The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1892-04-07
The i" Temple of Fame. "

Inc = IomDl0 OF EdmG.
The best entertainment of any kind
ever presented here y 81 was greatly
surprised last night at the Temple of
Fame; = g Weren't the costumes ele
gant?' These are only "a few of the
many fattering expressions heard in
every business house and on every street
corner last Friday morning, in praise of
the entertainment given the night be-
fore by the ladies of the Christian
Church at the Opera House. A little
more than three weeks ago it was an
nounced, by request, in the columns OF
the VIRGINIAN that an entertainment
would be given in the latter part OF
March by those ladies; and, while from
past experiences it was confidently ex-
pected that treat was in store for all
who would avail themselves of the OPP
portunity of attending. yet little did we
expect to have the pleasure of recording
the success of the entertainment in so
positive and uncontradicted terms.
Tickets were put on sale Monday NOM
ing, the 21st, and by noon of that day
all the most desirable seats in the house
were engaged and paid for. 1t will suf-
flee, therefore, to say, as briefly as posi-
BILE, that from financial standpoint the
affair was rousing success.
1t was about $40 o'clock Thursday
evening when the curtain rose, exposing
to the impatient yet orderly audience
the " Temple Of Fame" The stage pre-
scented indeed pretty picture and an
imposing appearance. For the benefit
of some of our readers who may not
have been present, we give very mis-
mute description of the play: Queen
sits upon her royal throne attended by
her maids and pages; she carries
wreath, and announces that it will be
placed upon the brow of the one whom
honor has most graced;n she then com
mands the pages to bring before her the
contestants for the wreath. Mrs. H. I.
Nelson was Queen, and while Mrs. Mel
son at all times presents most striking
ly becoming appearance, upon TINS oc-
casion it seemed to manifest itself more
forcibly than usual. No one could have
been found better suited for this part
than Mrs Nelson. This was the senti-
ment of everybody. The maids of honor,
Misses Susie Pendeton, Katie Alley,
Elsie Bailey and Laurel Tulloh-all very
pretty young lades-were attired in
pink and blue gowns. Some slight
changes were necessarily made day or
so before in the programme, after the
same had been printed
Dr. p. B. Pendeton took the part of
the Real Estate Agent instead of Mr.
Lipop, who was prevented from partici
pating on account of sickness Mr.. f. E.
Allen represented Michael Angelo in Mr..
Scott's stead, the latter having been
called to Richmond on business Miss
Katie Pendleton, of Iron Gate, was Joan
of Arc, in consequence of the sickness of
Miss Jessie Hughes; Mr.. Geo. K. Ander
son appeared as George Washington, as
Mr.. r. M. Kent, of Roanoke, who was
expected to be here, failed to come, and
Judge W. S. Gooch, of Roanoke. charac-
terized the Rt Rev. Ala mode, in the
place of Mr.. I'll. L. Chiles, CT the same
city, who likewise was detained at home.
1t will be seen that the contestants for
the wreath were many, representing
many different personages, not except>
ing the old plantation negro, represent
ed by Mr.. JAS. N. Page, and thought by
many to be the best. Mr.. Page elected
great and prolonged applause all the
His appearance the second time brought
down the house. Space forbids US tC
describe each character in turn, and
even if such an undertaking were con
telnplated we could not find language t6
express our sentiments. After SOME
twenty-five or thirty had appeared be
fore Her Majesty and presented their ap
peals, one of the pages announced the
three Christian Graces, Faith, Hope ano
Charity, represented respectively by
Miss Aline Rose, Mrs. G. w. East and
Miss Mary S.noot. Those sweet sisters
wound up the list of seekers for the
honor, and as the Queen slowly walked
down from her pure white throne an(
placed the wreath upon the brow O.
Charity none felt but what the selection
was wise one and that the honor ha6
been rightfully bestowed. The scene al
this moment was grand to behold
Forty-five characters on the stage, al
attired in costumes appropriate and ex'
AL, 4 ~
honor standing, and Faith Hope and
Charity kneeling at the foot of the
throne, all combined to make a tableau
of unusual beauty. In an instant the
curtain was lowered and there was moi
a man, woman or child in the crowded
house that could say anything except in
the highest terms of comment.
By request, it was repeated on Friday
night, and the audience was fully as ap
preciative and attentive as the one OF
the preceding night At the close of the
performance on Friday evening Mr.
| Dunford took picture of the assembly.
Much credit is due to all of the ladies
of the Christian Church for the interest
| they SecIueu W ldht III DoTISCUIuS oil
rangements, and especially is this credit
we'll applicable to Miss Ella Anderson
for the admirable manner in which she
conducted the training of the characters
She was rendered good assistance, too
in this line 10y all of her associates. The
following was the cast of characters
QUEEN OF FAME. :..MRs. Fl. 7. NELSON
Misses Katie Alley. Els
Maids ......... ........ Bailey, Laurel Tulloh
Susie Pendleton.
Masters Clyd
Pages. ............................ Dudley, Yer
tnOn Carter.
CONTESTANTS FOR WREATH OF FAME.
" Uncle Sam ................. MI. u. Il. moore
Susan B. Anthony. ........... Miss Bessie Bryant
Mrs. Darlington. Hon W. !. Goocn
Observation-Disclosures. -. Nh. Davis Moody
Robert Burns ......,.............M MI. Ii. T. Nelson
The LAWYER. ................. Mr.. John L. Duncan
America ....................... Miss Willie Davis
Ruth ...................M Miss Gertrude Mann
Columbus. ...................... MI A. ~ I5oWles
Lief. ..................,...... MI L. w allace COA
The Dude. .................Mr Mr.. George S. Wallace
Mother Goose. ............. Mrs. James N. Page
I Lucy Hope, Nellie Oar
by kempie Kraft, Mel
Mother GCOSa'S Children lie and Mary Ander