The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-09-02

WEST AUGUSTA GUARD BENEFIT.-As WI
predicted, the Town Hall was crowded to wit
ness the play of ireland as it is, for the ben
eft of the West Augusta Guard, on last Thurs
day, Friday and Saturday nights.
On entering the room the improvements got
ten up for this play, first challenged admiration
On each side of the beautiful! drop curtain were
stands of arms, ard just above them were the
company's monograms, whilst tile two flags
used by the old Guard were unfurled on either
wing Of the stage.
1t was remarked by almost every one that nc
such audiences had ever before been seen in
Staunton. There had, perhaps, been larger
ones, but they were not SO appreciative or re-
fined.
One of the most noticeable features OF the
evenings was the admirable order preserved
during each of the entertainments, which was
attributable to the gcntlemanly and attentive
uslers who kept everything in its place, and
permitted no indecorous applause.
OF the music, it is only necessary to state
that it was rendered by the Stoncwall Brigade
Band and Orchestra, under the leadership OF
Prof. Turner, ard all who have heard the SOUL
stirring strains Of the grand old 'Stonewall, =
will not need to be told that it could not have
been improved upon. Most of the pieces had
been especially prepared for this play, and
they were not only appropriate, but were per-
formed in style which no band in the State
could surpass, if equal.
The beautiful drama, which is an exposition
Of the tyranny and oppression practiced upon
the Irish peasantry by the agents. OF the
land owners, calls into requisition some OF the
noblest attributes of human nature, as well as
some of the baser and more repulsive passions
which degrade the name of manhood; and there
is an omnipresence Of that ready wit and quick,
cutting repartee, so characteristic OF the sons
of the Emerald Isle.
The acting on each occasion was well wor-
thy of the play, the scenery: the music and the
audience, and in most of the characters, rare
dramatic talent was exhibited. In the charac-
ter of Daniel O'Carolan, the deep, resonant
voice of DR.. Butler found ample latitude in
portraying the sorrows of his ''dear, dear, ma
tive Ireland" and in giving utterance to the
lofty sentiments, which in the hour of direst
trial shown forth so clear and distinct as to
make him appear something more than man."
The parting scene, III which the loved ones
gather around the old man and tenderly grasp
ing his trembling hand, bid him mute and
touching farewell, whilst the great flakes of
snow shower down upon his long white hair,
and the little ones shulder and gather their
garments close around them, was inexpressibly
impressive. There were many in the audience
who struggled in vain to conceal their tears,
and the deafening applause which succeeded
the ,nomentary awe, demonstrated how vivid
ly the sorrows of the mimic world had impressed
themselves on the actors in the real.
Whilst the character of Dan O'Carolan was
admirably sustained, no less so was that of the
modern, ancient hero" Judy O'Trot, and
that .'broth of a boy," Ragged Pat, as render
ed respectively by Messrs. John and Charles
McQuaide. Many who had seen Mrs. Bar
ney Williams in the roll of Judy, unhesitating
ly said that they had never seen it more natu-
rally presented, or with better effect. "Mrs.
Judy's'' appearance on the stage was the sig
nal for unrestrained applause, and she carried
,he sympathies OF the audience through all OF
her adventures. It mattered not whether she
was called upon to express her opinion of a
certain individual, ''the first letter of whose
name was Stone,'' to administer 81 ''drop
Of the crater' to the chemically dry s'Patrick,"
10 practice domestic exercise on the ragged
pantaloons of the startling Gassoon,'' or to en-
orto; tl,o rr. lone EroncI,,nao che ann,tto1
herself to the entire satisfaction and delight of
her hearers. And Pat, too, was general favor
tie in all his haps and miss-haps.
Miss Eta French, as Honor, and Miss Mollie
Hewitt, as Florence, both acquitted themselves
with much credit, and we'll earned the
he hearty applause which they never failed to
receive. VIM. McChesney, as Neil O'Carolan,
CIV. Hewitt, as Conner O Faherty, Prof. OTIS
manns, as Mons Voyage, J. r. Summerson, as
4 Cockney, Slang, Capt. Bumgardner, as the
Magistrate, Charles Doyle, as Sheriff, and lit
lie Walker McChesney, as Gassoon, all acted
mentioning them as they deserve. Between two
acts of the drama, Mr.. Hewitt and Miss Mollie,
sang "I'll ne'er Forget thee, Kathleen,"a song
whose plaintive sweetness, when so finely Civ
an, could not fail to please.
On Friday and Saturday nights, the drama
was followed by the Farce, of ssreddy Roe," in
which DR.. john w. Harris appeared as the ir-
asible and much conspired against, Sir. Peter
Puddle, character he we'll understood, and
80 successfully rendered, that industrious wives
will be busy for the next week in replacing alb
sent buttons and the washwomen OF crusty bach
,lors will groan with inward agony at the pros
pect of seven days gratuitous labor. Mr.. John
McQuaide was ''Teddy Roe,'' the baneful shad-
NV of Sir Peters life, and to say that he made it
lively for the old gentleman as well as the au-
Hence, would not begin to express the fury or
iun of either. Mr.. McChesney, as the inebri-
lite and ballad reading Gamut, gave an illus
tration Of one Of the trials to which greatness
s subject. Miss French, as Julia, Miss Hewitt,
Is Sallie, and Mr.. Dunlap, as Dorville, were
he other conspirators against the peace and
lightly OF the ill-used old knight.
At the close of the performance on Satur-
lay night, Mr.. McChesney, in well delivered
speech, rendered the thanks OF the company to
The audience; to the members of the band, who
lad contributed so much to the enjoyment of
Ill; to Prof. Richard, to whom they were in
lebted for the beautiful scenery; to those
who were not. members of the COM
oany, but who had taken part in the play