Smyrna times., 1897-03-03
CHESWOLD.
MISS vENIE FORD WINS THE PRIZE AT
AN EXCITING W. c. t. U. DECLAMA-
TION CONTEST.

TION CONTEST.
Special Correspondence to the Times.
CHEswoLD, March 2,-The w. G. T.
U. contest came off on last Thursday
night, and was so successfully man
aged as we'll as so highly entertaining
that 1t deserves more than ordinary
mention. There were eight contestants:
Denney Hoffecker, "The Universal
BOOn;" Maggie Bishop, ''The Saloon
arraigned;" Leslie Stout, Farmer
DescOn's COnversiOn;" Grace Moore,
Down with the traffic." Fred H.
Thompson, youth and Tree" Mary
H. BOggs, '"The Scourge of the Re
public;" George G.. Anderson, "On
which side are You?" Venie Ford, "a
Rum Seller Converted" They all sat
upon the stage in order as they are
above named. The judges were: Mr..
+. A. Evans, of Cheswold, Mrs. W. o.
Hurst, of Clayton, and Miss Ella
Pardee, of Kenton. The contestants
were known only by numbers; the two
latter named judges being strangers
to them all. In the handling of their
subjects the contestants all gave evil
dence of moore than ordinary training;
and each seemed determined to win
the prize. When the speaking was
over, no one seemed to have any
certain idea to who the prize would be
awarded. The judges however did not
consume much time in arriving at a
decision. They were absent from the
audience seven minutes, when thew
returned led by Mrs. Fred Emerson
who mounted the stage to make the
presentation, prefacing her remarks
first to the anxious, but breathlesslv
silent audience, then turning to the
class OF contestants addressed them in
fitting and touching words, at the con-
clusiOn of which she handed the prize
to No. 8, which was Miss Venie Ford.
whom she declared had won it through
her grace and ease of delivery. Al
most in flash the other contestants,
especially, the girls gathered around
to congratulate her. No. 2, handed her
a beautiful boquet of flowers. No
doubt some of them felt somewhat dis
appointed, it is very natural that they
should, but they take it all in good
heart, just as they should.
The musis was more than up to the
average. While the judges were out
Miss Lena Colt entertained the audi
ence with solo. And now they say:
"Didn't Lena sing lovely" The house
was not packed, but: t:comfortably full.
Misses Laura Barcus and Matte
Shahan were ushers for the occasion
and did it with as much grace and ease
as though they had been under
thorough training. One old fellow
was heard to say: ''they beat the
young men out of all hOller." The w.
c. T. U. women certainly deserve
much credit for their successful man
agement of this grand entertainment.
Last Sunday was big missionary
day. At the conclusion of the evening
program, which consisted of addresses, |
readings, recitations and music, the
classes reported the amount of money
they had for the Missionaries. Miss
Lizzie Smiths class of seven boys re-
ported $19.6O, which being quite a
better showing than was reported by
any other class and which entitled
them to the Banner, which was pre-
sented to them by c. Boggs. This is
the third consecutive time this class
has won the Banner. When the secre-
tary reported the total amount it was
found to be $13, short of the required
apportiOnment, S75. which was brought
up in few minutes.
The choir enlivened the occasion
with selected music. Have lots more to
tell you but this communication is al
ready long; so, ''just tell them that
you heard from me and they will know
the rest. ERMA