The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-12-01
GREAT SUCCESS OF
SCRANTON SINGERS
Continued from Page 1.)

not soon be forgotten Dy those VINO
witnessed it. To win big prize in
such a big event and In the presence
of 10000 persons would be sufficient, of
course, to rouse the winners to the
highest pitch of enthusiasm. But in
this case there was something to in
tensify the enthusiasm.
AS 1t Never Sung Before.
The choir was singing as it never
sang before. The other competitors
had preceded them and it was potent
to all that the Scrantonians were to
be sure winners. There was one more
note to be sung, a grand ensemble on
the word Charge" rendered with all
possible power Just after Il rest. and
Watkins was beating the count for
this rest, when the Scranton adher-
cnts were fairly paralyzed for a mo-
ment by hearing five or six of the sop
ramos break forth on the last note a
full beat before the proper time.
Watkins face had been beaming
with JOY. He knew his choir was
singing far better than the competitors
and that barring accidents victory was
assured. When the accident came his
face became ashen and. when the
stage the most detected looking man
imaginable. The singers were about
in the same condition. There wasn't
Il face in the crowd that wore even Il
slcllly smile. With scarcely a word
TO one another they began packing up
their music and putting on their outer
wraps to get out and away from the
place as quickly as possible.
rl,1 I,1a irY, RI
ed around the side exit. valises in
hand and coats buttoned up, waiting
for the Arions to finish a selection
which was being rendered while the
adjudcators were making up their
award.
It Was an Accident.
When Adjudcator Parker was heard
10 mention the "break" in the most
incidental way, referring to it as an
"accident,". the Scranton crowd under
went a complete transformation. The
adjudicators had not disqualified them
for the accident. In all eisteddfod q
"break" is fatal. With these adju-
dicators it WAS not to be seriously
taken into account. 1t was a bit OF
misfortune that should have little or
no weight in determining the merits
of the singing.
When the announcement came that
the Scrantonians We're so far in the
lead of the others that the "break'
could not rob them of their victory,
there was wildly enthusiastic throng
in the Scranton corner. They yelled
like mad. pounded the floor with
chairs. threw their hats in the air,
danced about like Indians and did
pretty much everything else that was
suggested by their enthusiasm and
joy.
Preparations to leave We're quickly
given over. They wanted to stay and
shout and sing. A rush was made for
Watkins and he was carried to the
tage on the shoulders of his admir-
ing townsmen. Then the singers
climbed the stage still shouting and
cheering. The audience pressed for
ward and watched the antics of the
peasurably surprised vlctors. There
We're calls for a speech from Watkins
but he had not recovered his equiii-
hrium and could only bow and smile.
The audience insisted and after a wait
he gained his voice and conposure
sufficiently to speak his gratitude to
the Arions for their hospitality and
the like.
Gave Vent to JOY in Song.
The Scrantonians then began sing
ing Welsh airs, doXologies, coon songs.
patriotic songs and any other old kind
Of singing that anyone started. and
kept 1t up till they got back to Ho-
boken. At l o'clock in the morning a
detachment OF the more enthusia site
younger members of the party We're
going up Broadway from the bridge to
get to the ferry carrying at their head
large flag which some one had bor-
,owed en- route from Brooklyn.
The victory of the ladies' chorus in
The afternoon was also provocative of
much jubilation. They had a danger
Gus competition IN the Chaminado
chorus of Brooklyn, q. permanent Or
ganiZation of twenty-five selected
voices, augmented for the occasion by
fifteen from the societys waiting list.
They are for the most part women of
wealth and station. who have had
conservatory training and are rehears-
ing constantly under the direction of
Mrs. Emma Richardson Kuester. All
uf them wore elaborate afternoon
gowns, which We're quite in contrast
with the white shrtwaists and black
skirts of the Scranton ladies.
Mr.. Watkins was greatly dsappoint-
ed at the failure of his male chorus
10 also win. 1t was simply a case of
Two practically faultless parties being
pitted one against the other. and OF
the one making shade the better
Impression on the adjudicators..
The Consolation of It.
But there was consolation in the fact
that it is no Disgrace to be heater by
The DR.. Mason club and that if Scran-
ton could not get the prize it went to
Wilkes Barre. Mr.. Watkins went on
the stage to offer his congratulations
TO the leader of the Mason club and
the two shook hands heartily. 1t pro-
Voked long burst of applause from
the audience.
1t has been proposed to make the
Watkins choir permanent organiza-
tion, and if possible send it to Wales
TO compete in the next national els
Neddfod At all events it will have
plenty OF opportunity for competitions,
ns German and other societies in vari-
GUS places are talking up the idea OF
big cosmopolitan festivals like the ma
tional eisteddfod in this city and that
of the Arions last week.
The singers and their friends. who
went to New York on Friday, We're
comfortably quartered in Hoboken, and
spent the day in rehearsing, sight-see-
ing and at the theatres and other places