The Mankato free press., 1923-12-21
~FRlENDs IN sookLAND",
Playlet That Was Presented BY
School Children Last Evening

public schools, under the direction
of Miss Harriet Van Buren, schooi
librarian, and Miss Ellida Monson,
Walrath) that she isn't going to
loose any sleep over books. But IN
Library, in the Union school audi
torium last evening. The story opens
with Ruth, a little girl and her moth
er In a cosy living room, q book case
filled with books being the principal
feature. Ruth (Delma ClRrk) Is
girl who has never cared for books
she disliked them more than any
thing in the world. Her. mother
pleaded with her to read more, but
Ruth informs her mother (Alice
,children's librarian Of the Public
a short time, Ruth raIls asleep by
about her duties in another part OF
the house. Ruth 10 known as the girl
in the neighborhood who does not
read. The other children chide her
because she is not familiar with the
characters In books. Asleep she.
dreams that these characters in
these books come in one by one and
tell her about II. She receives them
gladly as they appear and asks them
questions. The characters are each
dressed 20 represent their parts.
There II Alice In Wonderland. tHelen
Sullivan) In her bonnet and dress Of
green carrying her first parasol.
Rabbit, from Alice in Wonderland
(Gertrude Devens) with pretty pink
ears and cute fuzzy tail, IL 30 happy
little giri who does not like to read.
AnA than mnnRoTR a ftaFRn lnnkinR
warTier. (Philir Sheldon) with his
spear and shield, grey hat and suit,
who related his merry adventures
in Robin Hood. Ruth 10 eager to hear
the rest but he tells her to read the
book. More and more she becomes
excited and wonders II what the
children tell her is true.
Just then Barbara, from Mayflow.
er doris Mner) walks in with her
white cap. apron and blue dress,
carrying her knitting as al good
little girls did in that time. She
sits and rocks and relates her story
while Ruth looks on In wonderment.
She 10 followed By Katrinka (Ber-
picture with long black hair, rod
dress and dances very cleveriy for
the little girl. A contract is offered
when Lorna Doone (Violet Ander.
tson) comes In dressed in somber
gray silk Of olden times. Wider sthI
grew Ruth's eyes when the Per.
sian boy (Ralph Huntly) appeared
In oriental costume and turban.
She begged him to stay but as did
the others he told her to read the
book. OF course there was Betsy
barbara Mary Denman) who made
a pretty picture from Understood
Betsy" It was when the beautiful
little Lady OF the Silver Moon Janet
Leo) appeared in her white dainty
costume, with silver coronet and
star. wand that Ruth nearly fainteo
away. Sne never knew before there
were such things in story books.
It was almost to much when Hans
(John Miller) and GretcheI (Lillian
Cuddy) stepped out in their dutch
costume and told all about the dikes,
"Mowgli" was a funny boy from
Kiplings Jungle Tales" edward
Hoffman) and -Curdie (Frederfck
Miller) also with his pick ak and
woodman costume. With a large
doll came Sara Crew (Mary Jane
walpole) who had a story to tell
that was interesting. In plumed hat,
sword and belt, was the Prince
George Engle) and Pauper Victor
Bengston) from Twain's book. The
others appearing were Heidi doris
Quimby), Penelope (Mary Holm
Jack civilian Luts and jill EILEEN
Donahue), Undine Lois Sandol)
Tom Brown Robert Berquistl Pin
loretta Willoby) Fairy Godmother
(Ruth Steiner) and Merry Lips
Georgia Stanley.
A very clever elfin dance was
given by Margaret johnson.
After all OF the characters had
disappeared Ruth repented and de-
cided 10 read Is did the other
children and related to her mother,
the stories she had heard. All Of
the characters appeared upon the
stage for the final scene which
brought them much applause. The
character as Ruth BY Delma Clark
was exceptionally well done, she
knew her part ana was perfectly at
ease and at home on the stage. The
play was not only interesting but IN
structiye as we'll and the Librarians
who took the pains to put It on de-
serve much credit.
Elementary School Of State Teach
ers' College Christmas Program
The Elementary school OF the
State Teachers college is giving its
annual Christmas program on
Thursday morning at $3.50 In the
new Training School auditorium.
The story is based on The Voy-
age OF the Wee. Red Cap" by Ruth
Sawyer Durand. It Is Christmas
eve. Teig sits alone by his empty
hearth, gfoating over the fact that
his cupboard Is bare: his hearth
cold: and though he has plenty OF
gold hidden, he win not have to
Die pass, and call to him for help
and cheer, but he offers neither: A
child goes away singing Feed ye
the hungry an, rest ye the weary"
but Teig will not listen.
SUDDENLY some queer little people
burst into the room and take pos
session Of it. After they have eaten,
one little fellow cries "Clip clap,
clip, clap, wish had my wee red
cap" Down comes the red cap: he
cries "Wish I were in New York."
and. Off he goes UP the chimney.
Each Of the little people in turn
calls for his cap, and each disap-
pears. Teig watches with interest,'
. and finally decides to try this mode
He travels to New York, Spain,
Holland, Norway and England. Ev-
erywhere> he goes he hears the old
song, "Feed ye the hungry and rest
We the weary" and everywhere he
fiees from It. Finally. after nearly
losing his life he returns TO his own
fireside, opens his door, fills his