Wichita eagle., 1889-01-12

| choly recitative, a narrowing narrative
of 1.-The Drunkard's Home"
5. Tile organist covered the girls re-
treat with the Dead March in Saul, "
and dull, sickening shudder thrilled
through the room.
6. A singing society of eight young
people sang Il Would Not Live Always"
A nervous looking brother sitting near
me asked me in a low whisper for the
loan of my razor ''to kill rats. ] refused
somewhat sternly because, as l told him,
l don't carry a razor on my person, and
beside | disapprove Of suicide IN places
of entertainment and at gatherings OF
nlirth and festivity.
Z. A beautiful song, flute obAgato,
sung like a bird by beautiful girl, en-
tranced the congregation and dispelled
| the air of resignation which was settling
| down upon the house like cloud.
s. a girl recited ''Nobody's Child SO
forlornly that it cast gloom over the
entire community.
8. A young man sang dublin Bay" in
good dramatic style, and the way he
strewed the fatal beach with CHASTITY
corpses when the flowing tide came in
would have chilled the heart of veteran
undertaken.
10. A young lady recited a poem in
| which an old man died sitting bolt up
right in his chair, after which his faith
full old colored servant doubled himself
up i'll a heap and at his masters feet and
died hard. This was encored, and they
both died again--a little harder this
time.
II. A bright young lady, with clear
voice and excellent dramatic action re-
cited The Burial of Moses" By this
time the congregation had caught the
spirit of the meeting, and the Burial
was rapturously encored. The eiocu-
ZIONIST returned and gave THE Maniac"
III splendid style.
Horror The reptile strikes his tooth
Deep in my heart, so crushed and sad!
Ayl Laugh ye iiends your task is done
I'm madt I'm madl
This fairly made the sparkling lights
of Merry Christmas CULVER with de-
light, and another encore followed. This
was a description Of a man lost at sea,
clinging to spar, and drowning as he
sings Rock Of Ages" The last gurgling,
choking gasp of the man as he went
down made a physician near me close
his watch with a subdued snap and shake
his head. | knew then there was no hope
for the man. And there wasn't. He
drowned and the Christmas revelries
about over.
y. Santa Claus, in furs and bells, big
cap and pipe, came in. He had forgotten
his piece. however. and after hysteri-
cally gasping, We'll, I'm here" was
struck dumb, and remained speeches..
From time to time, however. he Jingled
the bells, which pleased the children
quite as well as his best speech could
have done.
Perhaps the most cold blooded deed OF
the evening, however, was perpetrated
by the superintendent OF the Sunday
school. who got up to remark that as he
had nothing TO Go with arranging the
entertainment-I didn't blame him for
clearing his own skirts-he could con-
scientiously say that the committee On
entertainment had indeed given us u
most enjoyable evening, and deserved
alike the thanks Of all. young and old,
for the great pleasure they had given US.
Now, this is no fancy sketch 1t Is
written from notes, taken on the spot
The Sunday school that arranged this
entertainment viii recognize the
sketch. and possibly some one may wrlte
me a savage letter, but | Will never tell
any more than have told here. l only
desire TO show people how mistaken well
meaning people may be in their ideas OF
"entertainment. Christmas Is
birthday. not funeral anniversary And
to entertain people, we are to sing and
recite not the things we like To sing and
say, but the things to Which people enjoy
listening. The oblect of entertainment
Is not 70 "show of" the entertainer
that is advertisIneut-bus to entertain
the audience Robert j. Buraetts II
Brooklyn Eagle.