The record-union., 1893-05-26
ABOUT AMATEURS.
Baselena DscOurses at Length on the
Subject,
And Describes an Entertainment She
Attended Up in seattie-A Word
About Flowers

fully and firmly resolved that l would
not under any consideration whatever,
attend this entertainment. On the after
noon of the day on which it was to be
given along comes another person, who
boasts Of six feet of hight, and who wears
a distinguished air which makes you
think that when his mind is once made
up he does not often change it.
II am going to the entertainment to-
night" announced this person, ''and l
should like to have you accompany me, if
you haven't anything else to do"
1t really would not have mattered even
il / had. When one can't boast of quite
five feet, one hasn't much to say to an
other Of superior size and weight. With
my meekest possible air l said l didn't
have anything else TO do, and that l
would be delighted to attend.
The affair had been billed to open
promptly at S:l5, but it was just ten min
utes past nine when the curtain went up
on the first number.
The ladies and gentlemen who had the
affair in charge had been holding meet
ings and passing all sorts of resolutions
and doing whole lot of business for the
past two months, consequently not only
my expectations, but every one elses',
were on the qui UtCe for something out of
the ordinary.
Like all amateur performances. the pro-
gramme was not carried out exactly in
the order printed. The first number was
bass solo by MIR. Basso Profundo. l
believe the song was called, "Out on the
Deep" and the end OF every line sounded
something like this, "D-e-e-e-e-pv' and
went rumDling OIL into his boots. lie
kept a measured rythmatic sway TO the
music and sort of worked the notes out of
himself. The audience applauded vociter-
ously.
IL is notable fact that an audience
always applauds an amateur performance
with charming impartlallty, just 10 keep
up the courage of the actors and support.
Then young damsel, arrayed i'll baby
blue Empire gown, came out and har-
rowed up the audience with a thrilling
account ota CORY battle.
Just as she had us all worked up to
fever pitch, and when, fguratively
speaking, we could hear the din of bat
tie, scent the burning powder, and half
expected cannon TO explode some
where unexpectedly and blow us all to
the world beyond, she branched off into
TOMS Little Seer" She was the
hOrsey Lady TeaZel, the lovesick Juliet,
and the mad ophelia all in one. Then
she sank upon one knee with reSOund-
ing thud and shed mock tears over poor
Mary, Queen OF Scots. Then she was up
again in moment and told us How
Kube Played" finishing Off with how
someone saved train. She was really
quite surprising young woman and
sort of took ones breath away. Anna
Ieurs are very apt to do that occasionally.
This. / believe, was called medley
recitation. l never heard one before, and
cannot say that particularly admired it.
There were several other numbers, and
then young person in a gorgeous bright
red gown, emblaZoned with huge golden
Ii IL.
came forth, and warbled out a song in
which flowers and love were mixed up
indiscriminately. She had a funny little
way of opening her eyes and mouth at
the same time, and she made me think Of
a sparrow opening preparing to devour a
choice plump earth worm.
The gem of the evening was the closing
number-a trio for violin, cello and pi-
ano. The first was an allegro movement.
but l was very sorry To see that it did not
receive the proper attention. If some
people cannot appreciate good music. l
think they should. out of respect for the
feelings Of the performers and audience,
at least keep silent until the number is
finished.
From beginning till end, with only one
exception, the performance was distinctly
amateurish. Still, as it was given for u
good and worthy charity-one of the most
deserving institutes in the city-it would
not be just to be too severe in ones criti-
cism. / have no doubt but that they did
the best they could, and next time, it is
to be hoped they will do better.
In the heart of every man and woman
there grows deep down in its innermost
depths u certain little flower. This flower
does not possess long, npronouuceable
Latin name, because none OF the botanists
have as yet been able to give it proper
classification. 1t is modest little Hover.
and partakes of the individuality of the
gentle daisy, the sad-eyed pansy or the
sentimental fOrget-me-nOt. 1t has never
been seen by the eyes of mortal man, but
its sweet and gentle influence has been
13lt by both rich and poor, and men call
this little flower by the name of friend
ship.
This is the little flower of which l will
speak. Like everything else in this
world, there are several varieties of this
flower. There is variety which with its
healing. soothing properties cures dis
eases of both body and mind. 1t comforts
us in our darkest hours, relieves us in
time of sickness, and makes the world
seem better and brighter by its presence.
! hen there is another kind.
This IS poisonous variety, which pol
luteS the very air; its general appearance
Is exactly like the other: it is only by
long ana close inspection that the differ
ence is perceived, and even then the false
Is not detected from the genuine until 4
through. The right sort of plant grows
In the heart Of SO few people. In some
people 1t grows up q big, selfish weed: it
takes all and gives nothing; il thinks
only of its own comfort, and not enough
OF the comfort and happiness of others.
In others 1t grows up deceitful. 1t makes
the people who possess it say what they do
not mean; in other words, to give false
Impressions. If they are women thew
kiss you, ana their conversation fairly
bristles with ''dears' and "darlings'': but
the instant your back is turned thew
think to themselves that you are horrid
thing, and that they never could see any,
thing to like in you any way.
Men are the same way-shake hands
with their worst enemy, all the time
thinking what perfect cad he is. All
this Is called tacJ ana policy. l call il bv
lis proper name, deceit.
l do not. Of course, believe in a man or
woman telling persons " hom they do not
like their candid opinion of them out |
do think they might, at least, keep away
from them, and not dishonor friendship
Dy thrusting deceit upon it. These speci-
mems are only the tares; there are in
Vulnerable bright, beautiful blossoms
which scatter their fragrance throughout
been that II you want "A good, all-round
friend, one upon whom you can rely inn
piicitly. and upon whom you can pin
your faith and confidence without fear, is
one OF the opposite seX-ii You are a
y oman seek out some good man, and
vice versa.