Smyrna times., 1893-05-31
The Demorest Contest.

n CndrdcI6flSClc trait OF the Ameri.
can people is "A love of contest land
perhaps this applies equally as well to
other naGOns), nor does it matter
much whether it is for President OF
the United States, championship of a
ragatta race, trial of speed at an agri.
cultural fair, or a rhetorical contest for
a medal. 1t was this dominant feeling
that brought together on Monday
night at the Opera House 600 people.
about 100 of whom had to take stand.
ing positions.
The exercises began with an overture
ON the piano by c. Virgil Gordon.
which some could not hear as we'll as
they wanted to for the general buzz
incident to such gathering, and
when the curtain rose it was to present
to the audience u stage we'll decorated
with flowers, with blooming sciOns of
elocutiOn encircling the background
Rev. G. G. Adams lifted his hand in a
manner that indicated to the animated
throng to soften down to a hash. when
he related a bright incident to Illus
trate the absence of the quartette who
were to open the exercises with melo.
dious strains, but didn't tell whv the
quartette wasn't there, closing by in
voking Divine blessing on the even.
ing.
Mrs. Eva Riggs, who had had the
choice and responsibility as matron of
the Loyal Legion, of keeping together
and directing the minds of these acade-
mecians, so to speak, who had a lau-
dable ambition to climb the slopes of
Mount Parnnassus and sip the honey
of Apollo and the MUSES., in a few
words neatly put together, noted the
fact of the contest and the difficulties
that had attended the preparation, and
introduced No. l. The following was
the program as carried out:
No. l.-"Your Mission, Ethel Jones
No. "A Great COnfagration"
Solo--L NJ. Price. S''''''
No. 3-"A Voice from the Poorhouse,"
Margaret Robinson
No. 1.-The Rumselers' Legal Rights
and Woman's Reply"
Helen Mackey.
Edith Beck Florence HAZEL.
and Katie Wilson.
No. 5.-"The Martyred Mother"
Kate Beckett.
No. GA Vivid Illustration" Alice Cole
Solo-"He gave Me Pretty Red Rose
May FAIRIES.
Guitar accompaniment by Sam'l Hoffecker
No. Our National Curse"
No. Battling for Prohibition '''0'''
Richabelle Jones.
Though there were three Judges ap-
pointed sitting in the audience whom no
one knew but the Directress, there were
some 600 others self-appointed, who
followed the class as they came to the
tootlights one after another with deci.
ded interest. One of these was the
writer. All of these five or six hun.
dred including the boys in the gallery
who manifested their appreciation of
excellence in VOciterOus aDDlause
were more than pleased, they were de.
lighted and proud of the contestants as
an outgrOwth of our public school. and
an evidence OF our scholastic progress.
1t was the first bowtO the public of No.
Miss Ethel Jones, but her voice was
well toned, head cool and action good
but might have been more intense.
with advantage
Miss Cora Vansant has been in these |
before and has an earnestness.
a posltiveness of emphass,-a putting !
herself in the place of the writer stvie |
that always makes her a welcome
speaker.
Miss Maggie Robinson was also on
stage for the third time reaching a little |
farther with each effort until she orasn. !
ed the prize. Her action was good her
voice well mOdulated and her subject |
being more declarative than dramatic |
admitted of more full and deliberate |
vocallzation that proved the acme of
The evenings effort.
Miss Helen Mackey was a debufanfe
n the DemOrest circle, but everyone
could see that she possessed Qualities
hat only needed the training hand to
ead to success.
The next on the program was Miss
Aatle Beckett. She has been in the
contests before, and there was the same
surprise as expressed by so manv in
he first contest, at the result. She
has an adaptation to the histriOnic art in
conception, delineation and patbos
nat IS rarely met except among those
rained for the stage. Her piece ON
MS occasion was one admitting of in
ense presentation in which she snc.
'eeded in everything except in the
'oiee, the result of a severe cold that
lad smut her in her home for a week
{ Is very much to the credit of Miss
aura Bell, that the one who got and
he other who Just missed the Driza
ecelved instruction, each, of her.
The next, Miss Cole, was on the
tage also for the first time. She has a
,ood voice, and only needs instruction
Il elocutlon and FIRE to make a success.
ul speaker.
Miss Laura Lassell stood well IN in
he estimation of the audience, with a
nll voice, mobility and pleasing ad-
Iress.
The last one lone boy who alwavs
oes his part well, and in the estima-
ION OF many deserved a prize because
e had the pluck to mount the ros-
rum, in the midst of such q clever
evy of girls.
In the music introduced as a relief
what would have been otherwise
d unceaslng flow or rhetoric. Mr..
rice was in excellent voice. and the
1se song of Miss May FAIRIES and guitar
seemed to be esDecia 8
y pleasing to the audience. The
lanO trio was also pleasant episode !
the evening. [
The three judges who had been an. s
olnted to note the voice, gesture en-
basis &c of the contestants were Rev. I
:. smith, Mrs. Jennie Price and Rev [
!. Z. Turner of Clayton. 10 summing
p their figures they found Miss Rob.
son had won by 1-1O over Miss Beck.
t. the latter they said failing to win
scause of her voice, the effect. as
Dove stated, of cold. \
Misses Beckett, Vansant and Mas. .
n Jones, were presented each with a s
ne volume of Iennyson's poems. d
The basket was handed around for a
',llection to defray expenses and Si7.. f
obtained and Notwithstanding the t
ting Of this heavy sum, everybody
It with bright anticipations of what a
iother year will bring. Ii
The following is the aggregate of 81
e rating of the three judges h
No. l, 2S.3; No. 2, 25.1; No. 3. 271: a
o. 4, 25.4; No. 3, 27.0; No. 6. 23G: a
o. z, 25.l; No. 8. 24.9. d,