South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-10-07
PAGEANT DEPICTS
SPIRIT OF RILEY,
CHILDREN'S POET
Schools Participate in Program
Honoring Hoosier Bard's
Birthday.

The kindly, happy spirit OF James
Whitcomb Riley. the CElldren's poet,
lived again last night at the high
school auditorium on the occasion
or a mem rlaI program in honor OF
che Hoos-er poe-s birthday. which
occurs today. Although there we're
many adults present. the audience
"a as predomlnantly juvenile. That
the various mum bers on the program
were fully enjoyed by the little sOlk
was attested by heir laughing and
c.amorous approval
Last nights memorial pageant wes
given under the auspices OF the
Parent Teachers association. It's
object was 20 collect money for the
fund 10 build the Riley Memorial
Hospital for Children at Indianap-
oils. the corner stone OF which Is 20
be laid today. Supt. ". w. Borden
presided over the evenings ceIebra-
zion. In an Introductory speech.
the purpose Of the program and the
vorthiness OF the cause behind il
AWere set forth by Rev Elmer Ward
, ole. pastor OF the Christian church.
All the schools in the city were
represented in the staging OF the
memorial pageant. For the most
part the acting and interpre Jative
work was done by children. School
teachers OF all me schools. members
OF the Parent-Teachers association
and the different school clubs CO.
operated tn the work Of preparing
and presenting the memorial pro-
gram.
Poems Interpreted.
The program opened with an over
ture BY the orchestra. The Inter-
probation of poems was according 10
certain groups Of RHey's writings ty-
pical OF various phases of life The
first group concerned life. Graceful
fairies danced around a tiny white
crib set In the center OF the stage
]. Illustrated the poem Baby Mrs.
". o. Fassnacht sang Lullaby. I
Next came early training. This was
effected by means of q tableau of
the mother and child Mrs. w. J.
Hunt and Albert Hunt participating
Prayer Perfect was sung by L. L.
Kemper Then came that happy per-
iod OF life. the lime Of childhood
pranks Applause was long and loud
for The Circus Parade, presented
by the John r. Nuner School a. B..
Williamson. in clown costume, furth
er delighted the youngsters by sing
ing Bee Bag" Mrs. w o. Fass-.
nachl rendered Little orphan
Annie"
A hilarious scene was the school
room. FEATURING Elder. Linden and
washington schools. II. 9. incl was
the stern teacher and William
Schaena appeared as the miscellaneous
nov. Herbert Clements was the boy
IN tableau interpretive of the leav-
ing home period The poem Good
bye Jim. Take Keer of Yourself
and The song Indiana" were render
ID by the Central Junior High
schools Girl chorus. Walter MaXson
depicted the jolly Journalist while
Tley's famous poem. The old
Swimmin' Hole" was ably interpret
"a by Richard Graf
The old time guides were repre-
sented in tabIeau by Ruth Cook
tngham and Ruth Mates. Chester
conn recred "My Conscience ana
MY Philosophy" Mary Louise Hreid-
1cr speared I'M a tabieau Girl and
Mrs n. = KeIb sang There Little
Girl. Don't Cry.
spirit Of Patriotism
The love OF nature was one OF the
feature groups ON the program
Mrs J. 4. Harris Sang "A Song &.
7 Thomas reCited "The Frost is on
The Puhpkin' Mrs. w. G Wegner
~ccited -OId Fashioned Roses TO
violin accompaniment by MIS-. J. ".
Harmon. The faucies of memory
-,c~e well interpreted a -abieau on
-.. poem cold sweetheart Of Mine. ~
Including SIT and Mrs ~. j. Rit-
-frrer. SIR and Mrs If ID circuit
bean Doris Hewitt and Bobby
smith REV Elmer ward Cole recit-
90 the poem Away
The spirit Of patriotism closed the
long ana varied program Pupils Of
trp NeusseI school recited Ola
Gror.. There was a. patriotic tab
1ear bv AIiss Alice Soles. and under
he leadership Of Mrs I. Y Harmon
he audience Joined I'm The singing or
Tine Sfer Spaucled Banner.