The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-11-11
uALLow.s,KN In a CONVENT.
a Regular FrolIC at Mt. De Chan,al-Fuu,
BnAt and FuriouH.


a Regular FrolIc at Mt. De Chantal-F Fun
Fast aud Furious.
To he Editor Of the Ia.cIiGsMesr.
sIR:-Tradition anu popular literature
have given to the world picture Of con
vents and monasteries in which nothing il
to be seen but long faces, solemn silenct
and dreadful austcrities in which the light
Of Joy and happiness is unknown; IN
which the many pure and simple pleas
urts OF earth are sterniy irowned upon
Ii all history be lie, may not this gloomy
picture bear upon its face uutruth? Lei
US see. We have in our midst one Of these
dreadful Institutions, and to ii the writer
was most kindly invited on ALI Hallow
Zen, to attend certain religious duties on
the following day. ! had no sooner passed
beyond the grated door, which for Centu.
sies has figured SO largely in hiShly-spiced
novels, than the sounds Of revelry by
night greeted my ears, and l at once in
quIred what was the occasion. "Oh, the
girls are just getting up some fun Tor All
Hallow Een," replied the very genial
young sister, who did not have a very
long face, was not very solemn, and whose
sweet, gentle Countenance only indicated
that life devoted to tho service Of God
need not wear stern and f0rbidding
mask.
The shouts Of laughter, the sounds Of
music, and the general scamper;ng about
Of some fifty girls, greatly excited my
curiosity, and alter supper was invited
into the piayroom to witness the perform
anccs. The djgnitied seniors were occupy.
ing benches placed against the walls and
these, with q numbeT Of the sisters, formed
the spectators. The juniors and intauts
were the performers and certainly met
with tremendous appliance from us all:
The programme was impromptu and
every thing wEs done on the spur OF the
moment. 4 grand march, lei BY what
seemed to be the King Of Fools, was the
opening feature, and ii quite aStouished
M to hear the inspiriting music that was
naiuluered out o. the old piano which
does service in the playToOm. The King
OF Fools carried such motley troop Of
fools in his train that l hardly knew
whether was in Europe, Asia or Africa.
They were goSgeously attiFed creatures,
who reared their crowned heads very
nightly as they swept their three
yards long trains under our humble
noses, and any one Of them might have
been Queen Victoria for anything ] knew
to The contrary. saw some heads which
could have ben on no other than Japan
ese sh ulders, ii stiff pigtail meant any
thing, and the company began 10 look
very "mixed" when saw two young
Africans cOmiUgSlong dressed In red, their
white teeth gleatning, their black skins
shining beneath immense gingham bon.
nets. There was one little mite OF Crea-
ture who was such combination of scar
let trowsers, flowing mantle, floating hair
and exceeding bright eyes. that | did not
know whether she was Puck, an Ariel, a
little monkey, or young savage, but l
heard everybody. cay that she was dar-
lug little Josephine. AT the conclusion Of
the march an open space was formed and
the clown Of the evening stepped into the
arena, lie, she, OF IL frat performed a
Jig in snch truly astonishing manner that
don't think ever cav the like on or of
the stage. ltyou ever saw any one DANCE
with tue toes turned almost backwards
and the heels nearly on line with
the face you can have an idea OF
this clowns flrxibility. He, (there
IS rul. in grammar, | believe,
which ssys il one is in doubt whether q
thing should BIS be or shp, cay be,-we!I,
he next delivered on extempore speech
which brought down the houae. Oh ye
hig politicians, 90 stump speakers ye
members OF the House how 1t would
gladden. your hearts and make You swell
with pride TO hear once in life time such
laughter, such shouts, such Clapplpg OF
lhlnds and such genuine hearty enjoyment
as greeted this effort. What Is a speech,
however, without the tone. manner oil the
speaker and knowledge OF the points? l
will not, therefore, attempt reproduc
ton OF the wit and humor which con-
vulsed this cultivated audience, but only
remark that l noticed young lady teach
or, who has been society belle for three
wears and who has attended operas, plays
and lectures without number, laughing
quite as heartily as we unsophiGticated ones,
which took as decided tribute to the
xCellence OF the performance. !
confess to being utterly deceived,
considerably shocked, and positively
scauualZsd at seeing luur nuns capGriug
around the improVIsed stage, and execut-
ing such extraordinary gyrations as made
them appear very much like whirling der.
wishes, but Just as ! gave one gasp 81
amszemeGt recognized some sa1cy, well
known girls faces under the wells and was
sincerely relieved 10 know that the mis-.
chievous spirit OF All Ha!low Zen had not
entered The heels Of the bona tde relig-
lous, The next performance was sn ex
tremely graceful pas aul by one Ct the lit
tie darkies in red dresses and gingham
bounets. In appearance she was verita-
Bile Topsy, bet in movement far more OF q
fairy. AS her little pointed toes tripped
Along the boards, not a sound did they
uake, while her airy, gltdingmotions were
the embodiment Of grace. AS she retired
With sHecplng bow, the encore be-
came 20 vOCiierous that she, was
compelled to resppear and deliv'
cred the absurd recitadons, the
hstof which seemed to be an extract from
"PeCk's Bad Girl" while the other was
"Tho Mule" Thess were In such good
keeping with the costume and were &C.
comp anied with such meIo.dramatie ges-
lures and such exaggerated lntonatlons
that rounds OF applause absolutely deaien.
ed us, and in the midst Of the clapping and
shouting We slipped out, as my little pro.
tector, Sister NJ, had duties which called
her away, and l did not care TO remain
alone. Long after We ascended the staira
our ears were greeted by the sound Of fun
and frolic below, and as | fell asleep that
night could not but exclaim TO myself,
as 1t possible that / have spent this
bright, merry, joyous evening in con-
yent?" VISITOR.
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