The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-05-08

The Webster Literary Society of Western
Maryland College celebrated its fifteenth an
niversary at Odd Fellows Hall, on Friday
| evening, April 30th, in the presence OF one
of the most refined and attentive audiences
ever assembled there. The absence OF the
noise and disturbance in the back part OF the
Hall, which is so annoying to both performers
and audience, was particularly noticeable, and
the promptness with which the curtain was
rung up, and the perfectly learned and excel
lently rendered parts of the drama, made 1t
one Of the most enjoyable entertainments ever
given in Westminster. The programme con
sisted of q short address by the President oil
the Society, Mr.. VIM. +. Roop, OF Westmln-
ster, who welcomed the audience and intro
duced in an easy, graceful manner the orator
of the evening, B. A. DUNN, of townsville,
Frederick county, Mr. Dumm's Grafton was
one of the finest ever offered by the Society,
and contained many beautiful thoughts, and
was delivered in manner rejecting great
credit on his ability as an elocutionlst, and
eliciting hearty applause from his listeners
The second part of the programme CONSIST,
ed of bright, sparkling little drama, entitled
''The Mystery of the FLOWING Bowl; or
Twenty Years After" The scene opens III
the parlor of seaside hotel, with several
ladies seated and engaged in the light fancy
work of the day, and conversing in a natural
manner about the news contained in the morn
ing paper, an advertisement for missing
millionaire and his daughter, who left Cali
fornia many years ago, attracting considerable
attention. The characters throughout the
play introduce many Of the varying traits ana
passions of the human mlndi tPagieai, conf
cal, pathetic and sentimental. The parts
were perfectly learned, and gave evidence OF
careful study and thorough rehearsals, and
made the presence of the prompter almost
unnecessary The cast was as follows:
Martin Moore Slave OF the cup
Major Fitzpatrick. His Boon Companion
w. McA. Lease
Herbert Poole Rich and Reckless
Clarence A. veasey; ror
Clifton s;;;i i0uis lawyer
charlie wilkins raui Too-Wfllirg Captive
e - ~. Harry II. slifer. .
B. A. DUNN.
Black Boy aged 60
Marion Moore AA'on he Daughter Of?
Miss louie Cunningham, .,,n,s s,s,o.
Mrs N0rr'',''-' Miss Moiiie Ii HopPie
''A''' ''''' Miss Hiss Mary B. sheilman.
Where all did so well it is hardly fair to
discriminate. Mr.. Bennett as Martin Moore
was excellent, his general make up adding
greatly to the effectiveness of his part, and
giving him the appearance OF prematurely
Old man. Mr.. Lease sustained the part OF
Major Fitzpatrick admirably, the dry humor
of his part eliciting frequent applause: Mr.
Veazy as Herbert Poole, an aspirant for the
hand of Marion Moore, counting on his posi-
ton in society and his wealth to outbalance
her love for Jerome, was admirable, his facial
EXPRESSION in the different stages of anger,
contempt, triumph and defeat making his part
yery effective The part of Clifton Jerome
was admirably sustained by Mr.. Paul Coombs,
of St Mary's county. His manner was easy,
graceful and natural, and he spoke in clear,
distinct Tone In his efforts to uutangle the
mystery and to discover the missing million.
aire. to restore Marion to her father, and
finally, as a successful sutton to her hand, he
carried the sympathy and attention OF his
audience, and was frequently appiauded'
Mr.. H. H. Sitter, "a too-willing captive by
the irrepressible Jessie, performed the dill
cult role remarkably well, appearing first as a
seasick amateur yachtsman, and successfully
as a dude, waiter, COW boy and the trium-
pbant lover, and after undergoing various
'stests of affection" given by Jessie, received
her with open arms, and ''lived happy ever
after.'' Mr.. DUNN was thoroughly at home
in the part of Richard Bell, the Boatman, and
had fine opportunity for displaying his nat,
urally fine Evolutionary powers, which he used
to advantage. Mr.. Burgee as Uncle Pete,
the particular major domo of the hotel, was
excellent His peculiar walk, which was
never forgotten, his tone of voice, and his
sudden appearance at unexpected times and
his extreme dignity, was well sustained, and
won for him the reputation Of a fine imperso-
nator of negro character. The Society was
ably assisted by the ladies-Miss Lula Gun
ningham as Marion, the heroine Of the play;
Miss Mollie Hoppe as Mrs. Morris, who had
buried three husbands and who consents to
take the Major as the fourth, and Miss Mary
B. Shellman as Jessie, who, after putting her
persistent lover to various tests OF affection,
and making lots of STUN for the boys, finally
becomes a captive herself. They were all
thoroughly at home in their parts, which they
sustained with perfect ease and grace.
The costumes were hired of JONES'. cos
tuner, of Baltimore, but the general make up
of the actors, which added so much to their
successful appearance, was due to the skilliul
hands of James Hopes, former valet OF the
well-known tragedan, Edwin Booth.
The Webster Society has scored another
triumph, and has again verified for itself its
chosen motto, "Adhuc Vivo," and reflects
upon the College and the Society the we'll
earned and deserved praise of the community
Every one, actors, stage managers and GShers,
performed their respective duties to the best
of their ability, in gentlemanly manner, and
with strict attention, by their united efforts
have added another star to the crown OF the
Webster Literary Society.