The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-01-28

the "Valkyriorna !" He stated that hi
was not aware why he had beer
chosen to give this toast unless il
was because he was not married
man, nor had as yet fallen under the
charms of some fair maiden. He ex-
planned that the Valkyriorna were
beautiful mythical maidens who
waited upon the warriors in the days
when the gods, ruled and only the
brave deserved the fair. He intimateG
that the Philoleyians were engaged ii
about as important warfare as that
of DID, and that some of them had al
ready found their Valkyriorna. He
went on to explain that the subject
woman" was a very broad subject
much to the merriment of his hearers.
What is Woman?" he demanded
"She is thought by some to be a
treasure, while others, perhaps some
old bachelors, think they can get
along very well without her. Some
one, possible a crusty old bachelor,
has said that woman is the bitter
part of man. AS it is leap year, and
we are all young and handsome there
is chance for all, and | hope that
never in the future will any Of us look
back and say woman is the bitter
part of man. The joy Of life is
woman's love: She's there when you
begin it, and all through life she's
with you every minute. There's not
wish OF thought in life without a
woman in ii. ,"
Owing to the fact that Archie john
son, who was to have given a toast
On "BifroSts Bro was injured in an
accident and had one OF his legs
broken, he was not in attendance,
and his toast was give by Hamon
Hallin, who made pleasing and
good hundred substitute.
AN evolutionist may be able to
guess where we came from," he said,
"and theologian to say where we
are going, but all | can tell you is
that we are here. Of all the centuries
this century is the greatest; of all
the years this Leap Year is certainly
the latest, of all the months this
month of pass or funk is the most
significant; and of all the days this
day of feasting and toasts is the
best" The speaker then explained
that according to Swedish mythology
Bifrost's bro was the many 'colored
rainbow over which good warriors
passed to Valhalla, the heaven of
brave men, and was the only means
of entering that happy abode. He
then likened this mythical bridge to
the human activity Of the present and
modern institutions, the boy strug-
Cling through school, and then col
lege, crossing the bridge of knowl-
edge. His SMILES were apt and well
chosen, and his toast timely and to
the point.
K. S. Eymundson gave an eloquent
toast to ''Valhalla." In opening he
gave brief review of the beautiful
myth of Valhalla, the heaven where
only brave men slain on the battle
field could go, and into this hall Of
bliss were brought back to life. In
those mythical days the maidens Of
Valhalla were forced to wait upon
whatever warrior chose them, bur
times and customs had changed, and
only by the mutual support of man
any woman could they now enter
Valhalla. With beautiful word pic
lures he showed that completion was
not possible without marriage, and
that Valhalla was the goddess of love
and of the home.
One of the pleasing numbers Of
the program was the music by the
song octette composed of Messrs.
Llndau, Ahnquist, Weinhardt, Young
quist, Rydell, Benson, Unis and Ran
seen, who sang song of the glories
OF the assembly, the words of which
were composed by John Olson, and
the music by Professor A. w. And
erson, who played the accompani-
ment. Paul Hanson gave recitation
with musical accompaniment very
and to the pleasure of all.
The guests then adjourned to the
balconies, where a social time was
enjoyed before the train was due to
take them back to St. Peter.
Professor and Mrs A. w. Ander-
son were honorary guests at the ban
quet.,