The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-12-27
OUR GALA WEEK.
Christmas Observed Mt all the Church.
es.-The Holiday Carnival Grasi-
flying Success Pro.
grams Greet Crowds.-
Everybody Happy.

In spite of The Interestingly un- Christ.
maslike weather, lola has thoroughly
enjoyed this first four days Of the
Christmas week, and the entertain
ment promised for the remaining two
is looked forward to with many pleas
ant anticipations. The glad holiday
was observed at all the churches in
each of which the exercises were ar
ranged, as was most fitting, with spe-
cial reference to the enjoyment of the
children, and hundreds of little hearts
were made happy by the reception of
some gift, small in itself, but invalua.
BILE in their eyes. The most elaborate
Of these observances, perhaps. was
that which took place at the NJ. E.
Church where the program printed in
last weeks REGISTER was we'll car
ried out. Short programs were also
given at the Reformed and Baptist
churches. the Christian and Presbyter.
ian churches contenting themselves
with the simple distribution of gifts TO
the Sunday School children.
/, The general interest centered of
course i'm the Carnival ut the A. o. U.
w. Hall, and there, long before eight
o'clock such a crowd had gathered
that standing room was at a premium
The exercises were opened with a
Christmas anthem by the Presbyterian
choir, accompanied by the orchestra.
This was followed by "Serenade to
Santa Claus" a pretty little chorus
sung by a charming company of child.
rem who gathered under the window
of the "Christmas House" and made
a picturesque group with their white
gowns and caps and their eager, ex-
pectant faces. AS they finished the
last verse Santa Claus, in the person
of D. B. D. Smeltzer, stepped out of
the house, with great jangling of
bells, and the children scampered off
the stage in very amusing confusion.
The distribution of presents then be-
gan and consumed two or three hours,
creating the usual interest and fun.
After the last one had found its owner
the booths, refreshment tables and
"side shows" received the attention of
the audience and it was well along
toward midnight before the lights
were turned down.
THE OLD FOLKS CONCERT.
The week isn't ended yet, but it is
probably safe to say that when it is
all over the palm will be found in the
hands of the "Old Folks" who gave
the entertainment Wednesday night.
From the time they entered the hall
and crowded their way up to the stage,
until the curtsin rung down after
"Auld Lang Sayne' the interest of
the great audience-the hall was JAM
med to the doors-did not once flag al
though the program was more than an
hour long. There were forty or more
linen and women singers" az the
bills had it, on the stage. And what
a picture they made. The old fashion
ed dresses and white hair and white
caps of the women made them really
look younger and prettier instead of
otherwise. And surely the ruffied
sbir bosoms and cuffs and the knee
breeches gave the men pompous dig
nifty that they could never hope to re-
alize in a modern cravat and trousers.
And then they really Gang well which
we trust to be pardoned for saying was
the most surprising thing. We ex.
pected to hear Them sing we'll "fo1 old
people," But they sang well for any
people. They sang in tune and time
and they sang words, which the sing
ers in thee modern days but rarely
do. The singing by the quartette and
the double quartette was particularly
enjoyed, although when the entire
chorus came out on Coronation and
"Auld Lang Sayne" there was little
left to be desired. And "Old Grimes"
it was enough to bring tears TO the
eyes of craven image to hear Mr..
Wilson slime it OFF, and then to
have the chorus take up the lugubrous
strains. the wemen singing tenor as
the custom formerly was. Doubtless
the gem of the evening was the duet
by Mrs. l.. A. Thrasher and Mrs. Jen- |
ME McAllster. The writer remem.
bers the time, ever and ever SO many |
years ago, when he thought that
Misses Amanda and Jennie Mcclure. !
as they then were, were the best sing |
ers on earth; and after hearing them
again last night be was not surprised
at bis boyish enthusiasm. They We're
heartily encored and responded with |
the ever beautiful save Marie" The
sim pie old ballad by Mrs. Nettie Wise
was also received with much favor.
Mrs. Crowell's "declsmation" held the
closest attention OF the audience, as
did the declaration" by Mrs Shaffer.
The latter received an encore To which |
she responded in very pathetic way.
Mr.. Hyatt's "sermon' was curiosity |
in that line and in spite of lis solemni-
ty, received hearty applause. Not the
least interesting part of the program
were the announcements by Rev.
Wilson, of Carlyle. All 10 all the con-