Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-05-28

On Friday night last, Mother Goose's Recep-
ton, given by the Luther Aid" and "Von Bora
Societies of the Lutheran Church, was largely
attended. The Town Hall was filled at an early
hour with a select and appreciative audience.
Just before the rising of the curtain Mr.. Geo. P.
Baker made the announcement that Prof. E. L.
1de had been suddenly taken i'll and that in
consequence the programme would be some
what changed.
The entertainment opened with an instru-
mental piece (Polacca brilliante, by Weber, by
Prof. F. w. Hamer. This was rendered with
great artistic SKILL though entirely unpremed-
itated. Indeed, Prof. H. though unprepared
until ten minutes before the appointed hour,
assumed direction of the music in Prof Ide's
place, and gave perfect satisfaction to the sing
ers and audience.
GlOvers beautiful duet, Listen, tits the Wood
birds Song" was exquisitely sung by Mrs. Geo.
2. Baker and Miss G. Turner. after which the cur
tain rose on a rare scene-"Ihe Ola Wdndn in
the Shoe" An immense shoe appeared upon
the stage and within the heel there sat the old
woman Miss S. Trenary) surrounded by about
twenty little children in every stage of torn and
patched apparel.
At the sound of q whistle the little fellows
would tumble out Of the shoe-house at every
point, some from the door in the heel and some
from the various holes in side and toe. After
having their play in and around the shoe, the
shrill sound Of the whistle would bring them at
once into their places, with the aid of the Old
Woman's switch.
Suddenly the pantomime of the "ISpider and
the Fly,' commenced. AS soft music was heard
behind the scenes, the Fly ventured forth from
the shoe and cautiously peered around into the
hooks and corners. The little fly was persona
ted by Eddie Butcher, dressed in black tights
little bottle-green cut-away coat, and beaver
hat.
Soon the far-famed nursery song-legend was
| heard behind the scenes
won't you walk into my parlor, says the spi-
der to the fly
when, all at once, from door hidden in rock
| work behind gigantic web of ropes, an i'm
mense and horrible spider bounced out and
with m any bows and inviting gestures urged
the fly to enter. This creature was curiosity
A round body, slim legs, and skull cap sur
mounting face striped black, red and white
with green goggles over a mountain of a nose
made up tout ensemble, which brought roars O
laughter from the audience. After much CO.
quoting the fly bids the spider a haunting fare
well and leaps away to find himself fully en-
| tangled, =
| "For up he springs,
| But both his wings
Are in the web caught FAST
His capture is the climax, and the moral i.
that flies, and other creatures credited with
| WINGS" should not coquet with doubtful
strangers.
The difficult role of spider was enacted by
Mr.. Aleck Grubert.
| Miss g. Turner then Sunp with taste and eX-
preston Millards "Waiting," taking the place
of Miss L. Daniel. who had kindly consented t.
sing, but was prevented by indisposition.
This solo closed Part T. when the audience
was invited to partake of refreshments proyi
ded by the Won Bora Society, and supplied by
fair faced and ready mattresses.
THE ARTISTS GALLERY
| was opened by "Our Artist DR.. S. H Henkel
| with the exhibition of the Republican Court,
or noted ladies of the time of Mrs. Geo. Wash
ington.
| This was q unique and most beautiful exhi
bition, rejecting great credit upon the design
| ers and performers. Five large picture frames
were let into spacious screen forming three
| sides of an octagonal room, and in each frame
stood a young lady personating an ancient
| dame. Many in the audience mot excepting
one ofsur editors) were deceived, thinking them
| real portraits. One lady was heard to exclaim
"Why, where did they get such beautiful paint
ings p"
| The costumes were closely initiated and the
whole effect was exquisite. We have but one
fault to find and that is, that the pictures were
not shown several times for each scene, thai
the audience might more closely view each one
| The characters were as follows:-
l. Mrs. Geo. Washington, Miss Mary Lush
baugh.)
q Mrs. w. S. Smith, Miss Annie Stover)
i 8. Mrs. John Jay, Miss Nettie Ide)
4. Mrs. L. Lewis, Miss Mollie Foster)
| 5. Mrs. Theo. Sedgwiclx, Miss Lizzie lesser
At the close of this scene, Milard's
| touching ballad-"When the Tide comes
in'-was delightfully."- sung by Mrs. Geo. P
| Baker.
The second scene of miscellaneous pictures
| was then exhibited as follows:
| 1. Mrs. Catherine Duer. Miss M. Wright.)
| 2. italian Randit, (Mr. c. Bucher.)
| 3. Mrs. A. Hamilton, Miss Ella Brown.)
! 4. Sir Walter Raleigh, (Mr. M. a. TrenaFy.)
| 5. Clown of16th Century, (Mr. julius Pruffer.
| One feature of this scene was the fact that
| during the artists explanation of the pictures
| whenever he turned his back, the clown would
| indulge in his wonted faces and antics, to the
| intense amusement of the audience who thus
discovered the pleasing illusion iii all the pic
| lures.
| Scene third consisted Of
| 1. English Peasant Girl, Miss M. FosterD
2. Swiss Maiden, Miss L. Jesser)
3. Scotch Highland Girl, Miss Ella Brown)
4. Malay Pirate, (Mr c. BucherD
5. Confederate Soldier. (Mr. - hardwood.
Beneath the larger pictures of the Pirate
aud Soldier were tworound frames, in which
appeared the Spider and the Goose.
Mother Goose who, we neglected to say, ap
peared on the scene with the Old Woman il
the Shoe, was there, though she seemed to suf
fer much from the heat and had two little girl
to fan her. The little Misses Cora Funkhou
ser and Moliie lesser performed this kindl.
part)
Miss G. Turner again charmed the audieac
with q soIo-"Dare tel, land thus closed on
of the most pleasing entertainments it has beer
our privilege to attend.
After the concert, the Won Bora Society fur
nished the guests with refreshments, whicl
seemed highly appreciated, judging from tn
manner in which they were sought.