DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Adelia M. Hoyt memoir and photographs

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Page 38

38 UNFOLDING TALES

delivered an inspiring address before the student body. My Aunt Adelia came on from Wisconsin for the occasion. 
Graduation was on Monday evening, June 17, 1887-- a hot June night. The auditorium was crowded and the air heavy with the scent of roses and other flowers. Shall I ever forget it! JIm gave his salutatory and each one followed with an original oration, interspersed with music. Georgie and JIm played a piano duet. Frank had an original composition for which I had written the words; Del sang the solo part, Frank played the violin obbligato, and I the piano accompaniment. Then came the time for the valedictory "Brought to the Test." As usual, it was torture to me and I trembled so I could scarcely stand; bu somehow I got through, closing with a farewell to the faculty and to my classmates. The class song followed -- with music by Nellie and words by me. 
Then an incident happened which is worthy of mention. While we still stood to receive our diplomas there came a little surprise. Superintendent McCune stepped forward and told how a good many years before there had come to the school a little boy afflicted mentally. Some of the boys had been most unkind to him -- but one had befriended him. The child did not remain long in the school -- nor for that matter in the world of the living. However, his mother had not forgotten the kindness shown her little son by the boy, now a young man about to graduate as a fine musician. She desired to show her appreciation. At this point he presented Frank with a beautiful and expensive violin. I was just as proud and pleased as if the honor had come to me and I am sure we all felt the same way. 
The next day came the literary and musical contests. I had foolishly written another essay for this occasion instead of concentrating on one, as Del had done. She carried off the first prize in the literary contest and I came in for second prize. She also won the prize for piano playing while I scored nothing at all in this contest, although I competed. Blanche and my other friends were naturally disappointed, but somehow I never took these things

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38 UNFOLDING TALES delivered an inspiring address before the student body. My Aunt Adelia came on from Wisconsin for the occasion. Graduation was on Monday evening, June 17, 1887-- a hot June night. The auditorium was crowded and the air heavy with the scent of roses and other flowers. Shall I ever forget it! JIm gave his salutatory and each one followed with an original oration, interspersed with music. Georgie and JIm played a piano duet. Frank had an original composition for which I had written the words; Del sang the solo part, Frank played the violin obbligato, and I the piano accompaniment. Then came the time for the valedictory "Brought to the Test." As usual, it was torture to me and I trembled so I could scarcely stand; bu somehow I got through, closing with a farewell to the faculty and to my classmates. The class song followed -- with music by Nellie and words by me. Then an incident happened which is worthy of mention. While we still stood to receive our diplomas there came a little surprise. Superintendent McCune stepped forward and told how a good many years before there had come to the school a little boy afflicted mentally. Some of the boys had been most unkind to him -- but one had befriended him. The child did not remain long in the school -- nor for that matter in the world of the living. However, his mother had not forgotten the kindness shown her little son by the boy, now a young man about to graduate as a fine musician. She desired to show her appreciation. At this point he presented Frank with a beautiful and expensive violin. I was just as proud and pleased as if the honor had come to me and I am sure we all felt the same way. The next day came the literary and musical contests. I had foolishly written another essay for this occasion instead of concentrating on one, as Del had done. She carried off the first prize in the literary contest and I came in for second prize. She also won the prize for piano playing while I scored nothing at all in this contest, although I competed. Blanche and my other friends were naturally disappointed, but somehow I never took these things