Birmingham age-herald., 1895-09-29
Blount Springs.

Blount Springs.
 Blount Springs was most delightfully."- entertained a few evenings ago by re- cital given by the accomplished elo- cutionist, Miss Charlie Garner of Mis- sissippi. Miss Garner was assisted on the program mme by Miss Whittich, MT. Bell and MT. D. Ferguson. choice au- dience assembled in the hotel parior, the place for the entertainment. Col. Bret Randolph, in most chaste and beautiful language and in his most courteous and elegant style, introduced Miss Garner to the audience. She, who was already a favorite with many of the guests, quite captiVated all when she stepped forward with modest mein, attired in an artistic gown of blue. and recited the Light From Over the Range" It w2s pa- thetic rendition of a western scene, in which Miss Garner exhibited such power to move her audience that their tears could not be stayed. Then, in a twink ling, she took her part of the maiden in the dainty piece of sentimental "Shad- ows." She was the embodiment of some thing sweet to love. Next following, and all as fresh as in the beginning, Miss Garner gracefully gave Joaquin Miller s Columbus" in which her dramatic ex- pressions were true and graceful. The ac- complished pianist. Miss Whittich, fol- lowed with a brilliant instrumental solo. Again Miss Garner came forward gowned in flowing robes and gave The Famine - She seemed to step from the desolate land of the "Dakotas," sorrow ladened with the pathetic story of Minnehaha. The audience followed each incident of the sad story with a spell-bound interest as when one hears it the first time, so new and life like did the artist picture it. Her supple, strong, mellow voice rose and fell in according accents to each succeeding thought. Following this she ts. I lxr ipl, won the listeners into smiles, and showed with marked emphasis her powers of impersonatiOn and inimitable Versatil- ity. Then came song from our genial friend. MT. Bell, and all thought over again how well he sang. In a dainty darling greenaway of pink, with fan and hat coquettish, Miss Garner rected and stepped in exquisite grace the state ly "Minuet" And then in most deli cious visions she appeared and reappear- ed again and again, in the school char acter of the Medal Contest" Such a play of facial expression, coquetry and simplicity could not be excelled. The art of the artist was So concealed that all seemed naturalness and each imper- sonation real MT. D. Furguson next re- cited his artistic and delightful little piece of comedy, Jeans Breetches." Miss Garner again, in Greek costume, recited The Marble Dream" She was a dream of lovelines herself and soon became to the audience the embodiment of the flair Laureame." She seemed inspired, and with most exquisite skill related the tender love story till all were wrapt in interest and won in love. The last number on the programme was The Raven." given with the late MT. Men doeh's interpretation, in which Leon ore" represents the lost purity of soul. and the raven the demon drink, that takes possesson of the soul to depart "nevermore" In this poem Miss Garner was powerful; nothing short of genius could have handled such a piece with such tremendous newneSS and force. From the very start she held her audi ence even into awe and wonder. The rich mellow voice, her dramatic fire, were revelations all along the extent of the poem. To say that the audience was pleased and that Blount Springs is the better for the entertainment is to say little.