The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1899-06-22
cooNs ON PARADE.
Coal Black Ladies Take the Cake and
Delight All With Their Singing
and Dancing.

whether there is anything in which the
Dalles ladies cannot excel. They have
succeeded in other years in everything
they have undertaken, but until the ar
rival of Mrs. Runcie in our city they
have contentedly left minstrelsy to the
male portion of the community. But
his dominion in this. as we'll as other de-
partments, has been invaded, and last
night the lady coons were on parade,
and to such an extent that they fairly
carried the city by storm. We may be
said to live in country town, but
Dalles people are critical when it comes
to shows and know when then see
good one. They were not fooled last
night, and they attested that fact by
the loud and continued applause given.
Our ladies are all right. Indeed their
minstrel performance was wonderful.
With but ten days in which to practice
what was to them an entirely new
departure, the success attained. was
remarkable.
7 Truly Mrs. Runcie must be magi-
clan to accomplish so much in 80 short a
time. However, her appearance on the
stage showed the artist she is, for we
have never seen better female darkey
character. Then her ladylike manner
throughout the entire rehearsals and
performance was very apparent and won
her the esteem of all.
When the curtain arose last night il
disclosed fifty coons, black as the ace of
spades. There were big .coons, littse
coons, fat coone, lean coons, eaucy
coons, modest coons and kid coons, all
arrayed in coon style. Their overture
was immense, and the way those six
end men p manipulated the bones and
tam borines was caution.
After the overture came a quartet,
''Ben Bolt" splendidly rendered. Then
five coon girls, logged regardless, rem
dered "The Whistling Girl" and gave
the audience hint of the splendid dane
ing they were to witness.
Every body applauded when the little
nightingales came out and sang 81
Loves Ma Honey" and we'll they might,
for their acting was SO cunning and
their dancing perfect. Inky White be-
ing indisposed, Seraphina Appetite and
Ike Razzors introduced their selection,
my African King" which showed to
advantage the sweetness of their voices
and was acted we'll. Then out came the
SNOWFALL Twins in costumes so nobby
and sang "Hesitate, Mr.. Niger" but
no une hesitated to applaud, for they
couldn't help showing their apprecia-
ton. Smoky Ham may have disguised
her features, but she couldn't her voice,
and when che struck the first notes of
81 Loves You Ma Babe" all recognized
its sweetness and knew they'd have a
treat. Sorry Bernhart had most diff
cult selection in "Flv Ye Black birds, -
but she was equal to, it. In fact there's
no such word as fail applied to that
coon; she's bird, black bird sure.
Clemintina Bigfoot was late, but she(?)
got there just the same and warmed the
company up with watermelon Party"
song.
The grand finale aUGs grand, and how
th he audience did applaud as the Stars
and Stripes were unfurled and the
entire company sang Columbia the
Gem of the Ocean," The dancing by
one of the young ladies, dressed in red
white and blue, added much to the
effect, and she's a dancer there's no
mistake.
Part second opened with an overture
by the orchestra, which it seemed was
imbued with the spirit of the occasion
and played extra we'll. Six black birds-
six young girls, part of whom took the
part of boys, gave a song and dance
which was graceful in the extreme
Madam De Kankie De Koko made hel
appearance and Gang in true coon style
forth the Pumpkin Colored Coons, who
sure enough made their appearance, the
little girl In night gown and the tiny
boy in a little night shirt. The audIenc'
was wild over them, and when the!
gigged everybody fairly yelled with de-
light. Company L. was composed o
eight girls, in fitting costumes ant
carrying red white and blue canes
, This was very taking feature of tn
program. SO perfectly did the girls exc
cute the movements. But what brough
the house down was when the seventeen
little ones, from to IL years of age
came out and Gang "HaDnah, Go Hid
Your Boomers" It was just too cute
In fact it couldn't be beat.
The last number was a fitting finale