The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-26
CHILDREN MAKE MERRY
CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT CIV
Es By MAENNERCHOR SOCIETY.
Songs of the Fatherland and n Visit
from Santa Claus Features
of the Event.

The members of the Maennerchor Society
celebrated their Christmas in Maennerchor
Hall yesterday afternoon with a most en-
joyable entertainment given by the chill
dren. The programme was carried out by
the classes of children under the direc-
ton of Mrs. Herman Adam. The numbers
consisted of Christmas songs, drills and
performances characteristic of various
nationalities which the classes represented.
The children were prettily costumed in
keeping with the style of each nation and
the songs and exercises were descriptive
of the respective Christmas celebrations
in foreign lands. The entertainment pleas
antly ended with a tableau in which all the
children that had taken part in the pro-
gramme were grouped about a beautiful
Christmas tree. followed by the appearance
of Kris Kringle, who headed the procession
of children in a march around the hall TO
the front of the stage, where he literally
distributed presents.
The first number of the programme was
Christmas Bells by the entire chorus
of seventy children's voices. 1t was sung
with genuine childish Christmas spirit and
the big audience in the lower hall and
balcony appreciated the song with pro-
longed applause. The next number, Even
ing Song" was by ten little girls clad in
lllkht ONIl dlO Odlilly WHILE CdpS. uTeSScO
ready to be tucked in bed by their mammas
Stray curls occasionally wandered out from
under the little caps which some en-
deavored to press back to their hiding
place but to no purpose. The effect was
real and perfect, but the bright places
peeping from between the borders OF white
lace was sufficient evidence that no such
thought as going TO bed was entertained.
A merry Christmas just seemed to bubble
out OF the little night caps am the au-
dience was not slow TO catch the spirit.
The German Christmas song was suns by
sixteen boys dressed in typical fatherland
style. They wore long blue trousers and
red vests which especially appealed to the
older ones present and recalled memories
when such costumes were not worn for
stage effect only.
The Maennerchor sang the "Dustman."
which was the only part taken by elders.
Following that was the japanese Christmas
song and fan dance by the second class of
girls, which was very pretty. They were
dressed in light japanese wrappers and
carried fans to correspond with their
dresses. The figures were executed with
gracefulness. The negro Christmas song,
by eight couples from the second boys
class, changed the whole performance into
a comedy for the time being. Eight OF
the boys wore gaudy dresses and head
gear with the pomp and pride of the swell
est" pickaninny and their escorts looked
as If their gorgeous suspenders were under
an intense strain TO keep them beside their
lady" So highly was this feature of the
programme appreciated that they were en-
cored until they had to return and sing
another song
The Italian song was by twelve girls
dressed In Italian costume and each carried
a tambourine. 1t was a very pretty exercise
and brought forth much applause. The
Greek song and dance was by seven girls OF
the fourth class in Grecian low-necked
dresses. The rendition of their part added
TO the attractiyeness of costumes. The
tableau of all the classes around a bril-
liantly lighted and decorated Christmas
tree closed the programme. After the tab
leau, Santa Claus. or the native Kris
Kringle, met the children at the door of the
stage n greeted them. Then a long line
was formed by twos and the robust, rudy
checked, gray-bearded Kris led the way
through the aisles OF the hall TO the front
Of the stage and gave out the presents
The other children in the hall fell in behind
those hat had taken part in the pro.
gramme and received their presents from
the hands of liberal Kris. Soon the quiet
hall ~resounded with the notes of tin horns
the rattle of noisy toys and shouts of child.
ish ~1aughte The grown people also be-
came noisy to the extent OF vigorously
wishing each other a merry Christmas
After spending an hour or so in this pas.
time thoughts turned toward home AND
1t was not long until the hall was agair
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