The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-03-01

talent can generally be depended on TO at
tract large and appreciative audience No
matter whether the performance be good,
bad or indifferent, the audience is always
delighted and gives vent 10 its feelings by
long and continued applause.
The entertainment given for the benefit OF
the Childrens Aid Society, By a number Of
the best known young ladies and gentlemen
OF Somerset. Wednesday evening. was in
striking contrast with the average exhibi-
ton by exclusively home talent. The per-
Torrance of each individual participant was
highly creditable and merited the liberal sp-
pisnse accorded it.
Every seat in the Opera House was occu-
pied long before the curtain was lifted, re-
vealing the sewing clasS-a body of little
| girls being instructed in the art Of needle
work by members OF the Society-each
member Of the class wore 4 pretty pinafore
made by her own fingers The children
were grouped in the centre Of the stsge and
presented very pleasing picture They
made an effort TO bow in unison and then
began piping a ditty about stitching"
After the sewing class had retired Miss En-
ma Walter, one of Somerset's most gifted
vocalis;s, rendered " catchy ballad. :" On
ly the Stars Could TELL Miss Walter was
in excellent voice on this occasion and sang
with unusual bdllianey and expression.
She replied gracefully TO an encore and re-
tired amidst the hearty applause Of her
delighted audience.
A broom drill, - led by Miss Edna Baer
and Miss Nellie Cunningham, and partici-
pated in By Misses Grace Pile, Susie Schrock,
DArl Roberts, Mamie Ssnner, Ella Vogel,
Name Patton, Nellie TrouP, Bertha Crom-
well and Maud Cook, was the feature of the
evening. The young ladies were all gotten
up in fetching gowns Of pink and blue.
and the grace Of movement they exhibited
in marching and executing the manual of
arms was fair TO look upon and called fourth
the most fiattering compliments.
Miss Name Uhl followed with a song
The Spanish Gipsy, rendered in her usual
artistic style. Miss Uhls selection was a
happy one, since it exhibited the compass
Of her remarkable voice and revealed much
Of its beauty aud sweetness.
This concluded the first half OF the pro-
gram and the audience was given an oppor-
tunity to prepare for the amusement 10 fol-
low. The DarktoTn Minstrels" appeared
upon the program for the second part Of the
entertainment, aad as many indefinite ru-
mors had been set aioat in regard to the col
lossal amusement they would create the la
dies in the audience released their corset
strings and the gentlemen unbuttoned their
vests. in anticipation Of the side-splitting
mirth that was about TO be let loose by the
performers on the stage. The hilarity was
uncorked by several youths ON The gallery
who caught glimpse Of the blackened face
of one Of the performers before the curtain
went up. When the curtain finally ascend
ed 10 the music of plantation chorus, the
scene upon the Stage riyaled an old-time
" down in Dixie minstrel show. The per-
formers were seated in seni-ciIcle, K. NJ.
Linton and w. ". Robinson, bones and
tsm5orine, respectively, and A. L. G. Hay
interlocutor. The faces of the troop pre-
sented an interesting study as they appeared
smesred with burnt cork and enyeloped in
standing collars Of prodigiOus height. Few
persons in the audience were able to recOg-
nize them, 50 greaI was the transformation.
Z. o. ko0ser's classic countenance might
readily have been mistaken for that of an
African potentate, while c. W. Walkers
voice, gestures and expression might have
created the impression that he was Peter
Jackson in disguise. K. Z. Meyers needed
only sn obese blue Gotten umbrella TO have
placed him as down south" eamp-meei-
ing expounder. Crayat, glasses and express
ION were in proper form. Willis Plsel wss
one of them coffee-colOred stnck-up coons,
and dressed his part admirably. Charley
Uhl and Ed Love looked as though they en-
We'd white folks their complexion, and
showed the whites of their eyes after the
manner of the music loving dwelIers Of the
cane-brskes." Frank Forney appeared TO
be 50 eonvulsed with laughter at the i'm
preston the performers we're making upon
the audience that he was compelled to cov-
er his blushes, (ss though they would show
under coat of cork. C. T. Pile looked
ike young coon" at barbecue, while f.
N. Linton and w. II. Robinson appeared rs
much at home as if they had been following
the =" transforming" business all their lives.
A. L. G. Hays costume wcald have brought
blush to the cheek Of sable Joseph.
Hay was readily recognized. He has
voice given him for Keeps By his parents,
and ali efforts at Disgusting it we're uuavail-
ing.
The display Of brilliants on the stage was
binding each artist reveled in an arc
light on his shirt bosom
The special features Of part second were
the duet Of Robinson and Pile, topical songs
by Linton, Walker. Hay and Pisel, musical
selections by Love, Forney, Uhl and Meyers.
aud clog dances by Kooser and Love.
Ii is questionable whether the people of
Somerset ever before enjoyed so excellent an
entertainment q. the hands OF smatures.
The receipts net ed over 500.
At the conclusion Of the entertainment
all who had taken part and contributed tow
ard its success were entertained at the
home OF Mrs. II. l. Baer