The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-05-29
PUPILS IN NEW ROLE
High School Students Act Well
InPIay Last Evening.
TITLE WAS "A WAD OF GUM"
Large Audience Witnessed Comedy;
Besides There Were Musical and
Vocal Selections.
TITLE WAS "A WAD OF GUM

high school last evening was a great
success and both the playwright and
students received many well deserved
compliments. The performance went
off as smoothly as if those taking
part were professionals instead of digni-
fled about to- be graduates. The play
was written by Miss Grace Comstock,
a member of the faculty and given un-
der her direction. The very title ga
Wad of Gum,Y suggests deep, COM
plicated plot and such it turned out to
be.
The hostility Of the teachers to the
profitable exercise of gum chewing is
well known. Not only is it strictly
prohibited but severe punishment awaits
anyone caught in the act.
Miss Comstock further prejudiced the
minds of the faculty by wildly pictur-
ing the awful fate in store for those who
would follow out expert medical advice
and aid their digestive organs by the
use of gum. In this case wad of gum
was responsible for almost running
Jim Mast, captain and star player of
the football team, He was caught
cheating-at least supposed to be cheat
ing-in an exam and dropped from the
team. The class engaged the Think
ing Machine to solve the mystery and
this individual Immediately laid the
blame to an unsuspecting junior who
was convicted. 1t seems that the Junior
tired and disguised by the favoritism
shown Jim Mast, had purposely stuck
to Nast's paper some note with a
wad of gum, and thus brought about
his temporary downfall 1t remained
for George Polchow in the role of the
Thinking Machine to determine the
owner of the gum, unravel the plot
and clear Mast.
Parts Handled Well
The parts were handled exceedingly
well as whole, some being worthy
of special mention. Mr.. Frank Blyer as
Wood B. Swift, the vilanous Junior,
was easily the star of the evening
acting difficult and impossible role
Eleanor Wood in their duet in the
second act entitled Worried" scored the
hit of the evening and won rounds of
applause. b"f
Mr.. George Plcb low as The Thinking
Machine seed ITO have stepped di-
rectly out { dthe Sunday magazine
and his soluti,A of the battling mys-
terry was worthy of Sherlock Holmes.
His work as Willie Graduate was also
good.
Miss Eleanor Wood as Sarah Maybe
sang several catchy songs in a pleas
ing manner. One of the best of these
was "Gum, Gum, Gum" Miss Kathleen
Hart also scored a hit with her song
"In the Jolly Social Room" This
was written by the singer and was one
of the best of the evening.
Mr.. Walter Koeppen initiated Mr..
Stakeman so closely that some of the
latter's pupils who were present grew
restless and began to wonder how
many "Hans" there were. Mr.. Gasink's
double in the person of Mr.. Gerald
Caldwell was in very much evidence
and his treatment of Mr.. Koeppe,i
brought upon that individual the SYM
pathy of all.
Miss Kenny's Solo.
Miss Tessie Kenny's solo Freshmen"
was rendered in her charming and ma
tural manner and well received, "Flirt-
ing" sung by Miss Edith Richards, was
another catchy song. Other songs were
Thinking, Thinking" sung by quar-
tet composed of Miss Wood, Miss
Kenny, Mr.. Blyer and Mr.. Williams
and the Faculty Song" the solo part
of which was well rendered by Mr..
Richard Wood.
The juniors triumphed at last in a
duet by Miss Wood and Mr.. Blyer.
Mr.. Blyer took the part of Junior
and so completely won the hearts of
the members of that class that he will
undoubtedly be elected official chapron
next year.
Mr.. Ellsworth Willard as Mr.. Nc
Connell, Mr.. Clifford as Howe Swart, and
Mr.. Williams as Jim Mast are all
worthy of mention. Mr.. Caldwell's
presentation of f. u. Mark freshman
was very natural and true to life
In act [ the class confession was
given by Miss Helen Reid and the class
prophecy by Miss Ella Markham in
Act III the seniors could not~resist the
chance to give a final dig at the under
classes in the class will which docu-
ment was read by Leona Wingen. Miss
Fullerton was presented with a diplo-
ma and responded in her usual pleas
ing manner.
The major portion of the song were
written by Miss Martha Weicking and
reflect great credit upon her. Some of
Joe Towards songs underwent pheno-
menal changes at her hands but al
ways for the better. Miss Comstock
whose efforts made the play sue
cess, both through her work in writing
it and as stage directress deserves the
highest praise.
The program closed with the class
song written by Martha Weicking.