Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-04-24

had not been we'll managed, in consequence
of which it was now greatly in debt and much
in need offunds It was the custom in this in
stitution to have an annual Christmas festival,
and as the time for its celebration approached,
some one suggested to the doctor that it should
be made public matter, that an admittance
fee should be charged, and the money realized,
applied to the benefit Of the Widows and Or
phans' Home.
The idea once promulgated, gained ground
and weight, and finally became settled af-
fair Soon the whole establishment, and every
body connected with it, we're in state of in
tense excitement over the festival. The pat
rons Of this Aourishing institution we're among
the wealthiest and most fashionable people in
the city, and as the time for the celebration
approached, they seemed determined to make
it an affair of great splendor and magnitude
worthy of their wealth and social Importance.
No expense was spared in getting up scenery,
costumes, etc. Mrs. Ravenswood had not a
moment to spare she was studying her own
and half dozen other parts, drilling and re-
hearsing in all the hours. free from regular
school duties. Doctor Eglinton voted the
whole affair great nuisance, as no doubt it
was to him, for there was no opportunity now
for soft tete-a-tete in the evenings. Mrs. Ra-
venswood's parlor was always filled with
score of misses and young men studying en-
cravings, discussing costumes, rehearsing their
parts, and talking over the matter generally.
At length the important evening arrived
The entertainment opened with music from a
grand orchestra, engaged for the evening, and
then began the play, which had been written
especially for the occasion, by one of the lit
erati of the city. The plot was simple and
yet touching, with infinite humor and much
pathos in some of the scenes. lnterspersed
through its course, were introduced some
sweet ballads and chorus singing, in which
the whole school, even the little girls Of ten
der years, participated. These chorus scenes,
with the happy faces of the little children and
their picturesque dresses and joyful young
voices, were particularly pleasing. They fur
nished variety, and enabled some of the pupils
to show off their fine voices, much to the graft
fcation of parents and guardians. Thoroughly
trained and drilled in their different parts, chief
fly through the indefatigable exertions of Mrs.
Ravenswood, and upheld by her personal par
ticipation in the acting, these youthful anna
teurs on the boards astonished the tremen-
dous audience which the interesting occasion
brought together; by their really praisewor-
thy performance, and made the hearts Of per-
sonal friends beat with gratifed pride and
pleasure. And so sped the brilliant hours on
wings of enchantment Florimond was in all
the glory of her native element. She sus-
tanned the principal role of the play, and act
ed with such naturalness, such vivacity, such
exquisite pathos, such adorable grace, and
such truthful conception of the character, as
proved her to be atrue.born artistic, and made
her the adored favorite Of the hour. And
the more the vast audience applauded, the
more our heroine entered into the spirit Of the
thing, throwing her whole artiste.soul into the
character she was personating. Her name
was on every lip-her praise on every tongue.
The dramatic talent she displayed on this
memorable occasion astonished even Ralph,
although he had witnessed evidences Of it be-
fore, and as his enraptured eyes dwelt upon
this brilliant creature, so good and pure, as
we'll as fair and gifted; as he beheld the
matchless grace of her every motion, the
marvellous beauty of her mobile, expressive,
features, and heard the sweetness and the mu-
sic of her incompatible voice, such feeling
of pride and love swelled in his heart as was
painful in its intensity. The last scene was
most impressive, and of no mean artistic
beauty. In the foreground, beside the body
of her dead lover, knelt Florimond, arrayed
in the most tasteful and exquisite toilette of
purest white, the heavy tresses Of her waving
black hair falling over her shoulders, her pale
fair face uplfted, her luminous black.fringed
eyes glowing with passionate intensity, bereft
Of worldly hope and love, despairing, remorse-
full, crushed, with the cup of poison held aloft
in her hand, she appeared the embodiment Of
unearthly lovelipess. 1t was almost a relief
to the breathless intensity of the spectators
when the curtain fell and the thunders of ap-
plause broke forth. The name Of "Alicia!
Alicia" now resounded from all parts Of the
house. Blushing, and still trembling with
the emotion of the scene, Florimond was led
before the curtain to be overwhelmed with
bouquets and to bow her Acknowledgements to
the enthusiastic audience. After she retired
the applause was resumed, louder than ever,
and cries of "read US something" "repeat
something" were heard from different parts of
the house. Ralph went behind the scenes,
where confusion now relgned.
"Here is Doctor Eglinton," cried chorus of
voices; "now, Doctor, must she not 60 out and
give us something?'
"Now, must I, indeed, Ralph?" said Flori-
mond, catching his arm and appealing to
him.
II don't know how you will avoid il" said
Ralph, smiling down on his betrothed; "they
seem in perfect .fisrore of admiration, and
determined to-"
"Avoid, it indeed" exclaimed Mrs. Suth-
erland, pushing her on the stage, "raise the
curtain|
"But what on earth am to repeat?" cried
Florimond, wringing her hands.
"Something from Mrs. Browning" suggest
ed Ralph, squeezing her hand, and releasing
it Just in time to prevent this pantomime from
becoming part of the stage performance;