Smyrna times., 1897-12-01
THANKSGIVING DAY.
Quiet Day-dunners Out in FOrce-The
Thanksgiving Entertainment.


Although the skies were not as bright
as could have been wished on Thanks
giving Day, the weather was good
enough to permit of out door sports
and other forms of exercise. Generally
speaking the day was quiet. The gun
ners, however, found it an excellent
day for sport and early in the morning
they were seen moving off in numbers
with dog and gun bent on pleasure
going.
The day was more particularly OBJ
served by the drawing together of home
ties and the uniting of families around
the festive board. These annual gath
erings are looked to from year to year
with a great deal of pleasure.
Services were held at the Episcopal
church in the morning occording to
the usual form set apart in the ritual.
Rev. Geo. w. Dame, the rector, had
charge of the services. At the Metho-
dist church n union service of the
Presbyterian and Methodists congre-
cations was held before a goodly num-
bea of people. After the organ volun-
tary, the choir led off with an appro-
pirate anthem. Rev. A. Stengle had
charge of the services, Presiding
Elder COrkran Offering a comprehen-
sive opening prayer. The sermon was
by Rev. DR.. j. L. Estlin, of the Pres
byterian church, impromptu, closely
connected in thought, and pronounced
one of his best pulpit efforts. The
best collection for the poor, including
some donation, brought to the church,
was about $500 This was divided be-
tween the Benevolent society and the
Kings Daughter.
There was nothing of public interest
in the afternoon. At this time of the
day everything was quiet and one
might have thought it was Sunday
were it not for the report of guns
around and about town from those on
the search of game.
The chief ATTRACTION of the day was
more particularly centered in the even
ing entertainment, the three act COM
edy: '"The Donation Party" which
Misses Clara Bewley, Rena Williams
and Annie Middleton had been making
earnest preparations for for several
weeks. The doors were open at seven
o'clock and by the time the curtain
was raised half hour later, the Opera
House was crowded to the doors,
feature being that most everybody was
there on time.
For hOmetalent play it was excep-
tiOnally fine. The young amateurs ac-
quilted themselves creditably and gave
the audience a good entertainment, as
was manifested by the laughter and APP
plause during the acts. McKendree
Williams and Bertha Stengle as ''Rev.
George Baxter and wife, of Pumpkin
vile Parish" lead off well in the play
and were well sustained by all the cast.
Two of the best characters in the
whole play were Misses Eva COrkran
and Emma j. Hazell The former as
'Marm BrOwn-A Deaf but not Dumb
Gossip" and the latter as "Aunt Je-
rushy-A Good-hearted but Sharp
tOngued Spinster" were the most nat
urally taken of all the characters.
Their costumes were very becoming
and their acting was exceptionally fine
for amateurs: "Aunt Jerushy" was
well supported by her "admirer" in J.
Allison Start as esquire Applebee. ="
The numerous characters in the play
were splendidly taken by Helen Col
Inns and Harvey w. FAIRIES. Both were
blacked up to represent negros and the
costume was in accordance with the
part they took. She took the charac-
ter of ''Phoebe-A Maid in the Pas
tors Family, while he was nothing
more than 'Pete The Chore Boy"
Together they made an excellent com
binatiOn and kept the audience in
laughter most of the time. After the
first act Harry FAIRIES recited, by re-
quest, his "Antediluvian Sermon" in
negro dialect which probably excelled
any previous efforts. The others,
though having minor parts, deserve
praise for the support they gave
in making the donation Party"
success. The program which has
been in two previous issues of the
4
ly necessary to reproduce. A treat
was served the cast after the perform
ance. The receipts amounted to 1868. Sc
which might have been nearly doubled
had an admission of 25 cents been
charged instead of 10 cents. The pro-
ceeds $52.01 were handed over to the
Ladies NJ. E. Mite Society.
/ II