OLD DUT GIVES WISE COUNSEL Boys attired in their best tip-toed about in creaking new shoes, resplendently polished for the occasion.

Every boy had a flower in his upper button-hole.
Exhibition Hall, usually so bare and barnlike in appearance, was now a jungle of potted plants and ferns, with clumps of bright flowers everywhere.
Over the broad stage hung a fourteen-foot American flag.

Flags of other nations, in smaller bits of bunting, trailed off on either side.

The piano stood before the center of the stage, down on the floor.

Grouped near were the music stands and chairs for other members of the orchestra on this festal day of graduation.
Here and there women teachers still superintended little squads of girls who were putting on the last bright touches of ornamentation.
One teacher was drilling a dozen much-dressed-up boys of the seventh grade, who were to act as ushers on this great Thursday afternoon.