us sound them. It was amusing, too; + Seemed like talking Chinese language,--ah, [=a], ee; aw, o, oo. + Then came the hooks with many crooks to puzzle and perplex; + They were so very obstinate, and would be sure to vex; + For while we thought we had them right, they were just turned + about, + And when we came to read them, we could scarcely make them out. + The circles didn't seem so hard; for we could then detect + There were still new things coming that we did the least expect; + So prepared our minds to meet them and take them as they came; + At last we'd conquered everyone and knew them all by name. + But I suppose it is not right to tell tales out of school, + Our teacher will be saying that it is against the rule; + I have told you just a few of our trials by the way, + But it was not all so dreadful, I am very glad to say. + For we really loved our study; were fascinated, too, + And of the pleasant memories there linger not a few. + Well, examination over, then came the "tug of war" + To apply the various principles that we had learned before. + And oh! the work we made of it; we tried to run a race + To see who could write the fastest, and then to keep our place. + + But study and toil are over; at last the race is run, + And we have gathered here to-night to say, "Our work is done." + Members of this Society, our friends so kind and true, + God bless you! 'Tis a grand and noble work you aim to do; + Accept our heartfelt thanks, for it is all that we can give; + The knowledge we have gathered here will ever, while we live + Go with us, as with brighter skies our way in life to cope + Than in our dreams and fancies we had ever dared to hope. + And you, our teachers faithful, tried, we will not soon forget + The many pleasant hours that together we have spent; + How often by a kindly word you've helped to lead us on, + When we were nigh discouraged, and totally cast down; + And by your earnest zeal and aid we have, from day to day, + Gone onward, and we thank you; it is all that we can say. + And we classmates, while we truly, yes, earnestly, regret + To leave the little room up yonder "where the angels met," + Can now rejoice together, for it has not been in vain, + That we've worked hard; yet we have won the prize we + sought to gain. + + + + +Valedictory Address + +BY MISS A. A. LEWIS. + +_Class of '88._ + + +DEAR FRIENDS AND CLASSMATES: + +It is a somewhat sad yet pleasant duty which devolves upon me this +evening, that of saying farewell. For, to a class whose members have +studied together for so long as we have and which is found to be so +homogeneous as this class has been, a farewell is always sad. When, in +October last, we entered upon our course of study, we could not look +forward to this hour with any degree of composure, but, day by day, as +time passed on we found ourselves longing for the end, yet dreading +the parting. But, to-night, we derive considerable pleasure from the +fact that we have prepared ourselves for something which will have a +strong influence upon our future lives. This night may be called a +real commencement for many of us who have just left school where we +have learned the ordinary English branches, and are now learning to +apply our former knowledge to earn our living in a way that will prove +both pleasant and profitable. + +In retrospect: How hard the first few lessons appeared! We hardly +credited the declaration that a time would come when we should be able +to recite the alphabet backward and forward and in every conceivable +way, but we soon discovered that the subsequent lessons were so much +more difficult than the first, that these seem now to us as very +simple. As our knowledge increased, we discovered also that each +lesson followed so logically upon the previous one, that it made it +much easier to understand. There were hooks to the right of us, and +hooks to the left of us, and with these and circles, medial and final, +approximation and "con" dot, our dreams resembled a kaleidoscope +rather than those of school girls. When traveling on the cars we would +often see a person with a note book and pencil, and experience a +fellow feeling, knowing that they had trod the same path as we were +treading. Occasionally, in going home after a lesson, two of us +comparing notes would find that we, in turn, were objects of interest +to people in the train, and that they gazed with wonder and amusement +upon the strange-looking characters with which our note books were +filled. Then, when it came to our home study, although those whom we +asked to dictate to us did so with great alacrity at first, they soon +found reading the same thing over twenty or thirty times, to say the +least, monotonous. Yet we must say that our friends often put aside +their own preferences, knowing the daily practice was for our good. We +will not dwell upon the loss of pleasures that we have forfeited in +order to be present at the class and to spend the requisite number of +hours at study. But now that we have reached the desired haven, we +feel fully repaid for everything that we have given up, and only +regret that we did not sacrifice more for our beloved study. We would +not however have you think it has been all hard work, and that we +have had _no_ enjoyment. For, have we not had genial companions, +sympathetic teachers and a most watchful Committee, who have tried to +do everything in their power to make our school life both pleasant and +comfortable? We cannot specify all the ways in which they have shown +their interest and kindness to us, yet we would not fail to mention +the fact that we were provided with a new class-room, which combined +the advantages of seclusion, quiet, and all the necessary appliances +for study, with excellent ventilation, and to this was added the +feeling that it was our "very own." + +This recital can but feebly show you why the feeling of pleasure is +predominant in our hearts to-night. We cannot feel sad at parting +with our classmates, for, though we shall not meet in this class-room +again, as a class, we do expect to meet together as the alumnæ of +this Institution at our regular weekly gatherings for practice. It is +rather with a feeling of exhilaration that we realize that we have at +length conquered giants that loomed up before us when we began our +study, and that these giants, like those called forth by the magician +of old, have been made to do our bidding. + +But now we come to the most painful part of our task, that of bidding +this kind Committee farewell. And, in behalf of the class of '88, we +thank you again for your watchful care over us during the past Winter. +The only way in which we can attempt to repay you for what you have +done for us is by trying to rise in our profession and do something +which, when we say we are graduates of the General Society of +Mechanics and Tradesmen, will cause you to feel proud of us, and in +this way we can slightly show our gratitude to our benefactors. And to +our teachers, who have been the means of our learning this wonderful +art, we say farewell, hoping that they will remember us kindly as +having tried our best to let the studies which they have lodged in our +minds bring forth good fruit. Although you have, no doubt, at times +felt discouraged with the apparent failure of your work, yet we trust +that the results have proved satisfactory, and shown you that we have +tried to do what you have desired us to do, and, in a measure, have +succeeded. We trust also that these results will reflect credit upon +you as our Instructors even more than upon us as the recipients of +your teaching. We do realize that many members of our class will never +meet with us again, and to you we say farewell, with the wish that in +your diverse paths through life you may attain great success in your +chosen profession and always remember that you are still members of +the Class of '88. + + + + +Address of President Wm. C. Smith + +_In awarding the Diplomas to the Class of '88._ + + +I came here this evening in a particularly happy frame of mind, for +me, because I had been asked to award the diplomas to this class, and +I am always happy when I think I am able to do something to make some +one else happy; but my equanimity was quite disturbed, on arriving, to +be shown a programme in which I was set down as having to make the +closing address, and a little later I broke out into a perspiration on +seeing written in shorthand on the blackboard, that "you should never +speak unless you have something to say." Those words have been burning +before my eyes ever since, and though I have not taken any lessons in +shorthand, I am almost sure I could set that sentence down. + +The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen is made up of men +who owe what they possess, not to chance, not to gifts of their +forefathers, but to the fruit of honest toil. The Society which they +have fostered for a hundred years owes its standing to the steady +accumulations of these years, not to any sudden speculation or easily +acquired prosperity, and it is with pleasure, therefore, that the +Society devotes its time and means in helping others to help +themselves. We believe in the aristocracy of labor, and we are glad +that we are able to do anything whereby we can help any one to help +himself. + +I shall not make a lengthy address because it is late; it is warm; +there are diplomas to be given out, and I believe that the young +ladies are anxious to get down stairs where the attraction is greater +than anything I can offer them. Yet there is one thought I would like +to give out, if you will excuse me. + +Yesterday I met a gentleman whom I have known for many years, and whom +I never really knew until yesterday. He said to me, "Billy" (he knew +me when I was a boy), "have you half an hour to spare?" First I said, +"No;" but I thought better of it and said, "Yes." "I would like you to +come round and look at my house." As he opened the door of that house +it was to me a revelation; if there is anything else like it in this +country or city, I do not know where it is. It seemed to me I was in +fairyland. Here was a large house and yet so filled that it seemed +small, from the top of the very attic down to the first story, with +articles of vertu and bric-a-brac, with tapestry that had come from +all parts of the globe, with ivories, carved in Japan as nowhere else, +with mosaics from all sections of the world, with beautiful chairs, +with embroidery that had graced the homes of monarchs in the old +country, and on his back porch, and in his yard, were beautiful +flowers hardly seen outside of the tropics. + +I need not say to you how surprised I was; I had only known him as a +mechanic, a member of this Society. I spent an hour and a half there I +shall never forget; I asked the privilege of bringing my better half. + +But the thought that I wanted to impress was this; in a beautiful +case, surrounded with plate glass, was a full dinner set of the finest +Sevres china. He explained to me that the set was ordered and made +expressly for the second Napoleon when he was in the height of his +glory. I said to him, "Where did you get this? I did not know a full +set of that kind ever got away from royalty." He said it did once +in a while and this was the only one in this country. He had been +explaining to me things I never knew about, and he came back to his +own self and said, "Billy, you know when the great Napoleon and his +court were sipping their soup out of these dishes, I was wielding a +paint brush at $1.50 a day and glad to get it." As I lay trying to go +to sleep last night that single sentence came to me and it seemed +there was a volume in it. It is an American idea that there is no +success which is not attainable by almost any person if we only take +those opportunities afforded us. I want to say one word to the ladies, +and I believe I said something of the same kind to the boys. I often +see it in the papers, I hear it in speeches at trade societies and all +that sort of thing, that there is a great change in America; there is +no longer any chance to rise; and that we are divided into classes, +and that the rich are going to get richer and the poor going to stay +where they are. + +I hope every American will disabuse his mind of anything like that; +there never was a time when opportunities were greater than now. We +have got to believe in ourselves and watch the opportunities when they +come to us; success cannot be obtained in a day. We may not have to +build a railroad but we will build something else, perhaps greater. + +Young ladies, it is my privilege on behalf of the General Society of +Mechanics and Tradesmen, as its President, to present you with these +diplomas. I do so with pleasure; first, because I feel that it is our +right to give them to you; secondly, because I feel that it is your +right to receive them, for you have earned them. They represent to me +six months of careful, earnest, intelligent study; six months of +devoting yourself to the habit of close application; six months of +forming the habit of industry; habits which, I take it, make the +road to success to any one who expects to succeed in the future. I +congratulate you upon receiving them; they are certificates that carry +with them pleasant memories, and I hope will prove in after years +profitable ones. In behalf of the General Society, it is my pleasure +to thank your teacher; I have witnessed personally his enthusiasm in +his calling, and I am proud to say that I have been here night after +night and have watched the enthusiasm of the class. I have seen them +here sometimes long after the regular school hours, in fact, I had a +mind to say, "You are over-taxing these young ladies." Then I thought +it was a life and death struggle for only six months, and the victory +was worth the struggle. + +I have nothing more to say. I will remember the motto given early in +the evening and wish you every success in life which you have obtained +in this school. + + + + +Salutatory + +BY MISS JESSIE FERRIS. + +_To the Class of '89._ + + +On behalf of my classmates, Gentlemen of the Committee, and friends, +it gives me great pleasure to welcome you here this evening, and we +sincerely hope that in the following short account of our progress +during the eight past months, both in shorthand and typewriting +classes, _you_ may share, to some extent, our satisfaction. + +I shall not attempt to portray our initial struggles with the dots and +lines, but rather dwell on the time when, at the rate of a word in +five minutes, we could, with the confidence of beginners, write the +short but expressive sentences: + + The cow eats grass! + See the dog run! + +From this time under the able guidance of our teachers, we steadily +progressed, until our efforts have culminated in the success +gratifying to ourselves, our teachers, and our many friends. + +In typewriting our progress has been as encouraging as in Phonography. +From slowly picking out the words: "William Jex quickly caught five +dozen Republicans," a sentence which not only exhausted all the +letters of the alphabet, but in our attempts to decipher which, after +writing, exhausted our ingenuity as well, we passed to the time when +legal documents and business letters could be run off with an ease +which at the beginning seemed almost impossible. + +Let us pause a moment to consider the advantages of these two arts: +first and chiefly, they afford us the means of gaining a livelihood in +a way more agreeable than many others; secondly, in the taking of +notes of lectures upon various arts and sciences we become acquainted +with these subjects to an extent which would otherwise require much +special study. + +How then can we be otherwise than grateful to those who have placed +these advantages within our reach? + +To you, Gentlemen of the School Committee and of the Special +Committee, are our thanks especially due. + +Through your kindness in fulfilling our many calls upon your +generosity, you have contributed, in no mean degree, to that end +toward which we have so earnestly striven. + +You, my classmates, undoubtedly share in the pleasure felt by our +teachers and the Committee in having passed so successfully through +the work of the past eight months. + +Let us reflect for how short a time we have pursued our studies. In +what branch of study, pursued for the same length of time, could the +results attained compare so favorably as in the study of shorthand? + +After to-night, over thirty of us, in the different pursuits of a +business life, will make practical use of the knowledge gained during +the past Winter. Let us always strive to uphold the reputation already +gained by the followers of Isaac Pitman. + +It has often been said by superficial observers: "O, yes, any one can +write shorthand, but how many stenographers can read what they have +written?" + +Perhaps there have been grounds for such allegations; but have these +ever taken into consideration the multitudes of stenographers all +over the world who do successfully read their notes? + +Look at the voluminous reports of congressional, political and other +speeches, appearing in the daily papers from time to time; to say +nothing of the hundreds of folios of evidence daily reported in our +courts and accurately transcribed. + +Do not these sufficiently refute the assertion? + +We feel sure the charge will never be brought against any of our +class, to each of whom the writing out of her notes has been made as +essential a point as taking down. + +In closing, let me again, in the name of the Class of '89, extend a +cordial welcome to you all, and let us trust, when we have passed from +the immediate influence of these surroundings, and have entered upon +the career for which the studies of the past Winter have been but +preparatory, we shall continue to merit your kind approbation. + + + + +Class Poem + +BY MISS ISABELLE KIERNAN. + +_Class of '89._ + + + Good people all, both old and young, + Assembled at this time, + To aid in bringing to a close, + The Class of eighty-nine; + + We beg you will be lenient + With our efforts here to-night, + Ignore all faults, and note the good,-- + This would be but polite. + + This class of ours united here, + Ere long shall cease to be; + A thought which strikes a tender chord + That vibrates mournfully. + + Though truly glad to know our work + Has met success at last, + Yet many a very pleasant hour + In study has been passed. + + And on these hours in concert spent, + Shall memory fondly dwell, + When we in divers paths have turned, + But where, Oh, who can tell? + + Again we'll see that school-room scene, + Our teacher at the head, + Again we'll ply our pencils hard, + As fast the words are read. + + Our teacher's patience oft we've tried, + And oft have vexed him sore, + While he strove us expert to make + In stenographic lore. + + Oh, thanks to you, our faithful friend, + For kindness you have shown, + And patience too, with which the seeds + Of knowledge you have sown. + + And in the work we undertake, + We'll to the _Mason_ bring + The credit,--who within our minds + Has built this wondrous thing. + + Kind benefactors, we extend + Our gratitude sincere; + For all the opportunities, + Enjoyed throughout the year. + + May your good work, crowned with success, + Its blessings still bestow, + On many who, through your kind deeds, + Shall useful women grow. + + A harvest rich of grateful hearts, + Most surely you shall find; + Such as is due to those who strive + To elevate mankind. + + And now farewell to one and all, + Teacher and classmates, too; + Hoping that future days may bring, + Much happiness to you. + + + + +A Class History + +BY MISS EUGENIA E. LLOYD. + +_Class of '89._ + + +Last Fall sixty girls, accompanied by a trusty guide, started on an +exploring tour through the wilderness of stenography. We had been told +by those who had visited this region, that the way was dark, the road +thorny, and the pleasures but few; but nothing daunted, we set out, +anxious to prove these assertions false. + +Like all travelers about to enter upon strange and novel scenes, we +started upon this journey with eager eyes, and minds full of +expectancy. Following closely in the footsteps of our leader, we +approached the enchanted forest. The entrance was guarded by great +trees, which seemed to extend, as far as the eye could see, in one +long avenue, and we were surprised to find, upon coming nearer, that +the forest which at first appeared to be but a heterogeneous mass of +stems, was set out and arranged in the most orderly and symmetrical +manner, and we saw that we should be enabled to find our way about +much more easily than we had at first feared. In accordance with our +guide's directions, we began jotting down in our memory tablets the +names of the different trees, and the peculiarities of each. Certain +kinds occurred so often that we soon became familiar with them, and +long before we turned into new pathways, we had mastered the names +of them all. As we left the main avenue of first principles, we +encountered more trees, but so arranged in brilliant foliage and +curious blossoms that we almost failed to recognize them. We listened +in wonder while our guide unfolded to us the beauty of each bud and +leaf; how patiently he traced every vein of the leaf, and every petal +of the flower, until our eyes, too, were opened to their beauty so +that we could appreciate and discern the difference between them, +notwithstanding that they possessed great similarity. This comparative +sameness caused us no little trouble, however, at first, for ever and +anon, owing to early lack of training in concentration of mind, we +were prone to get them confused, and often mistake one for the other. +Here again the memory tablets were brought into requisition, and it +seemed as though they fairly expanded under the influence of our +pencils, so eager were we to absorb all the knowledge possible. As the +lover of nature, by constant association with the flowers, the trees, +and the shrubs, learns in time the name of each, so we learned, by +loving the study of our strange plants, to recognize them at sight. + +But we were not left to wander at our own sweet wills. Having +thoroughly familiarized ourselves with the details and orderly +arrangement of this wonderful forest, and having stopped for awhile to +review our progress, we were led into new paths where, though there +were many obstructions and apparently insurmountable obstacles, we +could at least see the beginning of the end of our journey. + +Here, too, sign posts greeted us on many sides, but none were so +alluring as that which bore the legend, "Slow and sure." This accorded +perfectly with our ideas, and we would fain have rested awhile, and +gazed on the comforting words, had not our guide pointed out to us the +necessity for advance, and described the pleasures which were still to +come, which, if we chose that as a perpetual motto, we should never +enjoy. + +As if to give emphasis to his words, a little dwarf, whose name was +"Try," met us at this juncture; and by his bright example urged us on +to greater tasks. But alas! there were so many weary hearts waiting +for his cheery countenance that he was forced ere long to leave us. +Scarce had he gone when his enemy, a misshapen gnome, called "I +Forgot," sprang up in our path, and by many devices, sought to undo +the good work of "Try." Finding this impossible, he, too, soon +departed, but his injured lordship, not caring to retire utterly +defeated, left his first cousin, "I Didn't Mean To," to pester and +annoy us throughout our journey. + +Ere long the sound of running water attracted our attention, and +eagerly we hastened to bathe our faces in a refreshing stream "which +ran down the side of a hill," only to draw back in terror as we saw +a poor, meek lamb devoured by a ravenous wolf who had come to the +brook-side to drink. Thereafter it seemed as if the wolves had special +designs on the lambs at this season, for whenever our travels led us +near the creek we were forced to be unwilling spectators to these +tragic scenes. + +Here and there along the bank we had noticed little pebbles which our +Instructor told us were called, in the language of this country, +"Grammalogues," and some of which, attracted by their uniqueness, we +had gathered. We were obliged to label and memorize each one, until +it seemed as though the tablet would not hold another word, and the +memory pouch would break under the weight of, what seemed to us, +heavy, worthless stones. But after being polished with the emery of +practice, the pebbles grew lighter, and seemed to lose their dull +color, and assume a sparkling brilliancy. + +How often since have they appeared as bright jewels in our pathway, +when, with pencil flying over the page, we have fully realized the +fact, that however lenient Old Father Time may seem to be to others, +he has no mercy for stenographers. + +After becoming somewhat acquainted with our surroundings that we might +be able fully to realize every snare and pitfall, we were taught to +begin to walk alone. What weak, tottering, childish steps they were. +How often our eyes would wander to the face of our guide, as if to +implore his help. But he, knowing it was for our good, would simply +encourage us instead of rendering the longed for assistance, and we +were thus compelled to walk or fall. + +But when the nervous feeling had somewhat worn off, and each step +became more firm, with what expressions of delight we proclaimed the +tidings that we could at least _stand_ alone, and how pleased he +seemed at our successes. And then with watchful care was pointed out +to us the necessity of removing every obstacle from our path so +that our progress should not be retarded. We carefully heeded the +instruction, and as a fallen bough or a moss-covered trunk of some old +"snag" barred our onward march, we brought all our strength to bear +and remove it to a place of safety, so that our weary feet should not +be caused to trip over it again. And truly we _were_ weary, while +the promised land seemed still afar off. How hard the road appeared +can only be realized by those who have trodden it. + +A great mountain, like Bunyan's Hill Difficulty, soon rose before us, +and we were told that we must reach its summit, before the view toward +which our eyes had been ever turning would burst upon our sight. Here +we were joined by a crowd of people, some clamoring for land, which +they claimed had been willed to them by those who had long since +joined the great majority; others quibbling over deeds and warranty +deeds, some of which particularly attracted our attention, on +account of their great length and useless verbiage; and others with +complaints and actions at law, until our eyes were opened, and we +realized, as never before, that strife is more prevalent in the world +than peace. + +But hard work and that perseverance which we believe is the surest +road to success have at length conquered all obstacles. And now, +having left behind the clamor and the strife, we stand on the summit +of the mountain that has so recently seemed as though it could not be +climbed. + +And here we rest awhile and look backward. The roads with their +winding turns are no longer new, and eyes moisten as we think of the +old but true saying: + + "The path that has once been trod, + Is never so hard to the feet; + And the lessons we once have learned, + Are never so hard to repeat." + +We will not be called upon to walk in those paths again, but when we +meet the familiar faces of our companions we will live over in memory +the now seemingly short weeks of our journey. + +But let us look also before us. We have penetrated the forest, we have +gathered bright gems, we have climbed the mountain height, and now we +stand ready to cast our boats adrift upon the ocean of life. + +In what waters they shall glide we know not, but can only trust that +in that great day of gatherings, all our craft may be moored in the +harbor of peace! These thoughts bring to our minds the well known +words of our beloved poet Longfellow: + + Like unto ships far off at sea, + Outward or homeward bound are we; + Before, behind, and all around, + Floats and swings the horizon's bound, + Seems at its distant rim to rise + And climb the crystal wall of the skies, + And then again to turn and sink, + As if we could slide from its outer brink. + Ah, it is not the sea; + It is not the sea that sinks and shelves, + But ourselves that rock and rise + With endless and unweary motion, + Now touching the very skies, + Now sinking into the depths of ocean; + Ah! if our souls but poise and swing, + Like the compass in its brazen ring, + Ever level and ever true + To the toil and the task that we have to do, + We shall sail securely, and safely reach + The fortunate isles, on whose shining beach + The sights we see, the sounds we hear, + Will be those of joy and not of fear. + + + + +Valedictory + +BY MISS LINA E. KETTLEMAN. + +_Class of '89._ + + +Bacon has said, "Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, +and writing an exact man." Many prominent men of the present age +assert on authority that shorthand makes a valuable man. + +The world's advancement has never been so marked and rapid as within +the past century; inventors have, it would seem, almost exhausted +themselves in producing means for improvement; where think you, would +the busy man find himself were it not for the opportunities open at +every hand enabling him to keep in the whirl? + +Inventors, and the value of their respective inventions, are fully +appreciated by those who make use of them, but there has been no +greater gift presented than the one by Mr. Isaac Pitman in 1837, +in the shape of Phonography; he, after a few months of hard labor, +reduced the phonetic characters to a simple form such as any +intelligent and ordinarily educated person might, after a proper +amount of application, use to great advantage. The public were not +long in realizing the benefits to be derived, and each year has +seen a steady growth in the number of shorthand readers and writers, +and to-day finds thousands who are successfully using the little +strokes, some following the original system, and others using the +modifications; _all_, however, agreeing as to the true worth of +shorthand as a time saver. + +We who started last Autumn, with the determination to master +Phonography and typewriting, knew in part the advantages to be +gained after the top was reached, but we did not know by actual +experience what breakers were ahead in the accomplishment of the work +before us; for the timid ones this very ignorance proved a great +blessing,--conquering one difficulty at a time, with the greater ones +in the shadow, was not as disheartening as having the future in plain +sight. + +The multitude of crooks, circles and dry rules were taken in turn and +left behind, and after reaching half way the journey, and pausing for +a rest and renewal of courage, we began the pleasanter work of writing +and reading connectedly. At the start were simple stories which +seemed at the time almost silly, then came letters and law matter, +and, as the words in the first lessons kept recurring, we began to +appreciate "The Wolf and the Lamb" and various companions of a similar +nature. Slowly but surely the work has been progressing. Time has +fairly flown away and has brought us together to-night for the parting +as a class. + +There has been much bitter with the sweet and many clouds with the +sunshine; social pleasures were necessarily given up and numerous +sacrifices made, to say nothing of the keen disappointment brought +home to each as she recognized, despite her greatest efforts, that +the actual work was far behind what her aspirations had been at the +outset. But through all we have been cheered and encouraged by our +teachers, nor must I omit the occasional well timed lectures, +depressing at the time of delivery, but sending each home with a +fixed idea of doing better, and continuing to the end; added to these +has been the entire novelty of the whole course, always something +new. Like all proverbial Americans, born, it is said, with the +interrogation point at tongue's end, the constant variety made the +journey one immense _Why?_ + +We are joyous over the prospect of a cessation of hard study, but +regret that the end of our intercourse has come, necessitating the +severing of ties as teachers and those taught, and the farewell as +class friends; but each will carry with her a remembrance of the +Winter spent together with much profit and pleasure to all. + +To our kind Instructor through all the intricacies of Phonography, we +are deeply indebted. Within ourselves is the consciousness that had it +not been for his patience and untiring efforts we would have given up +in despair long ago; as also to our Instructress and friend who has +helped us over the road to the success of typewriting are we equally +indebted; to the never flagging energy of both we owe as much as to +the individual effort. + +Not the least, if mentioned last, is our gratitude to the School +Committee. To you, gentlemen, we wish to convey our thanks this +evening, both for your generosity, as representatives of the G. S. M. +and T., in supplying funds for the maintenance of this glorious work, +and for the kindly interest displayed during the past Winter. While +regretting our inability to raise the standard higher, we will +endeavor, in future, to reflect such credit upon this school as will +prove our appreciation of past favors. + +To you, my dear classmates, those in particular who have not as yet +felt the pecuniary advantages to be derived from this new acquirement, +take courage in the fact that six of our number are reaping the +benefits even thus early. Wait patiently; do not let the work end with +to-night, and become discouraged because of the same old humdrum +duties. Remember that in filling the old post honorably, you are doing +the work assigned by the Master who in His own season will send what +is for your best good. Add to your store of knowledge from day to day, +and be able to say with the poet: + + Each morning sees some task begun, + Each evening sees its close; + Something attempted, something done, + Has earned a night's repose. + + + + +Salutatory Address + +_To the Class of '90._ + +BY MISS HARRIET MIDDLEMAS. + + +What shall we do with our girls? One of our well known daily papers +came to the conclusion some time ago that our girls must be disposed +of in some way, and feeling that it lacked the ability to solve the +problem alone and unaided, sent a request abroad for help in settling +this momentous question. + +If we were in China, they would say "drown them." Horace Greeley might +have suggested sending them West to keep house for his "young men." +Many, in answer to the before-mentioned paper's appeal, advocated +making business women of them; while others said: "Teach them to be +good housekeepers." + +Now, as all our girls cannot be housekeepers, neither can they be +business women, is it not the best plan where there are two girls in a +family, to teach one how to minister to the wants of the household, +and let the other help to provide the means, wherewith to supply the +necessities of life? We are not all Vanderbilts or Astors. + +But whether it be "Yea" or "Nay," woman is making her way in the +world. She has been heard of as making rapid progress in law; and it +was only a short while ago we read of a young lady being admitted to +practice in Pennsylvania. We have doctors without number; one of our +Western towns boasts of a woman for Mayor, and they have aspired to +the Presidency. Much has been said of woman's sphere, but she knows +her own place in life, and if given a little help in the various +directions necessary to reach the place, she will win, and has won for +herself respect and admiration for her courage and independence. + +But this is not a Woman's Rights Meeting, nor a sewing circle, in +which the minister has been invited to tea, and where we are making +the poor luckless man suffer for his sex in general, but the +Graduation Exercises of a band of girls who have worked hard for +success, and gained it. + +A society of men organized many years ago, instead of sitting with +folded hands lamenting _their_ inability to dispose of "our girls," +went to work and established a class; placed at its head one of the +best of teachers, and called it the Stenographic and Typewriting Class +of the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen. "Now," they said, +"we have opened a way, let us see what the girls can do for and with +themselves." + +In the Fall of 1886 the first class was formed, and since then more +than 100 girls owe their present advantages to this noble institution. + +The Class of '90 graduating from here to-night met for the first +lesson on October 1st of last year. + +Of our troubles and disappointments, it is not for me to tell, but we +have bravely toiled on, and have at last reached the end we have so +eagerly and anxiously looked forward to, and the feeling that we have +learned something which will help us in more ways than we at present +fully realize, repays us for our perseverance. + +To-night we graduate from this school into one compared to which the +trials and disappointments of this course will seem trifles. We go +forth to battle with the world, and if we do not keep up with it, +it will mercilessly leave us far behind. But the Class of '90 is +not going to be laggard. Indeed we hope that when we graduate from +that higher and more exacting school, it will be with the same +satisfactory results with which we leave here, and, like Longfellow's +"Great Men," we may leave + + "Footprints on the sands of time." + +There are several benevolent institutions in this city where +Stenography and Typewriting are taught during the day, without expense +to the student. But the girls that need this instruction most are the +working girls, who have only the evenings to themselves, and cannot +afford to take the time to study that which they know would be +beneficial to them. But the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen +have recognized their wants, and every girl in this class has +acknowledged that when in the future she has reached that zenith to +which every one aspires, "Prosperity in her chosen calling," she +cannot forget that it was through this Society she was enabled to +reach that height. + +And now, dear Friends and Patrons of this school, I, in the name of my +classmates, bid a cordial "welcome" to you all, confident that you who +have sympathized with us during the past eight months will rejoice +with us in our success. + + + + +Class Poem + +BY MISS KATIE MASSMAN. + +_Class of '90._ + + + My friends, we all have gathered here, + To celebrate this night,-- + Th' occasion of a victory gained + O'er a long and glorious fight. + + Unlike the battlefields of men, + Where blood flows o'er the plain, + And eyes must meet the fearful sight + Of conquered victims slain, + + Our battlefield the school-room was, + Where we have fought and won; + A conflict noble in its aim, + Nine months ago begun. + + Oh! how we hoped and how we feared, + As day by day slipped past, + And we kept pressing towards the mark + We hoped to reach at last. + + Whilst oft discouragement, the imp, + Would whisper in our breast, + "'Tis folly to continue on; + Go, leave it for the rest." + + But "onward, onward," was our cry, + Though all around looked dim,-- + No cowards we who fear the storm, + 'Twas either "sink or swim." + + And our commander at the head, + With truly master skill, + Did spur us on, and teach us how + Each duty to fulfill. + + Through the maze of outlines, straight and curved, + Step by step, he led the way, + Till hooks and circles, large and small, + At length seemed plain as day. + + To his true service much we owe, + And each of us, to-night, + In a vote of earnest, sincere thanks, + Do heartily unite. + + We meet to part, on this last night, + Yet shall we fondly ever + Turn to the happy hours spent + In Mechanics' Hall together. + + And always shall our hearts respond, + Ever grateful shall we be, + For the kindness of the gentlemen + Of the G. S. M. and T. + + Through them our lives shall brighter grow, + Through them we shall aspire + To better, nobler aims in life, + Leading higher, ever higher. + + And may we from their kindness learn + A royal truth and grand,-- + If we can others happier make, + To lend a helping hand. + + And in the journey through this life, + With heart, head and hand combined + May we ever strive to do our best + To elevate mankind. + + + + +A History of the Class of '90 + +BY MISS SABINE C. SCHINDHELM. + + +One evening, early in the Fall of '89, voices were heard in the +school-room as though many persons were talking at once. Suddenly the +bell rang and the talking ceased. "What does this mean?" you would +have asked, and then, your curiosity getting the better of you, you +would have peeped in. Such a sight! At the front of the room were four +or five rows of young girls, books and pencils in hand, and on the +platform stood a gentleman who was evidently their teacher. What were +they going to do? Why, take their first lesson in stenography, and you +can see from the number of bright and happy faces here to-night, what +that first and each succeeding lesson has done for them. Like little +children just beginning to spell they began with the alphabet, and +step by step, gaining strength and courage, learning everything +thoroughly, till at the end of three months, they had laid a +foundation upon which whatever followed could securely rest; and, when +the mid-winter examination came on (which had all along seemed like a +great wall that was insurmountable), they were able to scale it +without much difficulty. + +But you must not think this goal was reached without many mistakes +which were sometimes very disheartening, and sometimes very funny; as +you will think when I tell you for the letter H a tick is sometimes +used; and one girl slanting this tick the wrong way wrote, "Pale, thou +poly king"; and another, who misplaced a vowel, wrote, "I like my live +eel boy." However, these errors only tended to make them more careful, +and when they started the speeding course, it served them a good +purpose. + +At the beginning of this course, they were addressed as "My dear +reader," and told to observe what they were told; then followed some +maxims to be laid to heart, and a little dwarf was introduced whose +name was "Try." This little fellow had a way of making every one try +to do her best, and those who were unable to do very much at first he +encouraged by giving them a helping hand. After a while he left us and +in his place stood a very impudent fellow known by those with whom he +had had dealings as "I Forgot," or "I Didn't Think;" but as soon as we +learned his mission, which you probably have guessed, or perhaps know +from experience, we discharged him and to secure ourselves from his +return, sent the "Careful Dog" after him. Tom's uncle then gave his +opinion on Phonography, but although it had over four hundred words in +it, it did not amount to much as some of the girls got it down in less +than three minutes. + +Soon afterward John Smith received a letter from his brother Timothy +Jenkins (this name was given the latter by mistake by one of the +girls), about some place in New York State where they could spend a +very nice vacation. This place had advantages in the way of fishing +and boating, lawn tennis and all the rest; but one of our number, who +evidently thought more of good solid comfort, wrote that there were +"good furniture and bedding." + +While thinking still of this delightful resort with all its +acquisitions, the strong arm of the law suddenly came down upon us and +holding out a document to our wondering gaze demanded the name of +same. Then was heard a confusion of voices, every one guessing the +wrong thing, until one, who thought of course she knew, cried out +"Oh, it's a divorce case!" It was no such thing, however; it was a +simple complaint, in which the husband and wife were plaintiffs. We +went through the entire pleadings of this case and when finished, took +up another and another until now we are not lawyers, but some are able +to be stenographers for lawyers, and others amanuenses. + + + + +Valedictory + +BY MISS A. NATALIE KIRSCH. + +_Class of '90._ + + +In the life of every person there are two important events, birth and +death; the former marking their advent into a state of action, and the +latter their exit from it. The one is universally a time of joy, the +other a time of sorrow. This is true to such an extent that the time +of birth is popularly designated and commemorated as a day of +feasting, the other as a day of mourning. Solomon, however, does not +agree with us in this; he reverses this order and says, "Better is the +day of one's death than the day of one's birth;" and "It is better to +go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for +the living will lay it to his heart." Whichever view we take of the +matter this day will be one long remembered by all, for it is both the +day of birth and the day of death. + +So with the birth of everything we attempt; its beginning is attended +with a sort of pleasurable excitement and diligence in the pursuit of +the study we have entered upon, which lasts until the novelty begins +to wear off. Then comes the time when we find ourselves falling into a +rut from which, if we do not try hard to keep up our standard, it will +be difficult to extricate ourselves; but, if we summon all our energy +and strive to overcome all impediments and will work hard and adopt +perseverance as our motto, we shall not fail of success in the end. + +Our small army enlisted last October determined to fight against all +the obstacles which might present themselves in our journey toward +success; and after passing through the hardest and most tedious part +of our work,--the mastering of the principles,--we found ourselves +confronted by an examination, which loomed up before us like a lofty +and rugged mountain, which we knew we must ascend if we would get that +broad outlook which we must obtain for the work of the remainder of +the term. + +Having safely passed that, after a week's recreation, we again +assembled freshly armed to conquer the difficulties of the speeding +course. This proved to be the pleasanter part of our work, and, after +having spent five months with our teacher in this way, and having +passed the final examination, you see here to-night all who have been +victorious in the battle. + +We came before our leader total strangers to him and to each other, +and many happy days have we spent since first we saw his face, and +every day has deepened our regard for him for having been so patient +with us. When we have been on the brink of despair, he has consoled us +with the assurance that better times were coming, and that, if we did +not give up but would push ahead and persevere, we would surely +succeed. + +The "unwearied sun" has performed his daily circuit, sometimes +visible, and sometimes hidden by the vapor laden clouds, but right +onward, whether seen or unseen, has he gone, and time, that never +lingers, has rolled on rapidly and in its flight has brought us to +this hour, ere we were aware, and lo! it has already begun to +snap the threads which have held us together for the last eight +months. Our lives have been speeding with the moments into the +never-to-be-forgotten past; but the tie which binds our hearts +in Christian love and fellowship death itself cannot sever. + +The seeds of stenography, which were cast into our minds at the +beginning of our lessons, made their appearance as young and tender +shoots when we arrived at the speeding course, and have not only begun +to blossom, but also to bear fruit, inasmuch as eight of our number +are already holding positions as stenographers and typewriters, and we +hope they will soon arrive at full maturity when we have all become +experienced shorthand writers. These little plants need the tenderest +care and most watchful guidance, for, if neglected ere they are larger +grown, and the weeds of careless habits are not rooted out, they will +be a source of great trouble and annoyance in the acquiring of speed. +How important then that they should be wisely directed! + +We have now arrived at the completion of our course here in the +capacity of learners; but only to enter an enlarged sphere of action +and there employ what we have here been enabled to acquire. Not only +have we been learning stenography but have been benefited in a number +of other ways; each lesson in its turn had some moral to convey and +some new thought to suggest, which, while teaching us some new form of +work, and suggesting new ideas, all tended to elevate our minds. + +To you, dear members of the G. S. M. & T., are we indebted for +enabling us to acquire an honest, well-paying profession, which is +aiding so many young women to improve their condition in life, and +give substantial assistance to those dependent upon them. To our +Instructor are we especially grateful for his thoughtfulness and zeal +in imparting instruction, and the affectionate solicitude which he has +shown for our welfare; nor would we forget the care bestowed upon us +by the Assistant Instructors, who have in many ways supplemented the +instruction which we have received from the Superintendent. + +To you, dear classmates, I give my parting word of farewell. Often +have we met together to study our beloved shorthand, often have the +difficulties seemed great enough to overwhelm us; often have our +sympathies been aroused by the need of help in one way or another, and +now, for the last time, we again assemble at this familiar spot. There +can but arise in our breast thoughts of sadness as we take leave of +each other, for never again can we meet as the Class of '90, but while +we regret that this is our last evening together, we must bear in +mind, that + + "A fleeting hour, a month, a year, + Is all that God permits us here, + That we may learn to prize more high + That heavenly home beyond the sky." + + + + +Introductory Address + +BY OLIVER BARRATT, ESQ. + +_To the Class of '91._ + + +Ladies and gentlemen, I come to welcome you in the name of the young +ladies of the graduating class. The entertainment this evening, owing +to your presence here which is a source of encouragement to them, will +show you what they have learned and what they have been doing during +the past Winter and Spring, and what we have been doing to help them +in the good cause and vocation which they have chosen. Thomas Carlyle +once asked this question: "What can a woman do?" Well, I think if +Thomas Carlyle was alive to-day and could go through the offices of +the merchants and business men and architects and lawyers of this +city, he would be willing to confess that at least one profession had +been taken possession of by woman. If he could go through the lower +part of this city into any of our offices he would look with wonder +to see a young lady employed as a typewriter and stenographer, as they +almost universally are. In political economy the weakest go to the +wall. Well, it is said that they do, but in this case I think they +have gone to the front. To illustrate that I will tell you a little +experience of my own. Some two or three years ago I went into a +gentleman's office on some business, and made a statement to him. He +said, "Stop! I want that taken down." He called a young man sitting at +the desk and said, "Take this statement down." The stenographer was +about six feet tall, built strong proportionately, and he sat down to +take my statement. One of the first things that struck me was that it +was a pretty light business for a man of his size. The next time I +went into that office, the stenographer was again called to take my +statement, but it was a young lady this time, instead of that great +hulking man. I spoke to my friend about it and he said, "I have a +young lady now and I find she does a great deal better than a man. Her +work is more perfect; more satisfactory." In this case the weakest had +gone to the wall! The stronger intellect had forced the weaker to the +wall. + +Now, young ladies, I congratulate you on the success you have +attained in the school in your work, and would like to say a few words +to you with regard to your future career. When you go into the +employment of some merchant, banker or lawyer, recollect one thing, +that you are his confidential clerk,--taken into his confidence,--and +what you hear there and write there must not be carried out of his +door. When you go out, leave it behind you, and you will always be +successful. And now, I congratulate you again upon your success here, +and hope for a bright future for you and hope you will be successful +in the vocation which you have chosen. + + + + +Salutatory Address + +BY MISS EMMA E. REIMHERR. + +_Class of '91._ + + +It affords me much pleasure to greet you this evening, and, on behalf +of my classmates, to extend to all a sincere and hearty welcome. + +No presence is more inspiring than that manifested in the attendance +of friends at such exercises as these. Truly it is a deep source of +gratification to us, for, as we gaze into the many kindly faces before +us, we are conscious that it is unqualified evidence of the loyal +interest taken in our work, and a full appreciation of our past +efforts. + +We welcome you, gentlemen, representatives of the Society of Mechanics +and Tradesmen, for, not only desirous of granting us every opportunity +to acquire a knowledge of stenography, without expense, you go still +further and lend us your presence, which dignifies and adds grace to +this happy occasion. We, in return, express our cordial obligations +for your favors and philanthropy. + +We welcome Mr. Mason, our faithful teacher, and give him heartfelt +thanks for his kindness to us as pupils, and the earnest attention he +has shown in conducting the school work. We can truthfully say that +the success of the class in their studies is due solely to the skill +of his instruction. + +When we entered upon the inception of our task about eight months +ago, contemplation of such a tedious study as stenography had made +us somewhat apprehensive of successful consequences, and when, +subsequently, we beheld so many curious marks, hooks, loops, spirals +and disjointed straights, then, indeed, did alarm seize upon and +almost terrorize us. How could we accomplish such an arduous +undertaking? We pondered the subject long and well, and, as in all +such matters, a solution was arrived at. You will doubtless not be +surprised when I say it was application--yes, application, with hard, +earnest study as a relative concomitant, which solved the problem. +This was the beginning, an auspicious one, you must admit, because, +having unraveled the chief skein of difficulty, it seemed to imbue +us with increased confidence, and study we did, with intense fervor +and earnestness. Thus it continued. Not a careless and desultory +endeavor, but one of energetic determination and indefatigable zeal. +"_Festina Lente_," as the old Romans were wont to say,--"Make haste +slowly,"--was our motto, as little by little we gained in acquisition. +The curious little dots and dashes which at first seemed so strange +and mysterious, soon lost their mystery and ere long a simple +acquaintance with them had ripened into a desirable familiarity. The +same success attended our efforts at the typewriter. The irregular and +heavy sounds which first greeted the ear of the learner, have lost +their harshness, and in their turn, as nimble fingers lightly touch +the enameled keys, the regularity of the merry ticks, broken only by +the gentle ring of the silvery bell, as the cross-bar passes from side +to side, partakes almost of melody. + +Such has been the past, and to-night the conferring of many diplomas +will convince you that our labor has not been in vain. Stenography as +a study is not really difficult. The cardinal requisite is practice. +Leave the rest to time and the result will not be disappointing. Since +those who have studied here this Winter expect to use the knowledge +acquired as a means of subsistence, it is a comforting reflection +that we can thus earn a livelihood in such a satisfactory and +congenial manner, especially when bearing in mind that the majority +of young women, who toil in this great metropolis, are constrained to +pass long and dreary hours at work which is far less lucrative and +much more debilitating and unhealthy. Again, the study of stenography +requires constant and critical attention, thereby strengthening the +mind and doing away with idle day-dreaming. Mental perception is +rendered more acute, as rapid yet steady thinking is continually +demanded. + +So, after all, now that the labors of the term are over, we may indeed +feel satisfied and happy, assured that you are willing to endorse the +satisfaction we feel at this happy outcome. + +And now, thanking you for the considerate attention you have accorded +these words of salutation, we trust that our programme will greatly +please you; that at its conclusion you will be happy to offer +heartiest congratulations to the Class of '91. + + + + +Address of Rev Chas. S. Harrower, D. D. + +_To the Class of '91._ + + +Mr. Chairman, Ladies of the Class of '91 and Friends: I almost feel as +if I were one of the graduates of this institution, I have been here a +number of years now. But one thing that puzzles me is how I should go +to work to report these speeches, and, really, a moment or two ago I +thought the young ladies were engaged in taking down the music. And I +should not be surprised if they after a little while would be able to +take music down stenographically and write it out on the typewriter +and perhaps, by some modification of their skill, evolve it into tune +again. I know that they can talk musically, because we just heard some +beautiful music talked by one of them and I know that she is a +representative of the class. + +So I think that after all the only claim I have to representing this +institution is the fact that I have been honored by being associated +with the officers, and the teachers, and the graduates of this school +a number of seasons in succession, and age is my only claim to honor, +for I cannot write stenographically, although I can make some crooked +marks, but I do not believe that anybody else could read them after +they get cold, because I know I cannot myself. I can some of them, but +I mean I cannot read them all. I feel particularly honored to-night +upon being given a place upon the platform. I believe this is the very +first occasion when the Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen have pushed +out from their own ancient hall into the world to give a larger +welcome to their constantly growing and most admirable and enviable +constituents. I was wondering to-night how many of the young men and +of the young women before me here had enjoyed the facilities of this +institution in the times past. I am sure they would have to take a +hall that would hold six or seven hundred people, who would fill it +full just as this place is filled full, and to-night this is just as +full as our old hall over home has been during the past five or six +years. We should fill anything because if our friends know they can +come and get away alive, they will come, but if they think they are +going to sweat nearly to death, and be crushed to death, possibly +there will a great many of them stay away. + +I want to congratulate these young ladies. There is one matter that +was referred to in the salutatory this evening,--there is one aspect +of your work and of your success to-night that strikes me. Happy is +the institution that puts a class of fifty young ladies year after +year into the position which those young ladies occupy who have +finished their course, and to-night are to receive their diplomas. Oh, +I do not wonder, after what I know about life in New York City, and +life among women and girls, that your doors are crowded every fall and +that you have two, and three, and four times the applicants for the +facilities and opportunities of the school that you can possibly +accommodate. I do not wonder at it. Why I know a woman 36 years of age +with four children whom she is trying to support, and who works eleven +hours a day for six days of the week, and barely makes an average of +sixty cents a day, and on Saturday night gets six times six or +thirty-six,--$3.60 for her week's toil, and she has been at it till +eleven at night, starting soon after six in the morning. Just think of +a story like that. Oh, girls, I will call you girls; young ladies, if +you had rather be called young ladies, I pray you never forget the +sisters and the mothers who are toiling like this. They were just as +bright girls, and just as brave girls when they were girls as you are +now, and yet life has crowded them down, and I do not know how we are +to lift them up, but, by a tremendous concentration of all of our +consciences and all our powers, which shall make a public sentiment, +that shall look into the sweaters' hells as much as it looks into the +factories, and into the stores, and establishments of men who do not +mean to be cruel or more cruel than you are, and I should be, but who, +in the tussle and competition of life, are led to take part in a +system which is sweating and destroying life which is as brave and +worthy as any of theirs. I wish to create a public opinion which shall +make these exigencies of toil impossible in our modern life. You and I +must do something not only to lift ourselves up, but to help some one +else to climb the ladder to better conditions than otherwise they will +be led to, and I congratulate you that you have climbed the ladder and +have climbed to a better height than that. This institution just helps +you all where your future is secure. Do I say too much? Oh! no, +daughters and sisters, mind, this institution has helped you to the +place where your future is secure. Nothing can take the place of toil. +Nothing can take the place of work. The Emperor Severus, when he lay +dying at the foot of the Grampian Hills in the old town of York, a +stranger who had taken him from the field turned to the men about him, +and making a little address emphasized his last words over and over +again, saying, "Laboramus, laboramus, laboramus!" We must work, we +must work, we must work, he said, and what was true of the Emperor of +Rome cannot be untrue of us; is just as true of all. There is nothing +done without work, work, work. But you will work. You mean to work. +You came here because you were determined to work. You have been +working over hours and overtime. You have been overworked some of you, +just to get the facilities which this institution and this blessed +year of grace can give to you, and you will do it. I know you will be +true. It is not for me to repeat what Mr. Barratt said. I know that he +told the truth when he said that one of the essential things is +fidelity to the confidences which come into your position, through the +relation you sustain to your superiors, your employers and your +principals. + +I know that that is true. I know, too, another thing, and that is, +that there will be times when you will feel tired-headed and wish you +could rest. Did you ever read about Charles Lamb? You know what +beautiful things Charles Lamb wrote. Some of you have read the jolly +story of how roast pig was discovered by the young Chinaman. You have +read that, and if you ever want a good laugh some time get the essays +of Elia and turn to the paper on roast pig, and read it, and you will +enjoy it immensely. At last Charles Lamb was released from his duties +in the India office, he went home and wrote a letter and said to his +friend,--he was so excited with the fact that now he was free,--he +said, "For £10,000 I would not labor ten years longer in that old +India office. The best thing anybody can do is nothing, and next to +nothing, perhaps, go to work." And he went out to do nothing. He had +nothing more to do. Two years after that he says, "Any work is a +hundred times better than no work at all. The sun looks down on no +forlorner creature than me with nothing to do." + +Toil is necessary, labor is necessary for our happiness, as well as +our prosperity. But I do not want you to overwork, and I believe you +do wrong when you do. Just for a little while, while you are getting +this knowledge, you must be willing perhaps to overwork; do not +overwork, do not overstrain yourself. You can break your brains as +easily as you can your back, and every now and then you hear of some +young fellow who breaks his back. Don't break your back, and your +neck, and your brain, and don't forget, just for the sake of getting +ahead a little faster and making a little more money. Remember that +your life and happiness are worth more than a few dollars. I say that +because I know that some of you would be tempted to overwork, but I +want to say alongside of it, another thing that I believe you cannot +forget, and that is this, that there is an element in true life and in +true service which dollars do not pay for. There is an element that is +higher and finer which we usually think of when we think of the +faithful performance of our work, the work allotted to us and the +faithful keeping of business secrets that are intrusted to us. There +is something finer than that. It would be supposed that the men of the +learned profession were the men who work for something beside money. +The doctor must respond to a call no matter whether it comes from the +poorest home, or the richest home. There is something in the +professional relation to society that lifts a man up to a point where +he dare not work simply for money. The minister must go, and it makes +no difference where the call comes from or what time of the night or +day a call comes, and he goes without asking anything about what is to +return to him. The lawyer will stand up in court and take a case and +plead for it, when there is not a single shilling to come into his +hands, because the task is assigned to him. He is a servant of +civilized society. So is the medicine man. And it used to be supposed +that only professional men were the servants of society, in this high +sense that takes them out from a mere consideration of gain. That used +to be supposed. But they will not be able to monopolize this high +idea. The doctors, and lawyers, and ministers in that respect are just +like the rest of you. There is a point for which money cannot be paid +you, nor the lack of money release you, it is the putting of your +heart into your work, the putting of your interest into your work, the +putting of your words into your work, and doing your work not simply +as long as men's eyes are on you, but doing your work faithfully, to +the best of your ability, as long as you receive a man's money and as +long as you hold relations of obligation to him. There is that which +money does not pay for. There is that element of the highest +profession in all services, whether it be a woman with the needle or a +typewriter, or whether it be the stenographer, or whether it be the +mechanic in the house,--if he does his work as he ought to do it he +will put something into it that he does not expect to be paid for. He +will put something into it for which he is to be paid in the improved +condition of life and the benefit that he has done to humanity. +Humanity is to pay him, and not his employer, not in gold but in +goodness, in virtue, in worthy services, he is to get his pay. Put +your heart into your work. Join the learned professions, if you +please, by being not only true and faithful but by being hearty and +conscientious and faithful at every point in your business life. + +And now I have said all that I ought to say but I cannot avoid saying +that one word more. You remember when Sir Walter Scott lay dying, he +called his son-in-law to his bedside and said, "I may not have a +minute or two in which to speak to you my dear, be virtuous, be +religious, be a good man. Nothing else will be any comfort to you when +you are lying where I am lying now." + +Be virtuous, be religious. Be good women always and bless your +associates. Be faithful in your accomplishments. Be useful in your +services. Be proud of every achievement that you can make, but above +all fear God and in this way live close to the Christ himself who +lived not for what should come to Him, but for the blessing which +should come to the worthy. + + + + +A Class History + +BY MISS NELLIE J. BELL. + +_Class of '91._ + + +From the time of the creation to the present day, everything that has +ever existed has had a history. Every leaf and tree and blooming +flower, each have theirs; that sky-lark soaring high in the sunny blue +sky has a history, and, as it pours forth a sweet melody, how the air +vibrates with the gladsome song! Even that tiny spray of hare-bells +clinging tenaciously to a cleft in the rugged rocks, over which the +foaming mountain torrent leaps and dashes, has its own little history. +So has the torrent itself. It began away back among the snow-capped +hills, and at first was only a tiny stream, but, joined by other +courses, and swollen with the melting snows and spring rains, it has +become a foaming, dashing mountain stream, plunging headlong over +rocks and forming many a pretty cascade and sparkling waterfall. Now +it runs deeply and swiftly through some dark cañon, and now, emerging +into broad sunlight, and flowing peacefully through green meadows, it +gives refreshment to the ferns and rushes along its banks, and to many +a little songster. So it flows on and on until it reaches the friendly +arms of the sea, outstretched to receive it. + +The Class of '91 is no exception to the general rule which governs all +Nature. The history of this class began last October; it is thus just +eight months old. Its diet up to the present time has consisted +chiefly of Phonographic outlines, well seasoned and flavored with +vowels and grammalogues, and served á la Pitman. And, in the words of +Abraham Lincoln, we say, "For those who like that kind of diet, why +it's just the kind of diet they like." + +From the time of the commencement of the class, we have been climbing, +climbing, up the steep and rugged paths of Phonography. We began our +ascent from the base, and while traveling up the foot-hills, our guide +explained to us something of the nature of the ascent, and brought us +into contact with some very amusing incidents. + +The road for the most part was straight, but as we progressed we found +ourselves following our guide around curves, and sometimes even around +and around in circles. At first we looked about us a good deal, +thought it would not be so very hard climbing after all, and so +gradually accustomed ourselves to it. We found that we could +accomplish more and more each day, and the higher we climbed the more +invigorating grew the air. + +One day we had been toiling up a long steep hill which some one +suggested was like the Hill Difficulty. We struggled up its steep +sides, weary and travel-stained, discouraged, but not ready to give +up, and at each step plunging in our mountain canes, which were black, +sharpened at both ends, and labeled "Faber No. 2." Soon we heard a +cheery halloa, and looking up saw a tiny little man standing at the +top of a hill. "That's Mr. Try," said our guide, "he is one of the +best people in this mountain. If any one is in trouble, wearied, +discouraged, and just about to give up, then is the time you may +depend on Try. He comes with words of consolation, and with his bright +cheery talk so convinces his poor broken down fellow-beings of future +success, that they get up and begin to depend on 'Try again.'" + +Soon we began to notice signs on the trees along our road. One was, +"Wash tubs and window-sash, vinegar, putty, pails and glass." Another, +"Two boys to let for the Summer." This was interesting, and we +hurried along in hopes of seeing the author of these strange signs, +for our guide told us he was the queerest man in that section of the +country. Soon we came to his house and found it fairly bristling with +signs. Curiosity overcame us and we stopped in and asked for a drink +of water. The object of our curiosity was leaning his elbow on the +mantel. He had long hair and was greatly stooped. We found his wife +very talkative, and when she found out who we were, began to tell us +about the Deed of their Property. "When we were married," she began in +a high nasal voice, "Chauncy's father gave him a clear title to this +place; and after Chauncy's death it is to go back to the old homestead +again." Then she took us through his work-shop where he manufactured +the articles displayed on his signs. + +Next we came across another dwarf, just the opposite of Try, our guide +said. He was always up to some sort of mischief, and his greatest +delight was to get other people into trouble. The country people had +long wished to be rid of him but he had a long lease of his house and +he meant to stay there. He was a homely little elf, with bright red +hair, a slight squint in one eye and a wart on his nose. If a lesson +had not been prepared, this fellow, who was called "I Forgot," was +sure to be on hand in time to whisper into the ear of the culprit, +"Say 'I Didn't Think' or 'I Forgot,'" and the minute she opened her +mouth, out it would come and then the wicked elf would "fold his tent +like the Arabs and silently steal away" to parts unknown, with a +fiendish grin on his ugly little face leaving his dejected victim to +receive a well-merited rebuke for carelessness. This dwarf followed us +for many days, but heeding the repeated warnings of our guide, most of +us at length learned to distrust him and turn a deaf ear to his +excuses. Thus we struggled on and on up the steep sides of the +mountain, and at the close of each day, we realized that, "Something +attempted, something done, had gained a night's repose," for us, +although we didn't always get it. + +And now we were nearing the end of our journey, our hopes ran high and +we kept our eyes upward toward the summit. The obstacles which had +continually beset our path had been overcome, and we could say like +the Irishman, who, on capturing three prisoners in the late war, was +asked how he secured them: "Indade, sir," replied he with a knowing +wink, "it's meself that surrounded them, sir." + +At last we reach our destination in time to just view the sunrise. The +grass is green, the flowers are all in bloom, Spring is here. The +faint gray streaks of the dawn are in the sky and soon the whole East +is suffused with a roseate flush. There is a hush of expectancy in the +air, the breeze is soft, the birds are twittering drowsily in the +tree-tops, and then in a flood of golden splendor "the morning sun +comes peeping over the hills." Instantly all nature is alive, the +birds pour forth their sweet melodies, the drowsy hum of the bees +floats lazily on the air; there is a pleasant rustling among the tall +swaying pines. Dew-drops glisten on the grass, the flowers nod gayly +in the morning breeze, and we feel like singing: + + "When the sun all gloriously comes forth from the ocean, + Making earth beautiful, chasing shadows away, + Thus do we offer Thee our prayers and devotions, + God of the fatherless, guide us, guard us, to-day." + +The new day has begun, and we have witnessed one of the finest views +in Nature's kaleidoscope; for what could be more beautiful than the +dawn! So are our lives just at this time. The air is full of hope and +promise; so are we. We are just in the Springtime of our lives; our +hopes, our aims, our aspirations are all as fresh and unsullied as +the morn itself. + +Now, in the dewy freshness of the early morning, we see that we are on +a broad table-land, and not on the summit of the mountain as we had +fondly hoped. We notice paths running in all directions,--some go +straight to the top of the mountain, others stop at different places +along the route. Only the future can decide which path each shall +take. We have a grand field of labor before us, in this hill of +knowledge which we have been traversing for the past eight months. +There are still rich and undiscovered resources of knowledge, which, +brought to the light, would make the art a perfect one and us perfect +in it. Now it is time for us to separate. Some of the more ambitious +of us will, by dint of hard and unremitting labor, reach the pinnacle +of our hopes. + +Others, less ambitious, will be content to spend their days in the +peaceful valleys of quiet usefulness. But, before we separate, let us +each resolve that we will never, by act or word, do anything which +might reflect discredit on this Association, to the members of which +we owe a debt of gratitude which we can never hope to repay except by +doing our very best, and so bring honor upon those who have done so +much for us and upon the Institution which they uphold. + +The Class of '91 is now like the waves of the sea: + + On the bosom of the ocean, + Dance the wavelet's glittering band; + With a slow and fairy motion + Moving onward towards the land; + But that reached, they burst and sever, + Bound no more by beauty's spell, + Thus, we who have toiled together, + The goal reached, must breathe farewell. + +Here endeth the simple annals of the Class of '91. + + + + +Class Poem + +BY MISS MARION C. BURNS. + +_Class of '91._ + + + We extend a hearty welcome + To you all, both old and young, + Who have come to aid in sending off + The Class of '91. + + We beg you will be generous + In judging us to-night, + See not the faults nor blunders, + But keep the good in sight. + + This class you see united here, + To-night will have to sever, + But where to go, Ah! who can tell? + And shall it be forever? + + Here, many a pleasant hour we've spent, + But now we soon must part, + And yet the lessons taught us here + Shall dwell deep in each heart. + + In after years we'll fondly think + Of pleasant times gone by, + And when we're treading other paths, + The memory'll dim each eye. + + Our teachers we have sorely tried + As any one might see; + At last they've succeeded in teaching us, + Typewriting and Stenography. + + Oh, thanks to you, our faithful friends, + For what you both have done, + For firm, but kind you've always been, + And patient with every one. + + These gentlemen deserve our thanks, + For their goodness to us here, + Your kindness we shall not forget, + For many and many a year. + + May fortune on you ever smile, + And blessings on you flow, + This, this shall be our prayer for you, + Wherever you may go. + + For many truly grateful hearts, + You surely here may find, + Who fully all your gifts esteem + To elevate the mind. + + Now, with best wishes to you all, + On parting we'll not dwell, + But to our teachers, classmates, friends + We'll say, farewell, farewell. + + + + +Address of Mr. Henry Moore + +_To the Class of '91._ + +IN BEHALF OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE. + + +Of course, it is not expected that the representatives of the School +Committee will have very much to say. You have listened very +attentively to all that has been already said, and I think that the +ground has been still further covered in what has already been said. +It may not be known to all present that this Society, merging +community of interest at the time when the camp fires of the +Revolution had just burned out, associated themselves together for +mutual protection and for one another's general good. It was to +relieve the unfortunate, the widow and the orphan that brought +together the great mechanic minds of the past, and all a-down the past +century we can find that they have always been ready, always been +anxious, always been willing to lend the hand of kindness and +attention to those whom they found in need, to assist, to protect and +to care for. Robinson, in one of his poems, has said, "Who will break +the bread of sorrow? Who will give the cup of sympathy? Who breathe of +sympathy to those who are suffering, and relieve with the cup of +sympathy the sorrowing ones of earth?" I do not think I have quoted +that exactly, but it has been the motto of this Society ever to +protect those who needed their protection; to care for those who +needed their care and their bounty, and to-night we find the result of +this care and protection, in the graduates of the Class of '90-'91. I +leave this matter with you for reflection. We all know and realize +what it is to be a member of the General Society of Mechanics and +Tradesmen, and I, for one, am thankful to be able to say to you in +hearty welcome and in hearty greeting that the evidences are now +before you of the well-being, and the comfort, and the joy, and the +happiness of the graduates of the Class of '90-'91. + + + + +Valedictory + +BY MISS HILDA BUSICK. + +_Class of '91._ + + + [A]Das ist im Leben haslich eingerichtet, + Das Bei den Rosen gleich die Dornen stehn; + Und was das arme Herz auch sehnt und dichtet, + Zum Schlusse kommt das Voneinandergehen. + +[Footnote A: + 'Tis said, alas, that life must have its sorrows, + That with the roses cruel thorns should grow; + And though we fondly dream of love's to-morrows, + Must every heart the grief of parting know.] + +The words of the poet are but too true. What rose does not hold up its +pretty, fragrant head, feigning unconsciousness of the thorns hidden +beneath its bright, green leaves? And just so life's joys are with its +sorrows associated. There never was a _perfectly_ happy day, unclouded +as the skies of June, for every pleasure, inasmuch as it must end, +carries with it some sadness--every meeting, the pain of parting. + +So to-night the joyous echo of "welcome" is still to be heard, +the fragrance of its roses is yet perceptible, when the solemn +"_Farewell_" rings upon our ears and its thorns pierce our hearts. + +Ruskin says, "It is a type of eternal truth that the soul's armor is +never well set to the heart, unless a woman's hand has braced it, +and it is only when she braces it loosely that the honor of manhood +fails." If then, the honor of the world is dependent upon woman, if +she is to be responsible for all war and all peace, happiness or +discontent, it behooves us to consider the greatness, amounting to +almost awe, of the duty imposed upon us. Our task may, perhaps, be +a difficult one, but not if we seize it with an unyielding grasp, +and fight it to the bitter end--"to the last syllable of recorded +time"--if need be. + +Our circle of usefulness is constantly widening. The doors of +colleges, and thus those of every profession, have opened to admit us +within their sacred precincts. In all parts of the world our sisters +are successful as musicians, painters, sculptors--Harriet Hosmer, for +example--physicians, professors, stenographers. Many of them are now +on the highest rounds of the ladders from which their lack of superior +education formerly excluded them. This is especially true of +stenography. Yet some one has recently written, that, owing to their +superior tact in arrangement, their neatness, their unobtrusiveness, +their faithfulness, and numerous other excellent qualities, the +demand for women in this capacity is steadily increasing. We find them +filling lucrative positions in banking, commercial and publishing +houses; in brokers' and insurance offices, in law firms, in fact, in +every place where the haste of this nineteenth century requires a +stenographer's speed. Indeed, they have made for themselves, in the +use of the "wingéd words," a name which it is our duty to assist in +more firmly establishing. + +In behalf of my classmates, as well as for myself, I wish to thank our +Instructor most cordially for his thorough teaching; for the interest +he awakened in us toward this intricate art, without which we would +have long since been compelled to cry "Vanquished;" for his timely +assistance over the sharp pointed stones and by the brier bushes in +the darkened forest, and for his patience which our forgetfulness so +sorely tried. And, though our words of gratitude may be weak, the +feeling is deep-rooted in our hearts, and through the years to come we +shall carry with us many pleasant memories of the hours spent with +him, and never fail to appreciate his more than kindness. + +The neat typewritten exercises, letters and legal documents, which +the members of the typewriting class have at different times shown us, +are an earnest of the work done in that department, and we can have no +doubt that his pupils feel grateful to their teacher. + +The School Committee, indeed all the members of the G. S. M. & T., +have our heartiest thanks for their kindness in enabling so many to +gain a profession, and for the interest they have always manifested in +our welfare. + +One word of "Farewell" to my classmates: During the past Winter, while +studying together, many of us have formed strong friendships, which we +hope shall never decay, or have bound more closely those who were +friends before. Several of the more fortunate have already obtained +positions, making profitable use of the treasures received from our +Instructor. But the others need not despair, for if we are faithful +and determined we shall in due time receive our call, and "In quiet +and in confidence shall be our strength," perfection shall be our aim, +and when we have reached the goal, may it be said of us, as Antony +said of Brutus: + + "Nature might stand up and say to all the world, + 'This was a man.'" + +In our journey through life, when doubts fall thick and fast around +us, and the lowering sky seems just above our heads, surely these +beautiful words of Goethe will fill us with encouragement: + + "Wouldst thou win desires unbounded? + Yonder see the glory burn, + Lightly is our life surrounded, + Sleep's a shell to scorn and spurn, + When the crowd sways unbelieving, + Slow the daring will that warns, + He is crowned with all achieving + Who perceives and then performs." + + + + +CLASS NIGHT EXERCISES + +A Prophecy of the Class of '91. + +BY MISS HILDA BUSICK. + + +Know All Men By These Presents, that I, having departed this life, +have received permission from Pluto, King of the Shades, to return to +this world and make known to you, less fortunate mortals, your +destiny. While lounging idly on the banks of the "River of Oblivion," +the sovereign of that sunless region permitted me to read in his "Book +of Life." Listlessly turning over the pages I saw a name in bold +characters: "W. L. Mason, City, County and State of New York." Then +the pages began to turn of their own accord and the names of my former +friends and acquaintances, _inter alia_, presented themselves in rapid +succession. + +Mary A. Moore and her husband; John Williamson; our well-known +pugilistic friend, John L. Sullivan; a "hen-pecked" Bostonian, and +others. + +As I read a dim mist seemed to come from the river, causing the words +to fade; bona fide pictures arose in their stead. + +_First._ In the famous city of Kroy Wen, stood a large pagoda, on +which was emblazoned the startling legend: "College of Stenography, W. +L. Mason, President." At this hour the college doors were open and +within could be seen the bulletin of the staff; it was, the President, +the right honorable W. L. Mason, D. D., assisted by his able corps of +instructors, the professors Massie and Shaughnessy, the latter by +their punctuality and the sweet temper of the former, being of the +utmost assistance to him. Et signiture was the course. + + First Term. Lecture on the Principles of Shorthand, together + with practical lessons in disorder, untidiness, negligence, + forgetfulness and carelessness, all thoroughly taught in + three months more or less. + + Second Term. Practice in misapplying all that you have + learned, with a view to writing as illegibly and slowly as + possible. + + Third Term. Literature, the reading of Mother Goose Rhymes in + shorthand, and the writing of dime novels for the literature + of the 20th century. + +The Right Honorable President, as hereinbefore mentioned, is old and +decrepit, unable to keep order in his classes, and therefore always +carries with him a jumping rope, the handles of which he uses on the +knuckles of his unruly pupils, while the rope itself brings to him +recollections of his youthful days when it was used for the legitimate +purpose for which it was manufactured. + +_Second._ Now the panorama changes and shows a lady of medium height, +fair, slight and happy. She walks through one of the crowded streets +of Kroy Wen, handing to the passers by circulars which read as +follows: + + "To the People of the City of Kroy Wen, + + "GREETING: + + "I beg to notify the public that the first issue of my new + paper,--Wit,--will be ready in two weeks and I hereby + guarantee to the said public that it will afford amusement, + entertainment and instruction, with a special column devoted + to Phonography. + + "In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, + the day and year last above written. + + Signed, "C. CELLPUR." + +_Third._ A revolution had evidently taken place in England; the +people were clamoring for Constitutional Government. Discussions were +loud and prolonged in the "House of Lords." In the latter, on one of +the front benches, sat the stenographer who had been admonished on +her life to write the turbulent speeches verbatim. She was our dear +friend, Miss Rhythm. + +_Fourth._ An imposing publishing house in the city of Not Sob, +which city is noted for its cultured inhabitants. Small boys were +placing on the doors and windows of said publishing house, the same +to remain thereon without hindrance or molestation, large notices +which bore this inscription: "Our most recent publication is a book +written by Miss N. Murphie. It is important as a work of art and is an +authority on all topics of etiquette, especially as regards language. +The cultured inhabitants of Not Sob cannot afford to lose this +opportunity of making themselves more familiar with those refinements +of speech which have long marked them as the most cultured people in +the land." + +Then I saw what seemed to be an illegal document purporting to be a +marriage settlement, in which Mrs. Ocean is wisely having her property +settled upon herself, mindful of the time when she learned that +"What's hers is his, and what's his isn't hers." + +_Fifth._ A convention of the Woman's Rights Association. The hall is +crowded. Several determined looking women who have already addressed +the meeting are on the platform. The audience is breathlessly awaiting +the appearance of what Edward Everett Hale calls "A Hen's Right Hen." +She is at length presented, her remarks are interspersed with legal +terms; evidently some part of the training has been at the F. S. & T. +C. of the G. S. M. & T. Her talk is upon the uselessness of the male +sex and the applause is loud and enthusiastic. Her face and manner are +very familiar, and looking at the programme I see that the initials of +her name spell H. E. M. P. + +_Sixth._ A copy of the "Post and Lightning;" it is yellow with age. It +had probably been handed down from generation to generation as a +precious heirloom. The column containing the marriage notices is +folded outward, and one marked with blue pencil reads: + +"Wolf--Lamb. Mr. F. Wolf to Miss M. Lamb, both of the State of Kroy +Wen, May 25th, 912, at the home of the bride." + +"The Wolf had devoured the Lamb." + + + + +Verses + + READ BY MISS CARRIE R. PURCELL, UPON AWARDING + PRIZES TO THE MEMBERS OF HER SECTION, + TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE 2ND, '91. + + + I beg of you all just a little time + In which to attend to this dear class of mine. + Dear Tuesday night girls you should all have a prize, + And it makes me feel sad, and tears dim my eyes + When I think that for most of you I have no prize. + + But a dear little "tot" in this class doth belong + Whose euphonious cognomen is Margaret Armstrong, + If she will come forward, I gladly will give + A prize she can cherish as long as she'll live. + + And here is another for Nellie J. Bell, + Whose sweet resonant tones you all know so well; + Come hither, dear Nellie, a friend greets you now, + Here, take this _small_ package and make a large bow, + While I tell your dear classmates, with smiles all serene, + That soon you will rival the renowned Lawyer Green. + + Ah! here is another, it seems to be round, + I wonder for which of the class it is bound. + It may be intended for some gentle "myth" + But no, my dear friends, it is meant for Miss Smith, + Who'll take the world easy wherever she is,-- + Will she take it this evening and smile as she does? + + Here's something else before we pass on + For our dear kind teacher, Mr. W. L. Mason, + For oft have I seen the briny tear start + To his bright kindly eyes, while my classmates so smart + Were kept _waiting_, while I tried to write like the chart. + + + + +Address + + OF MISS ELLEN M. PHILLIPS, UPON AWARDING + PRIZES TO THE MEMBERS OF HER SECTION, + TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE, 2ND, '91. + + +In these days of model schools it is difficult to find an innovation +or to advance a theory of improvement which has not already been made; +but it seems to me there is one crying grievance from which all +schools suffer, and which I should like to do my little mite to +redress. My ideal of a school-master is the one in the opera of "Billy +Taylor." His creed is summed up in the quatrain. + + "When a pedagogue, I'd often wish, + I'd give prizes to the _worst_ boys at school. + The good boys I would like to swish, + But alas! I would not break the rule." + +Since the pleasant duty of awarding prizes has fallen to my lot, I am +determined to award them according to my theory, and lest my reasons +for bestowing them may not be perfectly clear to all, and the system +of reasoning by which my results are attained appear somewhat +illogical, I will endeavor to explain my reasons. + +What, for instance, can be more absurd than the usual way in which the +prize is chosen for the individual obtaining the highest per cent. in +an examination? What, forsooth, is awarded but a collection of +books!!! Yes! To the very person who is supposed to know all that +books contain! It would be much more logical to my thinking to give +the aforesaid set of books to a poor plucked student who would be so +glad to avail himself of a little of their weighty contents. + +For, and in consideration of the aforesaid reason, and for other +valuable consideration, I hereby assign, transfer and set over unto +you, my dear Miss Reidy, this little volume. It may seem small, but +believe me therein is comprised a respectable proportion of human +knowledge. It will be your consolation in time of need. In it you will +find every thing a mortal mind may desire. Do you desire wealth? You +will find it described on all that certain lot, piece or parcel of +column 2, situate, lying and being on page 303. Or perhaps happiness +is your aim? That you will find near the southeast corner of page +133, the same being therein described as the State of Enjoyment. + +In short, you will have no wish unfulfilled. Go, _read ye_ and be +wise, and however friends may forsake you, be sure this faithful Dict. +will never fail you. + +Another striking injustice in the bestowal of prizes is the fact the +teachers get none of them, and who, pray, is more entitled to them? Is +it not the teacher who has crammed and coached the unfortunate +students to the saturation point? Now, in my model school, no such +injustice shall be done, but, what to offer? There's the question. Of +course a teacher's mind is a compendium of all human knowledge, +therefore books would be out of place. So, Mr. Mason, to you I offer +no gaudy volume, but only this little machine, adapted for physical +culture. It is warranted to exercise every one of the blank muscles of +the human body at once; besides cultivating the artistic taste. Note +the graceful curve it describes in the air! Note the harmony of color +in the handles! Take it, dear teacher, to have, to possess, and to +enjoy the same unto yourself, your heirs, executors, administrators, +and assigns forever. + +Another striking incongruity is the fact that the best student is +generally a pale, slender girl, or one on which the ravages of disease +have set their mark. To this delicate creature is given a prize of +books which will still further tax her powers. Now, would it not be +wiser to minister to the body diseased and award a prize of this +nature. Will Miss Hilda Busick step this way? Permit me to ask you one +question. _Be you sick?_ That is all I wish to know. _Be you sick?_ If +that be so, dear friend, take this in time. It is warranted to cure +every ill under the sun, and taken internally or externally makes no +difference. Take it, and bless your fortunate star which brought this +to your lot rather than a pile of dusty volumes. + +For you, dear Miss Clancy, I was at a loss, but knowing that your +future career will be a busy one, I thought this little engagement +slate might be handy. You see you can hang it up in your office when +you are called away to take down a sermon of Phillips Brooks, or to +report the World's Fair of '92, and the horde of stenographer-hunters +may subscribe their names here and their humble supplication that you +will attend to them on their return. The other side of the slate may +be used in casting up bills. + +I quite agree with Miss Sharp that patriotic sentiments ought to be +inculcated, and for this reason I have chosen this little flag of our +country which I beg she will accept; accompanying it is a little +bundle of fire-crackers dear to every patriotic heart. The best way to +appreciate them is to tie them together with their fuming little +projecting frizzles, set fire to the last one and throw them on the +street; the result will astonish you, I am sure. + +And now, my dear friends, you have seen the merits of my system, but +it is with pain that I point out its only defect. I give prizes to the +worst ones at school, the only trouble is there are so few "worst" +that the list of prize-winners is naturally small. But I hope you will +acknowledge that its defect is amply compensated for by its other +excellencies. + + + + +A Tale of Woe + +BY MISS CARRIE R. PURCELL. + +(_Read on Class Night, Tuesday, June 2, 1891._) + + + Listen my friends, and you shall hear + A _dreadful_ poem which I have here. + 'Tis about the class of '91, + And a harrowing tale when once begun. + A tale that will make you all shiver and shake; + The thought of it now is making me quake. + + 'Tis a tale of struggle and grief and woe, + Of the girls who wrote fast, and the girls who wrote slow, + Of girls who came early, of girls who came late, + Of those who had plenty, others, none to dictate. + Of the girls who held pencils as if they were pills, + Of others, who held them as if they had chills. + Of the dear darling girls who did everything (write) right, + Of other unfortunates weeping all night, + Oh! indeed, my dear friends, 'twas a terrible sight. + + Of a dear kindly teacher who came every night, + And who stayed long after the electric light, + Of the class in a circle the teacher around, + While he watched every outline, and heard every sound. + And the five minutes recess to catch the fresh air. + Of return to the circle and "catching" it there; + Of the girls who can stand up and read as they'd write. + Of others who couldn't if they stood up all night; + Ah! yes indeed, 'twas a pitiful plight. + + Of Complaints and of Answers, of Leases and Deeds; + Of all kinds of letters for business men's needs; + Of good sound advice as we all neared the end, + From our dear kind Instructor, who is "also our friend." + Of that dread Monday eve which had long been expected; + Of the papers accepted, and the papers rejected. + Of this beautiful calm which has followed that night; + And I'm sure that my teachers and classmates unite + In thanking Class '90 for this pleasant sight. + + + + +Verses Read on Class Night + +BY MISS NELLIE J. BELL. + +_June 2, 1891._ + + + Hail! To our friends, both one and all, + Hail! To our neighbors, great and small, + Hail! To the sweet June air and sun, + Hail! To the Class of '91. + + For the past eight months we've been working, + Working with might and main, + To get Phonographic outlines + Fixed firmly in our brains. + + But now our work is ended, + Our Winter's work is done; + Then hip hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, + For the Class of '91! + + And we smile as we think of the hours + That we thought so fraught with pain; + They have gone like the fleeting shadows, + N'er to return again. + + And now we can sit in our cosy homes, + And watch the drizzling rain; + It used to be, "Put up your umbrella + And don't you miss the train." + + I was seated one night, with book and pen, + The midnight oil burned low; + While on the table spread before me lay, + A legal doc. with verbiage slow. + + When all at once on the still night air, + Rang a terrible shriek, so wild and shrill, + It curdled the warm blood in my veins, + And made my very heart stand still. + + I rushed to the casement, and open it flew + The pale moon shone in the azure sky, + And like costly gems, 'neath a cloud of lace, + Gleamed the stars in the Milky Way. + + And I looked and shuddered, + For what did I see, + But Thomas and Maria a lookin' at me, + Their voices were pitched in the high key of C. + + Classmates, now step to the front, + And make your bow to the business world, + We are ready to work for honest hire, + With our banners all unfurled. + + And now in conclusion we bid you adieu + And make room for the Class of '92. + + Now give three cheers, and three times three + For this glorious G. S. M. & T. + God's blessing be on it forever, we say, + May it know naught but prosperous days. + + + + +Address to the Graduating Class + +_On Examination Night._ + +BY W. L. MASON, INSTRUCTOR. + + +MY DEAR PUPILS: + +This is the last night of our course, and since we have studied our +final lesson together, it has occurred to me that this would be a good +opportunity for a little talk with you, as you are about to leave this +school and go out into the world. First of all, I want to tell you, as +I have many times told you before, how very much I have enjoyed my +work in connection with this class during the past Winter. There is a +certain satisfaction in feeling that I have been able to help you to +learn something, and this feeling is increased by remembering that I, +too, have been learning, and that my knowledge of the art of shorthand +has been enlarged by teaching it to you. You, on the other hand, must +keep in mind the fact that you have not learned all there is to be +learned about Phonography. Though you may live many years, and +practice Phonography all your life, you probably never will feel that +you have a perfect knowledge of all the details of the art. This, +however, need not discourage you, but, on the contrary, should fill +you with pleasure to think there is something yet to be learned, and +thus the fascination which the study of Phonography has had for you +during the past few months, can never diminish so long as you have a +desire to advance more and more towards perfection. It is not to be +expected that you will for any length of time remember everything that +I have ever said to you with regard to the advantages of shorthand or +its practical use; but of one thing I feel very sure, and that is that +whatever I have said that is worth anything will at some future time +recur to you when you need it most, and when it will probably be +better understood than it is now. + +There is one fact that I wish very strongly to impress upon you, +namely, that you have, by your diligent study of the past Winter, +gained something which is of priceless value to you, and, if used +aright, something which must some day, sooner or later, prove of +particular advantage. This practical knowledge of shorthand which you +now possess is something which cannot be bought or sold; it is +something which you can never wholly forget; it is something which +many persons would give a great deal to obtain; and I therefore charge +you to guard it with care, and treasure it as a talent for the right +use of which you will some day be held accountable. Do not by any +means give up your practice. Even if you cannot continue it regularly, +do not abandon it altogether, but look upon your shorthand as a mine +of intellectual wealth which, if rightly worked, will yield rich +results. + +And now, one word more: be diligent, be persevering, be true to +whatever trust is reposed in you; and, if you seek a reward outside of +the natural satisfaction that will come from work well done, remember +the word of One who said, "Thou hast been faithful over a few things, +I will make thee ruler over many things." + +With hearty congratulations upon your success, and with the most +cordial wishes for your future prosperity, I bid you God-speed. + + + + +TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: + +Minor changes have been made to correct typesetters' errors; +otherwise, every effort has been made to remain true to the authors' +words and intent. "[=a]" indicates an a-macron. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Silver Links, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SILVER LINKS *** + +***** This file should be named 31618-8.txt or 31618-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/1/6/1/31618/ + +Produced by D Alexander, Juliet Sutherland and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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L. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Silver Links + +Author: Various + +Release Date: March 13, 2010 [EBook #31618] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SILVER LINKS *** + + + + +Produced by D Alexander, Juliet Sutherland and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<p class="gap"> </p> + +<h1>SILVER LINKS</h1> + +<p class="center">A COLLECTION OF SALUTATORY, VALEDICTORY AND<br /> +OTHER ADDRESSES DELIVERED AT THE FIRST<br /> +FIVE COMMENCEMENTS OF THE FEMALE<br /> +STENOGRAPHIC AND TYPEWRITING<br /> +CLASS OF THE GENERAL SOCIETY<br /> +OF MECHANICS AND<br /> +TRADESMEN<br /> +<small>OF THE</small><br /> +CITY OF NEW YORK</p> + +<p class="gap"> </p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<h3>COMPILED BY</h3> +<h2>W. L. MASON</h2> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p class="gap"> </p> + +<h3>NEW YORK<br /> +ALBERT B. KING, 89 WILLIAM STREET<br /> +1892</h3> + +<hr class="large" /> + +<h4><span style="font-weight: normal;">TO</span></h4> +<h2><span style="font-weight: normal;">MR. ISAAC PITMAN</span></h2> +<h4><span style="font-weight: normal;">THE “FATHER OF PHONOGRAPHY”</span></h4> +<h3><span style="font-weight: normal;">THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS MOST RESPECTFULLY<br /> +INSCRIBED</span></h3> +<h4><span style="font-weight: normal;">BY</span></h4> +<h3><span style="font-weight: normal;">THE COMPILER</span></h3> + +<hr class="large" /> +<h2><a name="Introductory_Note" id="Introductory_Note"></a>Introductory Note.</h2> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>It is always beautiful to see the young confront the uncertainties of +the future, and look forward with faith to happiness and success. I am +proud of young women who are willing to devote their evenings, when +they must toil for a livelihood through the day, to a course of study +which will secure to them the knowledge of a mechanical art. This +knowledge becomes a treasure which no disaster of fire or flood can +ever destroy, and a source of comfortable income through life. It +makes dependent young women independent, and I congratulate every one +who graduates from this excellent school of instruction with her +well-earned diploma, which is more valuable to her than any legacy of +gold or precious stones.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 200px;"> +<img src="images/illus005.jpg" width="200" height="33" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<p>New York City, April 16, 1892.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Address_of_Rev_C_S_Harrower_D_D" id="Address_of_Rev_C_S_Harrower_D_D"></a>Address of Rev. C. S. Harrower, D. D.</h2> + +<h3><i>To the Class of ’87.</i></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>“Ladies of the graduating class,—Ladies and Gentlemen: It seems as if +words were hardly in place to-night, because of the interesting +programme which is before you. I suppose we have no conception of the +exercises prepared for us this evening. I never knew of this +Institution until Mr. Moore told me of it, and I am particularly glad +to be here.</p> + +<p>“I have often remarked that our New York life is like the life of one +of our great rivers,—the Hudson. Did you ever live upon its banks and +look away upon its stretch of water to the south or to the north; +count its sails, and its tugs, and its fleets of canal boats and all +its life,—for half an hour fascinated by the beautiful scene; and +then go away to your work, or to your pleasure, for a few hours, and +return and look upon that great stretch of river and see that other +sails had taken the place of those first sails, and other vessels were +coming into view, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>indicating the marvelous life of that mighty +stream? I did that, year after year, and it seems to me that the +General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen is like the mighty river +Hudson, doing its work day after day and year after year,—a work that +seems to me to be so useful and inspiring.</p> + +<p>“The gentlemen interested in this Society are to be congratulated. It +seems to me that such an Institution as this is among the most +beautiful, among the most stimulating of all institutions that mark +our civilization.”</p> + +<p>Dr. Harrower then spoke of the serious consequences which often follow +the carelessness of a lawyer, the blunder of a switchman, the neglect +of a servant, or the indolence of a physician, and, in contrast, dwelt +upon the beneficent results attained by close attention to duty, +explaining also how great good arises from even very trifling acts. He +also remarked how strange it is that some people have every chance of +getting on in this world, while others are “mortgaged to begin with,” +and hampered and chained through life.</p> + +<p>“But,” said he, in conclusion, “it seems to me that this Society is +engaged in a work that is characteristic of the civilization to which +we <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span>belong, and is following after our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, +who lived not to serve Himself, but the world. I congratulate you, +young ladies, that when you were put upon your trial it was found that +you had been laboring in the race of life; and to-night you are to +receive the signal token of the skill you have attained, and of the +favor in which you stand in this school.”</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 132px;"> +<img src="images/illus009.jpg" width="132" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Salutatory_Address" id="Salutatory_Address"></a>Salutatory Address</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Miss S. J. Sirine.</span></h3> + +<h3><i>Class of ’87.</i></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>In meeting you this evening, gentlemen of the Committee and friends, +we, the members of the Classes in Shorthand and Typewriting, +experience a double pleasure. First, is the satisfaction that we have +accomplished the task which we undertook last October, and the +consciousness that we are about to go forth carrying our diplomas as +proof that the Winter has been well spent, and that we are master of a +very fascinating and important art; and, secondly, we feel the +delightful sensation of being highly complimented at the kindly +interest taken in the Class displayed by those present this evening.</p> + +<p>We sincerely hope that the exercises of the evening, and the gratitude +of the teachers and class, feebly expressed through this channel, will +be ample proof to you of our appreciation of the compliment conveyed +by your presence, and trust that we <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>shall continue to receive your +good wishes for our success; that we shall go forth into the business +world making good use of our profession, and worthy of the interest in +our progress displayed by the Committee and friends of this Society, +and of the care and attention bestowed on us by our teachers.</p> + +<p>To my classmates, cordial congratulations that we can meet to-night, +and, comparing notes, find that the report for the Winter is goodly +evidence of time well spent; that, in spite of what at first appeared +to be the insurmountable obstacle of the alphabet, we plodded bravely +on to the primer, and from the slowly and carefully drawn outlines of +familiar words, we entered at last into the spirit of our art, and +with pencils tipped, as it were, with electricity, learned to catch +the swiftly flowing words from the lips of the speaker, and to present +them in a tangible form, ready for future reference. So also with +typewriting. Though the unruly instrument at first persisted in +spelling “cat” t-a-c, and always put an interrogation point where a +period ought to be; still, with patient perseverance, cheered by the +inspiring words of our teacher: “I used to do the same thing,” and +filled with envy at his display of skill, we took fresh <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span>hope, tried +again, and, as we were told we should,—succeeded. The pleasure of the +art of shorthand, more than any other, is not confined alone to the +artist. You all know the important offices in business life which +shorthand fills; of its importance to the press and all departments of +the literary world, it is not necessary to speak. From the eloquent +words of gifted speakers to the eagerly watched for words of the +President’s Message; from the business letter in the merchant’s office +to the words of the witness on the witness stand; our art fulfills its +important mission of giving to others the pleasure and satisfaction +which are experienced on hearing them.</p> + +<p>This evening forty more are added to the list of American writers of +the Isaac Pitman Phonography. It is to be hoped that none of us shall +ever, in any way, be the means of bringing reproach on our art; but +rather that we shall work to make many improvements, that we shall +help to prove its value in the different departments of business into +which it enters, and ere another fifty years shall cause the trumpet +of Jubilee to sound throughout the land, this class of Isaac Pitman +phonographers shall have been the means of bringing to ripe perfection +the system of Phonography.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Valedictory_Address" id="Valedictory_Address"></a>Valedictory Address</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Miss N. C. Stephens.</span></h3> + +<h3><i>Class of ’87.</i></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p class="center">“The Spirit of the Time shall teach me speed,” says +Shakespeare.</p> + +<p>How truly that applies to the present day, when one might say we are +living, as it were, in an age of rapidity, and cannot fail to catch +the infection, for the very air seems filled with it. Competition is +met with on all sides, and, in many branches of toil, “the race <i>is</i> +to the swift.”</p> + +<p>Contrast the world of a hundred years back with the world of to-day.</p> + +<p>These people were satisfied to plod along in the good old way which +their fathers had trod before them; content because they knew no +better, and the times demanded no better.</p> + +<p>But, think you, would the simple appliances used then, meet the +demands of to-day?</p> + +<p>No! decidedly, no! I hear you say. Why, may I ask? Simply because the +necessity makes the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>demand, and the <i>necessity</i> is the ever-advancing +spirit of to-day, which urges all to attain something that will not +only benefit themselves, and be an incentive to others, but will +enlighten and ennoble the coming generation as well.</p> + +<p>But the world has made rapid progress and if we would keep pace with +it, we must call to our aid every known means of saving time and +labor.</p> + +<p>And not the least among the many methods and inventions for this +purpose is Phonography or shorthand, which is finding a place in +almost every branch of business.</p> + +<p>Man’s thoughts fly faster than his fingers, and it is only by the +“wingéd words” of Phonography that the hand is enabled to keep pace +with the mind. Almost inseparably connected with shorthand, is the +typewriter.</p> + +<p>These two go hand in hand. What a boon they have proved to the busy +merchant, the lawyer and the literary man!</p> + +<p>To this end, the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, +recognizing the growing demands for the use of Phonography and +typewriting, added to their already large benevolence a class for the +study of these branches.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p><p>And it is to this Society we owe a debt of gratitude which words are +inadequate to express.</p> + +<p>Our hearts are full, and “out of the fullness of the heart, the mouth +speaketh.”</p> + +<p>Especially to the School Committee would we convey our grateful thanks +for the interest you have manifested in the Class; and for the +kindness and consideration with which you have met all our wants, +doing all in your power to facilitate our studies.</p> + +<p>We trust that our success in the future may be such as will reflect +credit on this Society.</p> + +<p>To our teachers, Mr. Mason and Mr. Spaulding, you who have so well +performed your part, we hardly know how to thank you for your patient +and persistent efforts to fit us for the calling we have chosen. +Taking up this work after the fatigue of the day, with body and brain +already wearied, <i>your</i> task, as well as <i>ours</i>, has been a difficult +one.</p> + +<p>But you have ever been ready with words of encouragement to help us +over the hard places. Faithful, conscientious, you have gained our +respect and esteem, and we feel that in parting to-night we bid +good-by not only to teachers, but to earnest, helpful friends. And +yet, not a final good-by. For, are we not looking forward to many +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span>pleasant meetings of the “Phonographic Alumnæ Association,” when you +have promised to meet with us, and by your presence aid and encourage +us to continue our practice and by united efforts help one another?</p> + +<p>For we believe the old maxim is true in this connection as in many +others,—“In union is strength.”</p> + +<p>Fellow classmates: For seven months we have met and studied together; +and now that the term is over it is with mingled feelings of joy and +regret that we meet to-night for the last time in this place.</p> + +<p>Joy that our task is done; that the time to which we have looked +forward has come; for to many it has been a severe strain to continue +to the end. <i>We</i> alone know the difficulties we have had to contend +with; the pleasures given up and the sacrifices made to be present at +the class.</p> + +<p>But who shall say it has not fully repaid us? Is not this knowledge we +have gained all the more precious because so dearly obtained?</p> + +<p>Some have already begun to reap the reward, others are eagerly looking +forward to the time when they shall be able to put this knowledge into +actual practice.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p><p>With what bright anticipations we took up the study of Phonography +last October!</p> + +<p>But what a mountain loomed up before us in the shape of the alphabet. +Then the strokes and curves, and circles, how we puzzled our brains +over which was which, and how proud we were when we began to form +words and to air our knowledge of these mystic signs; only to be met +with such questions as these, “How many words can you write a minute?” +or, “Do you think you could take down a sermon?” “Let me dictate this +piece from the newspaper to you,” all of which made us feel how +limited was our knowledge and how much we had still to learn.</p> + +<p>Then the examinations; how they hung over our heads like dark clouds +threatening us at every turn!</p> + +<p>But that is all past and gone, and time, with its never ebbing tide, +has brought us to this parting hour.</p> + +<p>What our future will be depends upon our own individual efforts. Let +us remember: “What is worth doing is worth doing well.”</p> + +<p>In climbing the ladder of fame, let us gain a firm footing on the +bottom round, then, if we fail to reach the top, we will, +nevertheless, command the respect of our fellow beings.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Thoughts_on_Graduation" id="Thoughts_on_Graduation"></a>Thoughts on Graduation</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Miss S. J. Sirine.</span></h3> + +<h3><i>Class of ’87.</i></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<div class="centerbox1 bbox"><p>At last all the lessons are ended,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Our pencils and books laid away;</span><br /> +And gathered to-night in the class-room<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">There are many young hearts blithe and gay.</span><br /> +There are loving congratulations<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From classmate, and teacher, and friend;</span><br /> +A smile! Then a sigh at the parting,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And the feeling that this is the end.</span><br /> +<br /> +It is pleasant to know we are through, though,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yet saddening to know we must part;</span><br /> +And ’mid the light jest and the laughter,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Comes a sharp touch of pain in each heart.</span><br /> +There’s a hush in the happy assemblage,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">While a prayer is upraised to the Throne,</span><br /> +And “We thank Thee, our Father,” is uttered,—<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And the minister speaks not alone.</span><br /> +<br /> +For the tokens of love and remembrance,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And kind wishes expressed for our weal,</span><br /> +We would thank our dear friends and our teachers,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And voice the affection we feel.</span><br /> +And we thank Thee for these many blessings;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yet most for the blessing that we</span><br /> +Can, by striving, attain to perfection<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And Thy mercy and tenderness see.</span></p></div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Address_of_Rev_N_B_Thompson" id="Address_of_Rev_N_B_Thompson"></a>Address of Rev. N. B. Thompson</h2> + +<h3><i>To the Class of ’88.</i></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>I assure you that it is with a great deal of personal pride, +satisfaction and comfort, that I come before you to-night. These are +my girls,—that is, I am the father of this class. Several months ago +when this class was organized, a gentleman, not myself, was invited to +come here and offer prayer, and give the young ladies a few common +sense ideas, such as would benefit them in after life. My friend +failing to come, I was called upon to fill his place, which I did to +the best of my ability, and when I look over this programme and find +that there are more than forty in this class who are to graduate +to-night, I take it upon myself to say that they received some very +sound advice, for they are about to graduate; that is, I have made +forty-four converts, at least, in seven months.</p> + +<p>I am very glad to have opened this class, although I have had nothing +to do with the instruction <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>of it, for in that event the graduating +class would not be so large, but I do feel very great pride in being +here.</p> + +<p>Were I so disposed, and you very anxious to be tired with a long +address, I could say a great many things touching the real purpose and +idea of these young ladies and their instructors. There was a time in +the history of the world when it was a very grave and serious question +as to just what the position of woman was in society; what God meant +by her creation, what was her place. There are some men who think the +highest ambition of woman is the wash-tub; that when she finds her +vocation there she has fulfilled her mission, and when God has +prepared a place for her in the Kingdom of Heaven, He takes her home, +and gives her a diploma. There are others who have an idea that the +place for woman is a little higher up; that she is to bask in the +sunshine of life—that she is a kind of butterfly. That is an +erroneous idea. I think personally, and I am sure there are not men +enough here to out-number the ladies, that the position of woman in +this life, socially, politically, religiously, or in a mercantile +sense, is right alongside of the best man the world can produce.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p><p>I remember, while pastor of a church in an Eastern city, the smartest +man and preacher of that city was a woman. She was a man in every +sense of the word, she had the power of a man and the charms of a +beautiful woman; I was a little jealous of her, because her church was +a little too close to mine and she drew a great many more. She was a +beautiful, godly woman, and took out of me some of the false ideas and +thoughts that I had, relative to the work of woman in the world. So I +have lost all sense of jealousy, and I am perfectly willing to be +deposed by the women, and there is no true man but will give the women +just as good as he wants in his life.</p> + +<p>I was thinking, when I took up this programme, there is a certain +society of a secret order that has a motto like this: “By these signs +we conquer.” That is a very wide and universal order, but, if I +mistake not, there are forty-four members of a society not as +universally known, its extent is not as large as that order and +society, who are to go out into the world and, “by these signs, +conquer.” The latter is just as potent as the former. I told you, +young ladies, some months ago, about a system of shorthand and the +first experience I had in that line. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span>Some of you will remember it. +You will remember I told you about a system of shorthand that I had to +read before it got cold or I could not read it at all.</p> + +<p>I want to congratulate you for this delightful evening; I want to +congratulate you in view of the pleasant exercises you are to behold. +I want to congratulate these instructors for the very good and +efficient work they have done during these months. I congratulate you +upon the marvelous work that has been done. You may not all be called +upon to report my sermons; some can report 120 words, some more, some +less. You are going out into the world, some of you immediately, to +begin your life work. Do not feel, because you are a woman, that some +aristocratic specimen of creation—man—looks down upon you. Just hold +your neck as straight and your head as high as he, and I do not know +but you would be par excellence above the man himself; you have an +opportunity.</p> + +<p>There is one thing I regret, however, in regard to your special +calling, and it is this: I read advertisements in the papers where +employers advertise for young lady typewriters and stenographers and +it has pained me to see the low rate of wages, oftentimes. Let me put +a bee in your ear. You are in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>possession of one of the greatest +sciences I know; there is nothing above it in the realm of learning. +Do not for one minute submit yourself, any one of you, to a service +below your worth, for God has implanted in His Word this truth, “Every +laborer is worthy of his hire.”</p> + +<p>I thank the gentleman who has invited me here. When I become older +than I am now and fail in preaching, I assure you I shall come to this +home of hospitality and kindness, and shall try to take up the art +myself, thereby becoming as efficient as some of you are.</p> + +<p>God be with you and in His own time take you home to His abode where +you will not be troubled with taking down the ideas of men.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 374px;"> +<img src="images/illus023.jpg" width="374" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Salutatory_Address2" id="Salutatory_Address2"></a>Salutatory Address</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Miss L. E. Taylor.</span></h3> + +<h3><i>Class of ’88.</i></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>Gentlemen of the Committee, and friends, teachers and classmates: With +what unbounded pleasure we greet you this evening; our task is +accomplished, the goal is won. After the labors of the past seven +months, assisted by the kindly interest of the Committee, and +encouraged by the earnest and untiring efforts of our teachers, we +have at last mastered that wonderful art, stenography, which will +enable us to go forth from here, possessing an accomplishment the +benefits of which are many. This art, the outgrowth of one great mind, +that of Mr. Isaac Pitman, is of the utmost importance to the members +of the press, of the legal profession, and the business man, as well +as in all branches of literary work. Ordinarily, we hear words, but +this science enables us to use them; thus they actually assume another +form, as it were, and are deeply impressed on our minds and thus +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span>ineradicably memorized. My classmates, we meet to-night to prove that +patient effort on the part of teacher and pupil has not been in vain; +that our busy Winter has left us rich in knowledge of this noble art, +and that, though oftentimes discouraged in our progress through the +alphabet forward through the intricacies of dots and dashes, hooks and +circles, and outlines dark and light, over these apparently +insurmountable barriers we have reached the height on which our hopes +and our ambitions had been centered during our daily pilgrimage toward +it. So has it been with typewriting. At first we made many mistakes, +such as making an interrogation mark where the period was necessary, +thus questioning Mr. Jones’ or Mr. Smith’s right to his name instead +of asserting the fact; or striking a letter instead of the +space-board, and vice versa. The result left the astonished beholder +in doubt whether the word produced were a representative of the +Chinese or the Choctaw language. But now we have overcome these +difficulties. Sustained by the kind encouragement of our teacher we +have struggled bravely until we are enabled to write on the machine +readily, and with rapidity, from dictation, and our vernacular can now +be recognized as English, without any difficulty. We sincerely <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span>hope +that the exercises of the evening may interest you and may show our +appreciation of the instruction and innumerable benefits which have +been conferred upon us by this Society. We are now prepared to take +our place in the rank and file of the world’s army of workers. The +elevating and benevolent influence of stenography and typewriting in +the life of women is becoming more and more recognized. What the +sewing machine is to the needle, shorthand is to the pen, and, in the +great future, the world shall see and acknowledge the vast importance +of this economizer of time and labor.</p> + +<p>Yes, another forty of us are ready to use these servants of hand and +pen which the generosity of this Society has placed at our disposal, +and we hope to do so worthily. May we, by our subsequent efforts and +future progress, show that none of us will bring reproach on the noble +art which we have adopted, or on the Institution to which we shall owe +our future success and our chosen profession. Rather let us help to +prove its value in the different branches to which we may be called.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Class_Poem" id="Class_Poem"></a>Class Poem</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Miss A. L. Cox.</span></h3> + +<h3><i>Class of ’88.</i></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<div class="centerbox2 bbox"><p>I did not come prepared to make an address here to-night,<br /> +But when I see you all, dear friends, ’tis such a pleasant sight,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I can’t refrain, but feel that I <i>must</i> say a word or two,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And give a hearty welcome, yes, to every one of you.</span><br /> +A little band, we gathered here upon this very spot;<br /> +Just eight short months ago it is, since then we cast our lot<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Together for our Winter’s work: resolved that we would try</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Our best to win; with hopes and purposes and aims set high,</span><br /> +We went to work. The opening lecture seemed so clear and plain,<br /> +That we could almost grasp the prize we were so sure to gain.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">First came the alphabet. But we in sad dismay found out</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That was an obstacle indeed that we could scarce surmount.</span><br /> +At last we thought we had it; yes, were sure we knew it all.<br /> +“You may each one recite it.” Hark! it was our teacher’s call.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Just imagine how we did it? You will guess it nearly right.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And then to say it backward! Were you e’er in such a plight?</span><br /> +Then we studied till (I mean it) e’en the paper on the wall,<br /> +Each door, and sash, and picture frame, and objects one and all,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In strokes and angles fairly danced before our very eyes,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And in our dreams they haunted us in every form and size.</span></p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span>Next in their turn the vowel sounds,—the symbols, dash and dot,<br /> +With rules and regulations charging us “Forget-me-not.”<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wish you could have heard us sound them. It was amusing, too;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Seemed like talking Chinese language,—ah, ā, ee; aw, o, oo.</span><br /> +Then came the hooks with many crooks to puzzle and perplex;<br /> +They were so very obstinate, and would be sure to vex;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For while we thought we had them right, they were just turned about,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And when we came to read them, we could scarcely make them out.</span><br /> +The circles didn’t seem so hard; for we could then detect<br /> +There were still new things coming that we did the least expect;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So prepared our minds to meet them and take them as they came;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">At last we’d conquered everyone and knew them all by name.</span><br /> +But I suppose it is not right to tell tales out of school,<br /> +Our teacher will be saying that it is against the rule;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I have told you just a few of our trials by the way,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But it was not all so dreadful, I am very glad to say.</span><br /> +For we really loved our study; were fascinated, too,<br /> +And of the pleasant memories there linger not a few.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Well, examination over, then came the “tug of war”</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To apply the various principles that we had learned before.</span><br /> +And oh! the work we made of it; we tried to run a race<br /> +To see who could write the fastest, and then to keep our place.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;">But study and toil are over; at last the race is run,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And we have gathered here to-night to say, “Our work is done.”</span><br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span>Members of this Society, our friends so kind and true,<br /> +God bless you! ’Tis a grand and noble work you aim to do;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Accept our heartfelt thanks, for it is all that we can give;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The knowledge we have gathered here will ever, while we live</span><br /> +Go with us, as with brighter skies our way in life to cope<br /> +Than in our dreams and fancies we had ever dared to hope.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And you, our teachers faithful, tried, we will not soon forget</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The many pleasant hours that together we have spent;</span><br /> +How often by a kindly word you’ve helped to lead us on,<br /> +When we were nigh discouraged, and totally cast down;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And by your earnest zeal and aid we have, from day to day,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Gone onward, and we thank you; it is all that we can say.</span><br /> +And we classmates, while we truly, yes, earnestly, regret<br /> +To leave the little room up yonder “where the angels met,”<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Can now rejoice together, for it has not been in vain,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That we’ve worked hard; yet we have won the prize we sought to gain.</span></p></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 409px;"> +<img src="images/illus029.jpg" width="409" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Valedictory_Address2" id="Valedictory_Address2"></a>Valedictory Address</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Miss A. A. Lewis.</span></h3> + +<h3><i>Class of ’88.</i></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Friends and Classmates</span>:</p> + +<p>It is a somewhat sad yet pleasant duty which devolves upon me this +evening, that of saying farewell. For, to a class whose members have +studied together for so long as we have and which is found to be so +homogeneous as this class has been, a farewell is always sad. When, in +October last, we entered upon our course of study, we could not look +forward to this hour with any degree of composure, but, day by day, as +time passed on we found ourselves longing for the end, yet dreading +the parting. But, to-night, we derive considerable pleasure from the +fact that we have prepared ourselves for something which will have a +strong influence upon our future lives. This night may be called a +real commencement for many of us who have just left school where we +have learned the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span>ordinary English branches, and are now learning to +apply our former knowledge to earn our living in a way that will prove +both pleasant and profitable.</p> + +<p>In retrospect: How hard the first few lessons appeared! We hardly +credited the declaration that a time would come when we should be able +to recite the alphabet backward and forward and in every conceivable +way, but we soon discovered that the subsequent lessons were so much +more difficult than the first, that these seem now to us as very +simple. As our knowledge increased, we discovered also that each +lesson followed so logically upon the previous one, that it made it +much easier to understand. There were hooks to the right of us, and +hooks to the left of us, and with these and circles, medial and final, +approximation and “con” dot, our dreams resembled a kaleidoscope +rather than those of school girls. When traveling on the cars we would +often see a person with a note book and pencil, and experience a +fellow feeling, knowing that they had trod the same path as we were +treading. Occasionally, in going home after a lesson, two of us +comparing notes would find that we, in turn, were objects of interest +to people in the train, and that they gazed with wonder and amusement +upon the strange-looking characters with <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>which our note books were +filled. Then, when it came to our home study, although those whom we +asked to dictate to us did so with great alacrity at first, they soon +found reading the same thing over twenty or thirty times, to say the +least, monotonous. Yet we must say that our friends often put aside +their own preferences, knowing the daily practice was for our good. We +will not dwell upon the loss of pleasures that we have forfeited in +order to be present at the class and to spend the requisite number of +hours at study. But now that we have reached the desired haven, we +feel fully repaid for everything that we have given up, and only +regret that we did not sacrifice more for our beloved study. We would +not however have you think it has been all hard work, and that we have +had <i>no</i> enjoyment. For, have we not had genial companions, +sympathetic teachers and a most watchful Committee, who have tried to +do everything in their power to make our school life both pleasant and +comfortable? We cannot specify all the ways in which they have shown +their interest and kindness to us, yet we would not fail to mention +the fact that we were provided with a new class-room, which combined +the advantages of seclusion, quiet, and all the necessary appliances +for study, with <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>excellent ventilation, and to this was added the +feeling that it was our “very own.”</p> + +<p>This recital can but feebly show you why the feeling of pleasure is +predominant in our hearts to-night. We cannot feel sad at parting with +our classmates, for, though we shall not meet in this class-room +again, as a class, we do expect to meet together as the alumnæ of this +Institution at our regular weekly gatherings for practice. It is +rather with a feeling of exhilaration that we realize that we have at +length conquered giants that loomed up before us when we began our +study, and that these giants, like those called forth by the magician +of old, have been made to do our bidding.</p> + +<p>But now we come to the most painful part of our task, that of bidding +this kind Committee farewell. And, in behalf of the class of ’88, we +thank you again for your watchful care over us during the past Winter. +The only way in which we can attempt to repay you for what you have +done for us is by trying to rise in our profession and do something +which, when we say we are graduates of the General Society of +Mechanics and Tradesmen, will cause you to feel proud of us, and in +this way we can slightly show our gratitude to our benefactors. And to +our teachers, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span>who have been the means of our learning this wonderful +art, we say farewell, hoping that they will remember us kindly as +having tried our best to let the studies which they have lodged in our +minds bring forth good fruit. Although you have, no doubt, at times +felt discouraged with the apparent failure of your work, yet we trust +that the results have proved satisfactory, and shown you that we have +tried to do what you have desired us to do, and, in a measure, have +succeeded. We trust also that these results will reflect credit upon +you as our Instructors even more than upon us as the recipients of +your teaching. We do realize that many members of our class will never +meet with us again, and to you we say farewell, with the wish that in +your diverse paths through life you may attain great success in your +chosen profession and always remember that you are still members of +the Class of ’88.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 204px;"> +<img src="images/illus034.jpg" width="204" height="140" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Address_of_President_Wm_C_Smith" id="Address_of_President_Wm_C_Smith"></a>Address of President Wm. C. Smith</h2> + +<h3><i>In awarding the Diplomas to the Class of ’88.</i></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>I came here this evening in a particularly happy frame of mind, for +me, because I had been asked to award the diplomas to this class, and +I am always happy when I think I am able to do something to make some +one else happy; but my equanimity was quite disturbed, on arriving, to +be shown a programme in which I was set down as having to make the +closing address, and a little later I broke out into a perspiration on +seeing written in shorthand on the blackboard, that “you should never +speak unless you have something to say.” Those words have been burning +before my eyes ever since, and though I have not taken any lessons in +shorthand, I am almost sure I could set that sentence down.</p> + +<p>The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen is made up of men who +owe what they possess, not to chance, not to gifts of their +forefathers, but <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span>to the fruit of honest toil. The Society which they +have fostered for a hundred years owes its standing to the steady +accumulations of these years, not to any sudden speculation or easily +acquired prosperity, and it is with pleasure, therefore, that the +Society devotes its time and means in helping others to help +themselves. We believe in the aristocracy of labor, and we are glad +that we are able to do anything whereby we can help any one to help +himself.</p> + +<p>I shall not make a lengthy address because it is late; it is warm; +there are diplomas to be given out, and I believe that the young +ladies are anxious to get down stairs where the attraction is greater +than anything I can offer them. Yet there is one thought I would like +to give out, if you will excuse me.</p> + +<p>Yesterday I met a gentleman whom I have known for many years, and whom +I never really knew until yesterday. He said to me, “Billy” (he knew +me when I was a boy), “have you half an hour to spare?” First I said, +“No;” but I thought better of it and said, “Yes.” “I would like you to +come round and look at my house.” As he opened the door of that house +it was to me a revelation; if there is anything else like it in this +country or city, I do not know where it is. It seemed to me I was in +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>fairyland. Here was a large house and yet so filled that it seemed +small, from the top of the very attic down to the first story, with +articles of vertu and bric-a-brac, with tapestry that had come from +all parts of the globe, with ivories, carved in Japan as nowhere else, +with mosaics from all sections of the world, with beautiful chairs, +with embroidery that had graced the homes of monarchs in the old +country, and on his back porch, and in his yard, were beautiful +flowers hardly seen outside of the tropics.</p> + +<p>I need not say to you how surprised I was; I had only known him as a +mechanic, a member of this Society. I spent an hour and a half there I +shall never forget; I asked the privilege of bringing my better half.</p> + +<p>But the thought that I wanted to impress was this; in a beautiful +case, surrounded with plate glass, was a full dinner set of the finest +Sevres china. He explained to me that the set was ordered and made +expressly for the second Napoleon when he was in the height of his +glory. I said to him, “Where did you get this? I did not know a full +set of that kind ever got away from royalty.” He said it did once in a +while and this was the only one in this country. He had been +explaining to me things I never knew about, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>and he came back to his +own self and said, “Billy, you know when the great Napoleon and his +court were sipping their soup out of these dishes, I was wielding a +paint brush at $1.50 a day and glad to get it.” As I lay trying to go +to sleep last night that single sentence came to me and it seemed +there was a volume in it. It is an American idea that there is no +success which is not attainable by almost any person if we only take +those opportunities afforded us. I want to say one word to the ladies, +and I believe I said something of the same kind to the boys. I often +see it in the papers, I hear it in speeches at trade societies and all +that sort of thing, that there is a great change in America; there is +no longer any chance to rise; and that we are divided into classes, +and that the rich are going to get richer and the poor going to stay +where they are.</p> + +<p>I hope every American will disabuse his mind of anything like that; +there never was a time when opportunities were greater than now. We +have got to believe in ourselves and watch the opportunities when they +come to us; success cannot be obtained in a day. We may not have to +build a railroad but we will build something else, perhaps greater.</p> + +<p>Young ladies, it is my privilege on behalf of the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span>General Society of +Mechanics and Tradesmen, as its President, to present you with these +diplomas. I do so with pleasure; first, because I feel that it is our +right to give them to you; secondly, because I feel that it is your +right to receive them, for you have earned them. They represent to me +six months of careful, earnest, intelligent study; six months of +devoting yourself to the habit of close application; six months of +forming the habit of industry; habits which, I take it, make the road +to success to any one who expects to succeed in the future. I +congratulate you upon receiving them; they are certificates that carry +with them pleasant memories, and I hope will prove in after years +profitable ones. In behalf of the General Society, it is my pleasure +to thank your teacher; I have witnessed personally his enthusiasm in +his calling, and I am proud to say that I have been here night after +night and have watched the enthusiasm of the class. I have seen them +here sometimes long after the regular school hours, in fact, I had a +mind to say, “You are over-taxing these young ladies.” Then I thought +it was a life and death struggle for only six months, and the victory +was worth the struggle.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p><p>I have nothing more to say. I will remember the motto given early in +the evening and wish you every success in life which you have obtained +in this school.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 411px;"> +<img src="images/illus040.jpg" width="411" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Salutatory" id="Salutatory"></a>Salutatory</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Miss Jessie Ferris.</span></h3> + +<h3><i>To the Class of ’89.</i></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>On behalf of my classmates, Gentlemen of the Committee, and friends, +it gives me great pleasure to welcome you here this evening, and we +sincerely hope that in the following short account of our progress +during the eight past months, both in shorthand and typewriting +classes, <i>you</i> may share, to some extent, our satisfaction.</p> + +<p>I shall not attempt to portray our initial struggles with the dots and +lines, but rather dwell on the time when, at the rate of a word in +five minutes, we could, with the confidence of beginners, write the +short but expressive sentences:</p> + +<div class="centerbox3 bbox"><p>The cow eats grass!<br /> +See the dog run!</p></div> + +<p>From this time under the able guidance of our teachers, we steadily +progressed, until our efforts have culminated in the success +gratifying to ourselves, our teachers, and our many friends.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p><p>In typewriting our progress has been as encouraging as in Phonography. +From slowly picking out the words: “William Jex quickly caught five +dozen Republicans,” a sentence which not only exhausted all the +letters of the alphabet, but in our attempts to decipher which, after +writing, exhausted our ingenuity as well, we passed to the time when +legal documents and business letters could be run off with an ease +which at the beginning seemed almost impossible.</p> + +<p>Let us pause a moment to consider the advantages of these two arts: +first and chiefly, they afford us the means of gaining a livelihood in +a way more agreeable than many others; secondly, in the taking of +notes of lectures upon various arts and sciences we become acquainted +with these subjects to an extent which would otherwise require much +special study.</p> + +<p>How then can we be otherwise than grateful to those who have placed +these advantages within our reach?</p> + +<p>To you, Gentlemen of the School Committee and of the Special +Committee, are our thanks especially due.</p> + +<p>Through your kindness in fulfilling our many calls upon your +generosity, you have contributed, in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>no mean degree, to that end +toward which we have so earnestly striven.</p> + +<p>You, my classmates, undoubtedly share in the pleasure felt by our +teachers and the Committee in having passed so successfully through +the work of the past eight months.</p> + +<p>Let us reflect for how short a time we have pursued our studies. In +what branch of study, pursued for the same length of time, could the +results attained compare so favorably as in the study of shorthand?</p> + +<p>After to-night, over thirty of us, in the different pursuits of a +business life, will make practical use of the knowledge gained during +the past Winter. Let us always strive to uphold the reputation already +gained by the followers of Isaac Pitman.</p> + +<p>It has often been said by superficial observers: “O, yes, any one can +write shorthand, but how many stenographers can read what they have +written?”</p> + +<p>Perhaps there have been grounds for such allegations; but have these +ever taken into consideration the multitudes of stenographers all over +the world who do successfully read their notes?</p> + +<p>Look at the voluminous reports of congressional, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span>political and other +speeches, appearing in the daily papers from time to time; to say +nothing of the hundreds of folios of evidence daily reported in our +courts and accurately transcribed.</p> + +<p>Do not these sufficiently refute the assertion?</p> + +<p>We feel sure the charge will never be brought against any of our +class, to each of whom the writing out of her notes has been made as +essential a point as taking down.</p> + +<p>In closing, let me again, in the name of the Class of ’89, extend a +cordial welcome to you all, and let us trust, when we have passed from +the immediate influence of these surroundings, and have entered upon +the career for which the studies of the past Winter have been but +preparatory, we shall continue to merit your kind approbation.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 201px;"> +<img src="images/illus044.jpg" width="201" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Class_Poem2" id="Class_Poem2"></a>Class Poem</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Miss Isabelle Kiernan.</span></h3> + +<h3><i>Class of ’89.</i></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<div class="centerbox4 bbox"><p>Good people all, both old and young,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Assembled at this time,</span><br /> +To aid in bringing to a close,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The Class of eighty-nine;</span><br /> +<br /> +We beg you will be lenient<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With our efforts here to-night,</span><br /> +Ignore all faults, and note the good,—<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">This would be but polite.</span><br /> +<br /> +This class of ours united here,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ere long shall cease to be;</span><br /> +A thought which strikes a tender chord<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That vibrates mournfully.</span><br /> +<br /> +Though truly glad to know our work<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Has met success at last,</span><br /> +Yet many a very pleasant hour<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In study has been passed.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>And on these hours in concert spent,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shall memory fondly dwell,</span><br /> +When we in divers paths have turned,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But where, Oh, who can tell?</span><br /> +<br /> +Again we’ll see that school-room scene,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Our teacher at the head,</span><br /> +Again we’ll ply our pencils hard,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As fast the words are read.</span><br /> +<br /> +Our teacher’s patience oft we’ve tried,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And oft have vexed him sore,</span><br /> +While he strove us expert to make<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In stenographic lore.</span><br /> +<br /> +Oh, thanks to you, our faithful friend,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For kindness you have shown,</span><br /> +And patience too, with which the seeds<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of knowledge you have sown.</span><br /> +<br /> +And in the work we undertake,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We’ll to the <i>Mason</i> bring</span><br /> +The credit,—who within our minds<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Has built this wondrous thing.</span><br /> +<br /> +Kind benefactors, we extend<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Our gratitude sincere;</span><br /> +For all the opportunities,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Enjoyed throughout the year.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span>May your good work, crowned with success,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Its blessings still bestow,</span><br /> +On many who, through your kind deeds,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shall useful women grow.</span><br /> +<br /> +A harvest rich of grateful hearts,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Most surely you shall find;</span><br /> +Such as is due to those who strive<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To elevate mankind.</span><br /> +<br /> +And now farewell to one and all,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Teacher and classmates, too;</span><br /> +Hoping that future days may bring,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Much happiness to you.</span></p></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 190px;"> +<img src="images/illus047.jpg" width="190" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="A_Class_History" id="A_Class_History"></a>A Class History</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Miss Eugenia E. Lloyd.</span></h3> + +<h3><i>Class of ’89.</i></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>Last Fall sixty girls, accompanied by a trusty guide, started on an +exploring tour through the wilderness of stenography. We had been told +by those who had visited this region, that the way was dark, the road +thorny, and the pleasures but few; but nothing daunted, we set out, +anxious to prove these assertions false.</p> + +<p>Like all travelers about to enter upon strange and novel scenes, we +started upon this journey with eager eyes, and minds full of +expectancy. Following closely in the footsteps of our leader, we +approached the enchanted forest. The entrance was guarded by great +trees, which seemed to extend, as far as the eye could see, in one +long avenue, and we were surprised to find, upon coming nearer, that +the forest which at first appeared to be but a heterogeneous mass of +stems, was set out and arranged in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span>the most orderly and symmetrical +manner, and we saw that we should be enabled to find our way about +much more easily than we had at first feared. In accordance with our +guide’s directions, we began jotting down in our memory tablets the +names of the different trees, and the peculiarities of each. Certain +kinds occurred so often that we soon became familiar with them, and +long before we turned into new pathways, we had mastered the names of +them all. As we left the main avenue of first principles, we +encountered more trees, but so arranged in brilliant foliage and +curious blossoms that we almost failed to recognize them. We listened +in wonder while our guide unfolded to us the beauty of each bud and +leaf; how patiently he traced every vein of the leaf, and every petal +of the flower, until our eyes, too, were opened to their beauty so +that we could appreciate and discern the difference between them, +notwithstanding that they possessed great similarity. This comparative +sameness caused us no little trouble, however, at first, for ever and +anon, owing to early lack of training in concentration of mind, we +were prone to get them confused, and often mistake one for the other. +Here again the memory tablets were brought into <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>requisition, and it +seemed as though they fairly expanded under the influence of our +pencils, so eager were we to absorb all the knowledge possible. As the +lover of nature, by constant association with the flowers, the trees, +and the shrubs, learns in time the name of each, so we learned, by +loving the study of our strange plants, to recognize them at sight.</p> + +<p>But we were not left to wander at our own sweet wills. Having +thoroughly familiarized ourselves with the details and orderly +arrangement of this wonderful forest, and having stopped for awhile to +review our progress, we were led into new paths where, though there +were many obstructions and apparently insurmountable obstacles, we +could at least see the beginning of the end of our journey.</p> + +<p>Here, too, sign posts greeted us on many sides, but none were so +alluring as that which bore the legend, “Slow and sure.” This accorded +perfectly with our ideas, and we would fain have rested awhile, and +gazed on the comforting words, had not our guide pointed out to us the +necessity for advance, and described the pleasures which were still to +come, which, if we chose that as a perpetual motto, we should never +enjoy.</p> + +<p>As if to give emphasis to his words, a little <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>dwarf, whose name was +“Try,” met us at this juncture; and by his bright example urged us on +to greater tasks. But alas! there were so many weary hearts waiting +for his cheery countenance that he was forced ere long to leave us. +Scarce had he gone when his enemy, a misshapen gnome, called “I +Forgot,” sprang up in our path, and by many devices, sought to undo +the good work of “Try.” Finding this impossible, he, too, soon +departed, but his injured lordship, not caring to retire utterly +defeated, left his first cousin, “I Didn’t Mean To,” to pester and +annoy us throughout our journey.</p> + +<p>Ere long the sound of running water attracted our attention, and +eagerly we hastened to bathe our faces in a refreshing stream “which +ran down the side of a hill,” only to draw back in terror as we saw a +poor, meek lamb devoured by a ravenous wolf who had come to the +brook-side to drink. Thereafter it seemed as if the wolves had special +designs on the lambs at this season, for whenever our travels led us +near the creek we were forced to be unwilling spectators to these +tragic scenes.</p> + +<p>Here and there along the bank we had noticed little pebbles which our +Instructor told us were called, in the language of this country, +“Grammalogues,” <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span>and some of which, attracted by their uniqueness, we +had gathered. We were obliged to label and memorize each one, until it +seemed as though the tablet would not hold another word, and the +memory pouch would break under the weight of, what seemed to us, +heavy, worthless stones. But after being polished with the emery of +practice, the pebbles grew lighter, and seemed to lose their dull +color, and assume a sparkling brilliancy.</p> + +<p>How often since have they appeared as bright jewels in our pathway, +when, with pencil flying over the page, we have fully realized the +fact, that however lenient Old Father Time may seem to be to others, +he has no mercy for stenographers.</p> + +<p>After becoming somewhat acquainted with our surroundings that we might +be able fully to realize every snare and pitfall, we were taught to +begin to walk alone. What weak, tottering, childish steps they were. +How often our eyes would wander to the face of our guide, as if to +implore his help. But he, knowing it was for our good, would simply +encourage us instead of rendering the longed for assistance, and we +were thus compelled to walk or fall.</p> + +<p>But when the nervous feeling had somewhat worn <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span>off, and each step +became more firm, with what expressions of delight we proclaimed the +tidings that we could at least <i>stand</i> alone, and how pleased he +seemed at our successes. And then with watchful care was pointed out +to us the necessity of removing every obstacle from our path so that +our progress should not be retarded. We carefully heeded the +instruction, and as a fallen bough or a moss-covered trunk of some old +“snag” barred our onward march, we brought all our strength to bear +and remove it to a place of safety, so that our weary feet should not +be caused to trip over it again. And truly we <i>were</i> weary, while the +promised land seemed still afar off. How hard the road appeared can +only be realized by those who have trodden it.</p> + +<p>A great mountain, like Bunyan’s Hill Difficulty, soon rose before us, +and we were told that we must reach its summit, before the view toward +which our eyes had been ever turning would burst upon our sight. Here +we were joined by a crowd of people, some clamoring for land, which +they claimed had been willed to them by those who had long since +joined the great majority; others quibbling over deeds and warranty +deeds, some of which particularly attracted our attention, on account +of their great length and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span>useless verbiage; and others with +complaints and actions at law, until our eyes were opened, and we +realized, as never before, that strife is more prevalent in the world +than peace.</p> + +<p>But hard work and that perseverance which we believe is the surest +road to success have at length conquered all obstacles. And now, +having left behind the clamor and the strife, we stand on the summit +of the mountain that has so recently seemed as though it could not be +climbed.</p> + +<p>And here we rest awhile and look backward. The roads with their +winding turns are no longer new, and eyes moisten as we think of the +old but true saying:</p> + +<div class="centerbox5 bbox"><p>“The path that has once been trod,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Is never so hard to the feet;</span><br /> +And the lessons we once have learned,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Are never so hard to repeat.”</span></p></div> + +<p>We will not be called upon to walk in those paths again, but when we +meet the familiar faces of our companions we will live over in memory +the now seemingly short weeks of our journey.</p> + +<p>But let us look also before us. We have penetrated the forest, we have +gathered bright gems, we have climbed the mountain height, and now we +stand ready to cast our boats adrift upon the ocean of life.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p><p>In what waters they shall glide we know not, but can only trust that +in that great day of gatherings, all our craft may be moored in the +harbor of peace! These thoughts bring to our minds the well known +words of our beloved poet Longfellow:</p> + +<div class="centerbox6 bbox"><p>Like unto ships far off at sea,<br /> +Outward or homeward bound are we;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Before, behind, and all around,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Floats and swings the horizon’s bound,</span><br /> +Seems at its distant rim to rise<br /> +And climb the crystal wall of the skies,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And then again to turn and sink,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As if we could slide from its outer brink.</span><br /> +Ah, it is not the sea;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It is not the sea that sinks and shelves,</span><br /> +But ourselves that rock and rise<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With endless and unweary motion,</span><br /> +Now touching the very skies,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Now sinking into the depths of ocean;</span><br /> +Ah! if our souls but poise and swing,<br /> +Like the compass in its brazen ring,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ever level and ever true</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To the toil and the task that we have to do,</span><br /> +We shall sail securely, and safely reach<br /> +The fortunate isles, on whose shining beach<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The sights we see, the sounds we hear,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Will be those of joy and not of fear.</span></p></div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Valedictory" id="Valedictory"></a>Valedictory</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Miss Lina E. Kettleman.</span></h3> + +<h3><i>Class of ’89.</i></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>Bacon has said, “Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, +and writing an exact man.” Many prominent men of the present age +assert on authority that shorthand makes a valuable man.</p> + +<p>The world’s advancement has never been so marked and rapid as within +the past century; inventors have, it would seem, almost exhausted +themselves in producing means for improvement; where think you, would +the busy man find himself were it not for the opportunities open at +every hand enabling him to keep in the whirl?</p> + +<p>Inventors, and the value of their respective inventions, are fully +appreciated by those who make use of them, but there has been no +greater gift presented than the one by Mr. Isaac Pitman in 1837, +in the shape of Phonography; he, after a few months of hard labor, +reduced the phonetic characters <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span>to a simple form such as any +intelligent and ordinarily educated person might, after a proper +amount of application, use to great advantage. The public were not +long in realizing the benefits to be derived, and each year has +seen a steady growth in the number of shorthand readers and writers, +and to-day finds thousands who are successfully using the little +strokes, some following the original system, and others using the +modifications; <i>all</i>, however, agreeing as to the true worth of +shorthand as a time saver.</p> + +<p>We who started last Autumn, with the determination to master +Phonography and typewriting, knew in part the advantages to be +gained after the top was reached, but we did not know by actual +experience what breakers were ahead in the accomplishment of the work +before us; for the timid ones this very ignorance proved a great +blessing,—conquering one difficulty at a time, with the greater ones +in the shadow, was not as disheartening as having the future in plain +sight.</p> + +<p>The multitude of crooks, circles and dry rules were taken in turn and +left behind, and after reaching half way the journey, and pausing for +a rest and renewal of courage, we began the pleasanter work of writing +and reading connectedly. At the start were <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>simple stories which +seemed at the time almost silly, then came letters and law matter, +and, as the words in the first lessons kept recurring, we began to +appreciate “The Wolf and the Lamb” and various companions of a similar +nature. Slowly but surely the work has been progressing. Time has +fairly flown away and has brought us together to-night for the parting +as a class.</p> + +<p>There has been much bitter with the sweet and many clouds with the +sunshine; social pleasures were necessarily given up and numerous +sacrifices made, to say nothing of the keen disappointment brought +home to each as she recognized, despite her greatest efforts, that +the actual work was far behind what her aspirations had been at the +outset. But through all we have been cheered and encouraged by our +teachers, nor must I omit the occasional well timed lectures, +depressing at the time of delivery, but sending each home with a +fixed idea of doing better, and continuing to the end; added to these +has been the entire novelty of the whole course, always something +new. Like all proverbial Americans, born, it is said, with the +interrogation point at tongue’s end, the constant variety made the +journey one immense <i>Why?</i></p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p><p>We are joyous over the prospect of a cessation of hard study, but +regret that the end of our intercourse has come, necessitating the +severing of ties as teachers and those taught, and the farewell as +class friends; but each will carry with her a remembrance of the +Winter spent together with much profit and pleasure to all.</p> + +<p>To our kind Instructor through all the intricacies of Phonography, we +are deeply indebted. Within ourselves is the consciousness that had it +not been for his patience and untiring efforts we would have given up +in despair long ago; as also to our Instructress and friend who has +helped us over the road to the success of typewriting are we equally +indebted; to the never flagging energy of both we owe as much as to +the individual effort.</p> + +<p>Not the least, if mentioned last, is our gratitude to the School +Committee. To you, gentlemen, we wish to convey our thanks this +evening, both for your generosity, as representatives of the G. S. M. +and T., in supplying funds for the maintenance of this glorious work, +and for the kindly interest displayed during the past Winter. While +regretting our inability to raise the standard higher, we will +endeavor, in future, to reflect such credit <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span>upon this school as will +prove our appreciation of past favors.</p> + +<p>To you, my dear classmates, those in particular who have not as yet +felt the pecuniary advantages to be derived from this new acquirement, +take courage in the fact that six of our number are reaping the +benefits even thus early. Wait patiently; do not let the work end with +to-night, and become discouraged because of the same old humdrum +duties. Remember that in filling the old post honorably, you are doing +the work assigned by the Master who in His own season will send what +is for your best good. Add to your store of knowledge from day to day, +and be able to say with the poet:</p> + +<div class="centerbox5 bbox"><p>Each morning sees some task begun,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Each evening sees its close;</span><br /> +Something attempted, something done,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Has earned a night’s repose.</span></p></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 144px;"> +<img src="images/illus060.jpg" width="144" height="115" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Salutatory_Address3" id="Salutatory_Address3"></a>Salutatory Address</h2> + +<h3><i>To the Class of ’90.</i></h3> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Miss Harriet Middlemas.</span></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>What shall we do with our girls? One of our well known daily papers +came to the conclusion some time ago that our girls must be disposed +of in some way, and feeling that it lacked the ability to solve the +problem alone and unaided, sent a request abroad for help in settling +this momentous question.</p> + +<p>If we were in China, they would say “drown them.” Horace Greeley might +have suggested sending them West to keep house for his “young men.” +Many, in answer to the before-mentioned paper’s appeal, advocated +making business women of them; while others said: “Teach them to be +good housekeepers.”</p> + +<p>Now, as all our girls cannot be housekeepers, neither can they be +business women, is it not the best plan where there are two girls in a +family, to teach one how to minister to the wants of the household, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span>and let the other help to provide the means, wherewith to supply the +necessities of life? We are not all Vanderbilts or Astors.</p> + +<p>But whether it be “Yea” or “Nay,” woman is making her way in the +world. She has been heard of as making rapid progress in law; and it +was only a short while ago we read of a young lady being admitted to +practice in Pennsylvania. We have doctors without number; one of our +Western towns boasts of a woman for Mayor, and they have aspired to +the Presidency. Much has been said of woman’s sphere, but she knows +her own place in life, and if given a little help in the various +directions necessary to reach the place, she will win, and has won for +herself respect and admiration for her courage and independence.</p> + +<p>But this is not a Woman’s Rights Meeting, nor a sewing circle, in +which the minister has been invited to tea, and where we are making +the poor luckless man suffer for his sex in general, but the +Graduation Exercises of a band of girls who have worked hard for +success, and gained it.</p> + +<p>A society of men organized many years ago, instead of sitting with +folded hands lamenting <i>their</i> inability to dispose of “our girls,” +went to work <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span>and established a class; placed at its head one of the +best of teachers, and called it the Stenographic and Typewriting Class +of the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen. “Now,” they said, +“we have opened a way, let us see what the girls can do for and with +themselves.”</p> + +<p>In the Fall of 1886 the first class was formed, and since then more +than 100 girls owe their present advantages to this noble institution.</p> + +<p>The Class of ’90 graduating from here to-night met for the first +lesson on October 1st of last year.</p> + +<p>Of our troubles and disappointments, it is not for me to tell, but we +have bravely toiled on, and have at last reached the end we have so +eagerly and anxiously looked forward to, and the feeling that we have +learned something which will help us in more ways than we at present +fully realize, repays us for our perseverance.</p> + +<p>To-night we graduate from this school into one compared to which the +trials and disappointments of this course will seem trifles. We go +forth to battle with the world, and if we do not keep up with it, it +will mercilessly leave us far behind. But the Class of ’90 is not +going to be laggard. Indeed we hope that when we graduate from that +higher and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>more exacting school, it will be with the same +satisfactory results with which we leave here, and, like Longfellow’s +“Great Men,” we may leave</p> + +<div class="centerbox1 bbox"><p class="center">“Footprints on the sands of time.”</p></div> + +<p>There are several benevolent institutions in this city where +Stenography and Typewriting are taught during the day, without expense +to the student. But the girls that need this instruction most are the +working girls, who have only the evenings to themselves, and cannot +afford to take the time to study that which they know would be +beneficial to them. But the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen +have recognized their wants, and every girl in this class has +acknowledged that when in the future she has reached that zenith to +which every one aspires, “Prosperity in her chosen calling,” she +cannot forget that it was through this Society she was enabled to +reach that height.</p> + +<p>And now, dear Friends and Patrons of this school, I, in the name of my +classmates, bid a cordial “welcome” to you all, confident that you who +have sympathized with us during the past eight months will rejoice +with us in our success.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Class_Poem3" id="Class_Poem3"></a>Class Poem</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Miss Katie Massman.</span></h3> + +<h3><i>Class of ’90.</i></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<div class="centerbox6 bbox"><p>My friends, we all have gathered here,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To celebrate this night,—</span><br /> +Th’ occasion of a victory gained<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">O’er a long and glorious fight.</span></p> + +<p>Unlike the battlefields of men,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where blood flows o’er the plain,</span><br /> +And eyes must meet the fearful sight<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of conquered victims slain,</span></p> + +<p>Our battlefield the school-room was,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where we have fought and won;</span><br /> +A conflict noble in its aim,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Nine months ago begun.</span></p> + +<p>Oh! how we hoped and how we feared,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As day by day slipped past,</span><br /> +And we kept pressing towards the mark<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We hoped to reach at last.</span></p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>Whilst oft discouragement, the imp,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Would whisper in our breast,</span><br /> +“’Tis folly to continue on;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Go, leave it for the rest.”</span></p> + +<p>But “onward, onward,” was our cry,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Though all around looked dim,—</span><br /> +No cowards we who fear the storm,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">’Twas either “sink or swim.”</span></p> + +<p>And our commander at the head,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With truly master skill,</span><br /> +Did spur us on, and teach us how<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Each duty to fulfill.</span></p> + +<p>Through the maze of outlines, straight and curved,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Step by step, he led the way,</span><br /> +Till hooks and circles, large and small,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">At length seemed plain as day.</span><br /> +<br /> +To his true service much we owe,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And each of us, to-night,</span><br /> +In a vote of earnest, sincere thanks,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Do heartily unite.</span></p> + +<p>We meet to part, on this last night,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yet shall we fondly ever</span><br /> +Turn to the happy hours spent<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In Mechanics’ Hall together.</span></p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span>And always shall our hearts respond,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ever grateful shall we be,</span><br /> +For the kindness of the gentlemen<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of the G. S. M. and T.</span></p> + +<p>Through them our lives shall brighter grow,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Through them we shall aspire</span><br /> +To better, nobler aims in life,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Leading higher, ever higher.</span></p> + +<p>And may we from their kindness learn<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A royal truth and grand,—</span><br /> +If we can others happier make,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To lend a helping hand.</span></p> + +<p>And in the journey through this life,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With heart, head and hand combined</span><br /> +May we ever strive to do our best<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To elevate mankind.</span></p></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 204px;"> +<img src="images/illus034.jpg" width="204" height="140" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="A_History_of_the_Class_of_90" id="A_History_of_the_Class_of_90"></a>A History of the Class of ’90</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Miss Sabine C. Schindhelm.</span></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>One evening, early in the Fall of ’89, voices were heard in the +school-room as though many persons were talking at once. Suddenly the +bell rang and the talking ceased. “What does this mean?” you would +have asked, and then, your curiosity getting the better of you, you +would have peeped in. Such a sight! At the front of the room were four +or five rows of young girls, books and pencils in hand, and on the +platform stood a gentleman who was evidently their teacher. What were +they going to do? Why, take their first lesson in stenography, and you +can see from the number of bright and happy faces here to-night, what +that first and each succeeding lesson has done for them. Like little +children just beginning to spell they began with the alphabet, and +step by step, gaining strength and courage, learning everything +thoroughly, till at the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span>end of three months, they had laid a +foundation upon which whatever followed could securely rest; and, when +the mid-winter examination came on (which had all along seemed like a +great wall that was insurmountable), they were able to scale it +without much difficulty.</p> + +<p>But you must not think this goal was reached without many mistakes +which were sometimes very disheartening, and sometimes very funny; as +you will think when I tell you for the letter H a tick is sometimes +used; and one girl slanting this tick the wrong way wrote, “Pale, thou +poly king”; and another, who misplaced a vowel, wrote, “I like my live +eel boy.” However, these errors only tended to make them more careful, +and when they started the speeding course, it served them a good +purpose.</p> + +<p>At the beginning of this course, they were addressed as “My dear +reader,” and told to observe what they were told; then followed some +maxims to be laid to heart, and a little dwarf was introduced whose +name was “Try.” This little fellow had a way of making every one try +to do her best, and those who were unable to do very much at first he +encouraged by giving them a helping hand. After a while he left us and +in his place stood a very impudent <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span>fellow known by those with whom he +had had dealings as “I Forgot,” or “I Didn’t Think;” but as soon as we +learned his mission, which you probably have guessed, or perhaps know +from experience, we discharged him and to secure ourselves from his +return, sent the “Careful Dog” after him. Tom’s uncle then gave his +opinion on Phonography, but although it had over four hundred words in +it, it did not amount to much as some of the girls got it down in less +than three minutes.</p> + +<p>Soon afterward John Smith received a letter from his brother Timothy +Jenkins (this name was given the latter by mistake by one of the +girls), about some place in New York State where they could spend a +very nice vacation. This place had advantages in the way of fishing +and boating, lawn tennis and all the rest; but one of our number, who +evidently thought more of good solid comfort, wrote that there were +“good furniture and bedding.”</p> + +<p>While thinking still of this delightful resort with all its +acquisitions, the strong arm of the law suddenly came down upon us and +holding out a document to our wondering gaze demanded the name of +same. Then was heard a confusion of voices, every one guessing the +wrong thing, until one, who thought of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span>course she knew, cried out +“Oh, it’s a divorce case!” It was no such thing, however; it was a +simple complaint, in which the husband and wife were plaintiffs. We +went through the entire pleadings of this case and when finished, took +up another and another until now we are not lawyers, but some are able +to be stenographers for lawyers, and others amanuenses.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 374px;"> +<img src="images/illus023.jpg" width="374" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Valedictory4" id="Valedictory4"></a>Valedictory</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Miss A. Natalie Kirsch.</span></h3> + +<h3><i>Class of ’90.</i></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>In the life of every person there are two important events, birth and +death; the former marking their advent into a state of action, and the +latter their exit from it. The one is universally a time of joy, the +other a time of sorrow. This is true to such an extent that the time +of birth is popularly designated and commemorated as a day of +feasting, the other as a day of mourning. Solomon, however, does not +agree with us in this; he reverses this order and says, “Better is the +day of one’s death than the day of one’s birth;” and “It is better to +go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for +the living will lay it to his heart.” Whichever view we take of the +matter this day will be one long remembered by all, for it is both the +day of birth and the day of death.</p> + +<p>So with the birth of everything we attempt; its <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span>beginning is attended +with a sort of pleasurable excitement and diligence in the pursuit of +the study we have entered upon, which lasts until the novelty begins +to wear off. Then comes the time when we find ourselves falling into a +rut from which, if we do not try hard to keep up our standard, it will +be difficult to extricate ourselves; but, if we summon all our energy +and strive to overcome all impediments and will work hard and adopt +perseverance as our motto, we shall not fail of success in the end.</p> + +<p>Our small army enlisted last October determined to fight against all +the obstacles which might present themselves in our journey toward +success; and after passing through the hardest and most tedious part +of our work,—the mastering of the principles,—we found ourselves +confronted by an examination, which loomed up before us like a lofty +and rugged mountain, which we knew we must ascend if we would get that +broad outlook which we must obtain for the work of the remainder of +the term.</p> + +<p>Having safely passed that, after a week’s recreation, we again +assembled freshly armed to conquer the difficulties of the speeding +course. This proved to be the pleasanter part of our work, and, after +having spent five months with our teacher in this <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>way, and having +passed the final examination, you see here to-night all who have been +victorious in the battle.</p> + +<p>We came before our leader total strangers to him and to each other, +and many happy days have we spent since first we saw his face, and +every day has deepened our regard for him for having been so patient +with us. When we have been on the brink of despair, he has consoled us +with the assurance that better times were coming, and that, if we did +not give up but would push ahead and persevere, we would surely +succeed.</p> + +<p>The “unwearied sun” has performed his daily circuit, sometimes +visible, and sometimes hidden by the vapor laden clouds, but right +onward, whether seen or unseen, has he gone, and time, that never +lingers, has rolled on rapidly and in its flight has brought us to +this hour, ere we were aware, and lo! it has already begun to +snap the threads which have held us together for the last eight +months. Our lives have been speeding with the moments into the +never-to-be-forgotten past; but the tie which binds our hearts +in Christian love and fellowship death itself cannot sever.</p> + +<p>The seeds of stenography, which were cast into <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>our minds at the +beginning of our lessons, made their appearance as young and tender +shoots when we arrived at the speeding course, and have not only begun +to blossom, but also to bear fruit, inasmuch as eight of our number +are already holding positions as stenographers and typewriters, and we +hope they will soon arrive at full maturity when we have all become +experienced shorthand writers. These little plants need the tenderest +care and most watchful guidance, for, if neglected ere they are larger +grown, and the weeds of careless habits are not rooted out, they will +be a source of great trouble and annoyance in the acquiring of speed. +How important then that they should be wisely directed!</p> + +<p>We have now arrived at the completion of our course here in the +capacity of learners; but only to enter an enlarged sphere of action +and there employ what we have here been enabled to acquire. Not only +have we been learning stenography but have been benefited in a number +of other ways; each lesson in its turn had some moral to convey and +some new thought to suggest, which, while teaching us some new form of +work, and suggesting new ideas, all tended to elevate our minds.</p> + +<p>To you, dear members of the G. S. M. & T., are <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span>we indebted for +enabling us to acquire an honest, well-paying profession, which is +aiding so many young women to improve their condition in life, and +give substantial assistance to those dependent upon them. To our +Instructor are we especially grateful for his thoughtfulness and zeal +in imparting instruction, and the affectionate solicitude which he has +shown for our welfare; nor would we forget the care bestowed upon us +by the Assistant Instructors, who have in many ways supplemented the +instruction which we have received from the Superintendent.</p> + +<p>To you, dear classmates, I give my parting word of farewell. Often +have we met together to study our beloved shorthand, often have the +difficulties seemed great enough to overwhelm us; often have our +sympathies been aroused by the need of help in one way or another, and +now, for the last time, we again assemble at this familiar spot. There +can but arise in our breast thoughts of sadness as we take leave of +each other, for never again can we meet as the Class of ’90, but while +we regret that this is our last evening together, we must bear in +mind, that</p> + +<div class="centerbox5 bbox"><p>“A fleeting hour, a month, a year,<br /> +Is all that God permits us here,<br /> +That we may learn to prize more high<br /> +That heavenly home beyond the sky.”</p></div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Introductory_Address" id="Introductory_Address"></a>Introductory Address</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Oliver Barratt, Esq.</span></h3> + +<h3><i>To the Class of ’91.</i></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>Ladies and gentlemen, I come to welcome you in the name of the young +ladies of the graduating class. The entertainment this evening, owing +to your presence here which is a source of encouragement to them, will +show you what they have learned and what they have been doing during +the past Winter and Spring, and what we have been doing to help them +in the good cause and vocation which they have chosen. Thomas Carlyle +once asked this question: “What can a woman do?” Well, I think if +Thomas Carlyle was alive to-day and could go through the offices of +the merchants and business men and architects and lawyers of this +city, he would be willing to confess that at least one profession had +been taken possession of by woman. If he could go through the lower +part of this city into any <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span>of our offices he would look with wonder +to see a young lady employed as a typewriter and stenographer, as they +almost universally are. In political economy the weakest go to the +wall. Well, it is said that they do, but in this case I think they +have gone to the front. To illustrate that I will tell you a little +experience of my own. Some two or three years ago I went into a +gentleman’s office on some business, and made a statement to him. He +said, “Stop! I want that taken down.” He called a young man sitting at +the desk and said, “Take this statement down.” The stenographer was +about six feet tall, built strong proportionately, and he sat down to +take my statement. One of the first things that struck me was that it +was a pretty light business for a man of his size. The next time I +went into that office, the stenographer was again called to take my +statement, but it was a young lady this time, instead of that great +hulking man. I spoke to my friend about it and he said, “I have a +young lady now and I find she does a great deal better than a man. Her +work is more perfect; more satisfactory.” In this case the weakest had +gone to the wall! The stronger intellect had forced the weaker to the +wall.</p> + +<p>Now, young ladies, I congratulate you on the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span>success you have +attained in the school in your work, and would like to say a few words +to you with regard to your future career. When you go into the +employment of some merchant, banker or lawyer, recollect one thing, +that you are his confidential clerk,—taken into his confidence,—and +what you hear there and write there must not be carried out of his +door. When you go out, leave it behind you, and you will always be +successful. And now, I congratulate you again upon your success here, +and hope for a bright future for you and hope you will be successful +in the vocation which you have chosen.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 190px;"> +<img src="images/illus047.jpg" width="190" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Salutatory_Address5" id="Salutatory_Address5"></a>Salutatory Address</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Miss Emma E. Reimherr.</span></h3> + +<h3><i>Class of ’91.</i></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>It affords me much pleasure to greet you this evening, and, on behalf +of my classmates, to extend to all a sincere and hearty welcome.</p> + +<p>No presence is more inspiring than that manifested in the attendance +of friends at such exercises as these. Truly it is a deep source of +gratification to us, for, as we gaze into the many kindly faces before +us, we are conscious that it is unqualified evidence of the loyal +interest taken in our work, and a full appreciation of our past +efforts.</p> + +<p>We welcome you, gentlemen, representatives of the Society of Mechanics +and Tradesmen, for, not only desirous of granting us every opportunity +to acquire a knowledge of stenography, without expense, you go still +further and lend us your presence, which dignifies and adds grace to +this happy occasion. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span>We, in return, express our cordial obligations +for your favors and philanthropy.</p> + +<p>We welcome Mr. Mason, our faithful teacher, and give him heartfelt +thanks for his kindness to us as pupils, and the earnest attention he +has shown in conducting the school work. We can truthfully say that +the success of the class in their studies is due solely to the skill +of his instruction.</p> + +<p>When we entered upon the inception of our task about eight months ago, +contemplation of such a tedious study as stenography had made us +somewhat apprehensive of successful consequences, and when, +subsequently, we beheld so many curious marks, hooks, loops, spirals +and disjointed straights, then, indeed, did alarm seize upon and +almost terrorize us. How could we accomplish such an arduous +undertaking? We pondered the subject long and well, and, as in all +such matters, a solution was arrived at. You will doubtless not be +surprised when I say it was application—yes, application, with hard, +earnest study as a relative concomitant, which solved the problem. +This was the beginning, an auspicious one, you must admit, because, +having unraveled the chief skein of difficulty, it seemed to imbue us +with increased confidence, and study we did, with intense <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>fervor and +earnestness. Thus it continued. Not a careless and desultory endeavor, +but one of energetic determination and indefatigable zeal. “<i>Festina +Lente</i>,” as the old Romans were wont to say,—“Make haste +slowly,”—was our motto, as little by little we gained in acquisition. +The curious little dots and dashes which at first seemed so strange +and mysterious, soon lost their mystery and ere long a simple +acquaintance with them had ripened into a desirable familiarity. The +same success attended our efforts at the typewriter. The irregular and +heavy sounds which first greeted the ear of the learner, have lost +their harshness, and in their turn, as nimble fingers lightly touch +the enameled keys, the regularity of the merry ticks, broken only by +the gentle ring of the silvery bell, as the cross-bar passes from side +to side, partakes almost of melody.</p> + +<p>Such has been the past, and to-night the conferring of many diplomas +will convince you that our labor has not been in vain. Stenography as +a study is not really difficult. The cardinal requisite is practice. +Leave the rest to time and the result will not be disappointing. Since +those who have studied here this Winter expect to use the knowledge +acquired as a means of subsistence, it is a comforting <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span>reflection +that we can thus earn a livelihood in such a satisfactory and +congenial manner, especially when bearing in mind that the majority of +young women, who toil in this great metropolis, are constrained to +pass long and dreary hours at work which is far less lucrative and +much more debilitating and unhealthy. Again, the study of stenography +requires constant and critical attention, thereby strengthening the +mind and doing away with idle day-dreaming. Mental perception is +rendered more acute, as rapid yet steady thinking is continually +demanded.</p> + +<p>So, after all, now that the labors of the term are over, we may indeed +feel satisfied and happy, assured that you are willing to endorse the +satisfaction we feel at this happy outcome.</p> + +<p>And now, thanking you for the considerate attention you have accorded +these words of salutation, we trust that our programme will greatly +please you; that at its conclusion you will be happy to offer +heartiest congratulations to the Class of ’91.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Address_of_Rev_Chas_S_Harrower_D_D" id="Address_of_Rev_Chas_S_Harrower_D_D"></a>Address of Rev Chas. S. Harrower, D. D.</h2> + +<h3><i>To the Class of ’91.</i></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>Mr. Chairman, Ladies of the Class of ’91 and Friends: I almost feel as +if I were one of the graduates of this institution, I have been here a +number of years now. But one thing that puzzles me is how I should go +to work to report these speeches, and, really, a moment or two ago I +thought the young ladies were engaged in taking down the music. And I +should not be surprised if they after a little while would be able to +take music down stenographically and write it out on the typewriter +and perhaps, by some modification of their skill, evolve it into tune +again. I know that they can talk musically, because we just heard some +beautiful music talked by one of them and I know that she is a +representative of the class.</p> + +<p>So I think that after all the only claim I have to representing this +institution is the fact that I have <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span>been honored by being associated +with the officers, and the teachers, and the graduates of this school +a number of seasons in succession, and age is my only claim to honor, +for I cannot write stenographically, although I can make some crooked +marks, but I do not believe that anybody else could read them after +they get cold, because I know I cannot myself. I can some of them, but +I mean I cannot read them all. I feel particularly honored to-night +upon being given a place upon the platform. I believe this is the very +first occasion when the Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen have pushed +out from their own ancient hall into the world to give a larger +welcome to their constantly growing and most admirable and enviable +constituents. I was wondering to-night how many of the young men and +of the young women before me here had enjoyed the facilities of this +institution in the times past. I am sure they would have to take a +hall that would hold six or seven hundred people, who would fill it +full just as this place is filled full, and to-night this is just as +full as our old hall over home has been during the past five or six +years. We should fill anything because if our friends know they can +come and get away alive, they will come, but if they think they are +going to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span>sweat nearly to death, and be crushed to death, possibly +there will a great many of them stay away.</p> + +<p>I want to congratulate these young ladies. There is one matter that +was referred to in the salutatory this evening,—there is one aspect +of your work and of your success to-night that strikes me. Happy is +the institution that puts a class of fifty young ladies year after +year into the position which those young ladies occupy who have +finished their course, and to-night are to receive their diplomas. Oh, +I do not wonder, after what I know about life in New York City, and +life among women and girls, that your doors are crowded every fall and +that you have two, and three, and four times the applicants for the +facilities and opportunities of the school that you can possibly +accommodate. I do not wonder at it. Why I know a woman 36 years of age +with four children whom she is trying to support, and who works eleven +hours a day for six days of the week, and barely makes an average of +sixty cents a day, and on Saturday night gets six times six or +thirty-six,—$3.60 for her week’s toil, and she has been at it till +eleven at night, starting soon after six in the morning. Just think of +a story like that. Oh, girls, I will call you girls; young ladies, if +you had rather be called young <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span>ladies, I pray you never forget the +sisters and the mothers who are toiling like this. They were just as +bright girls, and just as brave girls when they were girls as you are +now, and yet life has crowded them down, and I do not know how we are +to lift them up, but, by a tremendous concentration of all of our +consciences and all our powers, which shall make a public sentiment, +that shall look into the sweaters’ hells as much as it looks into the +factories, and into the stores, and establishments of men who do not +mean to be cruel or more cruel than you are, and I should be, but who, +in the tussle and competition of life, are led to take part in a +system which is sweating and destroying life which is as brave and +worthy as any of theirs. I wish to create a public opinion which shall +make these exigencies of toil impossible in our modern life. You and I +must do something not only to lift ourselves up, but to help some one +else to climb the ladder to better conditions than otherwise they will +be led to, and I congratulate you that you have climbed the ladder and +have climbed to a better height than that. This institution just helps +you all where your future is secure. Do I say too much? Oh! no, +daughters and sisters, mind, this <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span>institution has helped you to the +place where your future is secure. Nothing can take the place of toil. +Nothing can take the place of work. The Emperor Severus, when he lay +dying at the foot of the Grampian Hills in the old town of York, a +stranger who had taken him from the field turned to the men about him, +and making a little address emphasized his last words over and over +again, saying, “Laboramus, laboramus, laboramus!” We must work, we +must work, we must work, he said, and what was true of the Emperor of +Rome cannot be untrue of us; is just as true of all. There is nothing +done without work, work, work. But you will work. You mean to work. +You came here because you were determined to work. You have been +working over hours and overtime. You have been overworked some of you, +just to get the facilities which this institution and this blessed +year of grace can give to you, and you will do it. I know you will be +true. It is not for me to repeat what Mr. Barratt said. I know that he +told the truth when he said that one of the essential things is +fidelity to the confidences which come into your position, through the +relation you sustain to your superiors, your employers and your +principals.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p><p>I know that that is true. I know, too, another thing, and that is, +that there will be times when you will feel tired-headed and wish you +could rest. Did you ever read about Charles Lamb? You know what +beautiful things Charles Lamb wrote. Some of you have read the jolly +story of how roast pig was discovered by the young Chinaman. You have +read that, and if you ever want a good laugh some time get the essays +of Elia and turn to the paper on roast pig, and read it, and you will +enjoy it immensely. At last Charles Lamb was released from his duties +in the India office, he went home and wrote a letter and said to his +friend,—he was so excited with the fact that now he was free,—he +said, “For £10,000 I would not labor ten years longer in that old +India office. The best thing anybody can do is nothing, and next to +nothing, perhaps, go to work.” And he went out to do nothing. He had +nothing more to do. Two years after that he says, “Any work is a +hundred times better than no work at all. The sun looks down on no +forlorner creature than me with nothing to do.”</p> + +<p>Toil is necessary, labor is necessary for our happiness, as well as +our prosperity. But <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span>I do not want you to overwork, and I believe you +do wrong when you do. Just for a little while, while you are getting +this knowledge, you must be willing perhaps to overwork; do not +overwork, do not overstrain yourself. You can break your brains as +easily as you can your back, and every now and then you hear of some +young fellow who breaks his back. Don’t break your back, and your +neck, and your brain, and don’t forget, just for the sake of getting +ahead a little faster and making a little more money. Remember that +your life and happiness are worth more than a few dollars. I say that +because I know that some of you would be tempted to overwork, but I +want to say alongside of it, another thing that I believe you cannot +forget, and that is this, that there is an element in true life and in +true service which dollars do not pay for. There is an element that is +higher and finer which we usually think of when we think of the +faithful performance of our work, the work allotted to us and the +faithful keeping of business secrets that are intrusted to us. There +is something finer than that. It would be supposed that the men of the +learned profession were the men who work for something beside money. +The doctor must respond to a call <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>no matter whether it comes from the +poorest home, or the richest home. There is something in the +professional relation to society that lifts a man up to a point where +he dare not work simply for money. The minister must go, and it makes +no difference where the call comes from or what time of the night or +day a call comes, and he goes without asking anything about what is to +return to him. The lawyer will stand up in court and take a case and +plead for it, when there is not a single shilling to come into his +hands, because the task is assigned to him. He is a servant of +civilized society. So is the medicine man. And it used to be supposed +that only professional men were the servants of society, in this high +sense that takes them out from a mere consideration of gain. That used +to be supposed. But they will not be able to monopolize this high +idea. The doctors, and lawyers, and ministers in that respect are just +like the rest of you. There is a point for which money cannot be paid +you, nor the lack of money release you, it is the putting of your +heart into your work, the putting of your interest into your work, the +putting of your words into your work, and doing your work not simply +as long as men’s <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span>eyes are on you, but doing your work faithfully, to +the best of your ability, as long as you receive a man’s money and as +long as you hold relations of obligation to him. There is that which +money does not pay for. There is that element of the highest +profession in all services, whether it be a woman with the needle or a +typewriter, or whether it be the stenographer, or whether it be the +mechanic in the house,—if he does his work as he ought to do it he +will put something into it that he does not expect to be paid for. He +will put something into it for which he is to be paid in the improved +condition of life and the benefit that he has done to humanity. +Humanity is to pay him, and not his employer, not in gold but in +goodness, in virtue, in worthy services, he is to get his pay. Put +your heart into your work. Join the learned professions, if you +please, by being not only true and faithful but by being hearty and +conscientious and faithful at every point in your business life.</p> + +<p>And now I have said all that I ought to say but I cannot avoid saying +that one word more. You remember when Sir Walter Scott lay dying, he +called his son-in-law to his bedside and said, “I may not have a +minute or two in which to speak to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>you my dear, be virtuous, be +religious, be a good man. Nothing else will be any comfort to you when +you are lying where I am lying now.”</p> + +<p>Be virtuous, be religious. Be good women always and bless your +associates. Be faithful in your accomplishments. Be useful in your +services. Be proud of every achievement that you can make, but above +all fear God and in this way live close to the Christ himself who +lived not for what should come to Him, but for the blessing which +should come to the worthy.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 409px;"> +<img src="images/illus029.jpg" width="409" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="A_Class_History2" id="A_Class_History2"></a>A Class History</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Miss Nellie J. Bell.</span></h3> + +<h3><i>Class of ’91.</i></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>From the time of the creation to the present day, everything that has +ever existed has had a history. Every leaf and tree and blooming +flower, each have theirs; that sky-lark soaring high in the sunny blue +sky has a history, and, as it pours forth a sweet melody, how the air +vibrates with the gladsome song! Even that tiny spray of hare-bells +clinging tenaciously to a cleft in the rugged rocks, over which the +foaming mountain torrent leaps and dashes, has its own little history. +So has the torrent itself. It began away back among the snow-capped +hills, and at first was only a tiny stream, but, joined by other +courses, and swollen with the melting snows and spring rains, it has +become a foaming, dashing mountain stream, plunging headlong over +rocks and forming many a pretty cascade and sparkling waterfall. Now +it runs deeply and swiftly through some <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>dark cañon, and now, emerging +into broad sunlight, and flowing peacefully through green meadows, it +gives refreshment to the ferns and rushes along its banks, and to many +a little songster. So it flows on and on until it reaches the friendly +arms of the sea, outstretched to receive it.</p> + +<p>The Class of ’91 is no exception to the general rule which governs all +Nature. The history of this class began last October; it is thus just +eight months old. Its diet up to the present time has consisted +chiefly of Phonographic outlines, well seasoned and flavored with +vowels and grammalogues, and served á la Pitman. And, in the words of +Abraham Lincoln, we say, “For those who like that kind of diet, why +it’s just the kind of diet they like.”</p> + +<p>From the time of the commencement of the class, we have been climbing, +climbing, up the steep and rugged paths of Phonography. We began our +ascent from the base, and while traveling up the foot-hills, our guide +explained to us something of the nature of the ascent, and brought us +into contact with some very amusing incidents.</p> + +<p>The road for the most part was straight, but as we progressed we found +ourselves following our guide around curves, and sometimes even around +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span>and around in circles. At first we looked about us a good deal, +thought it would not be so very hard climbing after all, and so +gradually accustomed ourselves to it. We found that we could +accomplish more and more each day, and the higher we climbed the more +invigorating grew the air.</p> + +<p>One day we had been toiling up a long steep hill which some one +suggested was like the Hill Difficulty. We struggled up its steep +sides, weary and travel-stained, discouraged, but not ready to give +up, and at each step plunging in our mountain canes, which were black, +sharpened at both ends, and labeled “Faber No. 2.” Soon we heard a +cheery halloa, and looking up saw a tiny little man standing at the +top of a hill. “That’s Mr. Try,” said our guide, “he is one of the +best people in this mountain. If any one is in trouble, wearied, +discouraged, and just about to give up, then is the time you may +depend on Try. He comes with words of consolation, and with his bright +cheery talk so convinces his poor broken down fellow-beings of future +success, that they get up and begin to depend on ‘Try again.’”</p> + +<p>Soon we began to notice signs on the trees along our road. One was, +“Wash tubs and window-sash, vinegar, putty, pails and glass.” Another, +“Two boys <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span>to let for the Summer.” This was interesting, and we +hurried along in hopes of seeing the author of these strange signs, +for our guide told us he was the queerest man in that section of the +country. Soon we came to his house and found it fairly bristling with +signs. Curiosity overcame us and we stopped in and asked for a drink +of water. The object of our curiosity was leaning his elbow on the +mantel. He had long hair and was greatly stooped. We found his wife +very talkative, and when she found out who we were, began to tell us +about the Deed of their Property. “When we were married,” she began in +a high nasal voice, “Chauncy’s father gave him a clear title to this +place; and after Chauncy’s death it is to go back to the old homestead +again.” Then she took us through his work-shop where he manufactured +the articles displayed on his signs.</p> + +<p>Next we came across another dwarf, just the opposite of Try, our guide +said. He was always up to some sort of mischief, and his greatest +delight was to get other people into trouble. The country people had +long wished to be rid of him but he had a long lease of his house and +he meant to stay there. He was a homely little elf, with bright red +hair, a slight squint in one eye and a wart on his nose. If a lesson +had <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>not been prepared, this fellow, who was called “I Forgot,” was +sure to be on hand in time to whisper into the ear of the culprit, +“Say ‘I Didn’t Think’ or ‘I Forgot,’” and the minute she opened her +mouth, out it would come and then the wicked elf would “fold his tent +like the Arabs and silently steal away” to parts unknown, with a +fiendish grin on his ugly little face leaving his dejected victim to +receive a well-merited rebuke for carelessness. This dwarf followed us +for many days, but heeding the repeated warnings of our guide, most of +us at length learned to distrust him and turn a deaf ear to his +excuses. Thus we struggled on and on up the steep sides of the +mountain, and at the close of each day, we realized that, “Something +attempted, something done, had gained a night’s repose,” for us, +although we didn’t always get it.</p> + +<p>And now we were nearing the end of our journey, our hopes ran high and +we kept our eyes upward toward the summit. The obstacles which had +continually beset our path had been overcome, and we could say like +the Irishman, who, on capturing three prisoners in the late war, was +asked how he secured them: “Indade, sir,” replied he with a knowing +wink, “it’s meself that surrounded them, sir.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p><p>At last we reach our destination in time to just view the sunrise. The +grass is green, the flowers are all in bloom, Spring is here. The +faint gray streaks of the dawn are in the sky and soon the whole East +is suffused with a roseate flush. There is a hush of expectancy in the +air, the breeze is soft, the birds are twittering drowsily in the +tree-tops, and then in a flood of golden splendor “the morning sun +comes peeping over the hills.” Instantly all nature is alive, the +birds pour forth their sweet melodies, the drowsy hum of the bees +floats lazily on the air; there is a pleasant rustling among the tall +swaying pines. Dew-drops glisten on the grass, the flowers nod gayly +in the morning breeze, and we feel like singing:</p> + +<div class="centerbox8 bbox"><p>“When the sun all gloriously comes forth from the ocean,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Making earth beautiful, chasing shadows away,</span><br /> +Thus do we offer Thee our prayers and devotions,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">God of the fatherless, guide us, guard us, to-day.”</span></p></div> + +<p>The new day has begun, and we have witnessed one of the finest views +in Nature’s kaleidoscope; for what could be more beautiful than the +dawn! So are our lives just at this time. The air is full of hope and +promise; so are we. We are just in the Springtime of our lives; our +hopes, our aims, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span>our aspirations are all as fresh and unsullied as +the morn itself.</p> + +<p>Now, in the dewy freshness of the early morning, we see that we are on +a broad table-land, and not on the summit of the mountain as we had +fondly hoped. We notice paths running in all directions,—some go +straight to the top of the mountain, others stop at different places +along the route. Only the future can decide which path each shall +take. We have a grand field of labor before us, in this hill of +knowledge which we have been traversing for the past eight months. +There are still rich and undiscovered resources of knowledge, which, +brought to the light, would make the art a perfect one and us perfect +in it. Now it is time for us to separate. Some of the more ambitious +of us will, by dint of hard and unremitting labor, reach the pinnacle +of our hopes.</p> + +<p>Others, less ambitious, will be content to spend their days in the +peaceful valleys of quiet usefulness. But, before we separate, let us +each resolve that we will never, by act or word, do anything which +might reflect discredit on this Association, to the members of which +we owe a debt of gratitude which we can never hope to repay except by +doing our very best, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span>and so bring honor upon those who have done so +much for us and upon the Institution which they uphold.</p> + +<p>The Class of ’91 is now like the waves of the sea:</p> + +<div class="centerbox9 bbox"><p>On the bosom of the ocean,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dance the wavelet’s glittering band;</span><br /> +With a slow and fairy motion<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Moving onward towards the land;</span><br /> +But that reached, they burst and sever,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Bound no more by beauty’s spell,</span><br /> +Thus, we who have toiled together,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The goal reached, must breathe farewell.</span></p></div> + +<p>Here endeth the simple annals of the Class of ’91.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 132px;"> +<img src="images/illus009.jpg" width="132" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Class_Poem4" id="Class_Poem4"></a>Class Poem</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Miss Marion C. Burns.</span></h3> + +<h3><i>Class of ’91.</i></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<div class="centerbox9 bbox"><p>We extend a hearty welcome<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To you all, both old and young,</span><br /> +Who have come to aid in sending off<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The Class of ’91.</span></p> + +<p>We beg you will be generous<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In judging us to-night,</span><br /> +See not the faults nor blunders,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But keep the good in sight.</span></p> + +<p>This class you see united here,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To-night will have to sever,</span><br /> +But where to go, Ah! who can tell?<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And shall it be forever?</span></p> + +<p>Here, many a pleasant hour we’ve spent,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But now we soon must part,</span><br /> +And yet the lessons taught us here<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shall dwell deep in each heart.</span></p> + +<p>In after years we’ll fondly think<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of pleasant times gone by,</span><br /> +And when we’re treading other paths,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The memory’ll dim each eye.</span></p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span>Our teachers we have sorely tried<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As any one might see;</span><br /> +At last they’ve succeeded in teaching us,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Typewriting and Stenography.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, thanks to you, our faithful friends,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For what you both have done,</span><br /> +For firm, but kind you’ve always been,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And patient with every one.</span></p> + +<p>These gentlemen deserve our thanks,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For their goodness to us here,</span><br /> +Your kindness we shall not forget,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For many and many a year.</span></p> + +<p>May fortune on you ever smile,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And blessings on you flow,</span><br /> +This, this shall be our prayer for you,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wherever you may go.</span></p> + +<p>For many truly grateful hearts,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">You surely here may find,</span><br /> +Who fully all your gifts esteem<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To elevate the mind.</span></p> + +<p>Now, with best wishes to you all,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">On parting we’ll not dwell,</span><br /> +But to our teachers, classmates, friends<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We’ll say, farewell, farewell.</span></p></div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Address_of_Mr_Henry_Moore" id="Address_of_Mr_Henry_Moore"></a>Address of Mr. Henry Moore</h2> + +<h3><i>To the Class of ’91.</i></h3> + +<h3><span class="smcap">In Behalf of the School Committee.</span></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>Of course, it is not expected that the representatives of the School +Committee will have very much to say. You have listened very +attentively to all that has been already said, and I think that the +ground has been still further covered in what has already been said. +It may not be known to all present that this Society, merging +community of interest at the time when the camp fires of the +Revolution had just burned out, associated themselves together for +mutual protection and for one another’s general good. It was to +relieve the unfortunate, the widow and the orphan that brought +together the great mechanic minds of the past, and all a-down the past +century we can find that they have always been ready, always been +anxious, always been willing to lend the hand of kindness and +attention to those <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span>whom they found in need, to assist, to protect and +to care for. Robinson, in one of his poems, has said, “Who will break +the bread of sorrow? Who will give the cup of sympathy? Who breathe of +sympathy to those who are suffering, and relieve with the cup of +sympathy the sorrowing ones of earth?” I do not think I have quoted +that exactly, but it has been the motto of this Society ever to +protect those who needed their protection; to care for those who +needed their care and their bounty, and to-night we find the result of +this care and protection, in the graduates of the Class of ’90-’91. I +leave this matter with you for reflection. We all know and realize +what it is to be a member of the General Society of Mechanics and +Tradesmen, and I, for one, am thankful to be able to say to you in +hearty welcome and in hearty greeting that the evidences are now +before you of the well-being, and the comfort, and the joy, and the +happiness of the graduates of the Class of ’90-’91.</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Valedictory6" id="Valedictory6"></a>Valedictory</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Miss Hilda Busick.</span></h3> + +<h3><i>Class of ’91.</i></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<div class="centerbox1 bbox"><p><a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a>Das ist im Leben haslich eingerichtet,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Das Bei den Rosen gleich die Dornen stehn;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Und was das arme Herz auch sehnt und dichtet,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Zum Schlusse kommt das Voneinandergehen.</span></p></div> + +<p>The words of the poet are but too true. What rose does not hold up its +pretty, fragrant head, feigning unconsciousness of the thorns hidden +beneath its bright, green leaves? And just so life’s joys are with its +sorrows associated. There never was a <i>perfectly</i> happy day, unclouded +as the skies of June, for every pleasure, inasmuch as it must end, +carries with it some sadness—every meeting, the pain of parting.</p> + +<p>So to-night the joyous echo of “welcome” is still to be heard, the +fragrance of its roses is yet perceptible, when the solemn +“<i>Farewell</i>” rings upon our ears and its thorns pierce our hearts.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p><p>Ruskin says, “It is a type of eternal truth that the soul’s armor is +never well set to the heart, unless a woman’s hand has braced it, and +it is only when she braces it loosely that the honor of manhood +fails.” If then, the honor of the world is dependent upon woman, if +she is to be responsible for all war and all peace, happiness or +discontent, it behooves us to consider the greatness, amounting to +almost awe, of the duty imposed upon us. Our task may, perhaps, be a +difficult one, but not if we seize it with an unyielding grasp, and +fight it to the bitter end—“to the last syllable of recorded +time”—if need be.</p> + +<p>Our circle of usefulness is constantly widening. The doors of +colleges, and thus those of every profession, have opened to admit us +within their sacred precincts. In all parts of the world our sisters +are successful as musicians, painters, sculptors—Harriet Hosmer, for +example—physicians, professors, stenographers. Many of them are now +on the highest rounds of the ladders from which their lack of superior +education formerly excluded them. This is especially true of +stenography. Yet some one has recently written, that, owing to their +superior tact in arrangement, their neatness, their unobtrusiveness, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span>their faithfulness, and numerous other excellent qualities, the +demand for women in this capacity is steadily increasing. We find them +filling lucrative positions in banking, commercial and publishing +houses; in brokers’ and insurance offices, in law firms, in fact, in +every place where the haste of this nineteenth century requires a +stenographer’s speed. Indeed, they have made for themselves, in the +use of the “wingéd words,” a name which it is our duty to assist in +more firmly establishing.</p> + +<p>In behalf of my classmates, as well as for myself, I wish to thank our +Instructor most cordially for his thorough teaching; for the interest +he awakened in us toward this intricate art, without which we would +have long since been compelled to cry “Vanquished;” for his timely +assistance over the sharp pointed stones and by the brier bushes in +the darkened forest, and for his patience which our forgetfulness so +sorely tried. And, though our words of gratitude may be weak, the +feeling is deep-rooted in our hearts, and through the years to come we +shall carry with us many pleasant memories of the hours spent with +him, and never fail to appreciate his more than kindness.</p> + +<p>The neat typewritten exercises, letters and legal <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>documents, which +the members of the typewriting class have at different times shown us, +are an earnest of the work done in that department, and we can have no +doubt that his pupils feel grateful to their teacher.</p> + +<p>The School Committee, indeed all the members of the G. S. M. & T., +have our heartiest thanks for their kindness in enabling so many to +gain a profession, and for the interest they have always manifested in +our welfare.</p> + +<p>One word of “Farewell” to my classmates: During the past Winter, while +studying together, many of us have formed strong friendships, which we +hope shall never decay, or have bound more closely those who were +friends before. Several of the more fortunate have already obtained +positions, making profitable use of the treasures received from our +Instructor. But the others need not despair, for if we are faithful +and determined we shall in due time receive our call, and “In quiet +and in confidence shall be our strength,” perfection shall be our aim, +and when we have reached the goal, may it be said of us, as Antony +said of Brutus:</p> + +<div class="centerbox4 bbox"><p>“Nature might stand up and say to all the world,<br /> +‘This was a man.’”</p></div> + +<p>In our journey through life, when doubts fall <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span>thick and fast around +us, and the lowering sky seems just above our heads, surely these +beautiful words of Goethe will fill us with encouragement:</p> + +<div class="centerbox5 bbox"><p>“Wouldst thou win desires unbounded?<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yonder see the glory burn,</span><br /> +Lightly is our life surrounded,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sleep’s a shell to scorn and spurn,</span><br /> +When the crowd sways unbelieving,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Slow the daring will that warns,</span><br /> +He is crowned with all achieving<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Who perceives and then performs.”</span></p></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 411px;"> +<img src="images/illus040.jpg" width="411" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CLASS_NIGHT_EXERCISES" id="CLASS_NIGHT_EXERCISES"></a>CLASS NIGHT EXERCISES</h2> + +<h3>A Prophecy of the Class of ’91.</h3> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Miss Hilda Busick.</span></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>Know All Men By These Presents, that I, having departed this life, +have received permission from Pluto, King of the Shades, to return to +this world and make known to you, less fortunate mortals, your +destiny. While lounging idly on the banks of the “River of Oblivion,” +the sovereign of that sunless region permitted me to read in his “Book +of Life.” Listlessly turning over the pages I saw a name in bold +characters: “W. L. Mason, City, County and State of New York.” Then +the pages began to turn of their own accord and the names of my former +friends and acquaintances, <i>inter alia</i>, presented themselves in rapid +succession.</p> + +<p>Mary A. Moore and her husband; John Williamson; our well-known +pugilistic friend, John L. Sullivan; a “hen-pecked” Bostonian, and +others.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p><p>As I read a dim mist seemed to come from the river, causing the words +to fade; bona fide pictures arose in their stead.</p> + +<p><i>First.</i> In the famous city of Kroy Wen, stood a large pagoda, on +which was emblazoned the startling legend: “College of Stenography, W. +L. Mason, President.” At this hour the college doors were open and +within could be seen the bulletin of the staff; it was, the President, +the right honorable W. L. Mason, D. D., assisted by his able corps of +instructors, the professors Massie and Shaughnessy, the latter by +their punctuality and the sweet temper of the former, being of the +utmost assistance to him. Et signiture was the course.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>First Term. Lecture on the Principles of Shorthand, together with +practical lessons in disorder, untidiness, negligence, forgetfulness +and carelessness, all thoroughly taught in three months more or less.</p> + +<p>Second Term. Practice in misapplying all that you have learned, with a +view to writing as illegibly and slowly as possible.</p> + +<p>Third Term. Literature, the reading of Mother Goose Rhymes in +shorthand, and the writing of dime novels for the literature of the +20th century.</p></div> + +<p>The Right Honorable President, as hereinbefore <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span>mentioned, is old and +decrepit, unable to keep order in his classes, and therefore always +carries with him a jumping rope, the handles of which he uses on the +knuckles of his unruly pupils, while the rope itself brings to him +recollections of his youthful days when it was used for the legitimate +purpose for which it was manufactured.</p> + +<p><i>Second.</i> Now the panorama changes and shows a lady of medium height, +fair, slight and happy. She walks through one of the crowded streets +of Kroy Wen, handing to the passers by circulars which read as +follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="center">“To the People of the City of Kroy Wen,</p> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Greeting</span>:</p> + +<p>“I beg to notify the public that the first issue of my new +paper,—Wit,—will be ready in two weeks and I hereby +guarantee to the said public that it will afford amusement, +entertainment and instruction, with a special column +devoted to Phonography.</p> + +<p>“In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, +the day and year last above written.</p> + +<p class="right">Signed,      <span style="margin-right: 2em;"><span class="smcap">“C. Cellpur.</span>”</span></p></div> + +<p><i>Third.</i> A revolution had evidently taken place in England; the people +were clamoring for Constitutional Government. Discussions were loud +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span>and prolonged in the “House of Lords.” In the latter, on one of the +front benches, sat the stenographer who had been admonished on her +life to write the turbulent speeches verbatim. She was our dear +friend, Miss Rhythm.</p> + +<p><i>Fourth.</i> An imposing publishing house in the city of Not Sob, which +city is noted for its cultured inhabitants. Small boys were placing on +the doors and windows of said publishing house, the same to remain +thereon without hindrance or molestation, large notices which bore +this inscription: “Our most recent publication is a book written by +Miss N. Murphie. It is important as a work of art and is an authority +on all topics of etiquette, especially as regards language. The +cultured inhabitants of Not Sob cannot afford to lose this opportunity +of making themselves more familiar with those refinements of speech +which have long marked them as the most cultured people in the land.”</p> + +<p>Then I saw what seemed to be an illegal document purporting to be a +marriage settlement, in which Mrs. Ocean is wisely having her property +settled upon herself, mindful of the time when she learned that +“What’s hers is his, and what’s his isn’t hers.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p><p><i>Fifth.</i> A convention of the Woman’s Rights Association. The hall is +crowded. Several determined looking women who have already addressed +the meeting are on the platform. The audience is breathlessly awaiting +the appearance of what Edward Everett Hale calls “A Hen’s Right Hen.” +She is at length presented, her remarks are interspersed with legal +terms; evidently some part of the training has been at the F. S. & T. +C. of the G. S. M. & T. Her talk is upon the uselessness of the male +sex and the applause is loud and enthusiastic. Her face and manner are +very familiar, and looking at the programme I see that the initials of +her name spell H. E. M. P.</p> + +<p><i>Sixth.</i> A copy of the “Post and Lightning;” it is yellow with age. It +had probably been handed down from generation to generation as a +precious heirloom. The column containing the marriage notices is +folded outward, and one marked with blue pencil reads:</p> + +<p>“Wolf—Lamb. Mr. F. Wolf to Miss M. Lamb, both of the State of Kroy +Wen, May 25th, 912, at the home of the bride.”</p> + +<p>“The Wolf had devoured the Lamb.”</p> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Verses" id="Verses"></a>Verses</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Read by Miss Carrie R. Purcell, Upon Awarding<br /> +Prizes to the Members of her Section,<br /> +Tuesday Evening, June 2nd, ’91.</span></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<div class="centerbox8 bbox"><p>I beg of you all just a little time<br /> +In which to attend to this dear class of mine.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dear Tuesday night girls you should all have a prize,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And it makes me feel sad, and tears dim my eyes</span><br /> +When I think that for most of you I have no prize.</p> + +<p>But a dear little “tot” in this class doth belong<br /> +Whose euphonious cognomen is Margaret Armstrong,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If she will come forward, I gladly will give</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A prize she can cherish as long as she’ll live.</span></p> + +<p>And here is another for Nellie J. Bell,<br /> +Whose sweet resonant tones you all know so well;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Come hither, dear Nellie, a friend greets you now,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Here, take this <i>small</i> package and make a large bow,</span><br /> +While I tell your dear classmates, with smiles all serene,<br /> +That soon you will rival the renowned Lawyer Green.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ah! here is another, it seems to be round,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I wonder for which of the class it is bound.</span><br /> +It may be intended for some gentle “myth”<br /> +But no, my dear friends, it is meant for Miss Smith,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Who’ll take the world easy wherever she is,—</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Will she take it this evening and smile as she does?</span></p> + +<p>Here’s something else before we pass on<br /> +For our dear kind teacher, Mr. W. L. Mason,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For oft have I seen the briny tear start</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To his bright kindly eyes, while my classmates so smart</span><br /> +Were kept <i>waiting</i>, while I tried to write like the chart.</p></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 201px;"> +<img src="images/illus044.jpg" width="201" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Address" id="Address"></a>Address</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Of Miss Ellen M. Phillips, Upon Awarding<br /> +Prizes to the Members of her Section,<br /> +Tuesday Evening, June, 2nd, ’91.</span></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>In these days of model schools it is difficult to find an innovation +or to advance a theory of improvement which has not already been made; +but it seems to me there is one crying grievance from which all +schools suffer, and which I should like to do my little mite to +redress. My ideal of a school-master is the one in the opera of “Billy +Taylor.” His creed is summed up in the quatrain.</p> + +<div class="centerbox1 bbox"><p>“When a pedagogue, I’d often wish,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">I’d give prizes to the <i>worst</i> boys at school.</span><br /> +The good boys I would like to swish,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">But alas! I would not break the rule.”</span></p></div> + +<p>Since the pleasant duty of awarding prizes has fallen to my lot, I am +determined to award them according to my theory, and lest my reasons +for bestowing them may not be perfectly clear to all, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span>and the system +of reasoning by which my results are attained appear somewhat +illogical, I will endeavor to explain my reasons.</p> + +<p>What, for instance, can be more absurd than the usual way in which the +prize is chosen for the individual obtaining the highest per cent. in +an examination? What, forsooth, is awarded but a collection of +books!!! Yes! To the very person who is supposed to know all that +books contain! It would be much more logical to my thinking to give +the aforesaid set of books to a poor plucked student who would be so +glad to avail himself of a little of their weighty contents.</p> + +<p>For, and in consideration of the aforesaid reason, and for other +valuable consideration, I hereby assign, transfer and set over unto +you, my dear Miss Reidy, this little volume. It may seem small, but +believe me therein is comprised a respectable proportion of human +knowledge. It will be your consolation in time of need. In it you will +find every thing a mortal mind may desire. Do you desire wealth? You +will find it described on all that certain lot, piece or parcel of +column 2, situate, lying and being on page 303. Or perhaps happiness +is your aim? That you will find near the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span>southeast corner of page +133, the same being therein described as the State of Enjoyment.</p> + +<p>In short, you will have no wish unfulfilled. Go, <i>read ye</i> and be +wise, and however friends may forsake you, be sure this faithful Dict. +will never fail you.</p> + +<p>Another striking injustice in the bestowal of prizes is the fact the +teachers get none of them, and who, pray, is more entitled to them? Is +it not the teacher who has crammed and coached the unfortunate +students to the saturation point? Now, in my model school, no such +injustice shall be done, but, what to offer? There’s the question. Of +course a teacher’s mind is a compendium of all human knowledge, +therefore books would be out of place. So, Mr. Mason, to you I offer +no gaudy volume, but only this little machine, adapted for physical +culture. It is warranted to exercise every one of the blank muscles of +the human body at once; besides cultivating the artistic taste. Note +the graceful curve it describes in the air! Note the harmony of color +in the handles! Take it, dear teacher, to have, to possess, and to +enjoy the same unto yourself, your heirs, executors, administrators, +and assigns forever.</p> + +<p>Another striking incongruity is the fact that <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span>the best student is +generally a pale, slender girl, or one on which the ravages of disease +have set their mark. To this delicate creature is given a prize of +books which will still further tax her powers. Now, would it not be +wiser to minister to the body diseased and award a prize of this +nature. Will Miss Hilda Busick step this way? Permit me to ask you one +question. <i>Be you sick?</i> That is all I wish to know. <i>Be you sick?</i> If +that be so, dear friend, take this in time. It is warranted to cure +every ill under the sun, and taken internally or externally makes no +difference. Take it, and bless your fortunate star which brought this +to your lot rather than a pile of dusty volumes.</p> + +<p>For you, dear Miss Clancy, I was at a loss, but knowing that your +future career will be a busy one, I thought this little engagement +slate might be handy. You see you can hang it up in your office when +you are called away to take down a sermon of Phillips Brooks, or to +report the World’s Fair of ’92, and the horde of stenographer-hunters +may subscribe their names here and their humble supplication that you +will attend to them on their return. The other side of the slate may +be used in casting up bills.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p><p>I quite agree with Miss Sharp that patriotic sentiments ought to be +inculcated, and for this reason I have chosen this little flag of our +country which I beg she will accept; accompanying it is a little +bundle of fire-crackers dear to every patriotic heart. The best way to +appreciate them is to tie them together with their fuming little +projecting frizzles, set fire to the last one and throw them on the +street; the result will astonish you, I am sure.</p> + +<p>And now, my dear friends, you have seen the merits of my system, but +it is with pain that I point out its only defect. I give prizes to the +worst ones at school, the only trouble is there are so few “worst” +that the list of prize-winners is naturally small. But I hope you will +acknowledge that its defect is amply compensated for by its other +excellencies.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 374px;"> +<img src="images/illus023.jpg" width="374" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="A_Tale_of_Woe" id="A_Tale_of_Woe"></a>A Tale of Woe</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Miss Carrie R. Purcell.</span></h3> + +<h3>(<i>Read on Class Night, Tuesday, June 2, 1891.</i>)</h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<div class="centerbox11 bbox"><p><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Listen my friends, and you shall hear</span><br /> +A <i>dreadful</i> poem which I have here.<br /> +’Tis about the class of ’91,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And a harrowing tale when once begun.</span><br /> +A tale that will make you all shiver and shake;<br /> +The thought of it now is making me quake.</p> + +<p>’Tis a tale of struggle and grief and woe,<br /> +Of the girls who wrote fast, and the girls who wrote slow,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of girls who came early, of girls who came late,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of those who had plenty, others, none to dictate.</span><br /> +Of the girls who held pencils as if they were pills,<br /> +Of others, who held them as if they had chills.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of the dear darling girls who did everything (write) right,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of other unfortunates weeping all night,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Oh! indeed, my dear friends, ’twas a terrible sight.</span></p> + +<p>Of a dear kindly teacher who came every night,<br /> +And who stayed long after the electric light,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of the class in a circle the teacher around,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">While he watched every outline, and heard every sound.</span><br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span>And the five minutes recess to catch the fresh air.<br /> +Of return to the circle and “catching” it there;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of the girls who can stand up and read as they’d write.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of others who couldn’t if they stood up all night;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ah! yes indeed, ’twas a pitiful plight.</span></p> + +<p>Of Complaints and of Answers, of Leases and Deeds;<br /> +Of all kinds of letters for business men’s needs;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of good sound advice as we all neared the end,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From our dear kind Instructor, who is “also our friend.”</span><br /> +Of that dread Monday eve which had long been expected;<br /> +Of the papers accepted, and the papers rejected.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of this beautiful calm which has followed that night;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And I’m sure that my teachers and classmates unite</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In thanking Class ’90 for this pleasant sight.</span></p></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 152px;"> +<img src="images/illus124.jpg" width="152" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Verses_Read_on_Class_Night" id="Verses_Read_on_Class_Night"></a>Verses Read on Class Night</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Miss Nellie J. Bell.</span></h3> + +<h3><i>June 2, 1891.</i></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<div class="centerbox6 bbox"><p>Hail! To our friends, both one and all,<br /> +Hail! To our neighbors, great and small,<br /> +Hail! To the sweet June air and sun,<br /> +Hail! To the Class of ’91.</p> + +<p>For the past eight months we’ve been working,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Working with might and main,</span><br /> +To get Phonographic outlines<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Fixed firmly in our brains.</span></p> + +<p>But now our work is ended,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Our Winter’s work is done;</span><br /> +Then hip hurrah, hurrah, hurrah,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For the Class of ’91!</span></p> + +<p>And we smile as we think of the hours<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That we thought so fraught with pain;</span><br /> +They have gone like the fleeting shadows,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">N’er to return again.</span></p> + +<p>And now we can sit in our cosy homes,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And watch the drizzling rain;</span><br /> +It used to be, “Put up your umbrella<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And don’t you miss the train.”</span></p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span>I was seated one night, with book and pen,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The midnight oil burned low;</span><br /> +While on the table spread before me lay,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A legal doc. with verbiage slow.</span></p> + +<p>When all at once on the still night air,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Rang a terrible shriek, so wild and shrill,</span><br /> +It curdled the warm blood in my veins,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And made my very heart stand still.</span></p> + +<p>I rushed to the casement, and open it flew<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The pale moon shone in the azure sky,</span><br /> +And like costly gems, ’neath a cloud of lace,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Gleamed the stars in the Milky Way.</span></p> + +<p>And I looked and shuddered,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For what did I see,</span><br /> +But Thomas and Maria a lookin’ at me,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Their voices were pitched in the high key of C.</span></p> + +<p>Classmates, now step to the front,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And make your bow to the business world,</span><br /> +We are ready to work for honest hire,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With our banners all unfurled.</span></p> + +<p>And now in conclusion we bid you adieu<br /> +And make room for the Class of ’92.</p> + +<p>Now give three cheers, and three times three<br /> +For this glorious G. S. M. & T.<br /> +God’s blessing be on it forever, we say,<br /> +May it know naught but prosperous days.</p></div> + +<hr class="large" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="Address_to_the_Graduating_Class" id="Address_to_the_Graduating_Class"></a>Address to the Graduating Class</h2> + +<h3><i>On Examination Night.</i></h3> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By W. L. Mason, Instructor.</span></h3> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Pupils</span>:</p> + +<p>This is the last night of our course, and since we have studied our +final lesson together, it has occurred to me that this would be a good +opportunity for a little talk with you, as you are about to leave this +school and go out into the world. First of all, I want to tell you, as +I have many times told you before, how very much I have enjoyed my +work in connection with this class during the past Winter. There is a +certain satisfaction in feeling that I have been able to help you to +learn something, and this feeling is increased by remembering that I, +too, have been learning, and that my knowledge of the art of shorthand +has been enlarged by teaching it to you. You, on the other hand, must +keep in mind the fact that you have not learned all there is to be +learned about Phonography. Though you may live <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>many years, and +practice Phonography all your life, you probably never will feel that +you have a perfect knowledge of all the details of the art. This, +however, need not discourage you, but, on the contrary, should fill +you with pleasure to think there is something yet to be learned, and +thus the fascination which the study of Phonography has had for you +during the past few months, can never diminish so long as you have a +desire to advance more and more towards perfection. It is not to be +expected that you will for any length of time remember everything that +I have ever said to you with regard to the advantages of shorthand or +its practical use; but of one thing I feel very sure, and that is that +whatever I have said that is worth anything will at some future time +recur to you when you need it most, and when it will probably be +better understood than it is now.</p> + +<p>There is one fact that I wish very strongly to impress upon you, +namely, that you have, by your diligent study of the past Winter, +gained something which is of priceless value to you, and, if used +aright, something which must some day, sooner or later, prove of +particular advantage. This practical knowledge of shorthand which you +now possess is <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>something which cannot be bought or sold; it is +something which you can never wholly forget; it is something which +many persons would give a great deal to obtain; and I therefore charge +you to guard it with care, and treasure it as a talent for the right +use of which you will some day be held accountable. Do not by any +means give up your practice. Even if you cannot continue it regularly, +do not abandon it altogether, but look upon your shorthand as a mine +of intellectual wealth which, if rightly worked, will yield rich +results.</p> + +<p>And now, one word more: be diligent, be persevering, be true to +whatever trust is reposed in you; and, if you seek a reward outside of +the natural satisfaction that will come from work well done, remember +the word of One who said, “Thou hast been faithful over a few things, +I will make thee ruler over many things.”</p> + +<p>With hearty congratulations upon your success, and with the most +cordial wishes for your future prosperity, I bid you God-speed.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> +<h3><span class="smcap">Footnote:</span></h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> +</p><p>’Tis said, alas, that life must have its sorrows,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That with the roses cruel thorns should grow;</span><br /> +And though we fondly dream of love’s to-morrows,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Must every heart the grief of parting know.</span></p></div> + +<hr class="large" /> +<h3><span class="smcap">Transcriber’s Note:</span></h3> + +<p>Minor changes have been made to correct typesetters’ errors; +otherwise, every effort has been made to remain true to the authors’ +words and intent.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Silver Links, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SILVER LINKS *** + +***** This file should be named 31618-h.htm or 31618-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/1/6/1/31618/ + +Produced by D Alexander, Juliet Sutherland and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Silver Links + +Author: Various + +Release Date: March 13, 2010 [EBook #31618] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SILVER LINKS *** + + + + +Produced by D Alexander, Juliet Sutherland and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + SILVER LINKS + + A COLLECTION OF SALUTATORY, VALEDICTORY AND + OTHER ADDRESSES DELIVERED AT THE FIRST + FIVE COMMENCEMENTS OF THE FEMALE + STENOGRAPHIC AND TYPEWRITING + CLASS OF THE GENERAL SOCIETY + OF MECHANICS AND + TRADESMEN + OF THE + CITY OF NEW YORK + + + COMPILED BY + W. L. MASON + + + NEW YORK + ALBERT B. KING, 89 WILLIAM STREET + 1892 + + + + + TO + MR. ISAAC PITMAN + THE "FATHER OF PHONOGRAPHY" + THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS MOST RESPECTFULLY + INSCRIBED + BY + THE COMPILER + + + + +Introductory Note + + +It is always beautiful to see the young confront the uncertainties of +the future, and look forward with faith to happiness and success. I am +proud of young women who are willing to devote their evenings, when +they must toil for a livelihood through the day, to a course of study +which will secure to them the knowledge of a mechanical art. This +knowledge becomes a treasure which no disaster of fire or flood can +ever destroy, and a source of comfortable income through life. It +makes dependent young women independent, and I congratulate every one +who graduates from this excellent school of instruction with her +well-earned diploma, which is more valuable to her than any legacy of +gold or precious stones. + + Martha J Lamb + +New York City, April 16, 1892. + + + + +Address of Rev. C. S. Harrower, D. D. + +_To the Class of '87._ + + +"Ladies of the graduating class,--Ladies and Gentlemen: It seems as +if words were hardly in place to-night, because of the interesting +programme which is before you. I suppose we have no conception of +the exercises prepared for us this evening. I never knew of this +Institution until Mr. Moore told me of it, and I am particularly glad +to be here. + +"I have often remarked that our New York life is like the life of one +of our great rivers,--the Hudson. Did you ever live upon its banks +and look away upon its stretch of water to the south or to the north; +count its sails, and its tugs, and its fleets of canal boats and all +its life,--for half an hour fascinated by the beautiful scene; and +then go away to your work, or to your pleasure, for a few hours, and +return and look upon that great stretch of river and see that other +sails had taken the place of those first sails, and other vessels +were coming into view, indicating the marvelous life of that mighty +stream? I did that, year after year, and it seems to me that the +General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen is like the mighty river +Hudson, doing its work day after day and year after year,--a work +that seems to me to be so useful and inspiring. + +"The gentlemen interested in this Society are to be congratulated. +It seems to me that such an Institution as this is among the most +beautiful, among the most stimulating of all institutions that mark +our civilization." + +Dr. Harrower then spoke of the serious consequences which often follow +the carelessness of a lawyer, the blunder of a switchman, the neglect +of a servant, or the indolence of a physician, and, in contrast, dwelt +upon the beneficent results attained by close attention to duty, +explaining also how great good arises from even very trifling acts. He +also remarked how strange it is that some people have every chance of +getting on in this world, while others are "mortgaged to begin with," +and hampered and chained through life. + +"But," said he, in conclusion, "it seems to me that this Society is +engaged in a work that is characteristic of the civilization to which +we belong, and is following after our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, +who lived not to serve Himself, but the world. I congratulate you, +young ladies, that when you were put upon your trial it was found that +you had been laboring in the race of life; and to-night you are to +receive the signal token of the skill you have attained, and of the +favor in which you stand in this school." + + + + +Salutatory Address + +BY MISS S. J. SIRINE. + +_Class of '87._ + + +In meeting you this evening, gentlemen of the Committee and friends, +we, the members of the Classes in Shorthand and Typewriting, +experience a double pleasure. First, is the satisfaction that we +have accomplished the task which we undertook last October, and the +consciousness that we are about to go forth carrying our diplomas as +proof that the Winter has been well spent, and that we are master of +a very fascinating and important art; and, secondly, we feel the +delightful sensation of being highly complimented at the kindly +interest taken in the Class displayed by those present this evening. + +We sincerely hope that the exercises of the evening, and the gratitude +of the teachers and class, feebly expressed through this channel, will +be ample proof to you of our appreciation of the compliment conveyed +by your presence, and trust that we shall continue to receive your +good wishes for our success; that we shall go forth into the business +world making good use of our profession, and worthy of the interest in +our progress displayed by the Committee and friends of this Society, +and of the care and attention bestowed on us by our teachers. + +To my classmates, cordial congratulations that we can meet to-night, +and, comparing notes, find that the report for the Winter is goodly +evidence of time well spent; that, in spite of what at first appeared +to be the insurmountable obstacle of the alphabet, we plodded bravely +on to the primer, and from the slowly and carefully drawn outlines of +familiar words, we entered at last into the spirit of our art, and +with pencils tipped, as it were, with electricity, learned to catch +the swiftly flowing words from the lips of the speaker, and to present +them in a tangible form, ready for future reference. So also with +typewriting. Though the unruly instrument at first persisted in +spelling "cat" t-a-c, and always put an interrogation point where a +period ought to be; still, with patient perseverance, cheered by the +inspiring words of our teacher: "I used to do the same thing," and +filled with envy at his display of skill, we took fresh hope, tried +again, and, as we were told we should,--succeeded. The pleasure of the +art of shorthand, more than any other, is not confined alone to the +artist. You all know the important offices in business life which +shorthand fills; of its importance to the press and all departments of +the literary world, it is not necessary to speak. From the eloquent +words of gifted speakers to the eagerly watched for words of the +President's Message; from the business letter in the merchant's office +to the words of the witness on the witness stand; our art fulfills its +important mission of giving to others the pleasure and satisfaction +which are experienced on hearing them. + +This evening forty more are added to the list of American writers of +the Isaac Pitman Phonography. It is to be hoped that none of us shall +ever, in any way, be the means of bringing reproach on our art; but +rather that we shall work to make many improvements, that we shall +help to prove its value in the different departments of business into +which it enters, and ere another fifty years shall cause the trumpet +of Jubilee to sound throughout the land, this class of Isaac Pitman +phonographers shall have been the means of bringing to ripe perfection +the system of Phonography. + + + + +Valedictory Address + +BY MISS N. C. STEPHENS. + +_Class of '87._ + + "The Spirit of the Time shall teach me speed," says Shakespeare. + + +How truly that applies to the present day, when one might say we are +living, as it were, in an age of rapidity, and cannot fail to catch +the infection, for the very air seems filled with it. Competition is +met with on all sides, and, in many branches of toil, "the race _is_ +to the swift." + +Contrast the world of a hundred years back with the world of to-day. + +These people were satisfied to plod along in the good old way which +their fathers had trod before them; content because they knew no +better, and the times demanded no better. + +But, think you, would the simple appliances used then, meet the +demands of to-day? + +No! decidedly, no! I hear you say. Why, may I ask? Simply because the +necessity makes the demand, and the _necessity_ is the ever-advancing +spirit of to-day, which urges all to attain something that will not +only benefit themselves, and be an incentive to others, but will +enlighten and ennoble the coming generation as well. + +But the world has made rapid progress and if we would keep pace with +it, we must call to our aid every known means of saving time and +labor. + +And not the least among the many methods and inventions for this +purpose is Phonography or shorthand, which is finding a place in +almost every branch of business. + +Man's thoughts fly faster than his fingers, and it is only by the +"winged words" of Phonography that the hand is enabled to keep pace +with the mind. Almost inseparably connected with shorthand, is the +typewriter. + +These two go hand in hand. What a boon they have proved to the busy +merchant, the lawyer and the literary man! + +To this end, the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, +recognizing the growing demands for the use of Phonography and +typewriting, added to their already large benevolence a class for the +study of these branches. + +And it is to this Society we owe a debt of gratitude which words are +inadequate to express. + +Our hearts are full, and "out of the fullness of the heart, the mouth +speaketh." + +Especially to the School Committee would we convey our grateful thanks +for the interest you have manifested in the Class; and for the +kindness and consideration with which you have met all our wants, +doing all in your power to facilitate our studies. + +We trust that our success in the future may be such as will reflect +credit on this Society. + +To our teachers, Mr. Mason and Mr. Spaulding, you who have so well +performed your part, we hardly know how to thank you for your patient +and persistent efforts to fit us for the calling we have chosen. +Taking up this work after the fatigue of the day, with body and brain +already wearied, _your_ task, as well as _ours_, has been a +difficult one. + +But you have ever been ready with words of encouragement to help us +over the hard places. Faithful, conscientious, you have gained our +respect and esteem, and we feel that in parting to-night we bid +good-by not only to teachers, but to earnest, helpful friends. And +yet, not a final good-by. For, are we not looking forward to many +pleasant meetings of the "Phonographic Alumnae Association," when you +have promised to meet with us, and by your presence aid and encourage +us to continue our practice and by united efforts help one another? + +For we believe the old maxim is true in this connection as in many +others,--"In union is strength." + +Fellow classmates: For seven months we have met and studied together; +and now that the term is over it is with mingled feelings of joy and +regret that we meet to-night for the last time in this place. + +Joy that our task is done; that the time to which we have looked +forward has come; for to many it has been a severe strain to continue +to the end. _We_ alone know the difficulties we have had to contend +with; the pleasures given up and the sacrifices made to be present at +the class. + +But who shall say it has not fully repaid us? Is not this knowledge we +have gained all the more precious because so dearly obtained? + +Some have already begun to reap the reward, others are eagerly looking +forward to the time when they shall be able to put this knowledge into +actual practice. + +With what bright anticipations we took up the study of Phonography +last October! + +But what a mountain loomed up before us in the shape of the alphabet. +Then the strokes and curves, and circles, how we puzzled our brains +over which was which, and how proud we were when we began to form +words and to air our knowledge of these mystic signs; only to be met +with such questions as these, "How many words can you write a minute?" +or, "Do you think you could take down a sermon?" "Let me dictate this +piece from the newspaper to you," all of which made us feel how +limited was our knowledge and how much we had still to learn. + +Then the examinations; how they hung over our heads like dark clouds +threatening us at every turn! + +But that is all past and gone, and time, with its never ebbing tide, +has brought us to this parting hour. + +What our future will be depends upon our own individual efforts. Let +us remember: "What is worth doing is worth doing well." + +In climbing the ladder of fame, let us gain a firm footing on the +bottom round, then, if we fail to reach the top, we will, +nevertheless, command the respect of our fellow beings. + + + + +Thoughts on Graduation + +BY MISS S. J. SIRINE. + +_Class of '87._ + + + At last all the lessons are ended, + Our pencils and books laid away; + And gathered to-night in the class-room + There are many young hearts blithe and gay. + There are loving congratulations + From classmate, and teacher, and friend; + A smile! Then a sigh at the parting, + And the feeling that this is the end. + + It is pleasant to know we are through, though, + Yet saddening to know we must part; + And 'mid the light jest and the laughter, + Comes a sharp touch of pain in each heart. + There's a hush in the happy assemblage, + While a prayer is upraised to the Throne, + And "We thank Thee, our Father," is uttered,-- + And the minister speaks not alone. + + For the tokens of love and remembrance, + And kind wishes expressed for our weal, + We would thank our dear friends and our teachers, + And voice the affection we feel. + And we thank Thee for these many blessings; + Yet most for the blessing that we + Can, by striving, attain to perfection + And Thy mercy and tenderness see. + + + + +Address of Rev. N. B. Thompson + +_To the Class of '88._ + + +I assure you that it is with a great deal of personal pride, +satisfaction and comfort, that I come before you to-night. These are +my girls,--that is, I am the father of this class. Several months ago +when this class was organized, a gentleman, not myself, was invited to +come here and offer prayer, and give the young ladies a few common +sense ideas, such as would benefit them in after life. My friend +failing to come, I was called upon to fill his place, which I did to +the best of my ability, and when I look over this programme and find +that there are more than forty in this class who are to graduate +to-night, I take it upon myself to say that they received some very +sound advice, for they are about to graduate; that is, I have made +forty-four converts, at least, in seven months. + +I am very glad to have opened this class, although I have had nothing +to do with the instruction of it, for in that event the graduating +class would not be so large, but I do feel very great pride in being +here. + +Were I so disposed, and you very anxious to be tired with a long +address, I could say a great many things touching the real purpose and +idea of these young ladies and their instructors. There was a time in +the history of the world when it was a very grave and serious question +as to just what the position of woman was in society; what God meant +by her creation, what was her place. There are some men who think the +highest ambition of woman is the wash-tub; that when she finds her +vocation there she has fulfilled her mission, and when God has +prepared a place for her in the Kingdom of Heaven, He takes her home, +and gives her a diploma. There are others who have an idea that the +place for woman is a little higher up; that she is to bask in the +sunshine of life--that she is a kind of butterfly. That is an +erroneous idea. I think personally, and I am sure there are not men +enough here to out-number the ladies, that the position of woman in +this life, socially, politically, religiously, or in a mercantile +sense, is right alongside of the best man the world can produce. + +I remember, while pastor of a church in an Eastern city, the smartest +man and preacher of that city was a woman. She was a man in every +sense of the word, she had the power of a man and the charms of a +beautiful woman; I was a little jealous of her, because her church was +a little too close to mine and she drew a great many more. She was a +beautiful, godly woman, and took out of me some of the false ideas and +thoughts that I had, relative to the work of woman in the world. So I +have lost all sense of jealousy, and I am perfectly willing to be +deposed by the women, and there is no true man but will give the women +just as good as he wants in his life. + +I was thinking, when I took up this programme, there is a certain +society of a secret order that has a motto like this: "By these signs +we conquer." That is a very wide and universal order, but, if I +mistake not, there are forty-four members of a society not as +universally known, its extent is not as large as that order and +society, who are to go out into the world and, "by these signs, +conquer." The latter is just as potent as the former. I told you, +young ladies, some months ago, about a system of shorthand and the +first experience I had in that line. Some of you will remember it. +You will remember I told you about a system of shorthand that I had to +read before it got cold or I could not read it at all. + +I want to congratulate you for this delightful evening; I want to +congratulate you in view of the pleasant exercises you are to behold. +I want to congratulate these instructors for the very good and +efficient work they have done during these months. I congratulate you +upon the marvelous work that has been done. You may not all be called +upon to report my sermons; some can report 120 words, some more, some +less. You are going out into the world, some of you immediately, to +begin your life work. Do not feel, because you are a woman, that some +aristocratic specimen of creation--man--looks down upon you. Just hold +your neck as straight and your head as high as he, and I do not know +but you would be par excellence above the man himself; you have an +opportunity. + +There is one thing I regret, however, in regard to your special +calling, and it is this: I read advertisements in the papers where +employers advertise for young lady typewriters and stenographers and +it has pained me to see the low rate of wages, oftentimes. Let me put +a bee in your ear. You are in possession of one of the greatest +sciences I know; there is nothing above it in the realm of learning. +Do not for one minute submit yourself, any one of you, to a service +below your worth, for God has implanted in His Word this truth, "Every +laborer is worthy of his hire." + +I thank the gentleman who has invited me here. When I become older +than I am now and fail in preaching, I assure you I shall come to this +home of hospitality and kindness, and shall try to take up the art +myself, thereby becoming as efficient as some of you are. + +God be with you and in His own time take you home to His abode where +you will not be troubled with taking down the ideas of men. + + + + +Salutatory Address + +BY MISS L. E. TAYLOR. + +_Class of '88._ + + +Gentlemen of the Committee, and friends, teachers and classmates: With +what unbounded pleasure we greet you this evening; our task is +accomplished, the goal is won. After the labors of the past seven +months, assisted by the kindly interest of the Committee, and +encouraged by the earnest and untiring efforts of our teachers, we +have at last mastered that wonderful art, stenography, which will +enable us to go forth from here, possessing an accomplishment the +benefits of which are many. This art, the outgrowth of one great mind, +that of Mr. Isaac Pitman, is of the utmost importance to the members +of the press, of the legal profession, and the business man, as well +as in all branches of literary work. Ordinarily, we hear words, but +this science enables us to use them; thus they actually assume another +form, as it were, and are deeply impressed on our minds and thus +ineradicably memorized. My classmates, we meet to-night to prove that +patient effort on the part of teacher and pupil has not been in vain; +that our busy Winter has left us rich in knowledge of this noble art, +and that, though oftentimes discouraged in our progress through the +alphabet forward through the intricacies of dots and dashes, hooks +and circles, and outlines dark and light, over these apparently +insurmountable barriers we have reached the height on which our hopes +and our ambitions had been centered during our daily pilgrimage toward +it. So has it been with typewriting. At first we made many mistakes, +such as making an interrogation mark where the period was necessary, +thus questioning Mr. Jones' or Mr. Smith's right to his name +instead of asserting the fact; or striking a letter instead of the +space-board, and vice versa. The result left the astonished beholder +in doubt whether the word produced were a representative of the +Chinese or the Choctaw language. But now we have overcome these +difficulties. Sustained by the kind encouragement of our teacher we +have struggled bravely until we are enabled to write on the machine +readily, and with rapidity, from dictation, and our vernacular can now +be recognized as English, without any difficulty. We sincerely hope +that the exercises of the evening may interest you and may show our +appreciation of the instruction and innumerable benefits which have +been conferred upon us by this Society. We are now prepared to take +our place in the rank and file of the world's army of workers. The +elevating and benevolent influence of stenography and typewriting +in the life of women is becoming more and more recognized. What the +sewing machine is to the needle, shorthand is to the pen, and, in the +great future, the world shall see and acknowledge the vast importance +of this economizer of time and labor. + +Yes, another forty of us are ready to use these servants of hand and +pen which the generosity of this Society has placed at our disposal, +and we hope to do so worthily. May we, by our subsequent efforts and +future progress, show that none of us will bring reproach on the noble +art which we have adopted, or on the Institution to which we shall owe +our future success and our chosen profession. Rather let us help to +prove its value in the different branches to which we may be called. + + + + +Class Poem + +BY MISS A. L. COX. + +_Class of '88._ + + + I did not come prepared to make an address here to-night, + But when I see you all, dear friends, 'tis such a pleasant sight, + I can't refrain, but feel that I _must_ say a word or two, + And give a hearty welcome, yes, to every one of you. + A little band, we gathered here upon this very spot; + Just eight short months ago it is, since then we cast our lot + Together for our Winter's work: resolved that we would try + Our best to win; with hopes and purposes and aims set high, + We went to work. The opening lecture seemed so clear and plain, + That we could almost grasp the prize we were so sure to gain. + First came the alphabet. But we in sad dismay found out + That was an obstacle indeed that we could scarce surmount. + At last we thought we had it; yes, were sure we knew it all. + "You may each one recite it." Hark! it was our teacher's call. + Just imagine how we did it? You will guess it nearly right. + And then to say it backward! Were you e'er in such a plight? + Then we studied till (I mean it) e'en the paper on the wall, + Each door, and sash, and picture frame, and objects one and all, + In strokes and angles fairly danced before our very eyes, + And in our dreams they haunted us in every form and size. + + Next in their turn the vowel sounds,--the symbols, dash and dot, + With rules and regulations charging us "Forget-me-not." + Wish you could have heard us sound them. It was amusing, too; + Seemed like talking Chinese language,--ah, [=a], ee; aw, o, oo. + Then came the hooks with many crooks to puzzle and perplex; + They were so very obstinate, and would be sure to vex; + For while we thought we had them right, they were just turned + about, + And when we came to read them, we could scarcely make them out. + The circles didn't seem so hard; for we could then detect + There were still new things coming that we did the least expect; + So prepared our minds to meet them and take them as they came; + At last we'd conquered everyone and knew them all by name. + But I suppose it is not right to tell tales out of school, + Our teacher will be saying that it is against the rule; + I have told you just a few of our trials by the way, + But it was not all so dreadful, I am very glad to say. + For we really loved our study; were fascinated, too, + And of the pleasant memories there linger not a few. + Well, examination over, then came the "tug of war" + To apply the various principles that we had learned before. + And oh! the work we made of it; we tried to run a race + To see who could write the fastest, and then to keep our place. + + But study and toil are over; at last the race is run, + And we have gathered here to-night to say, "Our work is done." + Members of this Society, our friends so kind and true, + God bless you! 'Tis a grand and noble work you aim to do; + Accept our heartfelt thanks, for it is all that we can give; + The knowledge we have gathered here will ever, while we live + Go with us, as with brighter skies our way in life to cope + Than in our dreams and fancies we had ever dared to hope. + And you, our teachers faithful, tried, we will not soon forget + The many pleasant hours that together we have spent; + How often by a kindly word you've helped to lead us on, + When we were nigh discouraged, and totally cast down; + And by your earnest zeal and aid we have, from day to day, + Gone onward, and we thank you; it is all that we can say. + And we classmates, while we truly, yes, earnestly, regret + To leave the little room up yonder "where the angels met," + Can now rejoice together, for it has not been in vain, + That we've worked hard; yet we have won the prize we + sought to gain. + + + + +Valedictory Address + +BY MISS A. A. LEWIS. + +_Class of '88._ + + +DEAR FRIENDS AND CLASSMATES: + +It is a somewhat sad yet pleasant duty which devolves upon me this +evening, that of saying farewell. For, to a class whose members have +studied together for so long as we have and which is found to be so +homogeneous as this class has been, a farewell is always sad. When, in +October last, we entered upon our course of study, we could not look +forward to this hour with any degree of composure, but, day by day, as +time passed on we found ourselves longing for the end, yet dreading +the parting. But, to-night, we derive considerable pleasure from the +fact that we have prepared ourselves for something which will have a +strong influence upon our future lives. This night may be called a +real commencement for many of us who have just left school where we +have learned the ordinary English branches, and are now learning to +apply our former knowledge to earn our living in a way that will prove +both pleasant and profitable. + +In retrospect: How hard the first few lessons appeared! We hardly +credited the declaration that a time would come when we should be able +to recite the alphabet backward and forward and in every conceivable +way, but we soon discovered that the subsequent lessons were so much +more difficult than the first, that these seem now to us as very +simple. As our knowledge increased, we discovered also that each +lesson followed so logically upon the previous one, that it made it +much easier to understand. There were hooks to the right of us, and +hooks to the left of us, and with these and circles, medial and final, +approximation and "con" dot, our dreams resembled a kaleidoscope +rather than those of school girls. When traveling on the cars we would +often see a person with a note book and pencil, and experience a +fellow feeling, knowing that they had trod the same path as we were +treading. Occasionally, in going home after a lesson, two of us +comparing notes would find that we, in turn, were objects of interest +to people in the train, and that they gazed with wonder and amusement +upon the strange-looking characters with which our note books were +filled. Then, when it came to our home study, although those whom we +asked to dictate to us did so with great alacrity at first, they soon +found reading the same thing over twenty or thirty times, to say the +least, monotonous. Yet we must say that our friends often put aside +their own preferences, knowing the daily practice was for our good. We +will not dwell upon the loss of pleasures that we have forfeited in +order to be present at the class and to spend the requisite number of +hours at study. But now that we have reached the desired haven, we +feel fully repaid for everything that we have given up, and only +regret that we did not sacrifice more for our beloved study. We would +not however have you think it has been all hard work, and that we +have had _no_ enjoyment. For, have we not had genial companions, +sympathetic teachers and a most watchful Committee, who have tried to +do everything in their power to make our school life both pleasant and +comfortable? We cannot specify all the ways in which they have shown +their interest and kindness to us, yet we would not fail to mention +the fact that we were provided with a new class-room, which combined +the advantages of seclusion, quiet, and all the necessary appliances +for study, with excellent ventilation, and to this was added the +feeling that it was our "very own." + +This recital can but feebly show you why the feeling of pleasure is +predominant in our hearts to-night. We cannot feel sad at parting +with our classmates, for, though we shall not meet in this class-room +again, as a class, we do expect to meet together as the alumnae of +this Institution at our regular weekly gatherings for practice. It is +rather with a feeling of exhilaration that we realize that we have at +length conquered giants that loomed up before us when we began our +study, and that these giants, like those called forth by the magician +of old, have been made to do our bidding. + +But now we come to the most painful part of our task, that of bidding +this kind Committee farewell. And, in behalf of the class of '88, we +thank you again for your watchful care over us during the past Winter. +The only way in which we can attempt to repay you for what you have +done for us is by trying to rise in our profession and do something +which, when we say we are graduates of the General Society of +Mechanics and Tradesmen, will cause you to feel proud of us, and in +this way we can slightly show our gratitude to our benefactors. And to +our teachers, who have been the means of our learning this wonderful +art, we say farewell, hoping that they will remember us kindly as +having tried our best to let the studies which they have lodged in our +minds bring forth good fruit. Although you have, no doubt, at times +felt discouraged with the apparent failure of your work, yet we trust +that the results have proved satisfactory, and shown you that we have +tried to do what you have desired us to do, and, in a measure, have +succeeded. We trust also that these results will reflect credit upon +you as our Instructors even more than upon us as the recipients of +your teaching. We do realize that many members of our class will never +meet with us again, and to you we say farewell, with the wish that in +your diverse paths through life you may attain great success in your +chosen profession and always remember that you are still members of +the Class of '88. + + + + +Address of President Wm. C. Smith + +_In awarding the Diplomas to the Class of '88._ + + +I came here this evening in a particularly happy frame of mind, for +me, because I had been asked to award the diplomas to this class, and +I am always happy when I think I am able to do something to make some +one else happy; but my equanimity was quite disturbed, on arriving, to +be shown a programme in which I was set down as having to make the +closing address, and a little later I broke out into a perspiration on +seeing written in shorthand on the blackboard, that "you should never +speak unless you have something to say." Those words have been burning +before my eyes ever since, and though I have not taken any lessons in +shorthand, I am almost sure I could set that sentence down. + +The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen is made up of men +who owe what they possess, not to chance, not to gifts of their +forefathers, but to the fruit of honest toil. The Society which they +have fostered for a hundred years owes its standing to the steady +accumulations of these years, not to any sudden speculation or easily +acquired prosperity, and it is with pleasure, therefore, that the +Society devotes its time and means in helping others to help +themselves. We believe in the aristocracy of labor, and we are glad +that we are able to do anything whereby we can help any one to help +himself. + +I shall not make a lengthy address because it is late; it is warm; +there are diplomas to be given out, and I believe that the young +ladies are anxious to get down stairs where the attraction is greater +than anything I can offer them. Yet there is one thought I would like +to give out, if you will excuse me. + +Yesterday I met a gentleman whom I have known for many years, and whom +I never really knew until yesterday. He said to me, "Billy" (he knew +me when I was a boy), "have you half an hour to spare?" First I said, +"No;" but I thought better of it and said, "Yes." "I would like you to +come round and look at my house." As he opened the door of that house +it was to me a revelation; if there is anything else like it in this +country or city, I do not know where it is. It seemed to me I was in +fairyland. Here was a large house and yet so filled that it seemed +small, from the top of the very attic down to the first story, with +articles of vertu and bric-a-brac, with tapestry that had come from +all parts of the globe, with ivories, carved in Japan as nowhere else, +with mosaics from all sections of the world, with beautiful chairs, +with embroidery that had graced the homes of monarchs in the old +country, and on his back porch, and in his yard, were beautiful +flowers hardly seen outside of the tropics. + +I need not say to you how surprised I was; I had only known him as a +mechanic, a member of this Society. I spent an hour and a half there I +shall never forget; I asked the privilege of bringing my better half. + +But the thought that I wanted to impress was this; in a beautiful +case, surrounded with plate glass, was a full dinner set of the finest +Sevres china. He explained to me that the set was ordered and made +expressly for the second Napoleon when he was in the height of his +glory. I said to him, "Where did you get this? I did not know a full +set of that kind ever got away from royalty." He said it did once +in a while and this was the only one in this country. He had been +explaining to me things I never knew about, and he came back to his +own self and said, "Billy, you know when the great Napoleon and his +court were sipping their soup out of these dishes, I was wielding a +paint brush at $1.50 a day and glad to get it." As I lay trying to go +to sleep last night that single sentence came to me and it seemed +there was a volume in it. It is an American idea that there is no +success which is not attainable by almost any person if we only take +those opportunities afforded us. I want to say one word to the ladies, +and I believe I said something of the same kind to the boys. I often +see it in the papers, I hear it in speeches at trade societies and all +that sort of thing, that there is a great change in America; there is +no longer any chance to rise; and that we are divided into classes, +and that the rich are going to get richer and the poor going to stay +where they are. + +I hope every American will disabuse his mind of anything like that; +there never was a time when opportunities were greater than now. We +have got to believe in ourselves and watch the opportunities when they +come to us; success cannot be obtained in a day. We may not have to +build a railroad but we will build something else, perhaps greater. + +Young ladies, it is my privilege on behalf of the General Society of +Mechanics and Tradesmen, as its President, to present you with these +diplomas. I do so with pleasure; first, because I feel that it is our +right to give them to you; secondly, because I feel that it is your +right to receive them, for you have earned them. They represent to me +six months of careful, earnest, intelligent study; six months of +devoting yourself to the habit of close application; six months of +forming the habit of industry; habits which, I take it, make the +road to success to any one who expects to succeed in the future. I +congratulate you upon receiving them; they are certificates that carry +with them pleasant memories, and I hope will prove in after years +profitable ones. In behalf of the General Society, it is my pleasure +to thank your teacher; I have witnessed personally his enthusiasm in +his calling, and I am proud to say that I have been here night after +night and have watched the enthusiasm of the class. I have seen them +here sometimes long after the regular school hours, in fact, I had a +mind to say, "You are over-taxing these young ladies." Then I thought +it was a life and death struggle for only six months, and the victory +was worth the struggle. + +I have nothing more to say. I will remember the motto given early in +the evening and wish you every success in life which you have obtained +in this school. + + + + +Salutatory + +BY MISS JESSIE FERRIS. + +_To the Class of '89._ + + +On behalf of my classmates, Gentlemen of the Committee, and friends, +it gives me great pleasure to welcome you here this evening, and we +sincerely hope that in the following short account of our progress +during the eight past months, both in shorthand and typewriting +classes, _you_ may share, to some extent, our satisfaction. + +I shall not attempt to portray our initial struggles with the dots and +lines, but rather dwell on the time when, at the rate of a word in +five minutes, we could, with the confidence of beginners, write the +short but expressive sentences: + + The cow eats grass! + See the dog run! + +From this time under the able guidance of our teachers, we steadily +progressed, until our efforts have culminated in the success +gratifying to ourselves, our teachers, and our many friends. + +In typewriting our progress has been as encouraging as in Phonography. +From slowly picking out the words: "William Jex quickly caught five +dozen Republicans," a sentence which not only exhausted all the +letters of the alphabet, but in our attempts to decipher which, after +writing, exhausted our ingenuity as well, we passed to the time when +legal documents and business letters could be run off with an ease +which at the beginning seemed almost impossible. + +Let us pause a moment to consider the advantages of these two arts: +first and chiefly, they afford us the means of gaining a livelihood in +a way more agreeable than many others; secondly, in the taking of +notes of lectures upon various arts and sciences we become acquainted +with these subjects to an extent which would otherwise require much +special study. + +How then can we be otherwise than grateful to those who have placed +these advantages within our reach? + +To you, Gentlemen of the School Committee and of the Special +Committee, are our thanks especially due. + +Through your kindness in fulfilling our many calls upon your +generosity, you have contributed, in no mean degree, to that end +toward which we have so earnestly striven. + +You, my classmates, undoubtedly share in the pleasure felt by our +teachers and the Committee in having passed so successfully through +the work of the past eight months. + +Let us reflect for how short a time we have pursued our studies. In +what branch of study, pursued for the same length of time, could the +results attained compare so favorably as in the study of shorthand? + +After to-night, over thirty of us, in the different pursuits of a +business life, will make practical use of the knowledge gained during +the past Winter. Let us always strive to uphold the reputation already +gained by the followers of Isaac Pitman. + +It has often been said by superficial observers: "O, yes, any one can +write shorthand, but how many stenographers can read what they have +written?" + +Perhaps there have been grounds for such allegations; but have these +ever taken into consideration the multitudes of stenographers all +over the world who do successfully read their notes? + +Look at the voluminous reports of congressional, political and other +speeches, appearing in the daily papers from time to time; to say +nothing of the hundreds of folios of evidence daily reported in our +courts and accurately transcribed. + +Do not these sufficiently refute the assertion? + +We feel sure the charge will never be brought against any of our +class, to each of whom the writing out of her notes has been made as +essential a point as taking down. + +In closing, let me again, in the name of the Class of '89, extend a +cordial welcome to you all, and let us trust, when we have passed from +the immediate influence of these surroundings, and have entered upon +the career for which the studies of the past Winter have been but +preparatory, we shall continue to merit your kind approbation. + + + + +Class Poem + +BY MISS ISABELLE KIERNAN. + +_Class of '89._ + + + Good people all, both old and young, + Assembled at this time, + To aid in bringing to a close, + The Class of eighty-nine; + + We beg you will be lenient + With our efforts here to-night, + Ignore all faults, and note the good,-- + This would be but polite. + + This class of ours united here, + Ere long shall cease to be; + A thought which strikes a tender chord + That vibrates mournfully. + + Though truly glad to know our work + Has met success at last, + Yet many a very pleasant hour + In study has been passed. + + And on these hours in concert spent, + Shall memory fondly dwell, + When we in divers paths have turned, + But where, Oh, who can tell? + + Again we'll see that school-room scene, + Our teacher at the head, + Again we'll ply our pencils hard, + As fast the words are read. + + Our teacher's patience oft we've tried, + And oft have vexed him sore, + While he strove us expert to make + In stenographic lore. + + Oh, thanks to you, our faithful friend, + For kindness you have shown, + And patience too, with which the seeds + Of knowledge you have sown. + + And in the work we undertake, + We'll to the _Mason_ bring + The credit,--who within our minds + Has built this wondrous thing. + + Kind benefactors, we extend + Our gratitude sincere; + For all the opportunities, + Enjoyed throughout the year. + + May your good work, crowned with success, + Its blessings still bestow, + On many who, through your kind deeds, + Shall useful women grow. + + A harvest rich of grateful hearts, + Most surely you shall find; + Such as is due to those who strive + To elevate mankind. + + And now farewell to one and all, + Teacher and classmates, too; + Hoping that future days may bring, + Much happiness to you. + + + + +A Class History + +BY MISS EUGENIA E. LLOYD. + +_Class of '89._ + + +Last Fall sixty girls, accompanied by a trusty guide, started on an +exploring tour through the wilderness of stenography. We had been told +by those who had visited this region, that the way was dark, the road +thorny, and the pleasures but few; but nothing daunted, we set out, +anxious to prove these assertions false. + +Like all travelers about to enter upon strange and novel scenes, we +started upon this journey with eager eyes, and minds full of +expectancy. Following closely in the footsteps of our leader, we +approached the enchanted forest. The entrance was guarded by great +trees, which seemed to extend, as far as the eye could see, in one +long avenue, and we were surprised to find, upon coming nearer, that +the forest which at first appeared to be but a heterogeneous mass of +stems, was set out and arranged in the most orderly and symmetrical +manner, and we saw that we should be enabled to find our way about +much more easily than we had at first feared. In accordance with our +guide's directions, we began jotting down in our memory tablets the +names of the different trees, and the peculiarities of each. Certain +kinds occurred so often that we soon became familiar with them, and +long before we turned into new pathways, we had mastered the names +of them all. As we left the main avenue of first principles, we +encountered more trees, but so arranged in brilliant foliage and +curious blossoms that we almost failed to recognize them. We listened +in wonder while our guide unfolded to us the beauty of each bud and +leaf; how patiently he traced every vein of the leaf, and every petal +of the flower, until our eyes, too, were opened to their beauty so +that we could appreciate and discern the difference between them, +notwithstanding that they possessed great similarity. This comparative +sameness caused us no little trouble, however, at first, for ever and +anon, owing to early lack of training in concentration of mind, we +were prone to get them confused, and often mistake one for the other. +Here again the memory tablets were brought into requisition, and it +seemed as though they fairly expanded under the influence of our +pencils, so eager were we to absorb all the knowledge possible. As the +lover of nature, by constant association with the flowers, the trees, +and the shrubs, learns in time the name of each, so we learned, by +loving the study of our strange plants, to recognize them at sight. + +But we were not left to wander at our own sweet wills. Having +thoroughly familiarized ourselves with the details and orderly +arrangement of this wonderful forest, and having stopped for awhile to +review our progress, we were led into new paths where, though there +were many obstructions and apparently insurmountable obstacles, we +could at least see the beginning of the end of our journey. + +Here, too, sign posts greeted us on many sides, but none were so +alluring as that which bore the legend, "Slow and sure." This accorded +perfectly with our ideas, and we would fain have rested awhile, and +gazed on the comforting words, had not our guide pointed out to us the +necessity for advance, and described the pleasures which were still to +come, which, if we chose that as a perpetual motto, we should never +enjoy. + +As if to give emphasis to his words, a little dwarf, whose name was +"Try," met us at this juncture; and by his bright example urged us on +to greater tasks. But alas! there were so many weary hearts waiting +for his cheery countenance that he was forced ere long to leave us. +Scarce had he gone when his enemy, a misshapen gnome, called "I +Forgot," sprang up in our path, and by many devices, sought to undo +the good work of "Try." Finding this impossible, he, too, soon +departed, but his injured lordship, not caring to retire utterly +defeated, left his first cousin, "I Didn't Mean To," to pester and +annoy us throughout our journey. + +Ere long the sound of running water attracted our attention, and +eagerly we hastened to bathe our faces in a refreshing stream "which +ran down the side of a hill," only to draw back in terror as we saw +a poor, meek lamb devoured by a ravenous wolf who had come to the +brook-side to drink. Thereafter it seemed as if the wolves had special +designs on the lambs at this season, for whenever our travels led us +near the creek we were forced to be unwilling spectators to these +tragic scenes. + +Here and there along the bank we had noticed little pebbles which our +Instructor told us were called, in the language of this country, +"Grammalogues," and some of which, attracted by their uniqueness, we +had gathered. We were obliged to label and memorize each one, until +it seemed as though the tablet would not hold another word, and the +memory pouch would break under the weight of, what seemed to us, +heavy, worthless stones. But after being polished with the emery of +practice, the pebbles grew lighter, and seemed to lose their dull +color, and assume a sparkling brilliancy. + +How often since have they appeared as bright jewels in our pathway, +when, with pencil flying over the page, we have fully realized the +fact, that however lenient Old Father Time may seem to be to others, +he has no mercy for stenographers. + +After becoming somewhat acquainted with our surroundings that we might +be able fully to realize every snare and pitfall, we were taught to +begin to walk alone. What weak, tottering, childish steps they were. +How often our eyes would wander to the face of our guide, as if to +implore his help. But he, knowing it was for our good, would simply +encourage us instead of rendering the longed for assistance, and we +were thus compelled to walk or fall. + +But when the nervous feeling had somewhat worn off, and each step +became more firm, with what expressions of delight we proclaimed the +tidings that we could at least _stand_ alone, and how pleased he +seemed at our successes. And then with watchful care was pointed out +to us the necessity of removing every obstacle from our path so +that our progress should not be retarded. We carefully heeded the +instruction, and as a fallen bough or a moss-covered trunk of some old +"snag" barred our onward march, we brought all our strength to bear +and remove it to a place of safety, so that our weary feet should not +be caused to trip over it again. And truly we _were_ weary, while +the promised land seemed still afar off. How hard the road appeared +can only be realized by those who have trodden it. + +A great mountain, like Bunyan's Hill Difficulty, soon rose before us, +and we were told that we must reach its summit, before the view toward +which our eyes had been ever turning would burst upon our sight. Here +we were joined by a crowd of people, some clamoring for land, which +they claimed had been willed to them by those who had long since +joined the great majority; others quibbling over deeds and warranty +deeds, some of which particularly attracted our attention, on +account of their great length and useless verbiage; and others with +complaints and actions at law, until our eyes were opened, and we +realized, as never before, that strife is more prevalent in the world +than peace. + +But hard work and that perseverance which we believe is the surest +road to success have at length conquered all obstacles. And now, +having left behind the clamor and the strife, we stand on the summit +of the mountain that has so recently seemed as though it could not be +climbed. + +And here we rest awhile and look backward. The roads with their +winding turns are no longer new, and eyes moisten as we think of the +old but true saying: + + "The path that has once been trod, + Is never so hard to the feet; + And the lessons we once have learned, + Are never so hard to repeat." + +We will not be called upon to walk in those paths again, but when we +meet the familiar faces of our companions we will live over in memory +the now seemingly short weeks of our journey. + +But let us look also before us. We have penetrated the forest, we have +gathered bright gems, we have climbed the mountain height, and now we +stand ready to cast our boats adrift upon the ocean of life. + +In what waters they shall glide we know not, but can only trust that +in that great day of gatherings, all our craft may be moored in the +harbor of peace! These thoughts bring to our minds the well known +words of our beloved poet Longfellow: + + Like unto ships far off at sea, + Outward or homeward bound are we; + Before, behind, and all around, + Floats and swings the horizon's bound, + Seems at its distant rim to rise + And climb the crystal wall of the skies, + And then again to turn and sink, + As if we could slide from its outer brink. + Ah, it is not the sea; + It is not the sea that sinks and shelves, + But ourselves that rock and rise + With endless and unweary motion, + Now touching the very skies, + Now sinking into the depths of ocean; + Ah! if our souls but poise and swing, + Like the compass in its brazen ring, + Ever level and ever true + To the toil and the task that we have to do, + We shall sail securely, and safely reach + The fortunate isles, on whose shining beach + The sights we see, the sounds we hear, + Will be those of joy and not of fear. + + + + +Valedictory + +BY MISS LINA E. KETTLEMAN. + +_Class of '89._ + + +Bacon has said, "Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, +and writing an exact man." Many prominent men of the present age +assert on authority that shorthand makes a valuable man. + +The world's advancement has never been so marked and rapid as within +the past century; inventors have, it would seem, almost exhausted +themselves in producing means for improvement; where think you, would +the busy man find himself were it not for the opportunities open at +every hand enabling him to keep in the whirl? + +Inventors, and the value of their respective inventions, are fully +appreciated by those who make use of them, but there has been no +greater gift presented than the one by Mr. Isaac Pitman in 1837, +in the shape of Phonography; he, after a few months of hard labor, +reduced the phonetic characters to a simple form such as any +intelligent and ordinarily educated person might, after a proper +amount of application, use to great advantage. The public were not +long in realizing the benefits to be derived, and each year has +seen a steady growth in the number of shorthand readers and writers, +and to-day finds thousands who are successfully using the little +strokes, some following the original system, and others using the +modifications; _all_, however, agreeing as to the true worth of +shorthand as a time saver. + +We who started last Autumn, with the determination to master +Phonography and typewriting, knew in part the advantages to be +gained after the top was reached, but we did not know by actual +experience what breakers were ahead in the accomplishment of the work +before us; for the timid ones this very ignorance proved a great +blessing,--conquering one difficulty at a time, with the greater ones +in the shadow, was not as disheartening as having the future in plain +sight. + +The multitude of crooks, circles and dry rules were taken in turn and +left behind, and after reaching half way the journey, and pausing for +a rest and renewal of courage, we began the pleasanter work of writing +and reading connectedly. At the start were simple stories which +seemed at the time almost silly, then came letters and law matter, +and, as the words in the first lessons kept recurring, we began to +appreciate "The Wolf and the Lamb" and various companions of a similar +nature. Slowly but surely the work has been progressing. Time has +fairly flown away and has brought us together to-night for the parting +as a class. + +There has been much bitter with the sweet and many clouds with the +sunshine; social pleasures were necessarily given up and numerous +sacrifices made, to say nothing of the keen disappointment brought +home to each as she recognized, despite her greatest efforts, that +the actual work was far behind what her aspirations had been at the +outset. But through all we have been cheered and encouraged by our +teachers, nor must I omit the occasional well timed lectures, +depressing at the time of delivery, but sending each home with a +fixed idea of doing better, and continuing to the end; added to these +has been the entire novelty of the whole course, always something +new. Like all proverbial Americans, born, it is said, with the +interrogation point at tongue's end, the constant variety made the +journey one immense _Why?_ + +We are joyous over the prospect of a cessation of hard study, but +regret that the end of our intercourse has come, necessitating the +severing of ties as teachers and those taught, and the farewell as +class friends; but each will carry with her a remembrance of the +Winter spent together with much profit and pleasure to all. + +To our kind Instructor through all the intricacies of Phonography, we +are deeply indebted. Within ourselves is the consciousness that had it +not been for his patience and untiring efforts we would have given up +in despair long ago; as also to our Instructress and friend who has +helped us over the road to the success of typewriting are we equally +indebted; to the never flagging energy of both we owe as much as to +the individual effort. + +Not the least, if mentioned last, is our gratitude to the School +Committee. To you, gentlemen, we wish to convey our thanks this +evening, both for your generosity, as representatives of the G. S. M. +and T., in supplying funds for the maintenance of this glorious work, +and for the kindly interest displayed during the past Winter. While +regretting our inability to raise the standard higher, we will +endeavor, in future, to reflect such credit upon this school as will +prove our appreciation of past favors. + +To you, my dear classmates, those in particular who have not as yet +felt the pecuniary advantages to be derived from this new acquirement, +take courage in the fact that six of our number are reaping the +benefits even thus early. Wait patiently; do not let the work end with +to-night, and become discouraged because of the same old humdrum +duties. Remember that in filling the old post honorably, you are doing +the work assigned by the Master who in His own season will send what +is for your best good. Add to your store of knowledge from day to day, +and be able to say with the poet: + + Each morning sees some task begun, + Each evening sees its close; + Something attempted, something done, + Has earned a night's repose. + + + + +Salutatory Address + +_To the Class of '90._ + +BY MISS HARRIET MIDDLEMAS. + + +What shall we do with our girls? One of our well known daily papers +came to the conclusion some time ago that our girls must be disposed +of in some way, and feeling that it lacked the ability to solve the +problem alone and unaided, sent a request abroad for help in settling +this momentous question. + +If we were in China, they would say "drown them." Horace Greeley might +have suggested sending them West to keep house for his "young men." +Many, in answer to the before-mentioned paper's appeal, advocated +making business women of them; while others said: "Teach them to be +good housekeepers." + +Now, as all our girls cannot be housekeepers, neither can they be +business women, is it not the best plan where there are two girls in a +family, to teach one how to minister to the wants of the household, +and let the other help to provide the means, wherewith to supply the +necessities of life? We are not all Vanderbilts or Astors. + +But whether it be "Yea" or "Nay," woman is making her way in the +world. She has been heard of as making rapid progress in law; and it +was only a short while ago we read of a young lady being admitted to +practice in Pennsylvania. We have doctors without number; one of our +Western towns boasts of a woman for Mayor, and they have aspired to +the Presidency. Much has been said of woman's sphere, but she knows +her own place in life, and if given a little help in the various +directions necessary to reach the place, she will win, and has won for +herself respect and admiration for her courage and independence. + +But this is not a Woman's Rights Meeting, nor a sewing circle, in +which the minister has been invited to tea, and where we are making +the poor luckless man suffer for his sex in general, but the +Graduation Exercises of a band of girls who have worked hard for +success, and gained it. + +A society of men organized many years ago, instead of sitting with +folded hands lamenting _their_ inability to dispose of "our girls," +went to work and established a class; placed at its head one of the +best of teachers, and called it the Stenographic and Typewriting Class +of the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen. "Now," they said, +"we have opened a way, let us see what the girls can do for and with +themselves." + +In the Fall of 1886 the first class was formed, and since then more +than 100 girls owe their present advantages to this noble institution. + +The Class of '90 graduating from here to-night met for the first +lesson on October 1st of last year. + +Of our troubles and disappointments, it is not for me to tell, but we +have bravely toiled on, and have at last reached the end we have so +eagerly and anxiously looked forward to, and the feeling that we have +learned something which will help us in more ways than we at present +fully realize, repays us for our perseverance. + +To-night we graduate from this school into one compared to which the +trials and disappointments of this course will seem trifles. We go +forth to battle with the world, and if we do not keep up with it, +it will mercilessly leave us far behind. But the Class of '90 is +not going to be laggard. Indeed we hope that when we graduate from +that higher and more exacting school, it will be with the same +satisfactory results with which we leave here, and, like Longfellow's +"Great Men," we may leave + + "Footprints on the sands of time." + +There are several benevolent institutions in this city where +Stenography and Typewriting are taught during the day, without expense +to the student. But the girls that need this instruction most are the +working girls, who have only the evenings to themselves, and cannot +afford to take the time to study that which they know would be +beneficial to them. But the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen +have recognized their wants, and every girl in this class has +acknowledged that when in the future she has reached that zenith to +which every one aspires, "Prosperity in her chosen calling," she +cannot forget that it was through this Society she was enabled to +reach that height. + +And now, dear Friends and Patrons of this school, I, in the name of my +classmates, bid a cordial "welcome" to you all, confident that you who +have sympathized with us during the past eight months will rejoice +with us in our success. + + + + +Class Poem + +BY MISS KATIE MASSMAN. + +_Class of '90._ + + + My friends, we all have gathered here, + To celebrate this night,-- + Th' occasion of a victory gained + O'er a long and glorious fight. + + Unlike the battlefields of men, + Where blood flows o'er the plain, + And eyes must meet the fearful sight + Of conquered victims slain, + + Our battlefield the school-room was, + Where we have fought and won; + A conflict noble in its aim, + Nine months ago begun. + + Oh! how we hoped and how we feared, + As day by day slipped past, + And we kept pressing towards the mark + We hoped to reach at last. + + Whilst oft discouragement, the imp, + Would whisper in our breast, + "'Tis folly to continue on; + Go, leave it for the rest." + + But "onward, onward," was our cry, + Though all around looked dim,-- + No cowards we who fear the storm, + 'Twas either "sink or swim." + + And our commander at the head, + With truly master skill, + Did spur us on, and teach us how + Each duty to fulfill. + + Through the maze of outlines, straight and curved, + Step by step, he led the way, + Till hooks and circles, large and small, + At length seemed plain as day. + + To his true service much we owe, + And each of us, to-night, + In a vote of earnest, sincere thanks, + Do heartily unite. + + We meet to part, on this last night, + Yet shall we fondly ever + Turn to the happy hours spent + In Mechanics' Hall together. + + And always shall our hearts respond, + Ever grateful shall we be, + For the kindness of the gentlemen + Of the G. S. M. and T. + + Through them our lives shall brighter grow, + Through them we shall aspire + To better, nobler aims in life, + Leading higher, ever higher. + + And may we from their kindness learn + A royal truth and grand,-- + If we can others happier make, + To lend a helping hand. + + And in the journey through this life, + With heart, head and hand combined + May we ever strive to do our best + To elevate mankind. + + + + +A History of the Class of '90 + +BY MISS SABINE C. SCHINDHELM. + + +One evening, early in the Fall of '89, voices were heard in the +school-room as though many persons were talking at once. Suddenly the +bell rang and the talking ceased. "What does this mean?" you would +have asked, and then, your curiosity getting the better of you, you +would have peeped in. Such a sight! At the front of the room were four +or five rows of young girls, books and pencils in hand, and on the +platform stood a gentleman who was evidently their teacher. What were +they going to do? Why, take their first lesson in stenography, and you +can see from the number of bright and happy faces here to-night, what +that first and each succeeding lesson has done for them. Like little +children just beginning to spell they began with the alphabet, and +step by step, gaining strength and courage, learning everything +thoroughly, till at the end of three months, they had laid a +foundation upon which whatever followed could securely rest; and, when +the mid-winter examination came on (which had all along seemed like a +great wall that was insurmountable), they were able to scale it +without much difficulty. + +But you must not think this goal was reached without many mistakes +which were sometimes very disheartening, and sometimes very funny; as +you will think when I tell you for the letter H a tick is sometimes +used; and one girl slanting this tick the wrong way wrote, "Pale, thou +poly king"; and another, who misplaced a vowel, wrote, "I like my live +eel boy." However, these errors only tended to make them more careful, +and when they started the speeding course, it served them a good +purpose. + +At the beginning of this course, they were addressed as "My dear +reader," and told to observe what they were told; then followed some +maxims to be laid to heart, and a little dwarf was introduced whose +name was "Try." This little fellow had a way of making every one try +to do her best, and those who were unable to do very much at first he +encouraged by giving them a helping hand. After a while he left us and +in his place stood a very impudent fellow known by those with whom he +had had dealings as "I Forgot," or "I Didn't Think;" but as soon as we +learned his mission, which you probably have guessed, or perhaps know +from experience, we discharged him and to secure ourselves from his +return, sent the "Careful Dog" after him. Tom's uncle then gave his +opinion on Phonography, but although it had over four hundred words in +it, it did not amount to much as some of the girls got it down in less +than three minutes. + +Soon afterward John Smith received a letter from his brother Timothy +Jenkins (this name was given the latter by mistake by one of the +girls), about some place in New York State where they could spend a +very nice vacation. This place had advantages in the way of fishing +and boating, lawn tennis and all the rest; but one of our number, who +evidently thought more of good solid comfort, wrote that there were +"good furniture and bedding." + +While thinking still of this delightful resort with all its +acquisitions, the strong arm of the law suddenly came down upon us and +holding out a document to our wondering gaze demanded the name of +same. Then was heard a confusion of voices, every one guessing the +wrong thing, until one, who thought of course she knew, cried out +"Oh, it's a divorce case!" It was no such thing, however; it was a +simple complaint, in which the husband and wife were plaintiffs. We +went through the entire pleadings of this case and when finished, took +up another and another until now we are not lawyers, but some are able +to be stenographers for lawyers, and others amanuenses. + + + + +Valedictory + +BY MISS A. NATALIE KIRSCH. + +_Class of '90._ + + +In the life of every person there are two important events, birth and +death; the former marking their advent into a state of action, and the +latter their exit from it. The one is universally a time of joy, the +other a time of sorrow. This is true to such an extent that the time +of birth is popularly designated and commemorated as a day of +feasting, the other as a day of mourning. Solomon, however, does not +agree with us in this; he reverses this order and says, "Better is the +day of one's death than the day of one's birth;" and "It is better to +go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for +the living will lay it to his heart." Whichever view we take of the +matter this day will be one long remembered by all, for it is both the +day of birth and the day of death. + +So with the birth of everything we attempt; its beginning is attended +with a sort of pleasurable excitement and diligence in the pursuit of +the study we have entered upon, which lasts until the novelty begins +to wear off. Then comes the time when we find ourselves falling into a +rut from which, if we do not try hard to keep up our standard, it will +be difficult to extricate ourselves; but, if we summon all our energy +and strive to overcome all impediments and will work hard and adopt +perseverance as our motto, we shall not fail of success in the end. + +Our small army enlisted last October determined to fight against all +the obstacles which might present themselves in our journey toward +success; and after passing through the hardest and most tedious part +of our work,--the mastering of the principles,--we found ourselves +confronted by an examination, which loomed up before us like a lofty +and rugged mountain, which we knew we must ascend if we would get that +broad outlook which we must obtain for the work of the remainder of +the term. + +Having safely passed that, after a week's recreation, we again +assembled freshly armed to conquer the difficulties of the speeding +course. This proved to be the pleasanter part of our work, and, after +having spent five months with our teacher in this way, and having +passed the final examination, you see here to-night all who have been +victorious in the battle. + +We came before our leader total strangers to him and to each other, +and many happy days have we spent since first we saw his face, and +every day has deepened our regard for him for having been so patient +with us. When we have been on the brink of despair, he has consoled us +with the assurance that better times were coming, and that, if we did +not give up but would push ahead and persevere, we would surely +succeed. + +The "unwearied sun" has performed his daily circuit, sometimes +visible, and sometimes hidden by the vapor laden clouds, but right +onward, whether seen or unseen, has he gone, and time, that never +lingers, has rolled on rapidly and in its flight has brought us to +this hour, ere we were aware, and lo! it has already begun to +snap the threads which have held us together for the last eight +months. Our lives have been speeding with the moments into the +never-to-be-forgotten past; but the tie which binds our hearts +in Christian love and fellowship death itself cannot sever. + +The seeds of stenography, which were cast into our minds at the +beginning of our lessons, made their appearance as young and tender +shoots when we arrived at the speeding course, and have not only begun +to blossom, but also to bear fruit, inasmuch as eight of our number +are already holding positions as stenographers and typewriters, and we +hope they will soon arrive at full maturity when we have all become +experienced shorthand writers. These little plants need the tenderest +care and most watchful guidance, for, if neglected ere they are larger +grown, and the weeds of careless habits are not rooted out, they will +be a source of great trouble and annoyance in the acquiring of speed. +How important then that they should be wisely directed! + +We have now arrived at the completion of our course here in the +capacity of learners; but only to enter an enlarged sphere of action +and there employ what we have here been enabled to acquire. Not only +have we been learning stenography but have been benefited in a number +of other ways; each lesson in its turn had some moral to convey and +some new thought to suggest, which, while teaching us some new form of +work, and suggesting new ideas, all tended to elevate our minds. + +To you, dear members of the G. S. M. & T., are we indebted for +enabling us to acquire an honest, well-paying profession, which is +aiding so many young women to improve their condition in life, and +give substantial assistance to those dependent upon them. To our +Instructor are we especially grateful for his thoughtfulness and zeal +in imparting instruction, and the affectionate solicitude which he has +shown for our welfare; nor would we forget the care bestowed upon us +by the Assistant Instructors, who have in many ways supplemented the +instruction which we have received from the Superintendent. + +To you, dear classmates, I give my parting word of farewell. Often +have we met together to study our beloved shorthand, often have the +difficulties seemed great enough to overwhelm us; often have our +sympathies been aroused by the need of help in one way or another, and +now, for the last time, we again assemble at this familiar spot. There +can but arise in our breast thoughts of sadness as we take leave of +each other, for never again can we meet as the Class of '90, but while +we regret that this is our last evening together, we must bear in +mind, that + + "A fleeting hour, a month, a year, + Is all that God permits us here, + That we may learn to prize more high + That heavenly home beyond the sky." + + + + +Introductory Address + +BY OLIVER BARRATT, ESQ. + +_To the Class of '91._ + + +Ladies and gentlemen, I come to welcome you in the name of the young +ladies of the graduating class. The entertainment this evening, owing +to your presence here which is a source of encouragement to them, will +show you what they have learned and what they have been doing during +the past Winter and Spring, and what we have been doing to help them +in the good cause and vocation which they have chosen. Thomas Carlyle +once asked this question: "What can a woman do?" Well, I think if +Thomas Carlyle was alive to-day and could go through the offices of +the merchants and business men and architects and lawyers of this +city, he would be willing to confess that at least one profession had +been taken possession of by woman. If he could go through the lower +part of this city into any of our offices he would look with wonder +to see a young lady employed as a typewriter and stenographer, as they +almost universally are. In political economy the weakest go to the +wall. Well, it is said that they do, but in this case I think they +have gone to the front. To illustrate that I will tell you a little +experience of my own. Some two or three years ago I went into a +gentleman's office on some business, and made a statement to him. He +said, "Stop! I want that taken down." He called a young man sitting at +the desk and said, "Take this statement down." The stenographer was +about six feet tall, built strong proportionately, and he sat down to +take my statement. One of the first things that struck me was that it +was a pretty light business for a man of his size. The next time I +went into that office, the stenographer was again called to take my +statement, but it was a young lady this time, instead of that great +hulking man. I spoke to my friend about it and he said, "I have a +young lady now and I find she does a great deal better than a man. Her +work is more perfect; more satisfactory." In this case the weakest had +gone to the wall! The stronger intellect had forced the weaker to the +wall. + +Now, young ladies, I congratulate you on the success you have +attained in the school in your work, and would like to say a few words +to you with regard to your future career. When you go into the +employment of some merchant, banker or lawyer, recollect one thing, +that you are his confidential clerk,--taken into his confidence,--and +what you hear there and write there must not be carried out of his +door. When you go out, leave it behind you, and you will always be +successful. And now, I congratulate you again upon your success here, +and hope for a bright future for you and hope you will be successful +in the vocation which you have chosen. + + + + +Salutatory Address + +BY MISS EMMA E. REIMHERR. + +_Class of '91._ + + +It affords me much pleasure to greet you this evening, and, on behalf +of my classmates, to extend to all a sincere and hearty welcome. + +No presence is more inspiring than that manifested in the attendance +of friends at such exercises as these. Truly it is a deep source of +gratification to us, for, as we gaze into the many kindly faces before +us, we are conscious that it is unqualified evidence of the loyal +interest taken in our work, and a full appreciation of our past +efforts. + +We welcome you, gentlemen, representatives of the Society of Mechanics +and Tradesmen, for, not only desirous of granting us every opportunity +to acquire a knowledge of stenography, without expense, you go still +further and lend us your presence, which dignifies and adds grace to +this happy occasion. We, in return, express our cordial obligations +for your favors and philanthropy. + +We welcome Mr. Mason, our faithful teacher, and give him heartfelt +thanks for his kindness to us as pupils, and the earnest attention he +has shown in conducting the school work. We can truthfully say that +the success of the class in their studies is due solely to the skill +of his instruction. + +When we entered upon the inception of our task about eight months +ago, contemplation of such a tedious study as stenography had made +us somewhat apprehensive of successful consequences, and when, +subsequently, we beheld so many curious marks, hooks, loops, spirals +and disjointed straights, then, indeed, did alarm seize upon and +almost terrorize us. How could we accomplish such an arduous +undertaking? We pondered the subject long and well, and, as in all +such matters, a solution was arrived at. You will doubtless not be +surprised when I say it was application--yes, application, with hard, +earnest study as a relative concomitant, which solved the problem. +This was the beginning, an auspicious one, you must admit, because, +having unraveled the chief skein of difficulty, it seemed to imbue +us with increased confidence, and study we did, with intense fervor +and earnestness. Thus it continued. Not a careless and desultory +endeavor, but one of energetic determination and indefatigable zeal. +"_Festina Lente_," as the old Romans were wont to say,--"Make haste +slowly,"--was our motto, as little by little we gained in acquisition. +The curious little dots and dashes which at first seemed so strange +and mysterious, soon lost their mystery and ere long a simple +acquaintance with them had ripened into a desirable familiarity. The +same success attended our efforts at the typewriter. The irregular and +heavy sounds which first greeted the ear of the learner, have lost +their harshness, and in their turn, as nimble fingers lightly touch +the enameled keys, the regularity of the merry ticks, broken only by +the gentle ring of the silvery bell, as the cross-bar passes from side +to side, partakes almost of melody. + +Such has been the past, and to-night the conferring of many diplomas +will convince you that our labor has not been in vain. Stenography as +a study is not really difficult. The cardinal requisite is practice. +Leave the rest to time and the result will not be disappointing. Since +those who have studied here this Winter expect to use the knowledge +acquired as a means of subsistence, it is a comforting reflection +that we can thus earn a livelihood in such a satisfactory and +congenial manner, especially when bearing in mind that the majority +of young women, who toil in this great metropolis, are constrained to +pass long and dreary hours at work which is far less lucrative and +much more debilitating and unhealthy. Again, the study of stenography +requires constant and critical attention, thereby strengthening the +mind and doing away with idle day-dreaming. Mental perception is +rendered more acute, as rapid yet steady thinking is continually +demanded. + +So, after all, now that the labors of the term are over, we may indeed +feel satisfied and happy, assured that you are willing to endorse the +satisfaction we feel at this happy outcome. + +And now, thanking you for the considerate attention you have accorded +these words of salutation, we trust that our programme will greatly +please you; that at its conclusion you will be happy to offer +heartiest congratulations to the Class of '91. + + + + +Address of Rev Chas. S. Harrower, D. D. + +_To the Class of '91._ + + +Mr. Chairman, Ladies of the Class of '91 and Friends: I almost feel as +if I were one of the graduates of this institution, I have been here a +number of years now. But one thing that puzzles me is how I should go +to work to report these speeches, and, really, a moment or two ago I +thought the young ladies were engaged in taking down the music. And I +should not be surprised if they after a little while would be able to +take music down stenographically and write it out on the typewriter +and perhaps, by some modification of their skill, evolve it into tune +again. I know that they can talk musically, because we just heard some +beautiful music talked by one of them and I know that she is a +representative of the class. + +So I think that after all the only claim I have to representing this +institution is the fact that I have been honored by being associated +with the officers, and the teachers, and the graduates of this school +a number of seasons in succession, and age is my only claim to honor, +for I cannot write stenographically, although I can make some crooked +marks, but I do not believe that anybody else could read them after +they get cold, because I know I cannot myself. I can some of them, but +I mean I cannot read them all. I feel particularly honored to-night +upon being given a place upon the platform. I believe this is the very +first occasion when the Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen have pushed +out from their own ancient hall into the world to give a larger +welcome to their constantly growing and most admirable and enviable +constituents. I was wondering to-night how many of the young men and +of the young women before me here had enjoyed the facilities of this +institution in the times past. I am sure they would have to take a +hall that would hold six or seven hundred people, who would fill it +full just as this place is filled full, and to-night this is just as +full as our old hall over home has been during the past five or six +years. We should fill anything because if our friends know they can +come and get away alive, they will come, but if they think they are +going to sweat nearly to death, and be crushed to death, possibly +there will a great many of them stay away. + +I want to congratulate these young ladies. There is one matter that +was referred to in the salutatory this evening,--there is one aspect +of your work and of your success to-night that strikes me. Happy is +the institution that puts a class of fifty young ladies year after +year into the position which those young ladies occupy who have +finished their course, and to-night are to receive their diplomas. Oh, +I do not wonder, after what I know about life in New York City, and +life among women and girls, that your doors are crowded every fall and +that you have two, and three, and four times the applicants for the +facilities and opportunities of the school that you can possibly +accommodate. I do not wonder at it. Why I know a woman 36 years of age +with four children whom she is trying to support, and who works eleven +hours a day for six days of the week, and barely makes an average of +sixty cents a day, and on Saturday night gets six times six or +thirty-six,--$3.60 for her week's toil, and she has been at it till +eleven at night, starting soon after six in the morning. Just think of +a story like that. Oh, girls, I will call you girls; young ladies, if +you had rather be called young ladies, I pray you never forget the +sisters and the mothers who are toiling like this. They were just as +bright girls, and just as brave girls when they were girls as you are +now, and yet life has crowded them down, and I do not know how we are +to lift them up, but, by a tremendous concentration of all of our +consciences and all our powers, which shall make a public sentiment, +that shall look into the sweaters' hells as much as it looks into the +factories, and into the stores, and establishments of men who do not +mean to be cruel or more cruel than you are, and I should be, but who, +in the tussle and competition of life, are led to take part in a +system which is sweating and destroying life which is as brave and +worthy as any of theirs. I wish to create a public opinion which shall +make these exigencies of toil impossible in our modern life. You and I +must do something not only to lift ourselves up, but to help some one +else to climb the ladder to better conditions than otherwise they will +be led to, and I congratulate you that you have climbed the ladder and +have climbed to a better height than that. This institution just helps +you all where your future is secure. Do I say too much? Oh! no, +daughters and sisters, mind, this institution has helped you to the +place where your future is secure. Nothing can take the place of toil. +Nothing can take the place of work. The Emperor Severus, when he lay +dying at the foot of the Grampian Hills in the old town of York, a +stranger who had taken him from the field turned to the men about him, +and making a little address emphasized his last words over and over +again, saying, "Laboramus, laboramus, laboramus!" We must work, we +must work, we must work, he said, and what was true of the Emperor of +Rome cannot be untrue of us; is just as true of all. There is nothing +done without work, work, work. But you will work. You mean to work. +You came here because you were determined to work. You have been +working over hours and overtime. You have been overworked some of you, +just to get the facilities which this institution and this blessed +year of grace can give to you, and you will do it. I know you will be +true. It is not for me to repeat what Mr. Barratt said. I know that he +told the truth when he said that one of the essential things is +fidelity to the confidences which come into your position, through the +relation you sustain to your superiors, your employers and your +principals. + +I know that that is true. I know, too, another thing, and that is, +that there will be times when you will feel tired-headed and wish you +could rest. Did you ever read about Charles Lamb? You know what +beautiful things Charles Lamb wrote. Some of you have read the jolly +story of how roast pig was discovered by the young Chinaman. You have +read that, and if you ever want a good laugh some time get the essays +of Elia and turn to the paper on roast pig, and read it, and you will +enjoy it immensely. At last Charles Lamb was released from his duties +in the India office, he went home and wrote a letter and said to his +friend,--he was so excited with the fact that now he was free,--he +said, "For L10,000 I would not labor ten years longer in that old +India office. The best thing anybody can do is nothing, and next to +nothing, perhaps, go to work." And he went out to do nothing. He had +nothing more to do. Two years after that he says, "Any work is a +hundred times better than no work at all. The sun looks down on no +forlorner creature than me with nothing to do." + +Toil is necessary, labor is necessary for our happiness, as well as +our prosperity. But I do not want you to overwork, and I believe you +do wrong when you do. Just for a little while, while you are getting +this knowledge, you must be willing perhaps to overwork; do not +overwork, do not overstrain yourself. You can break your brains as +easily as you can your back, and every now and then you hear of some +young fellow who breaks his back. Don't break your back, and your +neck, and your brain, and don't forget, just for the sake of getting +ahead a little faster and making a little more money. Remember that +your life and happiness are worth more than a few dollars. I say that +because I know that some of you would be tempted to overwork, but I +want to say alongside of it, another thing that I believe you cannot +forget, and that is this, that there is an element in true life and in +true service which dollars do not pay for. There is an element that is +higher and finer which we usually think of when we think of the +faithful performance of our work, the work allotted to us and the +faithful keeping of business secrets that are intrusted to us. There +is something finer than that. It would be supposed that the men of the +learned profession were the men who work for something beside money. +The doctor must respond to a call no matter whether it comes from the +poorest home, or the richest home. There is something in the +professional relation to society that lifts a man up to a point where +he dare not work simply for money. The minister must go, and it makes +no difference where the call comes from or what time of the night or +day a call comes, and he goes without asking anything about what is to +return to him. The lawyer will stand up in court and take a case and +plead for it, when there is not a single shilling to come into his +hands, because the task is assigned to him. He is a servant of +civilized society. So is the medicine man. And it used to be supposed +that only professional men were the servants of society, in this high +sense that takes them out from a mere consideration of gain. That used +to be supposed. But they will not be able to monopolize this high +idea. The doctors, and lawyers, and ministers in that respect are just +like the rest of you. There is a point for which money cannot be paid +you, nor the lack of money release you, it is the putting of your +heart into your work, the putting of your interest into your work, the +putting of your words into your work, and doing your work not simply +as long as men's eyes are on you, but doing your work faithfully, to +the best of your ability, as long as you receive a man's money and as +long as you hold relations of obligation to him. There is that which +money does not pay for. There is that element of the highest +profession in all services, whether it be a woman with the needle or a +typewriter, or whether it be the stenographer, or whether it be the +mechanic in the house,--if he does his work as he ought to do it he +will put something into it that he does not expect to be paid for. He +will put something into it for which he is to be paid in the improved +condition of life and the benefit that he has done to humanity. +Humanity is to pay him, and not his employer, not in gold but in +goodness, in virtue, in worthy services, he is to get his pay. Put +your heart into your work. Join the learned professions, if you +please, by being not only true and faithful but by being hearty and +conscientious and faithful at every point in your business life. + +And now I have said all that I ought to say but I cannot avoid saying +that one word more. You remember when Sir Walter Scott lay dying, he +called his son-in-law to his bedside and said, "I may not have a +minute or two in which to speak to you my dear, be virtuous, be +religious, be a good man. Nothing else will be any comfort to you when +you are lying where I am lying now." + +Be virtuous, be religious. Be good women always and bless your +associates. Be faithful in your accomplishments. Be useful in your +services. Be proud of every achievement that you can make, but above +all fear God and in this way live close to the Christ himself who +lived not for what should come to Him, but for the blessing which +should come to the worthy. + + + + +A Class History + +BY MISS NELLIE J. BELL. + +_Class of '91._ + + +From the time of the creation to the present day, everything that has +ever existed has had a history. Every leaf and tree and blooming +flower, each have theirs; that sky-lark soaring high in the sunny blue +sky has a history, and, as it pours forth a sweet melody, how the air +vibrates with the gladsome song! Even that tiny spray of hare-bells +clinging tenaciously to a cleft in the rugged rocks, over which the +foaming mountain torrent leaps and dashes, has its own little history. +So has the torrent itself. It began away back among the snow-capped +hills, and at first was only a tiny stream, but, joined by other +courses, and swollen with the melting snows and spring rains, it has +become a foaming, dashing mountain stream, plunging headlong over +rocks and forming many a pretty cascade and sparkling waterfall. Now +it runs deeply and swiftly through some dark canyon, and now, emerging +into broad sunlight, and flowing peacefully through green meadows, it +gives refreshment to the ferns and rushes along its banks, and to many +a little songster. So it flows on and on until it reaches the friendly +arms of the sea, outstretched to receive it. + +The Class of '91 is no exception to the general rule which governs all +Nature. The history of this class began last October; it is thus just +eight months old. Its diet up to the present time has consisted +chiefly of Phonographic outlines, well seasoned and flavored with +vowels and grammalogues, and served a la Pitman. And, in the words of +Abraham Lincoln, we say, "For those who like that kind of diet, why +it's just the kind of diet they like." + +From the time of the commencement of the class, we have been climbing, +climbing, up the steep and rugged paths of Phonography. We began our +ascent from the base, and while traveling up the foot-hills, our guide +explained to us something of the nature of the ascent, and brought us +into contact with some very amusing incidents. + +The road for the most part was straight, but as we progressed we found +ourselves following our guide around curves, and sometimes even around +and around in circles. At first we looked about us a good deal, +thought it would not be so very hard climbing after all, and so +gradually accustomed ourselves to it. We found that we could +accomplish more and more each day, and the higher we climbed the more +invigorating grew the air. + +One day we had been toiling up a long steep hill which some one +suggested was like the Hill Difficulty. We struggled up its steep +sides, weary and travel-stained, discouraged, but not ready to give +up, and at each step plunging in our mountain canes, which were black, +sharpened at both ends, and labeled "Faber No. 2." Soon we heard a +cheery halloa, and looking up saw a tiny little man standing at the +top of a hill. "That's Mr. Try," said our guide, "he is one of the +best people in this mountain. If any one is in trouble, wearied, +discouraged, and just about to give up, then is the time you may +depend on Try. He comes with words of consolation, and with his bright +cheery talk so convinces his poor broken down fellow-beings of future +success, that they get up and begin to depend on 'Try again.'" + +Soon we began to notice signs on the trees along our road. One was, +"Wash tubs and window-sash, vinegar, putty, pails and glass." Another, +"Two boys to let for the Summer." This was interesting, and we +hurried along in hopes of seeing the author of these strange signs, +for our guide told us he was the queerest man in that section of the +country. Soon we came to his house and found it fairly bristling with +signs. Curiosity overcame us and we stopped in and asked for a drink +of water. The object of our curiosity was leaning his elbow on the +mantel. He had long hair and was greatly stooped. We found his wife +very talkative, and when she found out who we were, began to tell us +about the Deed of their Property. "When we were married," she began in +a high nasal voice, "Chauncy's father gave him a clear title to this +place; and after Chauncy's death it is to go back to the old homestead +again." Then she took us through his work-shop where he manufactured +the articles displayed on his signs. + +Next we came across another dwarf, just the opposite of Try, our guide +said. He was always up to some sort of mischief, and his greatest +delight was to get other people into trouble. The country people had +long wished to be rid of him but he had a long lease of his house and +he meant to stay there. He was a homely little elf, with bright red +hair, a slight squint in one eye and a wart on his nose. If a lesson +had not been prepared, this fellow, who was called "I Forgot," was +sure to be on hand in time to whisper into the ear of the culprit, +"Say 'I Didn't Think' or 'I Forgot,'" and the minute she opened her +mouth, out it would come and then the wicked elf would "fold his tent +like the Arabs and silently steal away" to parts unknown, with a +fiendish grin on his ugly little face leaving his dejected victim to +receive a well-merited rebuke for carelessness. This dwarf followed us +for many days, but heeding the repeated warnings of our guide, most of +us at length learned to distrust him and turn a deaf ear to his +excuses. Thus we struggled on and on up the steep sides of the +mountain, and at the close of each day, we realized that, "Something +attempted, something done, had gained a night's repose," for us, +although we didn't always get it. + +And now we were nearing the end of our journey, our hopes ran high and +we kept our eyes upward toward the summit. The obstacles which had +continually beset our path had been overcome, and we could say like +the Irishman, who, on capturing three prisoners in the late war, was +asked how he secured them: "Indade, sir," replied he with a knowing +wink, "it's meself that surrounded them, sir." + +At last we reach our destination in time to just view the sunrise. The +grass is green, the flowers are all in bloom, Spring is here. The +faint gray streaks of the dawn are in the sky and soon the whole East +is suffused with a roseate flush. There is a hush of expectancy in the +air, the breeze is soft, the birds are twittering drowsily in the +tree-tops, and then in a flood of golden splendor "the morning sun +comes peeping over the hills." Instantly all nature is alive, the +birds pour forth their sweet melodies, the drowsy hum of the bees +floats lazily on the air; there is a pleasant rustling among the tall +swaying pines. Dew-drops glisten on the grass, the flowers nod gayly +in the morning breeze, and we feel like singing: + + "When the sun all gloriously comes forth from the ocean, + Making earth beautiful, chasing shadows away, + Thus do we offer Thee our prayers and devotions, + God of the fatherless, guide us, guard us, to-day." + +The new day has begun, and we have witnessed one of the finest views +in Nature's kaleidoscope; for what could be more beautiful than the +dawn! So are our lives just at this time. The air is full of hope and +promise; so are we. We are just in the Springtime of our lives; our +hopes, our aims, our aspirations are all as fresh and unsullied as +the morn itself. + +Now, in the dewy freshness of the early morning, we see that we are on +a broad table-land, and not on the summit of the mountain as we had +fondly hoped. We notice paths running in all directions,--some go +straight to the top of the mountain, others stop at different places +along the route. Only the future can decide which path each shall +take. We have a grand field of labor before us, in this hill of +knowledge which we have been traversing for the past eight months. +There are still rich and undiscovered resources of knowledge, which, +brought to the light, would make the art a perfect one and us perfect +in it. Now it is time for us to separate. Some of the more ambitious +of us will, by dint of hard and unremitting labor, reach the pinnacle +of our hopes. + +Others, less ambitious, will be content to spend their days in the +peaceful valleys of quiet usefulness. But, before we separate, let us +each resolve that we will never, by act or word, do anything which +might reflect discredit on this Association, to the members of which +we owe a debt of gratitude which we can never hope to repay except by +doing our very best, and so bring honor upon those who have done so +much for us and upon the Institution which they uphold. + +The Class of '91 is now like the waves of the sea: + + On the bosom of the ocean, + Dance the wavelet's glittering band; + With a slow and fairy motion + Moving onward towards the land; + But that reached, they burst and sever, + Bound no more by beauty's spell, + Thus, we who have toiled together, + The goal reached, must breathe farewell. + +Here endeth the simple annals of the Class of '91. + + + + +Class Poem + +BY MISS MARION C. BURNS. + +_Class of '91._ + + + We extend a hearty welcome + To you all, both old and young, + Who have come to aid in sending off + The Class of '91. + + We beg you will be generous + In judging us to-night, + See not the faults nor blunders, + But keep the good in sight. + + This class you see united here, + To-night will have to sever, + But where to go, Ah! who can tell? + And shall it be forever? + + Here, many a pleasant hour we've spent, + But now we soon must part, + And yet the lessons taught us here + Shall dwell deep in each heart. + + In after years we'll fondly think + Of pleasant times gone by, + And when we're treading other paths, + The memory'll dim each eye. + + Our teachers we have sorely tried + As any one might see; + At last they've succeeded in teaching us, + Typewriting and Stenography. + + Oh, thanks to you, our faithful friends, + For what you both have done, + For firm, but kind you've always been, + And patient with every one. + + These gentlemen deserve our thanks, + For their goodness to us here, + Your kindness we shall not forget, + For many and many a year. + + May fortune on you ever smile, + And blessings on you flow, + This, this shall be our prayer for you, + Wherever you may go. + + For many truly grateful hearts, + You surely here may find, + Who fully all your gifts esteem + To elevate the mind. + + Now, with best wishes to you all, + On parting we'll not dwell, + But to our teachers, classmates, friends + We'll say, farewell, farewell. + + + + +Address of Mr. Henry Moore + +_To the Class of '91._ + +IN BEHALF OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE. + + +Of course, it is not expected that the representatives of the School +Committee will have very much to say. You have listened very +attentively to all that has been already said, and I think that the +ground has been still further covered in what has already been said. +It may not be known to all present that this Society, merging +community of interest at the time when the camp fires of the +Revolution had just burned out, associated themselves together for +mutual protection and for one another's general good. It was to +relieve the unfortunate, the widow and the orphan that brought +together the great mechanic minds of the past, and all a-down the past +century we can find that they have always been ready, always been +anxious, always been willing to lend the hand of kindness and +attention to those whom they found in need, to assist, to protect and +to care for. Robinson, in one of his poems, has said, "Who will break +the bread of sorrow? Who will give the cup of sympathy? Who breathe of +sympathy to those who are suffering, and relieve with the cup of +sympathy the sorrowing ones of earth?" I do not think I have quoted +that exactly, but it has been the motto of this Society ever to +protect those who needed their protection; to care for those who +needed their care and their bounty, and to-night we find the result of +this care and protection, in the graduates of the Class of '90-'91. I +leave this matter with you for reflection. We all know and realize +what it is to be a member of the General Society of Mechanics and +Tradesmen, and I, for one, am thankful to be able to say to you in +hearty welcome and in hearty greeting that the evidences are now +before you of the well-being, and the comfort, and the joy, and the +happiness of the graduates of the Class of '90-'91. + + + + +Valedictory + +BY MISS HILDA BUSICK. + +_Class of '91._ + + + [A]Das ist im Leben haslich eingerichtet, + Das Bei den Rosen gleich die Dornen stehn; + Und was das arme Herz auch sehnt und dichtet, + Zum Schlusse kommt das Voneinandergehen. + +[Footnote A: + 'Tis said, alas, that life must have its sorrows, + That with the roses cruel thorns should grow; + And though we fondly dream of love's to-morrows, + Must every heart the grief of parting know.] + +The words of the poet are but too true. What rose does not hold up its +pretty, fragrant head, feigning unconsciousness of the thorns hidden +beneath its bright, green leaves? And just so life's joys are with its +sorrows associated. There never was a _perfectly_ happy day, unclouded +as the skies of June, for every pleasure, inasmuch as it must end, +carries with it some sadness--every meeting, the pain of parting. + +So to-night the joyous echo of "welcome" is still to be heard, +the fragrance of its roses is yet perceptible, when the solemn +"_Farewell_" rings upon our ears and its thorns pierce our hearts. + +Ruskin says, "It is a type of eternal truth that the soul's armor is +never well set to the heart, unless a woman's hand has braced it, +and it is only when she braces it loosely that the honor of manhood +fails." If then, the honor of the world is dependent upon woman, if +she is to be responsible for all war and all peace, happiness or +discontent, it behooves us to consider the greatness, amounting to +almost awe, of the duty imposed upon us. Our task may, perhaps, be +a difficult one, but not if we seize it with an unyielding grasp, +and fight it to the bitter end--"to the last syllable of recorded +time"--if need be. + +Our circle of usefulness is constantly widening. The doors of +colleges, and thus those of every profession, have opened to admit us +within their sacred precincts. In all parts of the world our sisters +are successful as musicians, painters, sculptors--Harriet Hosmer, for +example--physicians, professors, stenographers. Many of them are now +on the highest rounds of the ladders from which their lack of superior +education formerly excluded them. This is especially true of +stenography. Yet some one has recently written, that, owing to their +superior tact in arrangement, their neatness, their unobtrusiveness, +their faithfulness, and numerous other excellent qualities, the +demand for women in this capacity is steadily increasing. We find them +filling lucrative positions in banking, commercial and publishing +houses; in brokers' and insurance offices, in law firms, in fact, in +every place where the haste of this nineteenth century requires a +stenographer's speed. Indeed, they have made for themselves, in the +use of the "winged words," a name which it is our duty to assist in +more firmly establishing. + +In behalf of my classmates, as well as for myself, I wish to thank our +Instructor most cordially for his thorough teaching; for the interest +he awakened in us toward this intricate art, without which we would +have long since been compelled to cry "Vanquished;" for his timely +assistance over the sharp pointed stones and by the brier bushes in +the darkened forest, and for his patience which our forgetfulness so +sorely tried. And, though our words of gratitude may be weak, the +feeling is deep-rooted in our hearts, and through the years to come we +shall carry with us many pleasant memories of the hours spent with +him, and never fail to appreciate his more than kindness. + +The neat typewritten exercises, letters and legal documents, which +the members of the typewriting class have at different times shown us, +are an earnest of the work done in that department, and we can have no +doubt that his pupils feel grateful to their teacher. + +The School Committee, indeed all the members of the G. S. M. & T., +have our heartiest thanks for their kindness in enabling so many to +gain a profession, and for the interest they have always manifested in +our welfare. + +One word of "Farewell" to my classmates: During the past Winter, while +studying together, many of us have formed strong friendships, which we +hope shall never decay, or have bound more closely those who were +friends before. Several of the more fortunate have already obtained +positions, making profitable use of the treasures received from our +Instructor. But the others need not despair, for if we are faithful +and determined we shall in due time receive our call, and "In quiet +and in confidence shall be our strength," perfection shall be our aim, +and when we have reached the goal, may it be said of us, as Antony +said of Brutus: + + "Nature might stand up and say to all the world, + 'This was a man.'" + +In our journey through life, when doubts fall thick and fast around +us, and the lowering sky seems just above our heads, surely these +beautiful words of Goethe will fill us with encouragement: + + "Wouldst thou win desires unbounded? + Yonder see the glory burn, + Lightly is our life surrounded, + Sleep's a shell to scorn and spurn, + When the crowd sways unbelieving, + Slow the daring will that warns, + He is crowned with all achieving + Who perceives and then performs." + + + + +CLASS NIGHT EXERCISES + +A Prophecy of the Class of '91. + +BY MISS HILDA BUSICK. + + +Know All Men By These Presents, that I, having departed this life, +have received permission from Pluto, King of the Shades, to return to +this world and make known to you, less fortunate mortals, your +destiny. While lounging idly on the banks of the "River of Oblivion," +the sovereign of that sunless region permitted me to read in his "Book +of Life." Listlessly turning over the pages I saw a name in bold +characters: "W. L. Mason, City, County and State of New York." Then +the pages began to turn of their own accord and the names of my former +friends and acquaintances, _inter alia_, presented themselves in rapid +succession. + +Mary A. Moore and her husband; John Williamson; our well-known +pugilistic friend, John L. Sullivan; a "hen-pecked" Bostonian, and +others. + +As I read a dim mist seemed to come from the river, causing the words +to fade; bona fide pictures arose in their stead. + +_First._ In the famous city of Kroy Wen, stood a large pagoda, on +which was emblazoned the startling legend: "College of Stenography, W. +L. Mason, President." At this hour the college doors were open and +within could be seen the bulletin of the staff; it was, the President, +the right honorable W. L. Mason, D. D., assisted by his able corps of +instructors, the professors Massie and Shaughnessy, the latter by +their punctuality and the sweet temper of the former, being of the +utmost assistance to him. Et signiture was the course. + + First Term. Lecture on the Principles of Shorthand, together + with practical lessons in disorder, untidiness, negligence, + forgetfulness and carelessness, all thoroughly taught in + three months more or less. + + Second Term. Practice in misapplying all that you have + learned, with a view to writing as illegibly and slowly as + possible. + + Third Term. Literature, the reading of Mother Goose Rhymes in + shorthand, and the writing of dime novels for the literature + of the 20th century. + +The Right Honorable President, as hereinbefore mentioned, is old and +decrepit, unable to keep order in his classes, and therefore always +carries with him a jumping rope, the handles of which he uses on the +knuckles of his unruly pupils, while the rope itself brings to him +recollections of his youthful days when it was used for the legitimate +purpose for which it was manufactured. + +_Second._ Now the panorama changes and shows a lady of medium height, +fair, slight and happy. She walks through one of the crowded streets +of Kroy Wen, handing to the passers by circulars which read as +follows: + + "To the People of the City of Kroy Wen, + + "GREETING: + + "I beg to notify the public that the first issue of my new + paper,--Wit,--will be ready in two weeks and I hereby + guarantee to the said public that it will afford amusement, + entertainment and instruction, with a special column devoted + to Phonography. + + "In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, + the day and year last above written. + + Signed, "C. CELLPUR." + +_Third._ A revolution had evidently taken place in England; the +people were clamoring for Constitutional Government. Discussions were +loud and prolonged in the "House of Lords." In the latter, on one of +the front benches, sat the stenographer who had been admonished on +her life to write the turbulent speeches verbatim. She was our dear +friend, Miss Rhythm. + +_Fourth._ An imposing publishing house in the city of Not Sob, +which city is noted for its cultured inhabitants. Small boys were +placing on the doors and windows of said publishing house, the same +to remain thereon without hindrance or molestation, large notices +which bore this inscription: "Our most recent publication is a book +written by Miss N. Murphie. It is important as a work of art and is an +authority on all topics of etiquette, especially as regards language. +The cultured inhabitants of Not Sob cannot afford to lose this +opportunity of making themselves more familiar with those refinements +of speech which have long marked them as the most cultured people in +the land." + +Then I saw what seemed to be an illegal document purporting to be a +marriage settlement, in which Mrs. Ocean is wisely having her property +settled upon herself, mindful of the time when she learned that +"What's hers is his, and what's his isn't hers." + +_Fifth._ A convention of the Woman's Rights Association. The hall is +crowded. Several determined looking women who have already addressed +the meeting are on the platform. The audience is breathlessly awaiting +the appearance of what Edward Everett Hale calls "A Hen's Right Hen." +She is at length presented, her remarks are interspersed with legal +terms; evidently some part of the training has been at the F. S. & T. +C. of the G. S. M. & T. Her talk is upon the uselessness of the male +sex and the applause is loud and enthusiastic. Her face and manner are +very familiar, and looking at the programme I see that the initials of +her name spell H. E. M. P. + +_Sixth._ A copy of the "Post and Lightning;" it is yellow with age. It +had probably been handed down from generation to generation as a +precious heirloom. The column containing the marriage notices is +folded outward, and one marked with blue pencil reads: + +"Wolf--Lamb. Mr. F. Wolf to Miss M. Lamb, both of the State of Kroy +Wen, May 25th, 912, at the home of the bride." + +"The Wolf had devoured the Lamb." + + + + +Verses + + READ BY MISS CARRIE R. PURCELL, UPON AWARDING + PRIZES TO THE MEMBERS OF HER SECTION, + TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE 2ND, '91. + + + I beg of you all just a little time + In which to attend to this dear class of mine. + Dear Tuesday night girls you should all have a prize, + And it makes me feel sad, and tears dim my eyes + When I think that for most of you I have no prize. + + But a dear little "tot" in this class doth belong + Whose euphonious cognomen is Margaret Armstrong, + If she will come forward, I gladly will give + A prize she can cherish as long as she'll live. + + And here is another for Nellie J. Bell, + Whose sweet resonant tones you all know so well; + Come hither, dear Nellie, a friend greets you now, + Here, take this _small_ package and make a large bow, + While I tell your dear classmates, with smiles all serene, + That soon you will rival the renowned Lawyer Green. + + Ah! here is another, it seems to be round, + I wonder for which of the class it is bound. + It may be intended for some gentle "myth" + But no, my dear friends, it is meant for Miss Smith, + Who'll take the world easy wherever she is,-- + Will she take it this evening and smile as she does? + + Here's something else before we pass on + For our dear kind teacher, Mr. W. L. Mason, + For oft have I seen the briny tear start + To his bright kindly eyes, while my classmates so smart + Were kept _waiting_, while I tried to write like the chart. + + + + +Address + + OF MISS ELLEN M. PHILLIPS, UPON AWARDING + PRIZES TO THE MEMBERS OF HER SECTION, + TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE, 2ND, '91. + + +In these days of model schools it is difficult to find an innovation +or to advance a theory of improvement which has not already been made; +but it seems to me there is one crying grievance from which all +schools suffer, and which I should like to do my little mite to +redress. My ideal of a school-master is the one in the opera of "Billy +Taylor." His creed is summed up in the quatrain. + + "When a pedagogue, I'd often wish, + I'd give prizes to the _worst_ boys at school. + The good boys I would like to swish, + But alas! I would not break the rule." + +Since the pleasant duty of awarding prizes has fallen to my lot, I am +determined to award them according to my theory, and lest my reasons +for bestowing them may not be perfectly clear to all, and the system +of reasoning by which my results are attained appear somewhat +illogical, I will endeavor to explain my reasons. + +What, for instance, can be more absurd than the usual way in which the +prize is chosen for the individual obtaining the highest per cent. in +an examination? What, forsooth, is awarded but a collection of +books!!! Yes! To the very person who is supposed to know all that +books contain! It would be much more logical to my thinking to give +the aforesaid set of books to a poor plucked student who would be so +glad to avail himself of a little of their weighty contents. + +For, and in consideration of the aforesaid reason, and for other +valuable consideration, I hereby assign, transfer and set over unto +you, my dear Miss Reidy, this little volume. It may seem small, but +believe me therein is comprised a respectable proportion of human +knowledge. It will be your consolation in time of need. In it you will +find every thing a mortal mind may desire. Do you desire wealth? You +will find it described on all that certain lot, piece or parcel of +column 2, situate, lying and being on page 303. Or perhaps happiness +is your aim? That you will find near the southeast corner of page +133, the same being therein described as the State of Enjoyment. + +In short, you will have no wish unfulfilled. Go, _read ye_ and be +wise, and however friends may forsake you, be sure this faithful Dict. +will never fail you. + +Another striking injustice in the bestowal of prizes is the fact the +teachers get none of them, and who, pray, is more entitled to them? Is +it not the teacher who has crammed and coached the unfortunate +students to the saturation point? Now, in my model school, no such +injustice shall be done, but, what to offer? There's the question. Of +course a teacher's mind is a compendium of all human knowledge, +therefore books would be out of place. So, Mr. Mason, to you I offer +no gaudy volume, but only this little machine, adapted for physical +culture. It is warranted to exercise every one of the blank muscles of +the human body at once; besides cultivating the artistic taste. Note +the graceful curve it describes in the air! Note the harmony of color +in the handles! Take it, dear teacher, to have, to possess, and to +enjoy the same unto yourself, your heirs, executors, administrators, +and assigns forever. + +Another striking incongruity is the fact that the best student is +generally a pale, slender girl, or one on which the ravages of disease +have set their mark. To this delicate creature is given a prize of +books which will still further tax her powers. Now, would it not be +wiser to minister to the body diseased and award a prize of this +nature. Will Miss Hilda Busick step this way? Permit me to ask you one +question. _Be you sick?_ That is all I wish to know. _Be you sick?_ If +that be so, dear friend, take this in time. It is warranted to cure +every ill under the sun, and taken internally or externally makes no +difference. Take it, and bless your fortunate star which brought this +to your lot rather than a pile of dusty volumes. + +For you, dear Miss Clancy, I was at a loss, but knowing that your +future career will be a busy one, I thought this little engagement +slate might be handy. You see you can hang it up in your office when +you are called away to take down a sermon of Phillips Brooks, or to +report the World's Fair of '92, and the horde of stenographer-hunters +may subscribe their names here and their humble supplication that you +will attend to them on their return. The other side of the slate may +be used in casting up bills. + +I quite agree with Miss Sharp that patriotic sentiments ought to be +inculcated, and for this reason I have chosen this little flag of our +country which I beg she will accept; accompanying it is a little +bundle of fire-crackers dear to every patriotic heart. The best way to +appreciate them is to tie them together with their fuming little +projecting frizzles, set fire to the last one and throw them on the +street; the result will astonish you, I am sure. + +And now, my dear friends, you have seen the merits of my system, but +it is with pain that I point out its only defect. I give prizes to the +worst ones at school, the only trouble is there are so few "worst" +that the list of prize-winners is naturally small. But I hope you will +acknowledge that its defect is amply compensated for by its other +excellencies. + + + + +A Tale of Woe + +BY MISS CARRIE R. PURCELL. + +(_Read on Class Night, Tuesday, June 2, 1891._) + + + Listen my friends, and you shall hear + A _dreadful_ poem which I have here. + 'Tis about the class of '91, + And a harrowing tale when once begun. + A tale that will make you all shiver and shake; + The thought of it now is making me quake. + + 'Tis a tale of struggle and grief and woe, + Of the girls who wrote fast, and the girls who wrote slow, + Of girls who came early, of girls who came late, + Of those who had plenty, others, none to dictate. + Of the girls who held pencils as if they were pills, + Of others, who held them as if they had chills. + Of the dear darling girls who did everything (write) right, + Of other unfortunates weeping all night, + Oh! indeed, my dear friends, 'twas a terrible sight. + + Of a dear kindly teacher who came every night, + And who stayed long after the electric light, + Of the class in a circle the teacher around, + While he watched every outline, and heard every sound. + And the five minutes recess to catch the fresh air. + Of return to the circle and "catching" it there; + Of the girls who can stand up and read as they'd write. + Of others who couldn't if they stood up all night; + Ah! yes indeed, 'twas a pitiful plight. + + Of Complaints and of Answers, of Leases and Deeds; + Of all kinds of letters for business men's needs; + Of good sound advice as we all neared the end, + From our dear kind Instructor, who is "also our friend." + Of that dread Monday eve which had long been expected; + Of the papers accepted, and the papers rejected. + Of this beautiful calm which has followed that night; + And I'm sure that my teachers and classmates unite + In thanking Class '90 for this pleasant sight. + + + + +Verses Read on Class Night + +BY MISS NELLIE J. BELL. + +_June 2, 1891._ + + + Hail! To our friends, both one and all, + Hail! To our neighbors, great and small, + Hail! To the sweet June air and sun, + Hail! To the Class of '91. + + For the past eight months we've been working, + Working with might and main, + To get Phonographic outlines + Fixed firmly in our brains. + + But now our work is ended, + Our Winter's work is done; + Then hip hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, + For the Class of '91! + + And we smile as we think of the hours + That we thought so fraught with pain; + They have gone like the fleeting shadows, + N'er to return again. + + And now we can sit in our cosy homes, + And watch the drizzling rain; + It used to be, "Put up your umbrella + And don't you miss the train." + + I was seated one night, with book and pen, + The midnight oil burned low; + While on the table spread before me lay, + A legal doc. with verbiage slow. + + When all at once on the still night air, + Rang a terrible shriek, so wild and shrill, + It curdled the warm blood in my veins, + And made my very heart stand still. + + I rushed to the casement, and open it flew + The pale moon shone in the azure sky, + And like costly gems, 'neath a cloud of lace, + Gleamed the stars in the Milky Way. + + And I looked and shuddered, + For what did I see, + But Thomas and Maria a lookin' at me, + Their voices were pitched in the high key of C. + + Classmates, now step to the front, + And make your bow to the business world, + We are ready to work for honest hire, + With our banners all unfurled. + + And now in conclusion we bid you adieu + And make room for the Class of '92. + + Now give three cheers, and three times three + For this glorious G. S. M. & T. + God's blessing be on it forever, we say, + May it know naught but prosperous days. + + + + +Address to the Graduating Class + +_On Examination Night._ + +BY W. L. MASON, INSTRUCTOR. + + +MY DEAR PUPILS: + +This is the last night of our course, and since we have studied our +final lesson together, it has occurred to me that this would be a good +opportunity for a little talk with you, as you are about to leave this +school and go out into the world. First of all, I want to tell you, as +I have many times told you before, how very much I have enjoyed my +work in connection with this class during the past Winter. There is a +certain satisfaction in feeling that I have been able to help you to +learn something, and this feeling is increased by remembering that I, +too, have been learning, and that my knowledge of the art of shorthand +has been enlarged by teaching it to you. You, on the other hand, must +keep in mind the fact that you have not learned all there is to be +learned about Phonography. Though you may live many years, and +practice Phonography all your life, you probably never will feel that +you have a perfect knowledge of all the details of the art. This, +however, need not discourage you, but, on the contrary, should fill +you with pleasure to think there is something yet to be learned, and +thus the fascination which the study of Phonography has had for you +during the past few months, can never diminish so long as you have a +desire to advance more and more towards perfection. It is not to be +expected that you will for any length of time remember everything that +I have ever said to you with regard to the advantages of shorthand or +its practical use; but of one thing I feel very sure, and that is that +whatever I have said that is worth anything will at some future time +recur to you when you need it most, and when it will probably be +better understood than it is now. + +There is one fact that I wish very strongly to impress upon you, +namely, that you have, by your diligent study of the past Winter, +gained something which is of priceless value to you, and, if used +aright, something which must some day, sooner or later, prove of +particular advantage. This practical knowledge of shorthand which you +now possess is something which cannot be bought or sold; it is +something which you can never wholly forget; it is something which +many persons would give a great deal to obtain; and I therefore charge +you to guard it with care, and treasure it as a talent for the right +use of which you will some day be held accountable. Do not by any +means give up your practice. Even if you cannot continue it regularly, +do not abandon it altogether, but look upon your shorthand as a mine +of intellectual wealth which, if rightly worked, will yield rich +results. + +And now, one word more: be diligent, be persevering, be true to +whatever trust is reposed in you; and, if you seek a reward outside of +the natural satisfaction that will come from work well done, remember +the word of One who said, "Thou hast been faithful over a few things, +I will make thee ruler over many things." + +With hearty congratulations upon your success, and with the most +cordial wishes for your future prosperity, I bid you God-speed. + + + + +TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: + +Minor changes have been made to correct typesetters' errors; +otherwise, every effort has been made to remain true to the authors' +words and intent. 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