The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-08-02

vious to that time a good crowd had
assembled in and about the station,
and though the train was thirty min
utes behind scheduled time. the wait
ing friends were determined to greet
the popular Mr.. Watkins, and they
did.
The Elks assembled at their rooms.
There each man was supplied with
the lights that colored the town red.
A carriage preceded the body of thir-
ty Elks as they marched to the station
to the music of Bauer's band. great
crowd had assembled, testifying to the
well known fact of Mr.. Watkins pop
ularity, although only a few news
paper notices heraded his coming.
During the wait Bauer's band played.
MIR. WATKINS ARRIVES.
When the train drew into the station
a hearty shout went up, and when Mr..
Watkins stepped to the platform he
was the center of a rushing hand
shaking contest. Mr.. Watkins was
finally escorted to the carriage through
the dense mass of friends. He was
accompanied by Mrs. Watkins and his
brother, James Watkins, burgess of
Taylor The latter, with Exalted
Ruler Fred Grambs, of the Birming-
ham, Ala, lodge, sat with Mr.. Wat
kins in the carriage.
Bauers band played the lovable
"Auld Larg Syne" during this prelim-
mary proceedings. The parade began,
tie band leading the marChers up
Lackawanna avenue to Wyoming, to
Spruce,to Washington, to Lackawanna
to Franklin, to the Elk's rooms. Here
another crowd greeted Mr.. Watkins.
An informal reception was given in
the rooms. Last evening Tribune re-
porter found Mr.. Watkins at the home
of Burgess Watkins, his brother, on
Main street. Taylor. In this place Mr..
Watkins is known to apparently
everybody, owing to his long residence
there. He was the center of a group
of glad acquaintance.
He told in a modest way of his sue
cess at the Royal academy. He enter
ed the school in the summer term of
1896. During his first year Mr.. Wat
kins made progress which, with his
usual talent as an elocutionist and
rich baritone voice, caused almost i'm
mediate recognition. At the end of the
term he was awarded the "BronZe"
prize, the highest honor possible. This
was won in competition with twenty
one students from all parts of the
world. The contest was in singing and
in elocution.
THE CONTEST PIECES.
Mr.. Watkins sang the "fiorid" reci-
tative and aria, "The Lord Worketh
Wonders" from HandeTs Judas Mac
cabeas." Another selection was the
Sustained" 80 Tu Patero" from Ver-
dis Sicilian vespers. The prize was
given for quality of voice, intensity of
expression and general artistic finish.
The college professors We're the judges.
The second trial was on recitation.
Mr.. Watkins reclted How They
Brought the Good News From Shent,"
Browning's famous dash-and-vigor
piece. To a small circle of friends
last evening Mr.. Watkins recited the
piece with a really astonishing evil
dence of power. His dramatic ability
has never been fully appreciated here
abouts.
The three succeeding terms at the
school We're fraught with equal honor.
Mr.. Watkins played the leading char
acter of Jacques" in a. performance
of LAS You Like It," the "F'riar" in
Romeo and Juliet, and the Duke Ar
anza in "Tobeys' Honeymoon" all of
which were given before select audi
ences. Ian Robertson, brother of the
| actor, Floyd Robertson, was Mr.. Wat
kins' teacher in elocution.
Mr.. Watkins also sang a part in
"Chand't D'Habit," a pantomine pro-
| duction at Beerbohn Trees theatre, in
which a famous French pantomine
| artist took the leading character.
Mr.. Watkins was offered a speaking
part in the forthcoming production
of Gilbert & Sullivan's piece. While
he was in London Mr.. Watkins was
engaged as bass soloist at the Farm
| Street Catholic church, the most aris-
| tocTatic church in London. These are
few instances of a quick succession
of victories.
HIS AMBITION.
Mr.. Watkins presence in Scranton
| at this time is not due to his having
| completed his studies in London. The
| truth, regretable to say, is that he
was unable to continue owing to lack
of funds. His ambition is great, he
wishes to sing in grand opera, and
| for this he is fitting himself. The
unfortunate circumstances, however,
| compels Mr., Watkins to stop in the be-
ginning of a cateer that would un-
doubtedly be an honor to Scranton.
He will probably come before the pub
lie during the next few months in a
series of concerts. 1t is possible that
Mr.. Watkins and Miss Kaiser, the
| Wilkes Barre singer, will join forces
and tour this part Of the state.
Mr.. Watkins is still q young man.