The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-06-14
At Spaulding Prize Speaking
Contest.
OPERA HOUSE LAST NIGHT
Marguerite Brown First, Eva Smith
Second, Agnes Mari Third and Georg-
ina Trail Fourth Out Of
Nine Contestants.


In a prize speaking contest, the ex-
cellence OF which has not often been ex-
eelled in this city, Marguerite Esther
Brown won first honor, Eva Gertrude
Smith second, Agnes SIarr third and
Georgina Cameron Trail fourth at the
opera house last evening, it being the
opening event Of the spaulding high
school commencement. Each speaker
did well, and the winners are particu-
larly entitled to a great measure Of
praise for their work. The judges OF
the contest were the Rev. g. G. Lamson,
Miss Mabel G.. Hamilton and Principal
E. Z. Thompson, all of Montpelier. An
audience which filled the opera house
and oyertlowed into the balcony attend
ed, and by their liberal applause showed
their appreciation
After prayer BY the Rev. r. T. Lowe
and a selection By chorus Of voices.
Jessie Louise Nelson recited dialect
story, ~Gran'ther Hill," by Robinson.
In this the speaker had difficult task
as the piece needed wide variation of
voice from that Of d grump old man
to that Of d fretty old woman. Miss
Nelson had good gestures and conducted
herself easily on the stage.
;. Arthur Wallace did well in the
portrayal Of the proposal Of d shy and
shrinking business man to his fair tyne
writer, but the piece was not Of the
stamp that brings prizes as rule. In
spite OF the handicap, Mr.. Wallace's
efforts elected much applause.
The recital OF "Thelmay by Martha
Ellen Slayton, while it did not bring
recognition in the list of prize win
ners, was yet Of d high order. Ges-
|tures, rarely used, were carried out IN
an easy manner, while the change in
voice to suit the various characters was
admirably DONE
a solo by Miss Bessie Jones was re-.
ceiyed well by the audience, after which
Harold w. Robinson reeited Bud Til
den, Mail Thief,1 proving himself
good reader OF a descriptive work. The
speaker was inclined To hurry Just
bit more than the piece warrants, but
otherwise acquitted himself well.
Agnes Marr, who captured third
prize, had piece that was thrilling,
quite in contrast to its title. "A Shaker
Romance" There was little occasion
for the use of gestures, but whenever
they were interposed they were we'll
executed. Her articulation was partic-
ulariy clear
There was little doubt in the minds
of the audience that Eva Gertrude
Smith would receive prize, after her
splendid presentation Of Goodwinss
The Kings Pardon a tale Of early
Virginia life. With well-tined and
graceful gestures and with q voice pos
sessing the necessary fire for the piece.
her effort was easily made one Of the
best Of the evening.
The music instructor in the public
schools, Miss Crandall, delighted uhe
audience with a vocal solo which would
have merited an encore on any other
occasion, and the last division OF speak
ers, Dennis Vernon Wells, Marguerite
Esther Brown and Georgina Trail, was
heard,
In Grady's Home Mr.. Wells had
selection particularly suited to him.
self, and in its presentation the Young
man showed much ability. He had
clear speech, but was inclined to lapse
a tritle into the use Of sing song dropping
of the voice.
Miss Brown, one of the youngest
speakers as well as one of the best. had
the old and oftentimes prize winning.
he Fall OF Pemberton Mills" The
piece did not suffer with her handling.
In TACT, by a young speaker it could
scarcely have been improved upon. Hav-
ing good Voice and a perfect command
Of IT, grace of manner and apparently
absolute self possession, she was sure
honor winner
The last speaker in the contest, Miss
Trail, had selection OF absorbing in.
terest, 0sborne's "A Few Bars in the
Key of G." and she did Justice to it in
every respect. Miss Trails former work
gave her a stage presence that attract
ed. Her full voice was used to bring
out the dramatic portion of the selee,
ton, and her effort was generally con-
ceded TO be a strong one.
Immediately with the finishing OF the
last speaker the marking cards were
gathered, and while the result was being
determined, Miss Allie Richardson, 4
former prize winner, but who was not
competing for a prize, recited Majors
Reconciliation. Had Miss Richardson
been among the contestants, without
any doubt one of the four positions
would have been awarded her.
The judges of the contest were the
Baptist minister at Montpelier, the in
structor of eiocution at Montpelier SEM
mary and the principal Of the Mont
pelier high school. Their selections were
considered satisfactory, although, of
course, there were some dissenting opin-
ions among the audience in some of the
positions.
The proceeds from the sale Of tickets
go toward the school library. The at.
tendance was the largest ever enter
tanned at Spaulding prize speaking.
All the speakers were trained by Irwin
Potter