The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1892-05-27
by drawings by Miss Jennie L. Smith,
nd was a well written production.


Miss Mary L. Smiths subject was
''The SchOolmaster in Literature"
The literature OF country is faith.
full reflection of the thoughts, man
nerS and customs of nation. In the
countries having the finest literature,
much attention was given to educa-
ton. Among the great names Of the
world there are many whom the
teaching profession are proud to
claim, though not always engaged in
actual teaching. The speaker refer
red to various characters in works of
English and American literature who
were SchoolmaSters. Dickens shafts
flew against the prevailing school
systems more strongly than against
any other wrong, DIR. Arnold, OF
Rugby, is a representative of the
highest type of instructors. Whit
tiers schoolmaster is "Snowbound"
typifies large class in America.
We shall be judged by our posterity
by the literature of our time. The
great American novel has yet to be
written, but when it is, one of the
leading characters in it will be the
schoolmaster. This was we'll prepared
and we'll delivered.
"Flow Softly, O Streamlet," was
sung by a ladies' sextette consisting of
Misses Esther GranniS, Cora Carney,
Mary Irving, Alice Grannis, Allie
Gleason and Winifred ByiDgton.
Their sweet voices blended perfectly,
and the applause following was well
deserved.
Isabella of CASTLE" was Miss Effie
Turrittin's theme. She was very kind
lu in, hnr TIM n
Spanish princess, who was SO much
identified in the discovery of America.
She reviewed the main points OF her
eventful and interesting life. Her
heroine was possessed of strong force
of character and good executive ability
The two blotS upon her life were her
permission Of the inQuisition and the
expulsion of the Jews. Her religious
ferlOr and her counsellOrS led her to
these measures. In her death Spain
lost one of her best rulers and firmest
friends. This essay was appropriate
to the year and was well received by
the audience.
The next number was the tent
scene between Brutus and CaSsiuS,
from Shakespeare, by MeSsrS. Albert
Pfander and w. E. Freeman. Their
expected costumes had failed to ar
rive from Minneapolis, but they wore
hastily devised togas. 1t was one of
the most interesting numbers on the
program and both young men did
themselves great credit both in their
recitation and acting.
A male chorus sang "Simple Simon"
in a manner very pleasing to the
audience.
Miss Hannah Lennstrom read an
essay upon ''The Influence of Song"
Music creates longing for a better
condition. 1t is inseperable from re-
ligion, this tie dating back as far as
the dedication of SOlOmon's temple.
1t today forms large part of religl-
GUS expression. War ballads have al
ways stirred brave and loyal hearts in
war time and aroused our sympathieS
in peace. In the realm of affection
song has always been prominent. Song
has the power to interpret the i'm
agination. 1t teaches many gems OF
poetry that might have remained I'm.
known forever. This essay was we'll
written and very effectively read. 1t
was illustrated with SnatcheS from
famous songs, sung from behind the
scenery, and the sound floating out
This number was one of the best on
the program.
Alfred TorngEen gave an grafton
upon the subject of 1.-The Scholar in
Politics." 1t is important that states
manship should devolve upon the ftt-
test, and who are these but scholars.
In Europe, and ia our own country to
much less extent, the great states
men are scholars. There has ever
been ia our country the statesman
and the demagogue. Too many honor
able and prominent positions have
been occupied by the latter. There
is an opportunity for true men to take
up the editorial pen and teach the
people the truth. But there is also
need of good men 10 our ward meet
ings. Not only political corruption,
but the question of poverty, the race
problem, ETC., furnish fields for great
scholars to rise and use their talents.
Democracies have been but slightly
successful in solving many problems
of self government. The scholar
must dispel the clouds that dema-
gogueS have raised to obscure the
sight of the people. Indifference
may be as fatal as hostility. We want
greater efforts made by our educated
leaders. The speaker was possessed
of an excellent quality of voice., and
as his matter was exceptionally good,
he was very favorably received.
A chorus sang "Hither Fairies
Trip" in very satisfactory manner.
Miss Grace B. Clark was the next
speaker, and gave recitation entitled
1.-THE Gypsy Flower Girl" She show
ed evidences of careful training and
proved what her friends already knew,
that she has wonderful powers of elo-
cutiOn.
The orchestra played lively air.
during which the audience arose.
An essay entitled 'The Debt Of the
New to the Old" was read by Miss
Myrtle Oliver. She took her hearers
back several long steps in history and
showed that in some respects almost
everything, religion, art, literature, is
today buta development or in some
measure reflection of the past. She
showed that the richest thoughts and
prettieSt stories in literature are
found in ancient mythology, that
great similarity exists in religion to
the present and past so far as theFirst
Cause, that in art the grand old mas
ter pieces of the past are unequalled
by the present painters and sculptors.
Il