The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-12-26
browning Anniversary.

| reported lot tne DelnOcrdtlc AuNOcdle,J
The Browning Literary Society, of Western
Maryland College, celebrated their seven
teenth anniversary in college chapel on Fri
day last at 1902. m. As early at $50 o clock
many of our citizens were seen vending their
way towards the college, and long before the
appointed hour there was not standing room,
while many were unable to get inside the door.
Promptly at $50 the curtain was drawn up,
revealing a beautifully decorated stage, with
the picture of Mrs. Browning, the prototype
of the society, hanging in the center.
Miss Salie Wilmer, the president, came
forward and delivered the usual president S
address. She welcomed the societies and
friends, and then spoke of the progress of her
own society. She said: ''The Browning
Literary Society has been in existence since
among these 10 are graduates, and 10 have
taken the degree of A. NJ" We can see by
this that the Brownings have not been drones
in the great world of literature.
Miss Winners address was followed by a
tableau-"M Memory and Hope at Christmas
Eve This tableau was beautiful Miss
Grace Smith, dressed as a widow, was seated
in a rocking chair, looking very sad, while
Miss Mamie Gait stood by her side smiling,
Just as children do at the thought of Santa
Claus.
Then came the drama, $3.50 or 99,'' with the
following cast: Lady Prince Proudly, Miss
Jennie Wilson; Sarsnet, her maid, Miss Car
RE Mourer; Penelope Perfect, landlady of the
cousin Miss Mary Gait; Dorothy, Penelope's
faithful servant, Miss Mary Dewitt.
The drama, although short, was very good
and much enjoyed, especially Dorothy's pro-
verbs
The tabeau, "Love at First Sight, carried
off the honors of the evening. Miss Emma
Reaver was leaning against the wall, supposed
to be sleeping, with her mouth wide open,
while Mr.. Owens, dressed as a "country
dude was leaning forward looking at her.
The tabieau was so much enjoyed that the
audience applauded until the curtain had to
be drawn up the second time.
Misses Sallie Wilmer and Jennie Wilson
then played the instrumental duet. "Caliph
of Bagdad," by Claude Menotte. They were
accompanied upon the organ by Miss Mamie
Davis. The musical talent of these young
ladies is well known to all who attend the
Browning entertainments, and their rendition
of this piece was simply perfect.
Miss Lizzie Thompson then read the ami
versary essay-"Vita Sine Literis Mors Est"
Miss Thompson read distinctly and could be
heard very clearly in any part of the chapel.
Her essay was good and showed deep thought
and careful study.
The cantata, ''Santa Claus Mistake; Or, the
Bundle of Sticks" closed the exercises of the
evening; Following is the cast of characters:
Mabel, Miss Annie Shriver; Molly Miss
Mamie Heyde Aunt Rachel, Miss Jennie
Wilson; Meta, Miss Mollie Shriver; Dot, Miss
Mamie Gait; Santa Claus, Mr.. H. D. Mitchell.
The cantata was certainly pretty and well
rendered Indeed, we had no idea that the
Brownings possessed so much musical talent
While all did well, we cannot refrain from
making special mention of Miss Annie Shri-
yer, as Mabel, and Miss Mamie Heyde, as
Molly, who by their sweet singing and acting
won all hearts.
Two things were particularly noticeable dur
ing the entertainment: First, that there were
no long delays between the scenes, showing
that the ladies had everything well prepared;
second, that the order in the rear of the
chapel was much better than on former oc
casions.
We congratulate the Brownings upon their
success, and we can truthfully say that on
their seventeenth anniversary they won fresh
laurels to add to their former triumphs.