The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1879-11-07
The Darlington Young Minstrel Troupe.

Upon each arrival of the welcome 1Egis, we al
ways open it with great avidity to learn the vari-
Gus items OF county news; for The .HsgiS is mar
GfceHehce a HedS paper; and its news is generally
reported in reliable form. Entertaining this
view of your paper, and knowing that Won had
several correspondents in this vicinity, you may
judge our surprise and disappointment, when upon
opening the last number (October3l,) we could lind
no notice whatever of Il very notable event which
occurred at Darlington, on Tuesday evening De-
tober 2sth. We refer to the performance Of the
ID. Y. NJ. Troupe" This is an amateur troupe
gotten up by the young men of the neighborhoo6
for their own amusement, and for the entertain
ment of our citizens during the dull season. The
proposed performance of the 18Th ult. had been
verbally announced some time in advance; but as
the troupe was entirely new, without one expe-
out in large numbers, and quite filled the Town
Hail. to encourage native talent" as also encour-
age the object to which the proceeds were to be
cess as they were treated with. The troupe is un-
der the able leadership of Mr.. Henry c. Miller, of
this place. The other parts were well sustained
Self, Henry Self, John Davis, William Whitelock,
VIM. F. Hopkins, and Philip ID. Whiteford. The
John p. Kirk. Mr.. Il. l.. Miller acted as door-keep-
er. and Mr.. w. H. II. Whiteford as Treasurer
mediate vicinity. Promptly at o'clock the house
having become crowded, the ladies, by actual
count, preponderating in number, and the young
sters becoming impatient, as was shown by their
repeated "calls" and stamping the curtain was
rung up; and there was displayed the full troupe
seated In the usual semi-circuiar form around the
stage, in full costume, Ia burnt cork Mr.. Miller
the leader, in the centre, with Mr.. Whitelock, as
Bones, on the extreme right, and Mr.. Whiteford as
1dn'6ou,tne, on the extreme left. The "get-up"
would have been creditable to city troupe of
mature experience, emitting the 6Toddcl0M that
those worthless usually sport, in the opening scene.
The younger portion of the audience were quite
wild over tho grimaces and costumes of Bones and
1dna60n'tne, even before the performance common
ced. Immediately upon the rising of the curtain
grand overture was given in fine style by the en-
tire troupe which at once secured them favor
m md ~,
at its conclusion. The intervals between the vocal
and instrumental music, in the first scene, were
and darby wit. propounded to the two funny men
lBones and IambourineJ by the leader, Mr.. Miller,
been prolonged with decided effect. Without in
tending to be invidious we feel justified in saying
that Mr.. VIM. Whitelock, the Bones" of the
evening, performed that difficult part with re-
markable cleverness, and in mastery style 1t
was quite evident that to him the character was
one more of love than of labor. with his enor-
nous tin spectacles huge tin watch Frequently
dsplayedJ together with the conventional high
shirt collar, and very long swallowtailed sky-bue
coat, added to his large and fine form, he cut
figure on the stage that many an actor in the same
role, with long experience, might have gazed upon
fb feng 6 OF and Of
sented in a very creditable and aughable way,
female characters The one was mother and the
other her daughter; and the novel way which
the latter had of disposng of her beaux, as con-
cealing them from each other, upon their separate
calls, and of hiding them all from her mother upon
her return from walk, was ludcrous in the ex-
IRENE, and occasioned much merriment upon the
part of the audience. Mr.. ID. f. Shure, Jr., next
favored the audience with violin solo, which was
highly creditable, and gave great pleasure to the
lovers of good music Next came a very amusing
stump-speech, from Mr.. p. ID. Whiteford who
kept the audience convulsed with laughter by his
ridiculous utterances. 1.-THE Rival Dance" in
clog-dance style, was well performed by Mr.. Jas.
Shure and Mr.. p. d. Whiteford. The former
showed remarkable proficiency In the dance, while
the latter excelled in grotesque movements
famed the dust from their feet with his long coat
tail In succession followed a second violin solo,
"Heen's Funny Babies " The Lunatic," a tri-
angle and tin-hon performance and in conclusion
a grand Jubilee Song, in which the entire troupe
engaged with most decided effect. And when the
curtain fell, every one departed in the best of
humor. We have heard several persons who were
present, and who have often witnessed similar
performances elsewhere, say that this exhibition,
on the part of the I'D. Y. NJ Troupe" would have
passed as a creditable performance in any of the
large cities. 1t certainly far exceeded the antic
pations of the majority present; and we think we
pointed. Thirty-six dollars was the amount realiz-
ed by the Treasurer; and the receipts are to be
appropriated to the construction of sidewalks in
the village.
The Concert, we are authorized to say, will be
repeated at the same place, with change of pro-
gramme, on Tuesday evening, November 11th.-
And cordial invitation is extended to our friends
in Bel Air and elsewhere; who we feel sure
will regard themselves amply repaid for the time
and travel necessary in making the journey. And
to yourself, Mr.. Editor, we would extend special
invitation, and trust to be favored by your pres
ence on that occasion. VS.