Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 185, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 August 1912 — MUMPS DIDN’T STOP HIM [ARTICLE]

MUMPS DIDN’T STOP HIM

High School Boy Captures First Prize as Orator Despite Swelling of His Jaws.

\A little thing’like mumps couldn’t keep Herman Vail, son of County Commissioner Harry L. Vafl, from getting into the annual oratorical contest at University school. His physician told him to sty In when his two cheeks swelled out like circus balloons. “Bah,” said Vail—and the “bah” hurt him. But he called a cab In the evening and, when his turn came to speak he turned loose a flood of oratory that won him first prize over four competitors. He talked on “The Hudson Bay Company.” His schoolmates went away wondering whether he’d surprise them again by coming out to represent the school in the tennis championship matches. Vail qualified for the finals before he got the mumps. Vail’s oratorical efforts won him the Sherman prize, offered annually by Mrs. Henry Sherman, mothey of a one-time uni* verslty student Second honors in the oratorical contest were carried off by Benjamin Foss, who spoke on “Th< Commission Form ot MuMfai Go* ernment” ?