Middletown transcript., 1893-04-08
A sPELLIN' BEE.

The Temperance Legion Awards
Pretty Prizes.
The Spelling Bee on Tuesday evening, by
the young folks of the Temperance Legion,
furnished very enjoyable entertainment
for those who were in attendance, and both
audience and performers found pleasure
and profit in the exercises. The Head
quarters, where the entertainment was
given, presented very attractive appear
ance, and the boys and girls were full of
expectancy. The class, numbering 16, was
as follows: Dora Culbertson, Mary Hayes,
Ella FARRELL, Fanny Burstan, Bessie Dodd,
Sallie Jolls, Mabelle Taylor, Mary Dunning,
abe lie Derrickson, Clarissa Richards,
Evelyn Littleton, Susie Parker, Florence
Kelly, Lena Craddock, Harry Howell and
Bert Suydam. The words were taken from
Monroe's spelIer, which is used in our pub
lie schools, and while, for the most part
they were such as are in common use, they
embraced many quite difficult words, and
furnished an excellent test of the spelling
abilities of the contestants. Miss Addie
Hazard who was the instigator of the Bee,
gave out the words, and took the greatest
pains to speak and pronounce them with
careful distinctness. Her rulings in every
case were most correct and just. As peda-
gogue all agreed that she could not be ex-
celled. A trial trip of several rounds
prepared the class for the real contest, and
though all spelled we'll, there was pretty
general sitting down before very long.
There was great deal of interest mani
tested when the number was reduced to
three, Dora Culbertson, Florence Kelley
and Harry Howell, and much amuse-
ment was afforded when all three failed on
the simple word superintendent. Then
the whole class was called back and
all had another trial, much to the satisfac-
ton of those " no were among the first to
sit down 1t was somewhat surprising to
note that when one failed several almost
Certainly misspelled the same word. Such
words as bivouac, brigade, battalion, sword,
musket, howitzer, enumerate and certifi-
cate won defeat for all but two, and
Mabelle Taylor and Mabelle Derrickson
kept up close contest; finally the formers
voice began to show signs. of nervousness,
and with a tremulous quaver her soprano"
utterly failed her, and Mabelle Derrickson.
the prize, a beautiful book, which was
presented by Miss Hazard. The audience
manifested the greatest interst throughout
the whole contest, and were loud in their
praise of the good work done by the
whole class. And while everyone did we'll
and were a credit to themselves and to
those who had the entertainment in charge,
we cannot refrain from specially mention
ing Florie Kelley, probably the youngest
one of the number but one of the best
spoilers, and only failed through timidity.
Dora Culbertson also deserves special men,
ton. There is no better exercise for either
young or old than such contest, and it is to
be hoped that another will follow at no
very distant day. Besides being very en-
tertaining, they are very instructive. and
in a moral and intellectual tone, are in
striking contrast to some of the pastimes
which many young people are given up to.
There were several musical selections on
the programme, a very pretty solo by
Hattie Barnard and also solo by Belle
Walmsley. The audience was not SO large
as could be desired, but appreciation and
approval helped to make amends for the
lack Of numbers, and if again the boys and
girls will spell for the. Temperance cause.
they will certainly have large audience.