The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-06-08
SEVEN YOUNG LADIES AND GEN
TLEMEN COMPETED FOR
HoNoRs ON TIE PRO
DUCTloNS FROM
SHAKESPEARE.
CARNEY CHRISTIE TOOK THE
PRIZE, TWENTY DOLLARS IN
GoLp-MIssEs RoSWoRTH
AND SMITH DIVIDED
SECOND HoNORS.

Last nights contest might be
STYLED "the battle of the giants" for
nearly all of the contestants are at
least semi-professional, and three or
four of them were already prize win
nerS.
large crowd of admirinS friends
awaited impatiently the rendering OF
the program. There was no one favor
ite. for different people lonSed 10 sec
different contestants win, Enthusi-
asm ran high and the people were
demons trative in the reception OF
each performer.
The program was opened by well
rendered selection of music by Miss
Lucy Morrow: after which Miss Ma
bel Ballah appeared and read Othel-
los speech to the Council. MISS BAT
lab was comparative stranger to
the audience as this was her first APP
pearance on a commencement occa-
sion. She acquitted herself very
creditably, showed marks of careful
training and bids fair to become a:
successful reader.
Carney Christie came next, read
ing from King Richard III Carney
is born actor and he was at his
best last night. He captivated the
audience with his excellent portrayal
of the hunch-backed King He was
recognized as star of the first mag
nitude by the ardent listeners.
Miss Ethel Grim, being sweet
faced girl and very well known, at
once caught the attention OF the au-
dience. Her portrayal of the charac-
ter of the Mad Ophelia was true TO
| life and by the time she was through
the audience was getting far out at
sea. with no one more than guessing
| on the winner.
The long. lank and cadaverous
form and the hollow, sonorous voice
of J. Walter Reeves added strength 10
the acquired touches gained by IN
struction on the Ghost Scene from
Hamlet Wild. wierd and picturesque
/ in itself, the production made deep
er impression by the masterful way
in which it was handled. Many
cheers went up for Walter as he
left the stage.
Scarcely had the audience given
rating to the last production until.
thrill went through the room on
the appearance of Miss BosWorth.
She has a charming presence ana al
once gains the rapt attention OF her
hearers. She rendered the Banquet
Scene in fascinating manner ana
| could the memory of the preceding
char1ners have been easily banished'
she would have been put down at
once as a winner
Following Miss Bosworth, MISS lSa
| Hawkins presented the Closet scene
from Hamlet When she LETT the
stage there was a slight sinking OF
the heart among the special friends
of some of the contestants. for Miss
lisa is an artist, and SO ccveriy had
she performed her part, 1t was PLAIN
to see that nothing short Of the p2s1
could defeat her
The last on the program was MISS
!. Alta Smith, who is perhaps the best
known of the evenings nonresident
performers. She is specialist on
tragedy. and the Stabbing Scene was
well adapted to her style. By the
time she was through, the people had
1 about decided that it was up to the
Judges to pick the winner and that
they were glad of it And indeed II
was no easy task. But there must be
winner, else contests would lose
their charm. r
The judges found one, and on their
return to the hall Prof C. E. Neil, OF
/ the West Virginia University, IN
few well chosen words, announced
that the twenty dollar gold piece
would go to Mr. Carney Christie.
The judges we're Prof. Neil, Or Or
Lady purrett, and Prof. Al. WillSiin-
son, of Grafton.
While the judges were making u
4 their decision Mrs. t Gowan render der
Il ed charming solo, with Miss Lucy 7Elesy
i Morrow as accomp PIANIST
Thus ended a very interesting and I1Sl
successful contest
Hon. A. b.. Flemiig and Messrs: %
q GsaYton and George peBolt We're
q the donors of the priz
Ills eyening IL tal Re splace the