Middletown transcript., 1876-06-10
The Odessa Entertainment.

The Odessa ENTERTAINMENT.
4 The Strawberry Festival and Dramatic En-
tertainment advertised to be given in the new
Town Hall Of Odessa for the benefit Of the
Drawers Presbyterian Church came off on
Wednesday and Thursday evenings, accord
ing to programme On Wednesday evening
the entertainment consisted of the acting of
the drama, ''Among the Breakers" by the
"Odessa Amateur Dramatic Association"
which gave so much pleasure and was so
much admired by persons who witnessed it
at the entertainment given by the association
some two months since, with slight change
| in the personation of some of the characters,
those of "Mother Carey" Bruce Hunter, Bess
Starlight and Biddy Baine, being assumed by
other parties than those who acted them
before. This is beautiful play and was
acted in a manner highly creditable TO all the
participants In fact some of the actors per-
| formed their parts in style much superior
to great deal of acting, by professionals, in
the theatre. This drama is quite long one
and occupied nearly two hours in its per-
formance At its close the audience repaired
to the basement apartment where a number
of refreshment tables, loaded with ice cream,
Strawberries, oranges, cakes, bananas, and
other delicacies had been prepared, and hand
somely decorated with fragrant flowers. In
one part of the room an evergreen bower had
been arranged where lemonade was dealt to
the thirsty by fair hands
On Thursday evening the programme con-
sisted of charades, tableaux, &C., interspersed
with choice selections Of music by the Social
Orchestra, who opened the entertainment
with the .Harvest Moon Waltz, by Bauer.
The first tableau was "Ccntennial Visitors TO
a Philadelphia Family" representing city |
family seated around a table engaged in read
ing and other pastimes, and II waiter in the |
act of usheling into The room couple of
VISITORS who looked as if they might have
come from Southern Jersey or the pine forests
of Sussex. The curtain fell, and on being |
raised again, revealed the family starting
from their seats with surprise and dismay |
depicted on their countenances, showing how
unwelcome were their guests. The second
tableau was "May and December'-an old
man dressed in the costume of hundred
years age, courting young lady, not yet
tout of her teens" of the present day. Then
followed charade, "Wayward," which was
well acted by all the parties to it. Next was
announced as Giving Tableau," 'The
Search for Happiness" a young lady in the
search for happiness is first approached by
"Literature' who offers her choice selection
Of books. These she takes, examines, but
turns wearily from-Happiness is not there.
Wealth approaches and lays all the luxuries
which it can command at her feet, with much
gold, pearls and other jewels. A trial of
these results in disappointment as did the
other. Then power approaches and presents
her the symbols Of authority 1.-THE crown and
sceptre.) After brief trial these are thrown
aside with WEAKNESS and disgust. Pleasure
now approaches, and invites her to join in
dancing and other allurements. Again she
refuses. Thus like Solomon of old she has
tried all the pleasures the world can offer and
finds them but vanity and vexation of spirit.
At last Religion entered and gently approach
ing laid her hand upon the devotante's
shoulder and presented her the Bible:
The searcher eagerly seized upon the last
gift, MS the only one in which true comfort
and happiness was contained, and as she read
she rose from her seat her face llumined with
II glow of inward satisfaction. She had found
the object of her search. Happiness was
within her reach. In the meantime the choir,
of four gentlemen, softly chanted
the "Lord's Prayer The effect was beau
tiful. Many persons afterwards declared that
they had seldom seen anything more bcauti-
ful or affecting. The whole performance was
we'll conducted: the dressing was in excel
lent taste and all combined to make it a most
scene.
Following this was a charade "Faint
Heart Never Won Fair Lady, and two tab
leaux, the first "Old and New Style of Court
ship''-showing the difference between the
way the cid folks did it, and that in which
tuC Jung iOihS w ~ uOWs 1HC SCCOuu was |
Yankee Doodle" The curtain raised and
discovered circle Of persons engaged in
various domestic duties, and dentist in the
net OF extracting a tooth for suffering pa
tient. Immediately the orchestra began play
ing "Yankee Doodle" in slow and measured
tones, growing faster and faster as it advanced.
The people on the stage began playing their
vocations to the time Of the music and as the
latter grew faster they worked faster until
such wood-sawing and chopping, churning,
knitting, &C.. never was seen. The poor
chap. in the entist's chair jumped and hounced
greatly to the amusement of the audience and
The curtain fell amid uproarious laughter and
applause.
Thus closed the performance, acknowl-
edged to be one of the best amateur affairs
that could we'll be gotten up. Indeed it
may well be doubted whether there are many
towns no larger in size that can boast as much
local talent, in that way, as Odessa can.
The entertainment and festival was quite
successful financially, but we have not been
able to ascertain the amount realized.
The music by the Social Orchestra was
more than ordinarily fine. A few Of the
in addition to the one above men
toned, were 'Der Uhlan" galop, by Helm
rich; Mozart's "Oxen Waltz" and iReiter''
galop, by Zeikoff.
Maryland Affairs.