Our class was from Bath, Springfield, and Brookville townships and was composed by Mabel Sering & George Hubert from Springfield, Opha Johnson of Bath, and Amy Smith, Rose Jaques, James Isaac, George Schlenker and myself of Brookville.

It is an event not likely to be forgotten by any of us (graduates). I know I shall always remember it with pleasure, there was one thing to mar my pleasure, and it was, "A wish that my own dear mamma, who had helped me to gain this standing, was here to share in my success."

Oh! if she could have been here and said, "Etha" (that's what she always called me), "I am glad with you," - how different - twould have been so nice.

I could have told her about things I dare not tell others, no wonder angels are always pretty and gentle for there are great many mothers among them.

With mother we associate all that is pure, true, noble, and good; may I be permitted to know her in "That Better Land," is one of my sincere wishes.

No one in this wide world can know how I longed for mamma May 20, 1887.

Schlenker was first and read "Honest Fame or None," which to my notion was best and tells for itself what it was. While he read I asked God to help me - and He surely did - in my reading.

This was followed by mine. I received so many congratulations and wishes for my future success. I know those words of kindness are planted in my mind and growing, gaining strength, making me love them more and more.

Among them were Cora Sikely, Laura Lynch, Emma Stalcup, Charl Phenis, Mabel Sering, and many others. My flatterers as I call them were: Gires, Myers, George Everett, Jones; Annises, Duma Updike, Cases, Ed Miller and a great number of others including Cowens.

My book and flowers are to be perserved, not in candy or sugar but saved in rememberance of that time, may others enjoy this blessing.

If I am spared, I shall one day teach and the logic used in my essay shall be my rule as near as I can live to it.

"Common schools the hope of our country," is true, it is they that is the fountain of national character and send forth sweet or bitter waters thru out the streams of the nations thot.

My dissappointment at not seeing papa there can not be expressed or shall not be, for it was not his fault.

Dear papa how dear he is to me and yet there is an awful chasm or gulf between us.

Oh! God may it be removed ere it be too late, for if I am correct my years are few in this world.

I am jealous and no one but myself knows it. I do not see why must be so either.

Mabel Duncan