6 TUB SCBANTON TBIB DUE "WEDNESDAY 3KBNING, tABCH 18, M9ttV EISTEDDFOD WAS ft Many Spirited Contests Under the fltispices of Robert Morris Lodge. THE 6REIT CHORAL GOMPETITIOM - . Was Woo by the Philharmonics, of the West Side Miss Sarah A. Jones Won The Tribune Prize Story Win ners of Prizes in the Other Contests. Robert Morri lodge. No. C8, Order of Ivorites. conducted the finest eistedd fod ever held in this city at the Froth lngham theuter yesterday. With invit ing weather, an unexcelled piuRramme mid hustling managers the eisteddfod was a success several days before its advent. In local eisteddfodic circles, perhaps, the event was not appreciated as greatly as it was in distant parts, where news of the event had been sent. The literary competitions show that the Interest- in the eisteddfod was as widespread as the habitation of the Welsh. Contributions were received from every section of the Riobe except South Africa and China, where the eis teddfod is . not appreciated. Kohort Morris lodge numbers about L'80 mem bers. It was organized a little over a. year and a half ago. and at the present time the organization is the most con servative and flourishing1 lodge on the West Side. An entire lloor of rooms in a substantial brick building In the cen tral purt of Hyde Park is now controlled by tho lodge, and In this building there are parlors and every convenience to reasonable chili life. Yesterday's eisteddfod was taken care of by the follow lug prominent members of the lodge, who formed the manag ing committee: John J. Da vies, chair man: K. E. Robathan. David Prltchuid, W. It. Lt-wls, J. II. I'hillips, K. D. Jones. Charles K. Daniels, treasurer; David J. Davis, secretary. There were three sessions yesterday, In the morning, afternoon and evening. The president of the morning Hussion was S. Kurd Kd wards, of Pottsvllle, and Professor tleorge Howell was con ductor. In the afternoon William Con nell was president, and A. J. Colborn conductor. The president of the even ing session was Hon. II. M. Kdwarda. The adjudicators of the eisteddfod were: On music, David Davis, Cincin nati, O. : ou poetry, Hon. 11. M. Ed wards, Scranton; on recitations. Pro fessor L. J. Richards. iScranton School of oratory and Elocution, Hem n ton; on short story. Llvy S. Hie-hard, Scranton; on essny, Ben If. Pratt. Scranton; ac companist. Walter Davis, Scranton. The competition between the choirs which created more interest than prob ably any other one feature of the eis teddfod, took place at the evening ses sion, anil was won by the Philharmonics of the West Side. mormm; session. Number of sharp Competitions Aroused (ireat Interest Among Spectators. The crisp air outside made the Froth Inirham'M Interior more comfortable and with, a sylvan scene on the stage be fore them and a world of melody float ing about the audience at the morning session were at once comfortable and pleased when the big eisteddfod opened. Professor George liowcll, superintend ent of public schools, as conductor of the morning's programme, presented the president of the session, S. Burci 1M wards, president of the Cambro American society, of Pottsvllle. Mr. Kd wards In accepting the honor briefly thanked the managers of the eisteddfod. He said that the eistedd fod is as Influential a it was of yore. Jt Is an institution of the Welsh people and Is social In its nature. It is also a patriotic Institution, said Mr. 'Ed wards. Ha-urged the competitors to abide by the decision of the adjudica tor. Aner chiudou gun y belrdd'" (ad dresses by the bards), were called for. There was but one response. Thomas Jehu, of the North End, was the speak er. THE FIRST COMPETITION. The first competition of the eistedd fod was on the bnritone boIo. There were eleven entries, but only four passed the preliminary outposts. The election was "The Sailor's Song," The singers were: W. W. Watkins, of Peekville; Llewellyn Jones, of Bellevue; Duvld Stevans, of the West Side; and William Kvans, of the West Side. Mr. Watkins sang first and was accom panied by his wife. Mr. -Kvans fol lowed with Miss Norma Williams as accompanist. Mr. Stevans was third, with Miss. Williams as accompanist. Mr. Jones, was last, and was accom panied by Mr. Da vies. The contest created not a little surprise. David Stevans, a tenor singer, whose name was entered, was given the prize of $7, donated by Wade M. Finn. This deci sion was greeted with a murmer of as tonishment by the audience; not be cause Stevans was undeserving of it. but because he has heretofore been known as, a tenor singer. In giving his adjudication, Mr. Davles said that the solo is an excellent sea song with plenty of fire. Tone, quality, pitch, expression, conception, must be considered. Following are the details of the adjudication: No. 1 A good voice, under good con trol, good enunciation. , No. 2 Fine voice, rather more sombre thnn the first. No. -3--ood voice. - well-controlled, good enunciation, and conception excel lent. No. 4 Oood. fresh voice; better In the first than the last part of the song. 'FOUR YOUNG LADIES. On the recitation competition, "The Wolves," by J. T. Trowbridge, there were four young ladies entered. Miss Martha Davles, of Eynon street, recited first; followed by Miss Lizzie Jones, Wllkes-Barre; Miss Elsie Jones, Pitts ton, and Miss Anna. Cray, of Wllkes Barre.' Miss Jones, of Wllkes-Barre, was unfortunate. She learned her se lection from an Imperfect copy of the poem and the last four lines were omit ted In the rendition. Professor (Rich ard awarded the prize of $. to Miss Davles and Miss fray, the prize money to be equally divided between the two young ladies. He based his decision on WORKS rs la cartas torturing:, disfiguring, hu Matins; humour of tho Skin, Scalp, and Etood when all eUo fails. IbNlt BiMh Dmti F. Kraw MM a, 1, Kim mtmmt m. Lmim. Portia articulation, pronouiu-iution, direct ad dress to the audience and conception. The adjudication was very lengthy. Miss Loretta Fahey. a 11-year-old pianist whose home is on the West Side, gave a selection. She was encored and delighted her auditors with an old and familiar Welsh air. The introduction of this feature was commended. On the alto solo competition (prize $7) there was an interesting contest. The piece was "Lovers' Sorrow" and there were three Indies who sought the prize. They are: Mrs. Mary Jane Boston-Williams, of the West Side; Miss oliven Howell, of Taylor, and Miss Fannie Jones, of West Scranton, Miss Williams was given the prize. PRIZE POEM COMPETITION. IIoo. H. M. Edwards was announced to give his adjudication on the Truth's prize poem contest on the subject "The Pioneers of Scranton." He was ap plauded as he stepped to the front of the stagp. Judge Edwards mentioned that unions those whose compositions were better than the majority of the poems he hail received were the creations of Roderick, the c;host of Cnpouse. Cam bria B. 'Orpheus. Jonathan. Himself, Talieson, No. 7i. and J. it. The adju dicator said In regard to the hist two named: 7. No. 75 This) author has written a spirited poem. He Is a master of ver sification. Some of his Ideas may be considered extravagant, but not more so than Is allowed by the recognized canons of the ilivinc art of poetry. f. J. K.This manor's production Is also one of considerable merit. It is entirely.-different in style to that of No. 75, but I cannot say that it excels It. I have had some dillieulty in Judging the comparative merits of -these two poems. Heading them alternately more than a dozen times, .my mind veered from one to the other. This must be a condition of "reasonable doubt." 1 therefore give No'. 75 and J. It. the benefit of It. The prize Is equally divid ed between them. The prize poems are: THli PIONEERS OF SCRANTON,. (By J. R.) I looked upon a valley, "1'was mantled with a coverlet of leaves, And from the dim recesses of the wood, Where vino with tliurn and hazel inter weaves Arose the sound of savage revelry. As lurking foe met foe und deviltry In ruthless and Impassioned freedom stood. .... Only the wild four footed beasts would roam And dwell with warlike safety in the vale; Only the blood-red Indian called a home This pathless forest with Its hideous din, Of snarling wolves that battled kin with kin, And, wounded, chilled the welkin with a wall. Again, I looked upon this vale, But now the scene is changed from grim to gay; The years had passed and with them dis appeared The Indian's tent, the red and restless fray. The wild beasts' howl, the gloomy fov est land, The stealthy footstep, and the antlered kind All, nil had gone like sighs by gladness cheered. And now upon the valley's gentle breast Repuse the dwellings of another race A race 11) at reaches e'en to Culture's crest: And. where the fray was fought now stands a church, The furnace stack outlines the forest birch And Peace anil Plenty deck a populace. Scranton! thou City of the Lightning's Flash. Where Thrist Is golden and the engines clush. W-here Nature's bounty slumbers 'neath the soil, And hardy sleel Is tempered toy Its toil; Thou, Stalwart Scion of the Pioneer! Hast lived a bright and vigorous career. When Abbott built his hut, the Roaring Brook Laughed at his daring, as he undertook To grind -the harvest by its forceful flood And cause the untried wilderness to bud. Then Taylor came; Howe, Sloctim, sturdy . sire! Who lent the vigor of a youthful Are In furthering the change from wild to weal, And, larking In condition, gained in zeal; These are the men who 'toiled for things to be, And died before the harvest they could see. Abbott, the Slocums, Taylor, Howe, Dunne, - . Names that In fitting record should re main As long ns Scranton. rugged as the ash. Shall be the City of the Lightning's Flash, Where Nature's bounty slumbers .'neath the soil And hardy steel is tempered by Its toll. THE FIONffiflRS OF SCRANTON. ' (Xo. 73.) Awake. O Muse! the tuneful lyre Breathe,' breathe along each trembling wire . , Imbue-me now with heav'nly fire Uphold me duly und inspire To sing our Bcrantun Pioneers: Without thy pow'r to warm my greeting All mortal breath is void and fleeting 1 No words but words inspired are fitting To praise our Scranton -Pioneers! Where once the primal forest stood Where onee 1 ho dusky Indian's brood . Inured their hearts to deeds of blood, Our fathers tolled, each In his rood. And left with liod their hopes and fears; Beneath the cotter's ruugh-liewn rafter They oft convened for mirth and laugh ter: What mirthful crew, that day or after, Could mate with Scranton's Pioneers? Though dangers lurked on every hand By ford, by Held, or roving band They sternly stood, each with a brand. To guard their homes and native land. And hoped success might crown the years; i And Scranton. like a nymph, awaking Resplendent as a day new breaking, An everlasting name Is making To all her noble Pioneers. The offspring of their toils Is drert Like Dian plumed and through the west, North, south a goddess manifest She pour s her blessings and is blest The more a blessing she appears; Amazed, the world stood back with won der To see her grasp the living thunder. And link It to a roach of splendor, To proudly bear her Pioneers! One father lingers still a star That halts 'twlxt earth and .upper air; O, bless him bless him, heav'n, and spare When angels shall have come to- bear Him up and upward through the spheres. All bunds around, both high and lowly 1'prear the shaft and do it truly And dedicate the marble duly : To Scranton's noble Pioneers! ' WHO THE WINNERS ARE. No. 75 is by Dr. W. W. Jenkins, of William street.Provldence. He isa prae-1 ticing physician and was formerly a pharmacist whose place of business was on the West Side.. He is a middle aged man and is married.' Emerson -D, Owen who wrote under' the norm de plume of "J. R." is the West Side reporter for The Tribune. He Is a son of William B. Owen, foreman at the Holden mine. Philip Warren sang, a bass solo as an oasts in the competition desert. Then came the chief contest of the morning, the children's, choir battle. This is al ways a pleasant feature of an eistedd fod.. There was a prize of $rs) offered and the children had rehearsed with great diligence. The competitive piece was Carrletl.by the Angels." a beauti ful creation by James McOraham. First came the First Welsh Congregational choir, led by John Junes, aged IB, Then followed the Taylor choir, Arthur Mor (an leader, aged IS., SUCCESS The Bellevue choir sung next. Willie Davis, aged 14, was leader. The Hyde Park Juvenile choir, with 15-year-old Morgan Hawkins as leader. The chil dren sang beautifully. The freshness of the voices contrasted greatly to the less interesting and more mature older voices. The Bellevue choir was de clared the winner of the prize, and with this announcement the session closed. IN THE AFTERNOON. William Council, the President, and A. J. Colborn. Jr., Conductor. Shortly after ".30 o'clock the eistedd fod again convened. On the platform were a number of prominent Welsh men. Attorney A. J. Colborn In Intro ducing the president of the session. William Connell, said in the course of a beautiful address: The wonderful Influence of music has been the I heme of many a tale III prose ami verse. How often has the traveler on the Rhine seen, in his imagination, the fabulous horelei, the lovely maiden, sit ting on a cliff on the bank of the liver, combing her shining hair, with a comb of gold, und singing a song of su-.-it strange, sweet sadness, that the sailor Moating by, entranced by Its melody, al. though it makes him shudder, forgets ev erything hut the -magic of lis charm, and is drawn slowly under the dark waters to a. cruel deulh. Collins, In his Ode to the Passions, ami Drydeii, in Alexander'8 Feasts, both testify to the power of music. Many pleasing stories are told of its in fluence during the dark days of our sail and cruel civil war. Two regimental bands, one I'nion, the other Confederate, were encamped on the opposite sides of a river, and ut twilight, when the day's carnage had ceased, they begun to amuse themselves In showing their sentiments by the airs they played. Thus It went on for a long time --Hall Columbia" be ing followed by "Away Down in Dixie," l be "Slat- Spangled Manner," by "Tho Bonnie Mine Flag;" and as eut-h air died away ill the rocks and crags that over looked the river, the hills would re-echo the cheers given by the different crowds cf udmirers. .MtSIC SOFTEXKD Til KM, All the hatred the opposing sides bore each other was portrayed In the tierce and angry looks of the men until from the 'Hoys in Blue" was heard the first strains of "Home. Sweet Home," almost instantly the band on the other side caught up the clear old air. which will never die ns long as there are hearts to love and homes to cherish, and as the lust strains were gliding away, some thing clear as a crystal was seen to start und trickle down from the eyes of the powder-Kialned veterans, ploughing a white furtoWon their blackened cheeks, and when the lust note hud passed away into silence, one grand, united "good night" was sent echoing and re-echoing among the jutting crags. Thus through the feeling that makes the whole world kin, a truce was proclaimed in the hearts of these foes, an Influence felt long afler the music had died uwuy. How often have the hymns of a mother soothed her child, weary with life's con flicts long after the Hps that uttered them with such undying affection have been silenced In death. The "Hush my child, lie still and slumber," sung to us In our infancy, seems like a benediction to hover over us during ull our after life. The dear old church tunes familiar to us from childhood and linked with our earliest faith have often more power to stir the heart than the grandest miserere heard through the vast cuthedral aisles, where the "dim religious light steals through the Illumined windows, und fulls in mel lowed rays on the choicest productions of many u world-fumed artist. TI1K POWER OF MCSIC. Some one hus said "let me make the songs of u nation and 1 care not who makes the laws," and this may be said, too, of a nation's hymns. Can any amount of corruption have the power to drug our country clown to infidelity and decay, so long as such hymns as "Old Hundred," and the dear old "Coronation" have such power to stir the hearts of the people? When the heart is weary, and the soul is tired of dally strife and dark thoughts come crowding up, and even death seems pleasing how strangely the remembrance of long neglected (trains affect us, as they sweep over the broken chords of child hood and reverberate in the linnet chain bers of the. soul they "lift us unawares out of all meaner cares." Since music has so great an inlltience over the feelings, can it not be made a powerful aid in the cultivation of the aesthetic nature? and through the love of the beautiful are not men made morally better? for does not all tlm.t refines the feelings and moves the affections, elevate the tone of the niind, broaden its sympathies, and restrain its vices? lo forth und listen to nature! Hear how bright und joyous is the brook let's melody, how cureless and happy the song it ever sings as lis silvery waters dance along over Its pebbly bed. But now the stream widens, its song becomes deeper and grander, now it In creases In brilliancy and strength, until old ocean becomes Its dwelling place; and murk tho change the light and tripping song becomes a deep, sad moan. Listen -to the music of the cataract as It boils in angry surges, plunging Its raging 11 1 lows over the towering precipice, and rest ing Its troubled waters In the channel of the nolsv deep. It says. In a language none can misunderstand, "The hand that made us is divine." Notes and chords sweet as the tones of un Aeolian harp strike our ears and finds a ready response In each heart, and at last the billows burst in stirring strains of deep bass, and overwhelm the soul of man with music, itoo poverful for mortals to appreciate. The world Is full of music. There is rot one discordant sound In all the: works cf crcution. in the spring t-,e sun with his gobleii key unlocks the Icy fetters of winter. The tongue of the rippling rill t loosed, and the gentle songs of the birds fall sweetly on our ears us they trill forth their tuneful notes. The winds r,f summer, as they softly stir the leaves, carry music to our ears sweet us tho songs of angels. MUSIC IN THE FALLING LEAF. In autumn there is musle In every fall ing leaf and dying flower. 'TIs sad and mournful music, such as causes tho heart to throb and the tears to start; but it U music we love to hear. Itut soon the cold blasts blow upon the trees whose bare arms are outstretched to heaven, aiHiwin ter's anthem has begun. So nature's song is ever being sung, in air, on earth, in seu; and its harmonies find an echo in every heart and- lift our thoughts from nature up to nature's liod. The soul of man instinctively responds to the mu'le In nature, anil dally the grand anthem of tens of thousands of human voices rolls up to the ear of the' Eternal. The melody of a heart filled with love for the great fountain of love ascends highest into the heavens, and the very angels themselves hush their golden harps and, wondering ly, listen. The influence of music upon us cannot be over-estimated. .Music makes us hap pier, wiser, and better; It enlarges our souls and gives us higher and holier thoughts. Il has u charm that oratory, eloquence, painting or sculpture c an never possess. It awakens in the soul of man the tenderest sensibillies, the purest and most spiritual emotions. Before It cores and sorrows flee away ns dew disap pears In the presence of sunshine. Who has not been carried away, conveyed, as It were to the very gates of Paradise by some sweet song? "Music, thou wast born In heaven ere the soul of man was given." When this little world we live in was chaos, nngels st rung their golden harps In dully orisons, ami the blue vault above echoed their sweet harmony. "When the mild stars of morning sang together, anl J he Sons of Ood shouted for Joy," even then thou hailst a name, o Music! thou, who bringest the receding waves of eter nity nearsr 'to the weary heart of man as, be stands on the shore and longs to cross over, tell me, 1 pray thee, art thou the ev ening breeze of this life, or the morning star of the future one? Let us, then, listen to the persuasive voice of this ministering spirit, and muK6 our lives a beautiful song, and when we come to cross over the dark river that leads to the Celestial citv, may we hear the words: "Welcome. Thrleo Weleime Home," and our hem is will be filed with the strains that echo from the foot of the throne, and our voices thrilling with rap turous . emotion, will join with those of the innnniernble throng whose songs are ever ascending In adoration to Him, who has written song upon sunshine and shadow, who tills the air with music, and "who doeth all things well." - INTRODUCED MR. CONNELL. Mr. Colborn introduced Mr. Connell with a tribute which found favor with the audience. Mr.. Connell stepped to the front of the stage. He said that he deemed the position of president of the eisteddfod an honor. "We cannot in dulge lii music without having higher thoughts for the effort." he said.' "WV cannot indulge In Intellectual exercises without being better morally." . Mr. Connell again thanked the body for the honor he felt In being chosen for the position. Conductor Colborn called for the usual addresses by the Welsh bards. There seemed to be a lack of bardic mettle. Only two men responded. T. Kllcenin Kvans, of Nantlcoke. and T. J. John, of the North End. Following this came the first eisteddfodic com petition of the afternoon, namely: on the tenor solo for a. prize of $7. The competitive piece waa "The Golden Threshhold." by Fred N. Lohr. The contestants were Edwin Bowcn, Thoa. Abrams, and David Stevens.- Each comjietltor had his following of friends In the audience and they made them selves known. .The adjudication was In favor of David Stevens. lnedvlnB the adjudication Professor Davles Said that Mr. Bo wen has a good natural voice, but he dropped the consonants in cer tain places. No. 2 has a voice that is sombre In quality. His breathing was defective. No, 2 has a good solid voice and la In every way the superior. Mr. Stevens was given the $7 prize, the sec ond one for him. PROF. RICHARD'S RECITATION. Professor L. T. Richards.of the Scran ton School of Oratory and Elocution, delighted the audience with two recita tions, both humorouH In nature. He created a favorable Impression. The competition by three young girls on the piano solo was really fine. The young ladies showed a considerable amount of artistic reeling. The competitive piece was-the 'Harmonious Black smith." Miss Sadie Edwards played first, followed by Miss Annie Sulli van, of the West Side, and Nellie Ketchim. of Olyphant. Miss Ketchlm was given the prize of $7. The success ful one-played without music and though she omitted several bars of the music yet Adjudicator Davis thought she excelled In other respects. The '? oratorical competition was "Bruce'H Address" for a prize of $10. offered by Captain Molr and the Caledonian club. The i prize was given to - John Evans, of Tay lor. The other speakers were: Ben jamin tliifllths and E. D. Owen. There were flve in the preliminary contest. Three welv allowed to recite. The ad judication by Professor Richards was undoulUeiUy impartial. The competi tion on "Crug y Bar," was for singers over .00 'Ittars of age, each singer to select Illfl)fitch. This, contest was sweet In its Hiifiplicity. The contestants dis appeared as silently as they had come. Only one name could be obtained and that Is Morgan C. Jones, of Wllkes Barre. The prize of $5. donated by W. R. Lewis, esq., was presented to Mr. Jones. D51CJ8ION ON THE BNOLYN. Judge Edwards gave the adjudica tion on the "Knglyn," a Welsh form of poetry; The prize of $5 was won by Roland .Roberts, of Bellevue Hieghts. There were 106 compositions received. Many were from across the water, some came from Canada, and every state In the Union wag represented. At least fifty of the "Englyns" were good. The adjudicator reduced the number Into classes of which, twelve composed the superior. The success of Mrs. Rob erts Is therefore the greater. His nom-de-plume was "Swansea." There were several of the same pseudonym. Mr. Roberts) repeated his "Knglyn" without copy, and the rommtt'tee thought that he was-the real "Swansea." Dr. J. J. Roberts, of the West Side, donated the $j prize. At this point a competition which brought out a great show of talent was announced. It was the male quartette competition on sight reading. The piece to be sung waa composed by Professor -T. J. Davles, of this city, es pecially for the competition. The fol lowing quartettes entered: Philip War ren, J. W. Jones, D. iStevens and W. Davis; M. C. Jones, J. L. Evans, T. C. Lewis and John Samuels; James Wat kins, M. P. Morgan, John R. Francis and W. O. Howells; John T. Watkins, W. Evans, Thomas Jones, L. L. Jones. The lirst two quartettes .were declared superior. The $5 was divided between the two. J. J. Davles was the giver. : The final contest of the day was a male chorus, "On the Sea," by Dudley Buck. The prize was worth striving for, $75. First sang the Anthracite Chpral society, of Taylor, James Wat kins leader. The Pennsylvania Olee club followed. Thomas G. Evans was leader. Dr. Mason's Male club, of Wllkes-Barre, led by Gwllym Amos, with Miss Maggie Jones as accompan ist, were the last singers. At the ad judication given at the evening ses sion, the Wilkes-Rarre choir was given the money and the praise of the adjudi cator., BIG CROWD AT NIGHT. Cempctitlon Between the Choir Was ,'.1 the f eature of the Session. The largest crowd of any at the eis teddfod attended the evening session. The main attraction was the chief chor .Hl, competition for the largest prize of the eisteddfod. $300. Seated on the plat form were Mayor-elect J. O. Bailey. Treasurer-elect C. a. Boland, Daniel Williams, Rev. J. C. Morris, Llvy S. Richurd. T. Kllcenin Kvans, of Nantl coke. William Connell was called to the stage during the evening. Judge Ed wards as conductor and president made an opening address. Previous to this the audience burst forth many times In- spontaneous singing of familiar1 songs. ' Professor Davis sang- "Hen Wlad fy Nailiau," the audience Joining In the chorus. Dr. Mason's club was given the $75 prize on the mule chorus. On the soprano solo there were sf veral en tries, among which were Miss Lizzie Jones and Mrs. Frank Brundage who won the prize of $7. The competitive piece was Sullivan's "Sweethearts." Judge Edwards In making his adjudica tion on the Welsh poem on "T. Llfynvy Morgan" divided the prize between Wil lium Ap Madoc, of Chicago, and John H. Powell, of this city. The contest was participated In by well known Welsh bards all over the country. The competition on the mixed quartette was perhaps the closest from the point of view of an audience of any of the eis teddfod. There were but two entries, and the singers are well known, in the first there were Miss Margaret Jones, Mrs. Frank Brundage, John W. Jones and Edwin Bowen. In the sec ond and successful quartette the follow ing were the singers: Mrs. M. J. Boston Wllllams, Miss Lydia Sailor, David Ste vens and P. H. Warren. JUDGE EDWARDS' TRIBUTE. Judge Edwards was so well delighted by the Hinging that he made a pretty tribute to the eisteddfod. ' These are the children of the eisteddfod," he said. "We thank the eisteddfod for what we have heard tonight." When Adjudica tor Davis made his decision there was much anxiety shown by the audience. He gave the $10 prize to the second quartette. The competitive piece was "The Radiant Morn," by T. J. Davis. Judge Edwards announced the adju dication on the "VV. George Powell" epitaph. The successful one was writ ten by "Swansea." the nom-de-plume of Ttev. Depew Griffiths!, of Turin, N. Y, It Is as follows: Sleep faithful student! Thou hast lived in deeds. And, as the meteor thus! the heaven speeds. Leaving a flood of light; thy race Is run. Just as thv brilliant morning had begun. And poetry that thy saddest hours be guiled Mourns the untimely silence of her child. Adjudicator Edwards criticised sev eral of the better epitaphs. The one by Apollo had In Its first four lines the making of an Ideal epitaph. "John" was also a close competitor. The num ber of compositions wan forty-four. D. C. Powell, father of the deceased, acted In the place of Mr. Griffiths in accept ing the prize money. E. K. Robathan, a close friend of the aereased, was the donor. There were fourteen essays re ceived b- B. H. Pratt, -who was ad judicator of the Republican's $25 prize for a superior essay on "The New Wo man, Once Our' Equal. Now Our Su perior." There were but two essay that called for delicate discrimination, and of these the prize money was awarded to R. Sli howy Jonesi of Kbens burg. Pa. The winner is well-known among Welsh-American. The an nouncement was received with great applause. In the duett, "The Spirit of Free dom," (prize $10) Phillip Warren and David Steven defeated Edwin Bowen and John W. Jones. The contest waa close. TRIBUNE'S PRIZE STORY. Editor Llvy 8. Richard, of The Trlb une, was called upon to deliver hi ad judication on the short story contest for which The Tribune offered a prize of $25 to the winner. The prize was won by Miss Sarah A. Jones, of 1123 Hampton street. The title of the suc cessful competition is "The Fate Card." The adjudication waa a follow: ' As adjudicator of the short story con test 1 beg leave to report the receipt of manuscripts. A first reading of these eliminated lo us unsuitable, and restricted the choice to i. After a careful consid eration of these , stories 1 have decided to award the prize to the one submitted by "Wanda" and entitled "A Fate Card." upon the ground that It is effective In plot, skilfully written, and introduces an original central Idea. : 1 desire, however, to award honorable mention to "An Episode of the Civil War," by "Nemo;" "The Poundkeeper of Break town" by "Jretz Rhonda;" "Gwladys. tho Beautiful Maid of Orougar Hill" by "Hur ry liwynne Jones," and "The Old Pro fessor" by "Tallesln," In the order named. The contest has revealed much local ca pability in the line of short Action, and has impressed me with the thought thit a local magazine for the cultivation of this talent would perform a desirable func tion. Miss Jones, the winner. Is one of the best known school teachers In the city. She is at present teaching at No. 1$ school In the Fourth ward. The story Is printed on this page of The Tribune. CHIEF CHORAL COMPETITION. v Then came the chief choral compe tition of the eisteddfod for a prize of $300. This was the competition which caused a great stir In the auditorium. The members of the choir themselves composed one-fifth of the entire audi ence and as the preparations were go ing on it waa only by his great Influ ence over his fellow country people that the conductor4ecured order. The choirs came on the stage In the order named: Scranton United, W, Davis, leader; Philharmonic society, Thomas G. Evans, leader. West Side; Taylor choir, W. Evans, leader. Adjudicator Davis decided that the Philharmonic choir's singing was superior. He awarded them the prize. The adjudication! was as follows: No. 1 Attack good, time excellent; there were several harsh voices, and the altos were too prominent. In places the singing waa poorer than others, with the tenor Hat as If "feel ing their way." The prayer part waa too loud, and no expression was given. No. 2 Better natural voices, altos especially good; attack positive, mass of chorus strong. No. 3 Well united, expression not good, prayer too loud. Allegros not right. The adjudicator thanked the audi ence for their Indulgence toward his decision and the eisteddfod had passed Into local history aa the greatest ever held in Scranton. EISTEDDFOD NOTES. It was noticed ithat the morning session had as its stage guests men of Welsh ex traction and in the evening the American element was prominent. John Lynch, though not of Welsh blood, yet he Is one of the most earnest believers in the eisteddfod. He came down from Carbondale yesterday to enjoy the event. "Count! count!" yelled some one In the gallery as one of the chorus took the plat form. Judge Edwards delivered a sharp rebuke to the disturbers. The count was made, but the choir was all right. Attorney A. J. Colburn made a model roncluctor, brimful of readv wit and highly entertaining during the dull peri ods. Te mentioned yesterday that no bards were barred from speaking. What, in the opinion of Adjudicator Da vis, tended toward the success of the eis teddfod was thv discretion of the pro gramme committee In their selection of competitive pieces. In uhls respect the eisteddfod stands unequalled. Hon. Hdwards is well known for his gracefulness In conducting an eisteddfod. When he asked .Mayor-elect Ballev to hand over that prize to the winner of the soprano solo. It appeared that Mr. Halley wu exceedingly embarrased, -but every thing ran smoothly. A lamentable feature, or what was made a feature by Us absence, was the non use of the little rosette which usually go along with the prize money at an eis teddfod. The Robert Morris lodge are surely Americanized, but it cannot drift too far from the customs of the old lan I and make an eisteddfod a success. One ahlng was noticed and that is the dominating appearance of the literary de partment of the eisteddfod, l'suully the Welsh-American affairs ate mere singing meets where the voice Is undisputed king and the pen meekly brings up the rear. Not so with yesterday's event. The com mittee showed great judgment in the quality of competitions. Among those from out of town whom Ihe eisteddfod attracted were: O. At. Williams, mine Inspector, Wllkes-Barre; H. P. Davis, of the Grand Lodge of Ivor Ites; Morgan Morgans, Wllkes-Barre; Reese Morgan, Wtlkes-Hurre; William M. Thomas, Wllkes-Harre, Oeorge Davis, Lansford, Carbon county; William J. Will iams, Kingston: M. C, Jones, Wllkes Barre; James Thomas, Olyphant; Jottn Lynch. Carbondale. Adjudicator David Davis crpated nn everlasting Impression. His adjudications were received with general approval In every Instance. In personal appearance he is handsome and makes a striking fig ure on the stage. And he is at home ev erywhere. During the day he sang several songs. Ills selections were sentimental In nuture anil he seems to fill his voice with (he feeling which brushes the heart strings of the listener. David Dnvls will not be soon forgotten by the eisteddfod lovers of Scranton. TUE AMERICA VOICE. The Utile Attention Paid In This Conatry . to Vocal Training. From the Boston Transcript. The American voice has won an un enviable reputation for Its supposed disagreeable quality. This reputation is in part deserved, for no careful ob server can fall to notice that many of our people In ordinary conversation are constantly In error. In regard to their natural pitch and utterly fall In purity of tone. They speak In either too high or too low a key, and the tones are more or less forced into a disagreeable mix tur e of the. nasal-muscular quality. Apologist have attributed this defect to the nervous temperament of the peo ple and to the disastrous effects of a variable climate. But the true explan ation is found in a lack of proper train ing. The American voice, when prop erly educated, is no less melodious and agreeable than that of any other na tionality. Bad quality of voice Is due simply to bad habit In its use. Correct the habit and the voice is changed, and becomes what It was designed to be by the Crea tor. It Is amazing that so many young men nnend. after a long period of pre paratory training, four years In college and almost an equal period thereafter In professional schools, and then go to the pulpit or the bar totally unfitted vocally for the successful prosecution of their life work. And it Is even more amazing that multitudes fitted by their culture to adorn social life destroy their chances of success by a lack of vocal training. They might have been good singers, readers or reciters but for their own neglect. If a correct system of vocal physio logy and technique were engrafted Into our public school system there would ha an immense gain to the culture of the nation. Not all are public speak ers or readers, but everybody talks, and to converse in a well-modulated, melo dious voice Is an accomplishment worth striving hard to obtain. netting There by Degree. ' Mrs. Tufthunter "Have you rome to an understanding with that foreign count yet, darling?" , The Darling "Not flinch as yet, mam ma. All he can say In English Is. 'Do you loaf me?' and all I can say In French is, 'Oul; Je vou aim," Puck. n 0 1) MISS SARAH A. JONES, Of iijj Haaptsa St., Scrantea. - The Winner of The Tribune Prize of fiS at Yesterday's Eisteddfod; CHAPTER L It waa a dreary December morning In New York. Daylight came through a yellow fog into the shabby room, in Harlem, where Dewey Heather looked wearily out onto the chill beginning of the winter season. The smallest possible Are smoked, rather than burned, In the yawning grate, piled two-thirds full with bricks to condense what blaze might Incident ally rise. But so far that morning the efforts of Sarah Ann, the ill-paid serv ant, had failed to make any blaze. Dewey was young, slender, blue-eyed, and the possessor of a mass of natural ly curling yellow hair. She had had her romance, hut It was dead today; indeed, she held In her hand, at this moment, the letter which told her It was quite over and beyond recall. She had already been downstairs and had prepared her aunt's tea and toast with numbed Angers at the smoky hearth, in the cold, hard-wood kitchen beneath, and had taken It upstairs to their cheerless bedroom. There were two of the aunts widow and maiden with an annuity, of $:.00 between them. They still had a fifty years' lease of the old house In Harlem, where the family had lived for 100 years, so that there was no danger of their losing the roof from above them: and an old clerk a friend of the family, as they always explained roomed, or rather lodged with them. Then, too, Dewey Hang In the choir at the old gray church around the ror ner, and that was all the income they had. A year before, Dewey had become en gaged to George Neal, a young bank clerk. A few weeks later she had lost all her small fortune by an unwise In vestment on the part of her guardian, who had full discretion to do as he saw lit with the money for her benefit. Oeorge had postponed their marriage on one pretext or another, gradually steeling his heart against her beauty and charms. He had recently met his friend Laurence's sister, who had $1,000 a year in her own right, which no guar dian could have touched, even if she had not outlived the age of the guar dian. She was not pretty, nor par ticularly bright, but she had Influential connections and they would no doubt help him to a better position in the bank. The delightful, magnetic charms of Dewey he would always recall with regret, but they were a luxury he could not afford. So he wrote this letter under the de pression of the lowering December sky. He begged her to release him, as the engagement must necessarily be long, and he feared she might lose the chance of making a brilliant marriage. Of course, he said nothing of Emily Laur ence and her $1,500 a year. "Marry some one more worthy of you than I and be happy!" the letter said. "As for me, I shall never marry any one. I love you too well to burden my conscience with a loveless marriage." Thereupon she had some fine woman ly dream of making a great singer of herself, winning money and laurels, and flinging them at the feet of her beloved, but this dream had been rudely shat tered by a letter her aunts received from the mother of Emily Laurence, who had been their school friend, tell ing of Emily's engagement to a young bank clerk named Neal. Oh! the shame of It! Alas! her Idol's feet were clay. He had already made sure of her suc cessor before he had Jilted her. Oh, the weariness and shabbiness of life and poverty! She laid her golden head on the dusty window seat, and shed a few bitter love-sick tears, and thought she wished she were dead. But she must hasten to put on her best dress very threadbare; her best hat, all out of seaRon; and the cloak, and shoes that ill-kept out tho damp and cold, for she must sing at the church that evening. When she came in ready to start, the aunts were playing cribbage by the fire which had an extra scuttle of coal piled on to mitigate the extreme sever ity of the evening. Under the genial influence they were comfortable for once, and kissed Dewey with more than usual affection as she went away. One card dropped from tlfe hand of her aunt. She stooped, picked it up. and Idly noticed that it was the ace of diamonds. She hurried across the square and into the road. She was thinking of her aunts at home, happy, and engrossed with their game; both relined, precise, conscientious, learned (as became A met lean gentlewomen) and affection ate, but selfish. She was thinking pity ingly of herself and scornfully of Oeorge Neal. Full of her woes and her hurt pride, she did not hear the yell of warning or of horror. She only felt the blow which knocked her down, and the sickening crush of a horse's hoof on her arm, and terrible pain. She thought that she was going to die, and knew that she wanted to live, and then, for a few minutes, the pain bereft her of sense. A little Inter she heard loud talking, and found herself beneath a lamp-post with a man's kind brown eyes looking down at her. The sexton came holddlnir out and told who she was and where she lived, and the man unceremoniously picked her up and carried her across the square. No healthy young woman, however sylph-like, is a feather-weight, and as the young man paused at the bench in the centre of the square to gpt a more comfortable hold on his slipping bur den, he noticed something clutched in her uninjured hand. As he turned it about he recognized that It was a play ing card the ace of diamonds. "My fate card! Odd that she should hold it." he muttered, in her absent mindedness she had brought it away with her from the house. CHAPTER II. It Is a December morning In New Orleans, and Dewey stands as she did three years ago, looking out of the window. But. what a difference! The house is nn "Mardi Oras Height." The window Is wide open, looking out upon the blue river flowing rapidly on ward. , Curtains of point lace stir softly in the faint breeze. Rich bowls of cut glass hold exquisite La France roses, whose fragrance steals faintly out to meet the scent of growing violets from the garden beneath. The whole room Is a picture of chiste elegance, and Dewey, plumper, fresher looking and silken-gowned,- feel her heart swell with gratitude to the won derful fate which has thrown her Into this beautiful haven of rest and hap piness. There wo nothlnff "very startling In It all. looking back. It had all seemed to come about so naturally. The young man who had snatched her from under the horses' feet, thus saving her life, and who afterward carried her home with a broken arm. was a well-to-do American, who fell in love with her, caught her bruised heart In the re bound, and married her,' within six months. After a year's wandering abroad and In the United States. lie had brought her to a house he owned In this beau tiful Southern city, which to her seemed like some dream out of Paradise, with Its lovely parks, its ever-blooming roses, and its soft autumn sunshine. She never tired of the roses, and al ways carried them with her, or had hee rooms full of them. The old house In Harlem was kept warm now the year round; plenty of . food in the larder, and plenty of coal ' In the grate; another servant, stronger tea, and more butter on the toast; be. sides new furniture, and a fresh pack of cards a month If they chose to have them these were among the increased comforts. There was a wonderful cribbage board of real ebony inlaid with real Ivory Just arrived there as a Christmas present from the fairy city down by the gulf, ',' where Dewey had pitched her perman ent tent. Her husband, Irving Valverdte, Is not unusual In any way good-looking and manly but called a "crunk" by hi friends In the matter of his one super stition. He had observed that on the eve of any great event in hi life which augured well for him. he always found In Ida path the ace of diamond card. , - When a boy of seventeen he had gone to the Colorado mines, where he had staked out Ida claim and worked in defatlgably for months, and nothing , came of It. One day it became a ques tion In his mind: "Shall I give It all -. up, or shall I try a little longer-" To determine his action one way on the other, he took a park of cards tm his hand and said: "I will cut a black card I go a red card I stay.'1 He cut the ace of diamonds and stayed. Within twenty-four hours he had struck the finest "lead" in the section, and his fortune was made. That waa the beginning of his super stltlon, and the thing had now ceased to be a matter of speculation with him.. It was a fact. When- he saw the card In Dewey's -hand, he was just a sure that she was to be his wife, and the right wife for him to secure, as he waa when he stood at the altar with her. Ills wealth, which to Colorado peo ple seemed moderate, to his wife seemed boundless affluence. Never to think, befove she bought any article of her desire; never to walk in inud and rain, hut to have a pair of sleek horses at her disposal; no rattling omnibus nor. even the finer luxury of a hansom cab, but her own carriage, soft-cushioned, easy-rolling, servants to do her bidding, and an adoring husband to anticipate her most careless wish. Her big amiable husband found tear In her eyes as he came In from the garden with a bunch of violets he had gathered with his own hands for her. "Is wife homesick for New York on this lovtly morning?" he asked tea Ingly. "Homesick?" and she smiled through her tears, "I was thinking this," she said, smiling In her precise little way, which had not ceased to please him in these two yeura of familiar com panionship. "I was thinking of two December day. Could there be a greater contrast between this and the day 1 first met . you? I think the ace of diamonds mint be my fate card, too, for you know I held It when you found me fainting in the street; and don't you remember the day we were walking on Keens street, and I turned a card over with my foot and found it was your card? Well, that was Just a little while before I got the letter from my old guardian, telling that my little fortune had un expectedly come back to me." "Well, and has my darling decided what to do with It yet? You know you . are to spend It all in charity." "I have juet been thinking of that," she said, " and some of it shall go to the Young Women's Christian associa tion. I believe that to be the greatest , beneficial organization for young W( men in the world." That afternoom they drove to tho rooms to witness the charity dinner, in dally given to the hungry of the great city. It was a novel scene to Dewey, and one which she never forgot. Long tables were spread with a sub stantial feast, and a bevy of young .. ludles were silently , serving the food out alike to the professional tramp, the seen-better-days man, the genteel vag abond, and the disappointed Immi grant. "My Ood, Dewey!" Could she be awake? Did some ghost from the past speak to her? That cold, . cramped past which seemed like a grim . dream? For it was the voice of Oeorge Neal, and there he sat, shabbily attired, wltlt a plate before him full of Charity's Christmas Cheer! He had not married Emily Laurence after all, but had, in his turn, been' Jilted with one for more money. There was a little dillieulty, too, about soma money which had disappeared from the bank. There was no actual proof against him, but he was known to have debts, and, well, they intimated to him that his services were "no longer re quired." So he had gone to Australia, and drifted thence to New Orleans, knowing nothing of Dewey's history during those, to him, barren years. He often deplored his actions towards her, nnd imagined her still in, her shabby frock, niuklng toast on foggy mornings, or shivering in her seat In the choir. Dewey was silent all the way home, and as the carriage drew up beneath tho stone-pillared iortico of her hand some home, she said: "l have a plan by which I ran dis pose of some of my little fortune, if It meets your approval. I was thinking we might give some of It to Oeorgi Neal to start him anew In the world. Let him have one more chance. The question la whether it would be a real chnrlty." "Suppose you cut the cards," said her husband. "That's the way I settle all perplexing questions. Here is a deck. Red, yes; black, no Use doing anvthlng for him." With a hand that trembled ft little, for she so much wanted It to he "yes," Dewey lifted a few cards and expose the cut: It was the ace of diamonds! iiouskhoTdh1nts. Cloroform Is useful for taking paint stains from black silks. Persistent rub bing Is necessary. Chloroform will also restore faded plush good by sponging carefully. . , Ink stain on white goods can be re moved by soaking In water and then cov ering spot with pounded salts of lemon. Bleach In sun. for half hour, wash in suds, rinse and dry. A mustard plaster made according to the following directions will not blister the most sensitive skin: Two teaspoon fuls mustard, two teasiioonfuls flour, two teaspoonfuls ground ginger. Do not mix too dry. Place between two pieces of old muslin and apply. If it burns too much at Unit lay an extra ipiec-e of musllu be tween It and the skin: as the skin becomes accustomed 1o the heat take the extra piece of muslin away. An expert tester give the following di rections for detecting adulterated coffee: Rub a handful of coffee between the in gers. If It hardens or cakes It is adul terated, probably with- chicory. Another test Is to place a Ha mule of the coffee on the top of a glassful of water. If part of It floats and part sinks It is un doubtedly adulterated. Pure coffee con tains an oily enveloping substance tnat keeps out the water, or, at least, does not quickly absorb it. The safest way to loosen' a glass stop per is to wrap tightly around the neck of the bottle a long strip of rag. over which a stream of boiling water should be gent ly poured. The rag can be taken off In the space of two or three minutes, when probablv the neck of the bottle will have suflleientlv exnanded to allow the stop per to be withdrawn. Sometimes it I -necessary to repeat the operation, which, except In very bail cases, is almost In variably successful. Though kerosene I frequently used In laundry work and In scrubbing the kitch- , en sink, it Is not, I think, generally known that It can. be successfully used lo re move grease from China silks of even deli- . cato' shades. A dress, a part of which was covered with axle grease was washed In kerosene, which took out all the black grease. The cleansing was finished by putting the breadth through a suds and rinsing thoroughly. Kerosene Is useful also in cleaning wrought iron and la re moving rust from itel
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers