Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-04-20
The Allegory at Grange Hall.

The programme for last Friday night
was an attractive one and well suited to
the object in view, the aid Of the 7. Nj. =.
A. of Staunton.
The transformation scene, winter break
ing into spring is q pretty one, ana the
management and effect, OF q character de-
cidedly superior to the generality of anna
| teur exhibitions The graceful boat chat
| appears in bright spring scene, after the
| ice which obscured it had disappc sFed,
bears a bright and gaily cos:umed crew,
Misses Ada Reese and Linda McCiure,
with little Annie Nelson standing On the
Prov. Mr.. Frank Alexander is the lucky
boatman in charge of this precious freight.
The first view of this pretty scene did not
satisfy the spectators and d persistent en-
core compelled q repetition Of the scene.
| a pretty tableau was next presented,
The Magic Mirror of Cagliostro, in which
Miss May Erwin appeared as the ghost,
Mr.. Frank Alexander as the Count and
Howard Frazier as tlle Courtier.
The allegory of the Pilgrims Choice was
well sustained throughout and furnished q
lesson that can not fail of good results, es-
pec1al,y to the young who witnessed it. A
pilgrim youth, master Ashby Hoshour,)
and fair maiden, Miss Kate Nelson,) be-
ing with their companions at play in green
meadow, commence the journey OF life.
| Mr.. John Stout in a capital disguise of the
aged pilgrim appears with flowing white
beard bending on his staff and gives sage
counsel to the youthful pair. AS they
kueel in prayer before the shrine, Faith
Miss Nellie Hotchkiss,) Hope, miss Mat
tie Harris) and Love, Miss Annie Harris
daughter of Hon. John 7. Harris), sudden
" appear as guiding spirits and direct them
on their journey. But as they set out
Pleasure, miss Cora Turner) il her gaudy
car accompanied by her votaries, misses
Mary and Fanny Chapman, Maggie Nc
Chesney and Matte Frazier and Messrs.
Waldo Allen, Eddy Taylor, Harvey Fra
zier and Samuel Person) an attractive
train, appear and with enticing song and
tempting voice allure the young pilgrims
from virtues course, they leap in to the
Pleasure car and disappear with the JOY
Gus train.
The maiden, reappearing on the scene,
has realized the emptiness OF pleasure and
bemoans her lost brother, when Penltence
Miss Kate Phillips) comes to hsr SIDE, &C
companied by Faith, Hope and Charity,
and she places herself under their direc
ton. The disappointed youth, who has
also tasted the bitterness Of pleasure, seeks
his sister and, while they talk of the scenes
through which they have passed, Ambl-
ton (M1. Fl. Jordan). Glory (Mr. G. L.
Cooke), and two masked attendants
(Messrs. Flemming Christian and Alfred
} Eskridge) make their appearance on the
scene, and offer the bewildered youth
bright prospects Of glory and honor. Viz
tue (Mr. g. Men. WHITLEY, Religion (Mr.
} Henry Brown) and Philanthropy (Mr.
Guy Cochran) unite their arguments to
those Of Faith, Virtue and their trains;
but in vain.-The youth accepts from Am
bition the soldiers garb, dons knightly
helmet and follows in Ambitions train.
' In the last scene a beggar child Qittlo
Rita McCue), the Mourner Miss Ollie
! Hotchkiss), Vanity Miss Ada Reese,
Selfishness Miss Nettie Tams) and Pride
Miss Sue Frazer) appear on the stage
) with themaiden, who listens to their teach
Jugs, assists the needy child, lends an ear
TO the mourner's plant. and helps to lead
l the wandering brother back to the path OF
peace Faith, Hope, Charit and Pa
tience come to her side, while Ambition,
} Glory, Pleasure and her votaries attempt
t to lead him back with them. but reinforc-
) ed by Religion and Philanthrophy, Virtue
conquers; the youth plucks off his laurel
wreath; throws his armor down, and turns
his back on Ambition and Pleasure, while
q sweet angel Miss Annie Nelson) opens
q window above; holds forth an imperish-
able crown, and amidst strains Of sweet
music. welcoming the wanderer home, the
curtain falls On the best thing Of the kind
we have ever seen in Staunton.
Too much cannot well be said in praise
Of the admirable manner in which the two
principal characteristics Kate Nelson
and Master Ashby sustained
! their difficult parts, displaying talent ofno
common order.
The intervals between the acts were en-
: livened by excellent music from the Or
chestra of the Stonewall Band led by Prof.
A. J. Turner.