The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-01-31

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ton songs and care not who makes
it's laws. Fletcher of Saltoun.
| Oh, Robbie Burns Oh, Robbie Burns;
| IT'S much indeed we owe thee.
| And-vain regret-each true heart mourns:
| The world too late did know thee.
But such too oft is genius fate,
In every age and nation.
| In life we meet with scorn and hate,
| When dead-with adulatlon.
The reports of the due celebratio n
of the anniversary of Robert Burns at
Mapleton have ere this been flashed
from one continent to another all over
the world, for it is significant that
with each succeeding year the occa-
sion is observed with ever increasing
sympathy and enthusiasm. The re-
cent futile attempts to strip Shakes
peare of his laurels and place them
unworthily on the head Of Bacon can
only excite in Scotchmen feeling of
thankulness that no one has ever tried,
or can have the slightest pretext
for trying, to topple their Burns from
that high pedestal on which the whole
world has placed him.
The Scotch were in evidence every
where on Friday, the oath inst, at Ma
pie ton. Three days of the roaring
game had been enjoyed by the curriers'
and their admirers and the games had
been contested for all they were worth
and with that enthusiasm which
curriers' only ken. The piper and
fiddler played the grace that set their
CABS steering o.
The banquet took place in Union
hall, beginning at 5 80 p m. and end
ing about 8 80 Over 400 enjoyed the
good things of this life and especially
Scotland's national dish, the alag
gis'' Before the meal began, DR..
Meldrum of St. Paul asked the bless
ing, and Mr. Ellis Sr. recited in his
inimitable way Burns Address to the
Haggis. !" Mr.. Ellis was in his best
form and we never heard such render
ing of the poet words.
After the banquet the crowd re-
paired to the opera house, where a
splendid program was prepared for our
enjoyment and for over three hours
the audience was held spellbound by
the talented list of speakers, singers
and dancers.
The concert was opened by an over
! ture on the Angels delightfully."- rem
dered by George B. Owen of Mankato,
followed by the address of welcome by
81. G. Hotaling, editor of the Maple
ton Enterprise, in one of his inimit-
able, humorous and pithy speeches,
which the audience fully complimented
and appreciated. He was answered by
James Howieson in a very eloquent
and happy manner. "Jim" is good
speaker.
Major Sinclair dispensed a splendid
selection of Scottish martial music on
the bagpipes after which the Rev. A.
B. Medium gave the annual address,
his theme being Scotland and the
Scots Mr.. Medium was at his best,
and delighted the audience by his
humor and pathos, descriptive of the
manners, customs and character of the
sturdy Scotch folks.
A recitation by Andrew Jameson,
'Burns' Address to the Mouse" was
rendered in manner true to the in
tents of the poet himself, and brought
down the house with storm of ap-
plause for the boy orator. he replied
by that patriotic address of Bruce to
his army at Bannockburn, where
nearly 20, 600 of the flower of English
manhood were left on the field and
have as yet never returned. This was
rendered in mastery manner. Com
pliments and applause were showered
on the bright boy.
William Nichols of st. Peter danced
the highland fling, the sword dance,
sailors hornpipe and other dances in
his usual artistic manner and delight
ed the audience.
The beautiful Scotch song, "Afton
Water was rendered in very pleas
ing manner by Miss Maud Starky.
This young lady has an excellent voice,
with splendid range, clear and full
of interest and pathos.
Geo. B. Owens, rendered several Sc.
lections on his Angelus, from the great
masters, and followed with several
Scotch ditties suitable to the occasion.
This part of the entertainment was
we'll worth going to enjoy. The audi
ence was delighted.
A violin selection by D. Stewart
was we'll rendered. Mr.. Stewart il
an artist of great talent. His render
ing of the Knocking Bird" was splen
did.
DR., R. NJ Dodds, in his reminis
cences of his recent travels in bonnie
| Scotland, was well received and fully
appreciated by the audience. It wal
mostly descriptive of the towns, cities
and country in which Burns lived
and he wound up by paying tribute
to the worth of the poet, suggestive o.
the great charm of Burns, his writing
and this lasting influence.
A duet 10y Misses Minnie and
| Mor;on EIl;c ga Diff Of CootoI