The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1897-12-31
Gambler items.
NaLAafSI 4tVItlas
special Correspondence ocaIa Banner.

SaAaisS @tSauas
special Correspondence ocaIa Banner.
Fully 800 people assembled Oh
mas Eve in the large packing 30 -
| opposite fhe depot to witness, the
rendition Of cantata entitled. "The
Counterfeit Santa Claus The BIZ d.
| ing was beautifully decorated, beng
veritanle bower of evergreens, in
| tefspersed here and there emblemaiic
| designs Of the season. The Sc mic
arrangement of 1.-The stage was very
! tasty and e eltly admired by all, and
/ that 50 much labor aud energy had
/ been expended for the express pur-
pose of giving joy TO young and old
! for few short hours, evidences the
/ determination the people have il
/ this community to make a success @,
/ anything they undertake. To give 3
/ full description of the various scenes,
/ etc, would tr, Spass too much upon
/ your space, and to mention each ia
dividual participating in the pro-
| gram "OuiO NC ihiPOSSiplti as IiCi
We're not less than lhirty-five taking
part. From the time the curtain
rose on the first scene, where the led
time brigade in their roles de nut,
a picturesque group of little ones
sang their bedtime march to tee
finale, not a single hitch or balk was
made to mar tile effect or weary tie
audience, who frequently eviden'
their appreciation by their applause.
I shall only briefly mention those
taking the principal characters: So.
y. Richards was unimitable as Is
counterfeit Santa. Mr.. Foster the
genuine article, filled the stockings
a. if he had served am apprenticeship
at the business. Miss Marks, as the
poor widow, with little Epha Fox
and Della SprngShead as her child
rem, singing their pitiful prayer, made
most effective scene aud were
loudly applauded. Miss Acheson as
grandma putting out the cat, was i'm
mense. a great deal of latent talent
was displayed in her part. The
tableau "R2ck Of Ages" Mrs Walsh
clinging TO the cross, was very affect
ing. Without, however, detracting
from the merits of any who took part,
we believe the concensus of opinion
was that the chef de ouvre of the
evening was the fairy scene, bevy of
eight who gracefully whirled and
turned tripping in and out singing
their fairy songs, made the prettiest
scene in the piece. The young ladies'
who so charmingly bewitched The
audience were: Misses Alice Ache
son, DcLong, Fox, Margaret Acheson,
Bonegham, Richards, Sutton and
A"hesOn. ] have already trespassed
upon your space and in conclusion
can only say were | to attempt to
mention each of these partaking in
The entertainment so ably carrying
out the part assigned them ! could
write on al infanitum. Collectively
they are all entitled to the encOmiums
heard passed on them by the audi
ence, Lake Weir, Heather Island and
Ocklawaha being strongly in evil
dence. Miss Margaret Achescn's reel
tation after the caniata was splendid
ly rendered. a solo by Mrs Porter
was highly appreciated. In the inter-
ludes the music by Miss Callie Rick
ards was greatly enjoyed. Two
Nmas trees prettily decorated and
loaded with gifts stood on each side
Of the stage, the distribution of
presents by Santa Claus and Xmas
Eve of 1897 was of the past, In
closing must add that in accomplish
ing so perfectly such program, some
leading spirits are necessary to man
age. drill and control the children
and although, as have said before
nearly all the people in Gambler con.
tributcd their quota to make the en-
ter,ainmenf n success, yet to the p'
severance Of Mrs. Lathrop and Mi-e
Richards. who devoted 50 much tirle
and patience to the drilling, ere
must be given. To Mr. Lydle, I
sure 10 one will begrudge the cre'''
due him for the display of taste
decorations and general arrauge
meuts of The stage. He is evidently a
major DOMINO in this line. We under
stanG that the people have requested
Il repetition on New Years day when
he program will be carried out in
full again. |. q. +.