Middletown transcript., 1894-05-05
and their averages are as follows

The verdict of the judges was also the
verdict Of the audience and their decision
was greeted with loud applause. Two Of
the judges are teachers of large experience
and one minister, and all three thoroughly
competent and entirely disinterested. They
were Miss Outcalt, Rev R. /. Watkins and
Professor George.
Prof. w. B. Tharp, Principal of the Mid
dletown schools, presided, and as the ma
jority of the class are his pupils, he felt
deeply interested and anxious for their sue
cess. He has occasion to feel proud of
them all, for they were a credit to them
selves and their instructors. Especially
worthy of note was their excellence in
memory. Some of the selections were long
and difficult. bat not one of the class had
to nave aword Of prompting
There can be no better discipline for the
young than these contests, and Jennings
Demorest who founded them, is public
benefactor. Professor Tharp took great
pleasure in presenting the medal to the
successful contestant, commencing all for
the degree of excellence attained and
presented each one with solid silver
souvenir
The absence of boys in the class was
noted Only one was found brave enough
to compete and he was Townsend lad, and
he acquitted himself with honor. Query.
Are Middletown boys SO far behind the girls
that they fear to enter an equal contest
with them? Or is it one of the signs of the
times-women to the front in every good
work?
Among other pleasing recreations was an
instrumental duett by Misses Mabel and
Ethel Parvis, piano Duet by Miss Blanche
Messick and Master Julian Taylor, Solo by
little Ada Roberts, Duet by Jessie Culbert-
son and Blanche Messick, duett by Blanche
Messick and Lizzie Hopkins. These were
all little folks, and members of the Loyal
Legion. The vocal Duet by Grace Parvis
and Jeanette Schreitz brought the house
down. They sang about Johnnie Jones and
his Sister Sue" and graphically portrayed |
their trouble with the peach of emerald |
hue.n Grace Parvis also sang solo |
What the Dickie Bird Said" and Janette |
schreitz solo Papa Wouldn't buyI me a |
Bow Wow" these songs were among the
chief attractions of the evening.
Misss Dora Culbertson and Ella Jar,
rell rendred an instrumental duett, and |
Miss Mary Maxwell solo with hearty ap. |
proval Rosy Wings" by Abt was beauti-
full vocal duett by Misses Allie Mckee and
Ethel Parvis. By request John Ratlidge
sang humorous selection which was much |
enjoyed.
A spirited quartette by Mrs. Marian Price,
Miss Allie Mckee, DR.. w. E. Barnard and |
Will Vansant, was followed by Good |
Night sung by Misses Hattie Barnard and
HELEN Price.
All who attended the contest were so
pleased and complimentary of the partic-
ipants, that we hope another similar en- ter
tainment win be given in the early autumn.
Much credit is due Miss Addie Hazard
local Superintendent of Loyal Legion
and Mrs. Marion Price State superinten-
dent of the same department who were the
leaders in this movement. assisted and en-
couraged by Prof. Tharp.
After three more silver contests are
given, the winners can compete for gold
medal. Only those who have won silver
medals can compete for the gold medal
and after certain number have won Gold
Medal Grand Gold Medal is offered and
then Diamond Medal. The Medals have
been won BY one little girl in Nebraska who
is only thirteen years old. There is wide
field for elocutionary training open to all
who enter these contestants.