The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-11
A oHILpREN's GALA NIGHT.
Features of Delightful Performance
at the Helena Ark. Opera House.

at the Helena Ark. Opera House.
HELENA, Ark, May l0.-0ne wishing
for peep into iairyland should have been
present at the beautiful opening scene at
the Grand opera-house. There, in the joy
GUS innocence OF childhood, We're gathered
on the stage seventy ''little men and wom-
en-" the Helena Band Of Mercy, founded
February, 1888, by Mrs. Naomi IL. Moore,
widow OF Maj. ~. E. Moore, OF gallant
Confederate memory, and remembered as
the gifted Naomi Hays, Of Columbia,
Tenn, niece OF President OF James X.
Polk. This talented woman's soul is inn
bued and life governed by the ennobling
principle she seeks to teach, OF doing good
to all in all ways.
Low, sweet music prepared the audience
for the rising of the curtain. The soft
notes swelled into a grand chorus, "On-
ward, Bands OF Mercy" The curtain went
up, disclosing n woodland scene, vision
OF loneliness. Seventy children in spotless
white, grouped about over n carpet OF
green, and decked with flowers, presented
a perfect picture Of happy childhood in its
purity, freshness and beauty, while their
youthful voices sent forth sweet strains OF
the "Mercy" melody. Then was heard n
mellow solo refrain:
"1he quality of Mercy Is not strained Il droppeth
As the gentle dew from heaven upon the place be-
1t is twice blessed It blesseth him that gives and
him that takes"
And as il softly died away the attention
OF the audience was unclaimed by tableau
yivante to which the pen cannot dojustice.
A fairy child Hattie Hornor), guardian
spirit Of the band, winged and robed in
purest white, floated through the aerial
realm and lighted upon messy mound,
her little hands put forward in bcnediction
over the now kneeling Band Of Mercy,
while gorgeous sunlight illumed and
| glorifed the scene.
"Mercy Gems" recitation by twenty
Of the band, followed this, all acquitting
themselves with much credit.
The "Burial OF Cock Robin" was one OF
the features Of this varied entertainment.
This was q cantata, in costume, partici-
pated in by eighteen OF the band and q
great success. Josephine Pillow, "Ques.
TONER" was beautiful and sang swcetly in
this. Little Josie Moore, "The Sparrow
N brown feathered costume with wings,
acted and sang so prcttily rs TO win all
hearts. John Coolidge, "Pason," tlfe
rock, brought down the house. Elise Stone
carried out well the Beetle with Thread
and Needle" Andrew Coolidge, "The
Bull" lin bull masque,l who 'tolled the
bell" brought loud applause. James Pill
low, "The Kite" bore the fiower-covercd
coffin and sang well. jerome Pillow, "The
Clerk" Robert Gordon, 1.-THE Linnet,"
Maggie Tappan, "TheFish," Lalla Martin,
"The Fly" Julia Govan, "Ihe Lark, "
Lizzie Coolidge, "The Thrush" who sang
the sweet psalm from bush, and Jennie
Pillow, "lhe Dove Mourning for Hcl
Love" This was picture of grief thai
brought tears from all eyes. The applause
was immense. The choir, Fannie NJ. Moore
Mcna Humphreys, Jessie Thompson and
Fannie L. Moore, sang q beautiful bird
hymn, which ended the obscquies.
"Bo-Peep," the little beauty, Mary
Rightor, came next, and the piquant man.
ner OF her recitation delighted the audi
ence. Bright little Mary Lambert enacted
and recited "Red Riding Hood" looking
very cunning in little red cloak and hood
Josie Quarles and Vera Ford, two pretty
little girls, were very interesting. The ia
panese dance, by eight little girls, was per
iectly japanese in appearance and motion
Next in order wasa humorous recitation
"Only Chicken, by eight OF the band
Christine. Sanders, Alice Clopton, Low,
Fitzpatrick, Annie Trask, Butler Martin
Fannie l.. Moore, Mena Humphreys an,
Vio.a Rightor. This was very amusing il
Mother Hubbard costume.
Miss Mary Tappan sang Marguerite
with sweet voice and modest manner, an'
was encorcd and received many flowers.
Miss Virginia Hicks and Andrew Cool
idge. yiolinists, charmed the audience
Miss Fannie Leslie Moore distinguish,
herself in the Crock Schottisch," which
was pronounced one Of the best perform
ances of the evening. This was encored
Miss Eva Coolidge was very attractive II
n comic solo, "Neycr Take NO for nj
Answer" and was called back.
The recitation Of Viola Rightor was
gem OF the entertainment. This beautiful
Young girl inherits oratorical talent iron
her grandfather, Judge VIM. Haskell, Q
Tennessee. The audience was mucl
pleased with "Cachacha" by BETH
Rembert, a modern Fannie Ellsler.
Terpsichore Helen Moore in fairy COS
tunnel was waited as n goddess from III
upper world, and performed the glove
Dance" exquisitely. Her spirituellc a.
pearance and artistic grace made the illu
sion seem real
One Of the sweetest features OF the er
tcrtainment was the setting forth, In ilut'
like tones, by six little darlings Of Oh
band. the divine mission Of Little Hand
and Little Fingers"
Robert Gordon, In ''Ben Hazard
Guests" and the encore, "Curfew, " adde
, fresh laurels 10 his we'll earned reputation
as youthful orator.
"Ask Your Jug" (comic) by Micha'
COIN and Lafayette Solomon, was well n
citcdhnd loudly applaudod.
The entertainment wasinterspersod wit
fancy dances The Spanish dance, lligl
land fling and sailors hornpipe were pc
iectly performed.
Mai. j. j. IIornor delivered bcautiil
and appropriate address, giving the orig
, and progress OF the Band OF Mercy wit
his accustomed ease and brilliancy Of maj
ner and conception. His ideas were,
usual, correct and 10 the point.