Waterbury Democrat., 1901-04-30
SECRET IS OUT.
The Novel Plan of the Elks Minstrels Was Revealed Last Night in Bristol.

l. The Novel Plan of the Elks Minstrels Was Revealed Last Night in Bristol.
 Before a full house of enthusiasts, the Waterbury lodge of Elks gave the
 initial performance of the minstrel en- tertainment, last night in Bristol. Full ly two hundred people accompanied the Elks to Bristol on the regular 4:05 train yesterday afternoon and were present at the performance in the even- ing. 1t was really the first time that the minstrel company had been through the whole performance from beginning to end and while it was little rough in spots the minstrel per formance gave entire satisfaction. Now as to the idea and plan of the perform ance, it is just as well to explain it.
 When the curtain rises there will be no regular set first part and there will be but one or two persons in sight. The scene will represnt as nearly as possible Denman Thompson's "Old Homestead'' and one or two farm hands may be discpvered around the old house which graces one side of the stage. The old barn stands op- posite the house From the fields comes the sound of singing and well to do old farmer who has been dozing on the porch of the house arises and listens until the song is concluded. The song that is sung is 'sThe Vacant Chair.'' When it is concluded the old man talks of the vacant chair that there IS at present in the old home as his boy Jack is down at Yale college but he reads letter from the boy which tells him that he is coming home ana he IS to bring along with him q lot or his college chums. Throughout the letter the old man creates a fund of amusement by his reference to the studies of the boy at school. He then shouts his orders to the farm hands to get the farm in readiness for the re- ception of the boy and his chums. The militia regiment of the village is or dered to report and the soldier boys do report in short order and this drill is one of the very pretty features of the entertainment. At the conclusion of the drill q trumpet is heard in the distance and the sounds of college songs are heard Gradually the sounds come closer until finally on to the stage dashes a tallyho coach with the students singing one of their catchy songs. The boy is the first one to reach the ground where hesis greeted by the old man. After "a few preliminary greetings James Butler of Hartford explains certain things to the old farm- CT which enlightens him and he then is presented with program of enter tainment which is to be carried out by the students.
 The ta1lyho coach has taken up it's position in the rear of the stage and seated on this are some of the students who have doffed the clusters and straw hats they wore in and they are discovered in full dress suits. Four outrunners are also on the coach at tired in handsome livery At this point the old man calls for a song from the boys and in marches the endmen all handsomely attired in footmen's livery. Their opening song and the chorus is q very catchy one and while it is being sung a transformation is taking place in the rear. This will be discovered as soon as the song is ended for the moment 1t is oyer the captain of the l militia company gives the signal and all are immediately seated The pie ture is formed for the soldiers are ar ranged back Of the singers in front and above them. The tallyho forms the background md the whole makes a very pretty scene. Then follows the entertainment and of course you will have to judge for yourself whether it is good or, not. 1t Is enough to know that it is the best entertainment the Elks have ever arranged and on Thurs day evening at Polls they expect to outdo themselves.