St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-01-08
EXCLUSIVE JOY.

A smokers concert? Why, what is
that? asked the uninitiated. Well, its
one of the greatest functions that 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 potpourri for the de-
location of mans natural craving for
social enjoyment without any Of the
hampering restraints of fGrmality.
While there is not the slightest thing to
offend good taste in the programme,
there is just that degree of freedom
from the dictates of Old Mrs. Grundy
which gives latitude for the best effort
a 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 a mixed
audience lined up in precise rows as did
the songs sung by Messrs. William and
James E. McCaffrey, Myron, Ed Murphy
and others. at the st. Paul Cricket club
smoking concert Thursday night last.
listeth, around many tables, seen
through drifting clouds OF smoke,
seemed to furnish inspiration not to be
felt under less unconventional clrcum-
stances.
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 on
hoWer-decked stage OF 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 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 a 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 rollicking 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
VI llC L SdillO LOU
Late" was never more flatterngly re-
ceived. Then when some English lads
sang songs that breathed the pride of
Britons IN every line, there was none to
say them nay, either as to boast or senti-
ment.
TIT
If the smoke-shrouded gathering in
sists on Charles Fairchild keeping the
stage till he is almost exhausted, what
business has he to object? 1.-The Seat
tie Convention" as given by him, is
decidedly worthy of an encore, because
its naturalneSS is CONFUSING and its
humor 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 go with his varying
moods-sorrowful, careless, gleeful, de-
preSSed-aS he paints the downward
progress of wasted life, with CLEAN
of hope and 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 humOr to anticipate
the next one.