T he graduates sat on the stage in a semicircle. Prof. Steve, Rev. Knudson and A.P. Nelson, the principal speaker of the evening, also occupied seats on the stage. The full program as rendered is given at the head of this article.

    After a well rendered selection by the ladies' quartette, composed of Mrs. Steve, Mrs. O.W. Anderson and the Misses Giswold and Josie Olson, with Miss Rachel Fremstad as accompanist, Rev. Knudson offered prayer, Miss Esther Sojblom in brief but felicitous terms bade all welcome. Stanley Olson's paper explained the reasons and extent of the glaciers, the change wrought in the configuration and geography of the country passed over, effect on vegetation and described the moraines and the driftless areas.

    M rs. Anderson's solo was well rendered as is all her musical contributions.

    L ibbie Nelson's essay was entitled "Oracles" and described briefly how and where they originated, the estimation put on them and the double meanings of their prophecies.

    F lorence Ahlstrom told how ostracism came to be used, when and how long it existed, how some of the greatest even of Greece fell under its ban and the final laying aside of this primitive way of punishing undeserving people.

    S ilas Thoreson spoke of war, the various causes thereof, the terrible havoc wrought, ancient and modern methods of fighting both on land and sea, spread of knowledge of countries involved and the use of arbitration.

    Mrs. Grover favored the audience with a pleasing and nicely rendered organ solo.

    A nnie Nelson brought out the principal points in Greek and Roman education, how the Greeks studied

    C harles Peterson spoke of the necessity of system in household and business affairs and that this system has been introduced into the study of botany and made it a science, the value of botany in medicine and other things.

    O pal Skallerud spoke of the necessity of "getting a right start," that the first lesson was to learn that one knows but little, that one must be independent, have ambition and perseverance.

    T he Ladies' quartette sang the "Old Oaken Bucket," whereupon A.P. Nelson delivered a well written and thoughtful address.

    L astly came the distribution of diplomas by Prof. Steve. He prefaced this pleasant duty with a few sentences of congratulations to the class and spoke of the gratification which the school board and the citizens feel in the efforts of the boys and girls to remain in school and get the benefits of the outlay and expenditure in their behalf.

    T aking into consideration the fact that our children have to do the same work in eight months that other schools take nine and ten months to accomplish, which leaves no time whatever for the scholars to train and prepare for exercises like this, the graduates acquitted themselves splendidly.

    I t is a question that confronts parents and the friends of education and all who desire our schools and pupils to be up with other communities, whether the time has not come when we ought to extend the school year to nine months. To get the full benefit of the new law in regard to tuition for non-residents we must offer the same advantages, at least, to those seeking school that other communities can offer.

    T he nine months scheme will do much to lighten the burden and contribute to the physical comfort of our own children. It is with mental work as with physical labor. If one had 500 pounds of goods to carry on his back a mile, he would not be foolish enough to take it in one load or even two. He would save physical strength and last longer if he took 50 or 75 pounds at a time, although it would need more time than if he took 100 or 150 pounds each trip. So in mental effort. No one can learn what is put down in the curriculum in one month. Six months would make it easier, eight months still easier, and nine months time make it yet more easy.