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Show Laurels for a Catholic Poet. The annual contest in elocution of St. Louis university will be held Wednesday evening, April 20. The contest of last year was marked by a remarkable re-markable coincidence. Anyone acquainted with the workings of an elocution contest knows what a search it entails for suitable selections. English and American literature are called on year after year to provide the requisite matter; selections that captured prizes in the past are carefully considered and new pieces must be of a high standard to have a chance in the keen competition. In the contest held at St. Louis university last year, both first and second prizes were carried off by declamations taken from the works of Irwin Russell, an alumnus of the university. The poems were "Nebuchodnezzar" and "Christmas in the Quarters." The success of these poems, in competidn with recognized masterpieces master-pieces attests their high literary qualities. Unfortunately Unfor-tunately Irwin Russell must be numbered among the little-known Catholic poets. He painted in verse the good old southern darky, and his poems have the are distinction of penetrating beneath the surface and laying bare the throbbing human heart hid behind be-hind the dusky breast. It is to be regretted that not even Catholics have given Irwin Russell the recognition be deserves. .. . o . ..." |