Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-06-19
EDWARD BLAKE: COLLEGE Student,
CHARLES NJ. SHELDON,
Copyright, 1899, in U. S. A. by Advance Pu
fishing Co., Chicago.
(CONTINUED.)

fishing Co., Chicago.
CONTINUED.
There was no attempt, at any point
in his speech, to break out into ap-
plause, as there had been in the case
of Wilson. Even when Edward closed
his description of the horrors Of war in
general, by quoting Willis story Of the
battle and the death Of the native Fill
pino and her baby, there was not the
slightest indication that he had any
sympathy from the audience. It was
only when he finally closed and walked
back to his seat, that the applause
broke out, and apparently it was then
fully as hearty and prolonged as that
which followed Wilson's peroration.
In Wilson's rejoinder, he showed a
slight hesitation, similar to that which
had marked Edwards beginning.
Those who knew what he had prepar-
ed, said afterward that he left out a
large part of what he intended to say,
and extemporiZed to a great extent.
However that may be, he spoke with
considerable force and again provoked
loud applause.
Edward closed the debate with a re-
buttal that, in the opinion of large
part Of the student body, was far
stronger than his main argument and
again divided the honors with Wilson.
as far as applause was concerned.
And now came the most trying mo-
ment of the evening to the young con-
testants. The judges retired to make
their decision, and while they were out
the glee club sang by request. When
some one called for the old war song,
20 Cuba, the land that ought to be
freew it seemed to some Of the. au-
dience that the sentiment provoked by
1t was In the nature Of prophecy, an
ticipating the decision of the judges
against Edward. There was no doubt
that, owing to the enthusiasm for the
war, Edward had the unpopular side
Of the question. And yet, more than
one woman In the audience that night,
thinking Of her own child safe and
warm in it's bed at home, felt her eyes
dim at the memory of Willis picture,
as Edward had drawn it from his let
ter. If these women had been the
Judges, it is possible that the verdict
would have been very quickly reached
The glee club sang half a dozen Sc
lections, and still the judges did not
appear. The classes began to STAMP
their feet and shout their class yells
Wilson and Edward, who had remain
ed on the platform, were uncomfort
ably nervous, although neither of then
showed it.
At last the judges appeared, and one
of them mounted the platform an6
came forward slowly.
make it briefv' cried some one il
the Junior class. Some of the audi
ence laughed, and others Kissed
while the president sternly raised his
arm to demand order.
Mr.. President" said the judge, witt
q good natured smile, II have beer
a college boy myself. I don't inten6
to make a speech on this occasion''-
"But you are," sung out the voice
that had interrupted the first time.
THAT'S all Of it," replied the chair
man pleasantly. 1.-THE judges aware
the prize in this contest to John w
Wilson,"
And then pandemonium broke loose
among the students as the judge
walked up to Wilson and handed hin
the envelope containing three crisp $1(
Oils. Even Edward, in the first mo
ment of disappointment, could mo-
help thinking of how much he could d.
with $50 in the way of new books OF
q suit OF clothes that he needed very
much. '&'
he choked down his feelings ani
was among the first to shake hands
with his rival as the audience noisily
dispersed, the members of the twt
societies trying to tear down eacl
others flags and finally winding NJ
the evenings excitement with q fire,
tor all flag contest at the foot OF til,
chapel steps outside. H. s....
The president warmly congratulated
both speakers. H. ~. Z. n.
after all, Blake, you did splendid
~ You are improving in your deliy
cry" r.. 1.. .G. So. ].
do you think soY' Edward was {
little pleased at the presidents SINGER,
praise. b ..;s.3
'4Of course you're more or less disap
pointed right now" added the prest
dent, keenly reading Edwards feel
lngs. ''but winning the prize isn't tn
main thing tn q debate. The main thin,
II = ito say something that ought to b
rid and my IS n e Yon maant IS M