The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-09-01
DRESS REHEARSAL OF THE
LIVING FLAG.
coNGDoNS ARDUOUS WORK
RESULTS IN A PICTURE THAT
SPEAKS MORE THAN WORDS
CAN PAINT.
WITH TWO THOUSAND CHILDREN
The Nations Emblem Whose Every
Fold Is Animated by the Pnlsa-
tiOns of That Many Hearts.

and shapes. moving in and out, over
and under, always different, and yet
bringing to the eye the same results
In red, white and blue, the chaotic
scene heightened in interest by ear
splitting yells and cat calls, the Living
Flag held a dress rehearsal yesterday
afternoon at the grand stand adjoin-
ing the new federal building.
Two thousand future fathers and
mothers of this great and glorious ag-
gregation of sovereign states climbed
over the backs of seats, threw paper
balls at each other, reached under
the skeleton structure and stuck pins
into each other, in total oblivion of
future responsibility.
Prof. Congdon tore his hair in an
ecstasy of anxiety, as Victor Hugo
would put it. He ran UP and down
over the grand stand disconnected
portions of his trowSers upon hidden
nails, and then expressed regret that
he didn't have a pair of wings that
he could use in his travels about the
wilderness of unplaned and silver
covered seats. Oh, how he wished that
that living flag would show some signs
VI maj OloSOiullOH I1C WOulu nave
given worlds if that heterogeneous
drove of enthusiastic kids would take
something to produce a quieting effect.
The dress rehearsal was to have
come off at 2:30 O'Clock, but that hour
found but two-thirds of the children
present. The other stragglers came
along a half hour later, chewing gum
and following the various drum corps
which were running around the streets
without chaperones.- Prof. Congdon
wondered if it would do any good to
make examples of three or four of the
misunderstanding ringleaders.
II have climbed up those steps
enough times to bring me to the pearly
gates" muttered the professor in a
tone which indicated that tired feel
ing. Tell me, kind sir, do you not
think they are little quieter than
they were ten minutes ago? Say me
not nay"
On the front row a crowd of bright
eyed kids were up to some mischief
Any one could tell it, because they
were suspiciously quiet. But the pro-
fessor did not know it until the ex-
plosion came. There came the shrill
shrek of startled scholars, and a
swirling of short skirts. Three pair
of short and sturdy legs flashed for
moment and then a torrent of juvenile
female reproach.
...4. You nasty mean. boys, you horrid
things, so there now. Well tell the pro-
fessor, SO we will, you're just awful"
Here, here, what's the matter?" ex-
claimed the professor, rushing to the
scene. what have you boys been
doing?"
"Nothin'," came the unconcerned re-
ply from the future fathers.
You did, too, you know you did,"
from the mothers. But they were re-
venged soon. They slyly pinned to-
gether the red capes worn by their
tormentors, and when the line arose
at a signal from the professor, there
was minus stripe in the flag where
it really ought to be.
The job which the professor threat
ened to throw up is not an enviable
one. 1t takes a master mind to control
1000 embryo statesmen and new
women" Not being hypnotist, the
professor starts under handicap, but
he says he will cross the wire winner
just the same. The children are as hard
to manage as drops of quicksilver on
a checker board. If it came to choice
the professor, would rather try to jog
gle the quicksilver onto the red and
black spotsso of a checker board, than
joggle 1900 children into their places
on living flag diagram.
Things went on in this way until $3.50
O'Clock. when the professor sent a
g policeman after box of nerve quieters.
Gradually the reStlessness of the child
rem wore away, giving place to an Gag
erDeSS to do well, and an ambition TO
succeed. IF it will only last" was
the professors prayer. When that
great grandstand was finally arranged,
a picture was presented which could
never be forgotten. 1t stirred the blood
of the -throng of spectators, and
brought out a cheer of enthusiasm.
Beginning at the base with a line of
red capped and clad girls and boys, the
stripes of the Great American flag,
alternated with spotless white, stripe
after stripe, until in the upper left
hand corner there stood, out in sharp
contrast the blue field which contained
the IS stars. Each stitch, so to speak,
in that great flag, was a bundle of liy-
ing flesh and blood. The staff of the
flag was the strength of 1000 young
forms; the breeze which seemed to
animate its folds was the combined
pulsations Of 1000 patriotic young
hearts. What flag could be more typi-
cal OF American patriotism. Those
rolIlcklng children, careless and reclx-
less for the hour, have had instilied in
to them by the object lesson of living
flag, above Of country, an ardor of pat
riotism, which must needs last through
the coming years of their lives making
of them honest citizens, brave soldiers.
and Seif-sacrificing women. In this
result then, the care. the expense and
nerve trying experiences of training a
living flag will bear fruit which may
in time of darkness, save a nation
From an artistic standpoint, the liv-
ing flag is a creation which is thing
OF rare beauty. The colors and ar
rangeme1t are so perfect that the SINH
larity TO the national ensign is strick-
ing No stripe or star is missing. The
proportions are exact. Prof Congdon
deserves the highest praise for the sue
cess OF his undertaking. which although
oiscouraging and trying. has been