The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-04-09

Edward Usen of Austin was award
ed first place in the boys division of
the fifth annual state defamation
contest which was held at the Studio
School of Expression, Minneapolis, on
Friday afternoon. Mr.. Usen's selec-
ton was Characterization" For
What Are They Fighting?" by Henry
HalverSOn of Warren and America
First" by Walter Wheeler OF ST.
Charles were placed second and third
respectively. ......
,ne onsg nfn schools and
Cuba" by .Lucian Kaercher, orion
Vile; "A Return in Triumph" Charles
Marquis, Hibbing; THE Flag We
Follow" Raphael Ilstrup, Cokato;
Young Men of New York" Ronald
Sutherland, Fairmont; THE Siren
nous Life" Willard Vogel, New Ulm;
CHRISTOPHER Columbus, Raymond Mel
son. Springfield, and "Americanism,"
by Paul Shultz of Park Rapids.
/ The speakers as q whole showed
remarkable Geclamatory ability, and
their selections were very well pre-
pared.
Superintendent H. w. Small, of
Excelsior, presided. The judges de-
ciSiOn was given by Professor r. E.
Graham, of the department of pub
lie speaking, Hamline university, Mr..
Graham gave short critical notes on
the winning selections.
"The Melting Pot"
The Melting Pot" by Hazel Sapero
of Chisholm was the winning ,selec-
tion in the dramatic division for the
girls contest Friday evening at eight
O'Clock. Within the Law" given by
Dorothy Shrader OF Springfield, and
The Lion and the Mouse" read by
Ruth Leck OF Austin were awarded
second and third places. -f.;g.sas
Vera Thompson of Glenwood gave
the first reading on the program.
story which never grows old was
most effectively IL interpreted The
story is of child who had gained
disfayor with his teacher by his
childish pranks, and was punished.
However, while a severe, storm arose
which resulted in flood, little Bobby
Shaftoe gives up his life in an effort
to save that of his teachers, D.. .H'.
''The Melting Pot" by Hazel Sapero
was the second number OH the pro.
gram. The famous story was very
well portrayed by the speaker, who
initiated the dialogue of the foreign
er in an excellent manner. The
theme tells of the inspiration that Il
foreign born person gets upon his ar
rival IN America, and with what rev.
erence they think of the land of the
free. Remarkable transitional quail
ties were shown in the voice of the
speaker, and her selection was very
well received by the audience.
Alys Hetland of MoOrehead render
ed pro Patria." PRO Patria" is the
story of an American girl. who des-
pite her love for an, officer in the
British army, saves some valuable
papers and during a raging storm
takes them to the leader of the
American forces. The story of how
love made the sacrifice for love of
country was we'll read
'Franz," was given by Hazel Alters
of Stewart The plat tells OF how a
young violinist in a symphony orch
estra was befriended by the prima
donna, and later while she is lying on
her death bed, the sweet strains Of
the song that she sung in the opera
came floating through the room, play
ed by the violinist. brought the men,
cries of the past to her.
'Althea Dommick of Albert Lea
read "In Lilac Time" This is the
story of two lovers in France who
were separated on account of the war.
Word is received by the girl that her
lover is wounded, and she anXiously
awaits mis- home coming only to find
that he is dead. The pathetic touch
es of the selection as we'll as those OF
the more humorous vein were well
brought out by the speaker, and the
audience was made to feel the pres
ence of the very individuals.
"Within the Law"
A scene from: within the Law"
was given by Dorothy Schrader of
Springfield. The part taken is where
the clerk, convicted of robbery that
she did not commit is sent TO prison.
Later. after she is released from pris
on, she organizes clever band of
crooks and evades capture because
she remains within the law" In
order to obtain revenge upon the
owner of the store who "sent her up"
married his son although she does not
love him.
when the Fleet Goes By" was rem
deped by Henrietta Faber.
The story deals with the success of
an opera singer, who though born in
America, forgets that America is her
native country. How she comes to
realize that America is her country
and how she acknowledges it was
depicted by the speaker in an excel
lent manner. The selection contained
a very strong natriotic plea, and was
as whole well given.
Ruth Leck of Austin gave "The
Lion and the Mouse" 1.-THE Lion and
the Mouse" tells in a dramatic way
the fight pnt up by Girl for her
father and how she finally gains the
respect the man that she is fight
ing and the love Of his son.
"For France BY Miss NArboyin.
For France" was read by Harriet
Nerhnvis of this city. Most patriotic
is For F"ance" dealin" with the
rtory of n blind mother. having lost
three relatives in the service of the
country, and who is unwilling to rive
up her seventeen year old son. her
r remaining relative. The DIALOGUE he
tween the blind mother and the son.
the son having already received the
snm n,nnS hui fears to tell his mother,