St. Paul daily globe., 1893-01-08
EXCLUSIVE JOY.

A smokers concert? Why, what is
that? asked the uninitiated. Well, its
one Of the greatest functions tnat can
be enjoyed exclusively by the lords OF
creation. LII the haze Of smoke and the
charming atmosphere OF good fellow
ship there is none to dispute their sway.
Song and story. with intrumental and
all other sorts Of variations, are the i'll
gradients of this p0tpOurri for the de-
lectation of mans natural craving for
social enjoyment without any OF the
hampering restraints of fGrmallty.
While there is not the slightest thing TO
offend good taste III the programme,
there is Just that degree of freedom
from the dictates of Old Mrs. Grundy
which gives latitude for the best effort
q man is capable of in his line.
TT
A comic song, for instance, never has
so much of Zest and the sinking OF per-
sonality in it when sung to mixed
audience lined up in precise rows as did
the songs sung by Messrs. William and
James E. McCatfrey, Myron, Ed Murphy
and others. at the St. Paul Cricket club
smoking concert Thursday night last.
The stag audience sitting as the men
liSteth, around many tables, seen
through drifting clouds OF smoke,
seemed TO furnish inspiration not TO be
felt under less unconventional clrcum-
stances.
TT
And then the songs Of sentiment and
the recitationS telling Of brave. heroic
deeds in peace and war, perhaps touch
ing on pathetic incidents never OIL
fOWer-decked stage or i'll coy parlor
parlor were they given in like spirit.
Laughter could be as free as the mood
of the listener, never out OF place. And
if perchance a tear wells up to kindly
eye, let it trickle its way; there is no
shame in it, and the next ridiculous
rhyme is none the less enjoyed because
no one remarked the passing tribute to
mans finer feelings.
TT
The master of ceremonies must know
his business, too, and when sweet
singer like w. q. Quincy, George Free
man, William RUdger or j. S. Chamber
lain has touched the hearts of listeners,
then he will Danish the sofened mood
by TOllicking number that starts the
fun anew Surely Jamie Myron never
sang "Nannie'S Ava" with more pleas
ing effect, says an admirerer. And just
as surely, remarked another, Guiney's
rendering of "The Pardon Came Too
Late" was never more tiatteringly re-
ceived. Then when some English lads
sang songs that breathed the pride of
Britons III every line, there was none to
say them nay, either as to boast or senti-
ment.
t+t
If the smoke-shrOuded gathering in
sists on Charles Fairchild keeping the
stage till he is almost exhausted, what
business has he to object? "The Seat
tie Conventions" as given by him. is
decidedly worthy of an encore, because
its naturaness is convulSing and its
humpr without flaw. SO, knowing his
audience, and feeling sure they are
with" him. he generously essays
"Roger and L." You can see the old
vagabond musician and his dog in the
tap house; you 90 with his varying
moods Sorrowful, careless, gleeful, de-
pressed-as he paints the downward
progress of wasted life, with CLEAN
of hope ana manlinesS depicted here
and there. And when the actor has
concluded, you can see the old man quit
the warm room, his faithful dog at his
heels. Then the applause rises IN vol
ume to spread the smoke Wreaths, and
after few winding up numbers the
concert is over, and every one goes
home in cheerful hum0r TO anticipate
the next one.