St. Tammany farmer., 1897-09-04
LeWisburg.
Aug. 80, 1897.

G0WuSNOu6'
Aug. 30, 1897.
Editor st. Tammany Farmer:
The grand concert and hop given
last Saturday night at the Pythian Hall,
in Vaudeville, for the purpose of rails
ing funds to erect = school building at
Lewisburg met with the success which
90 deserving an undertaking merited.
Night found Lewisbnrg deserted, as
al turled out In full force, and the
road to Vaudeville was lined with vehi-
cles carrying merry but earnest crowd.
At the appointed hour the hall was
crowded, and the music began promptly.
The concert was the most brilliant ever
given in Vaudeville. and attracted .
hos. of New Orleans choisest society,
who are ever ready to pay tribute to
artists Of such renown.
The first number on the programme
was piano solo, "n Trovat0re," rem.
dered with feeling by Mr.. Michel
Mugner, who was enthusiastically ap-
plauded. He was followed by Mr.. Msdus,
who with his usual ease and ability
melodiously sang sThe Queen of the
Night" Little May Harnan, . sprite of
six years, delighted the audience, particu
larly the young people, IS in . light
Orsandie, elaborately trimmed with rib
bon and bells, she gracefully went
through the many figures Of her Span
ish dance. Miss Katie Gordon, ably ac-
compsuied by Mrs. NJ. Gould, charmed
her audience, singing that exquisite Sc
lection. "Semeramist," in . clear and
beautiful soprano voice. For an encore.
she gave that song which is old vet
ever new, "Last Night" Prof. Wehr-
man, one Of the first vi0linists of New
Orleans, gave the expectant audience
an almost unhoped for treat. From
the moment he drew his bow softly
across the instrument until he ceased
playing, he held the crowd in breath
less admiration, and was met with q per-
feet ovation Of applause. He was ac-
c0mpanied by his niece. . finished per-
former, although little girl barely IN
her teens.
The audience had scarcely recovered
when Mrs. Raoul valon was announced,
and 1t was very evident that her fame
IS an artist had penetrated to these
parts As her voice swelled and more
than filled every nook and corner Of the
hall, she awoke . responsive chord In
every heart with her beautiful rendition
of that gem, ola Refine De Saba" One
selection, however, would not satisfy,
and Mrs. Val0n favored the audience
with = song from ssCarmen," to which
we can pay no higher tribute than to
say that 1t equalled the first. The last
number on the programme was q man.
dolin duet, by Mrs. Harnan and Miss
Julia Berkery, who displayed remark
able skin.
Mr.. RaOul Valon, the master of cere-
monies, then gracefully thanked the
audience for their kindly interest, and
announced that the hall would be given
over to dancing and refreshments. The
dancers held full sway until the wee
hours of morning, when the playing of
ssHome, Sweet Home" was q signal for
departure.
Mrs. w. H. Canton, who had charge
of tho refreshments, was assisted by
Mrs. Gifney, Mrs. Jos. Smith, Mrs. L.
David, Mrs. Robert Smith, Mrs. Con-
naughton, Mrs. Pujol, aud Mrs. Bob
Smith. ssThe Bride Of Lewisburg,"
. pretty doll, handsomely dressed in
Organdie over satin, was the generous
gut u VAlSS = 8Uuy OOIUOu.
We are particularly indebted to Mr..
Gus Mugnier, whose hearty co-opera-
ton did 50 much to insure success.
Mr.. Valon, . prominent merchant OF
New Orleans, who has been partly
raised at Lewisbufg, and has brought
Raoul, Jr., to spend his first summer
here, and Mr.. C. W. Boyle, our member
Of the School Board, whose father was
one Of the first settlers, were the Origi-
majors and prime movers In this enter
prise, and 1t is due to their untiring
energy and personal magnetism that the
services of the musicians, and the hall,
were gratuitously offered.
At called meeting MIR. Jos. Smith,
an enterpriSing and public spirited resi-
dent, offered lot on Elm street. A
more suitable site could not have been
rendered. 1t Is needless to add that his
offer was quickly accepted.
Messrs. Depre Bros, of Vaudeville,
donated one thousand feet of lumbe-.
A committee of three, Mr.. RaOul
ValOn, Mr.. G. w. BOYLE aud Mr.. Joseph
Smith, was unanimously elected to hau-
die the funds.
The residents of Lewisburg, under the
able direction Of Mr.. Joseph Smith, are
going to erect the building, and on the
eleventh of October it will open its por-
tails to the troop of little pilgrims just
starting on the long and tedious road of
learning. +. +. b.