The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-05-16
THAT BRIGHT CAKE
Won in a World of Fantastic
Maneuvers by
MISS FISK AND HAL MCCOY
Description of the Parliament
of Old Maids.


given by home talent in this city was the
"Old Maids Convention" at the Crawford
Grand last night, under the auspices and
for the benefit Of the Congregations
church. The opera house was crowded and
the large audience was kept in roar OF
laughter from beginning to end.
The first part of the entertainment con-
sisted Of the annual convention of old
spinsters of Wichita, who met for the
purpose of comparing notes Of the year 5
trials and fluctuations and to talk over
matters pertaining to the good Of the
order. Mrs. Dyer, as Josephine Jane
Greene. acted as president Of the conven-
ton, and in dress, manner of speech and
parliamentary tactics, was a grand sue
cess. Mrs. Copeand, as Robilly Abigail
Hobbs, was secretary, and took down the
house. Her recitation Of the pestiferous
bundle bee was one of the hits Of the
evening. Miss Shultz as Cynthia Priscilla
O'Hara, was treasurer. She had an ex-
cellent Irish brogue, and her makeup was
typically Irish. The balance Of the cast
was as follows:
Opheha Arvilla Watkins. ..... Mrs. Wilson
Patience Desire LonghaIn.......Jane Burd
Rachel Rebecca Short............Mrs. Hays
Portia Olivia Bennett. Miss Mulvey
Penelope Gertrude Doolittle Mrs. Testard
Betsey Bobbitt. Mrs. Singer
Frances LuCretia GOodhope.
Miss Florence Mulvey
Jerlsha Matilda Spriggins. Mrs. Carter
Nerissa Ethel Bodkin. Miss johnson
Marty Alvira Blathers. Mr.. Ross
Florence Arabella Large. Mr.. Joe Stettler
Sophronia Araminta Long. .M.....rs. Hull
Jessica Juliet Smith. Miss Fisher
Cleopatra Belle Brown. Miss McIlrov
Anatasia Melissa Higgins. Mrs George
Prof. Make Over. Foster Brooke
The old maids marched in single file to
the time Of a march by the orchestra,
and after they We're seated the audience
got splendid view Of a mixture of facial
arrangements, puff boxes, cologne recep-
tacles, snuff boxes, and peculiar and an
tiquated fabrics and frills of bygone days.
The audience enjoyed looking at the scene.
even though there had been no other at
fractions.
Betsy Bobbitt was called on by the pres
ident to recite "a piece" and her first
ecitation was so richly enjoyed that she
was called back, and with solemn and
fearful mien spoke a parody on Kipling.
entitled, Take Up the Old Maids Bur
den"
Ophelia ArviIla Watkins, chairman OF
the vigilance committee, reported the
market Of manageable men, whom the
society might devour, rather poor.
I1r,., =,
lope Gertrude DoOiittle and Portia Olivia
Bennette was spirited and decidedly well
done. The society voted in favor of Miss
Doolittle's style, to the great delight of
the other spinsters and he stage, and also
some who were in the audience
Mr.. Joe Settler, as Miss Florence Ara
bella Large" attracted a great deal Of at
tention, as he sat in the front row Of the
stage circle, dressed in the height of fash
ION. with golden curls, a dress cut decided
" decollette and a skirt Of yellow satin.
Some Of the boys IN the audience became
smitten on Miss Large, but when they
were told il was Joe Settler, they wanted
their money back.
When Mr.. Foster Brooke appeared as
PROF. Makeover," with his remodelscope,
there was all kinds Of fun for the audi
snce. Each old maid who went through
the machine came out the complete en-
bodiment of her long-cherished hope, and
In this part of the performance there was
rendered a splendid program of music
with which the audience was delighted.
Miss Doolittle" went into the machine
and came out as Miss Blanche Child. Miss
Child sang Rag Time in the Moon"
a beautiful song TO which she gave perfect
rendition in pure darkey style
Miss Higgins was next put into the
machine and after a few vicious turns.
came out as Ada Christopher, a skirt
dancer. Miss Christopher did one Of the
finest dances ever seen on the stage in
this city and was heartily encored.
Betsy Bobbitt" wanted to be a singer.
and was put into the remodelscope. She
was turned cut as Mrs. Fred Bentley,
who plainly showed that Mr.. Makeover's |
machine could do good work. Mrs. Bent
ley's solo was decidedly classic, and ex-
hibited to perfection the splendid qualities !
OF her voice.
Matilda Spriggins." one Of the Oldest of |
the bunch, was turned out OF the machine /
as little baby, but the baby wasn't natu- |
d. Ai1&slAuCl as Il CID not cry.
PORTS Olivia Bennett" was next nut |
into the machine and after several sec
onds OF hard turning she was transformed |
to beautiful pair Of twins in the person /
OF Mrs. II. II. Horne and Mr.. Fritz Hutt- |
man, and the transformation was well re-
ceived by the audience. as Mr.. Huffman /
sang a solo. His costume was Gorgeous |
and beautiful, making him resemble some
Of the finely dressed pages Of the ancient |
courts. NJ. Huttman's voice was in per /
feet trim for the solo and his singing was /
oomplimeuted on every hand as being one /
among the best numberS On the prosrsu.
'Acyila Watkins came out Of the ma |
chine as Mrs. Bryant. who sang a solo /
OF profound merit and sweetness. The
audience a2plauded her heartily.
Cleopatra Belle Brown" was trans
formed by The mysterious and wonderful /
machine as beautiful maiden. who gave
10 the audience a fine exhibition Of Del
sarre- Miss Ada Wilson is an accom-
Qlished Delsaruan and her work was ex-
cellent
''Noviliy Abigail Hobbs" hrauv agreed n
so into the machine. she came our as
Mr. Casper Halnes, who sang a beautiful