The daily sentinel., 1900-06-19
PRIZE READING CONTEST.
Reading Of DR.. E. F. Eldridse's
Poetry For Prizes-.-Successful
Entertainment.

at the Park opera house was an unqual-
flied success. The house was we'll filled
by an appreciative ard representative
audience, who gave the closest attention
to the readings by the various contes-
tants.
The stage looked very pretty. A large
American flag hung in the background
OF the stage Ga the stage were seated
the members OF the Columbine band
and the contestants to their left.
As the curtain went up the band
played choice selection.
Superintendent Mcclure Of the coun.
ty schools then came forward on the
stage and announced the object of hold
ing the contest which he said was a de-
sire to cultivate the art OF public read
ing, He said that DR.. EldridRe had tax
en- a great deal Of interest in the matter
OF the teaching OF reading in the public
schools during the last few years and
that he had decided that 10 a contest
Of the character about to be held, there
would be stimulus created for better
effort 10 that direction.
All the numbers OF the program were
from the pen OF DR.. Eldridge. written
for the most par, since he has been
resid- Mt Of Grand junction. They CON-
p ehended a wide range OF subjects and
OF various charm and character, The
musical selec ions were also from his
pen, showing the wide range and versa
tility of the doctors genius in literary
matters.
1t would bs seemingly unfair to partic-
ularize upon he relative merits Of the
contestants. There was a wide differ
ence in their sges and in the character
OF their selections. Some mistook the
contest, which was purely reading con-
test for a declanlatory exhibition.
The first prize winner was Miss
Georgia Scroggins,a "a diminutive little Miss
OF perhaps ten summers, from ralisade.
With an abundance OF assurance and
with an aptitude for public address
rarely seen in one 80 youthful, the little
speaker rem tered her selection 1.-The
Doctor's Reverie." Her speaking was
slow aud distinct, voice we'll nodulated
and an air of conscious power as a de-
clsimer, gave her many adherants in the
audience at once.
Miss Della Lumsden came in for sec-
ond honors She selected Commander
Wainwrights Daring Deed" and in des-
eriptiye and oFAtorical manner gave the
audience splendid account, through
the medium OF her poem Of that deed OF
the late Espano American war. Miss
Lumsden h.s good clear voice and a
winning manner on the stage.
Alice Ackerman took one Of the doc
tors late efforts" Cronje's Defense, "a her
oic war poem full OF dramatic power.
which was portrayed in Miss Acker-
mans st style. Very few b ttev speak
ers have appeared on the local platform
than Miss Alderman and she has hoets
Of friends and aomirers She depicted
the gallant defen.e by the lion OF the
Boer war with high dramatic power aud
was most literally applauded.
Miss Matte Eldridge, daughter Of the
doctor, to-k tor her subject, which won
for her the fourth prize, possibly one OF
the best Of the DOCTORS poetic efIorts. 1t
is poem founded upon Moorish tradi-
ton, entitled "Alcazar, the Moorish AL
chemist" and which he has published in
pamph ct form, illustrated.
Miss Eldridgs was dressed to repre-
sent the women OF tho Moorish time in
Spain and her costume was rich and
beautiful. Without any question What
ever, Miss Eldridgs had full and free
conception Of the poem. Her interpre-
tstior Of the lines was dramatic and
eomwsudable. The poem is quite
lengthy and it required considerable
effort upon the part Of the young lady to
memorize the lines and study the senti-
ment Of the 1em but which the audi
enc, decided by the liberality Of their
applause that she had done most sue
eessiplly.
The above young ladies were the prize
winners in the order they have been
named. Evidently the selection of the
winners was no very great task for the
judges. ~ they soon concluded their Ia
bors and the result was announced.