Bradford Academy - Chimes Yearbook (Haverhill, MA)

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Brad Ord Q4nna1L5 here it is eminently fitting that the gratitude of all who, figuratively speak- ing, held that chain next their hearts, sliottld be expressed to that Xermom maiden of the Freshman Class without whom it would have been practi- cally impossible to have completed our stupendous task. Hain' others should have great praise, but they, being personally interested, do not deserve such great credit as she who was so indefatigable in her cliforts without proba- bility of recognition. Meantittie we Juniors were again decorating the church, czirrving ottt the ideas of the Seniors, whom we cotild never again show our willingness to serve. At eleven the long, imposing procession started, headed bt' thg Trustees, Faculty and Dignitaries, followed bt' the .'hllllllIl1l'I then came the students all in white and bareheaded. XYhen tillf guests ti ere in the pews the school marched in singing, .-Xngels from the Realm ot Cllory: after they were in their places Klr. llowns began the Senior Xl:u'cli, an arrangement Of lVloZart's 1loscs in lfgtptf' which he has plated for eaeli succeeding class for thirty years, and two bi two ue bore in the licloxctl daisy chain with fitting solemnitix lt extended the length ot the church. and was a suitable accompaniment to the slow inztrch ot the Seniors who passed through. At a signal from the l'resident ue carefully lowered our precious burden on the edges of the pews and followed the !'t'sI ot the school upon the platform. Wllat an inspiring address Klr. Klabic gate us. :ind how roused we were by it, and liow we called down l3lL'sslIlgs upon his head tor making Commencement Day come tip to our highest expectation Y .Xnd bow hztpput we felt to think we had sung the :Xlleluia with fest and spirit enough to please Nlr. Downs, who had labored so patiently to get lls workt-d up In the proper pitch of enthusiasm! XVith eagerness we stillglli to tibcy' his every mandate, and make his beautiful lltilt' is citnl thc l.ot'tl at climax to a beautiful service. Dr. Little distributed the diplomas, making first a few remarks. in which he mentioned the satisfaction the girls should feel in being the Centennial Class. Each girl stood and received her diploma :is her name was called. and when he called Blanche liarnes, llr. Little, with kindlt' sincerity. expressed his personal sorrow and that of the 'l'rustees at heriillness. and presented her diploma to the Class President amid our heartt' applause. tsoi

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, if 1' .5 , .4 4' I A' . P F 'ls 'wt in 'mei , .,, is in ts . 1 'fa in ' 8 N .5,wm y Tumi li Qi lflx, f 2-5, iff? 3 Q s. ,. HQQ 'five U i ' R 'S' Kim 1 fr' 'fi fl MQ M , if , ,murnml -'llffh -wi! ' 'lj pw .pq fi! U 4 rail 14 .A-H .stdin w,jglF all 1 .T- in-ad ord e24nnat5 fifty classes participating, every available space in the house was used, and even in the grove and under different trees on the campus were seen pen- nants or knots of Class Colors. In the early evening the largest meeting of Alumnae ever held took place in the assembly hall, and there the united body of graduates had the great pleasure of greeting lVIrs. Daniel Kimball, our oldest living graduate, Nlrs. Elizabeth A. Barrows, and lVIrs. lVIary L. Oliver, two members of the Class of 18-123 Miss Abby H. johnson, the former Principal,-and many another noble woman of whom we are justly proud. But I am making many words. The reception that evening given by llfliss Knott and the Trustees, properly finished a day which had been most inspiring. A thousand guests, each with an air of lively interest, every- where bright conversation, the relating of anecdotes and do you remem- bers 3 everywhere enthusiasm and boundless admiration, and everywhere an air of half ownership and a desire to make it all a success. It made an ardent enthusiast of the most phlegmatic to stand down near the street and look at the beautiful scene. From the point of the flagstaff and across the top of the building were suspended electric lights, while red fire burned con- tinuously on the corners of the wings. Across the main front in huge letters of light were BRADFORD and H 1803-1903, visible for many miles, so I am told 5 while all about the campus tiny fairy lights and Japanese lanterns were hidden among the foliage. Well did we appreciate how momentous a thing a century is when, early that evening, our cast-iron rule, H Be sure and turn down your gas when leaving the room, was revoked, and we were told to light every burner, that everyone might see how Brad- ford rejoiced. The Pentucket Orchestra played in its most enticing manner, and many a foot wistfully patted the floor, but there was no room for dancing even had it been courteous to our guests, many of whom had prejudices against that custom. The dining room was presided over by gracious matrons who dispensed delicious dainties with a lavish hand. But Wednesday was fhe day par t'.X'Cl'HE71CL',' long may it live in our memories! To begin with, the daisy chain not being quite completed, a few fupon whose heads may a benediction restj arose bright and early and put the finishing touches to that immense undertaking. And right T491 'i Q J :f J. ' . , ,f :if f

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in G are S if an , . M --,N Ne. w ' i 'B Ns. 'W-was-as I ha' vm v ,M :ln W cs. .tsp QQ Qt. WH All W semis' ' 'magnify 1 Q Q ' if ' Q 72 'Y Q X an all Q f- if W ll' +0 I .-4' ai- We , ,g,,- Q, xl' vw M fs, us .Q 19, will nfl fBrad ord o4nnaL5 Judge Abbott then, with a few apt remarks, presented the prize for the best Senior essay to Lillian Browne, giving Helen Brown the Honorable Men- tion, and Dr. Little presented to Florence Beckley the improvement prize. Nleantime we embryonic Seniors had brought out our new pins from their hiding places and donned them with pride. VVith his inimitable touch Mr. Downs played h'Iendelssohn's H VVedding hfIarch, and with conscious dignity the sixteen Seniors picked up the daisy chain and stood at respectful atten- tion while the newest Jlzmznfz' marched out, when we followed with the school behind us. Then came what was to me a touching and lovely bit of thoughtful- ness. The late graduates with their escort of honor marched down to the window where sat Blanche bravely smiling, and there gave her a rousing cheer, after which each girl gave up her beautiful American Beauty, and Rlarie with the twenty-one roses and the diploma went into the house. Girlish tears and laughter are closely allied, and if a few drops rolled down our cheeks just then let us not be ashamed. In a few moments we were merrily trilling H A rig-a--iig-jig and away we go, as we toiled up the street with that heavy, heavy, but ever lovely daisy chain. O for a picture of us as we crossed the campus against the background of our wonderful old wil- lowl I cannot prevaricate and say we were sorry to lay our honor down, for this honor lay heavily, and I confess that my right shoulder was lame for days, but 'twas fun for a' that. After a time for social intercourse we went out to the enormous tent which had been arranged under the management of llr. Hopkinson, who for so many years has been untiring in his devotion to the good of Bradford. There over seven hundred of us were served to a fine luncheon, and many others who had neglected to hand in their names were disappointed because of the lack of room. Great was the fun while we ate, and joyously we joined in and sang when the orchestra played numbers we liked. Dr. Hunt- ington was Toastmaster, and when he introduced hfliss Knott as the first speaker we proceeded to let it be known that we approved his choice. In her usual happy strain she spoke, leaving echoes in our ears of high ideals and lofty purpose, and again we expressed our content. Much we enjoyed the other speeches, and 'finally the songs, which sounded forth in a mighty wave the love and boundless admiration each felt E511