The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-10

Fifth Anniversary of tho Newberry Shake
Bpearo Club.


"Plays are like suppers; poets arc the
cooks,
| The founders you; tho tablc is this
! place,
! The carvcrs we; tho prologue is tho
grace.
Each uct, Il course, each scene diff
fcrcnt dish,
Though we're in Lent, | doubt You're
! still for Ilesh."
) George Farquhar.
In the month Of March, 1894. a few
OF the admirers Of the poet of Strati0rd
met and organized what they christcn-
cd "The Ncwberry Shakespeare Club"
early IN the current year, ;,s the fifth
! anniversary OF the clubs life approach
ed, the idea wits suggested and the sur-
scstlon adopted, that the birthday be
observed in some appropriate manner.
1t was not strange that IL "dr,matjc
performance" should suggest itself to
the minds OF those who had been study
ing those incompatible dramas so long.
Accordingly the fourth and fifth ac's OF
the Merchant OF Venice we're selected
The home Of Mr.. j. N. Martin was
chosen as the place, and Thursday
evening, March 2nd, us the time for
the performance. 1t was very Gttipr
that the place indicated above should
be selected, for it was there that the
club began it's existence five Years AFRO,
When the guests arrived they were
sur Priscd to find that the spacious hall
| at Aspenwall had been transformed into
kind OF Hammcr'tc Olympia. The
front end was the audience chamber,
Comfortable chairs were arranged for
the guests, who numbered nearly forty.
Brilliant lights connterfcitcd the sun
SHINE and graceful palms here and
there suggested the tropics. The rear
end of the ball was separated from the
front by heavy curtains and was fitted
up as stage for the players.
The following represented the cast
Of characters:
Duke OF Vcnlce-Mr. f. b. Wilbur.
Antonio C-Mr. w. "A. Hunt.
Bassanio-Mr. T.. N. Martin.
Gratiano-Nlr. [. IL. Hunt.
Salanio-Dr. ID. H. l}oozer.
Shylock-Pr1sidcnt G. B. Cromcr.
Ncrissa-Miss McMas,cr.
Portiu-Aliss itrnwick.
Jessica--Miss While.
Clcrk-Mr. G. II. Cannon.
I1orcnzo-Prof. =. l.. Powell.
Stephano-Mr. w. G. Aiayes.
LauncclOt-Mr. T. A. Carlisle.
When the bell rang and the curtains
moved the spectators looked into a
courtroom of the Venetian palace.
There sat the Duke of Venice on the
throne, clothed in gorgeous robes, and
crowned with round Of gold.
| should like to speak at lcnrth of
every character that figured in the
first act, and tell how Shylock, the
uSuriouS Jew. "bcat the Jews" and of
Portals pathetic plea for mercy, and
Of AnLonios calmncss in the pres
cncc of the glittcring knife, and of
BaSsanio's earnest interccssion, and of
Nerissa and Gratiano and the rest,
Suffice it to say that not one "poor
player" did fret and strut his hour
upon the stage"
In the second act or the fifth of the
entire play, the courtroom had been
suddenly transformed into a portion of
Portals $ garden. Real trees we're grow
ing ard flowers blooming, perhaps as
at ancient Belmont.
Ihe glare OF the courtroom had gone
and there in the soft moon light stood
LWcnZo and Jrssica, and their love
making and love talking were rrcsis. j.
bic as they passed through the shadows
down the leafy avenue and sat togclb-
or on the messy mound. aud listened to
the sweet, faint notes OF the distant
music. The play proceeded. The
threatened tragedy Of the rings came
on and grew into the comedy of the
disclosed secret and all in a manner
most satisfactory. The audience look
ed and listened with eager interest and
when the curtains finally closed this
was the instant verdict Of one Of the
charter members: "rhis is undoubtcd-
y the best meeting the club has ever
had"
But the dramatic feature was not all
of the evenings enjoyment. As soon
as the players had received congratu-
lations and laid aside their Venetian
millinery and modern arms the dining
room door was thrown open and the
merry party went out to enjoy the de-
llcious refreshments that had been pre-
pared.
And then it was evident that more than
the palate had been considered. 1t
seemed Il" if some Italian garden had
been robbed, for the fragrance of vio-
lets filled the place and every table was
gorgeous with their purple glory.
Each guest fo' Td at his plate bouton-
nlcrc OF five violcts daintily tied with |