Fergus County argus., 1901-02-06
TWENTY YEARS AGO.
Hiawatha Pantomime and the "Deestrict
SkuIe" by Local Talent.

Hiawatha Pant0mime and the "Deestrict
SkuIe" by Local Talent.
On last Wednesday evening at Cul-
ver's hall the Home Workers of the
Presbyterian church presented the
"Deestrict Skule" before large and
appreciative audience.
The first part of the program was
devoted to n pantomime reading
from "Hiawatha." Asset of tableaux
depicting Hiawatha' childhood, Hia-
watha's wooing and the death Of
Minnehaha, formed succession of
interesting and charming pictures.
The dark green back ground of frs
made a perfect setting for the pictur-
esque wigwam and camp fire, and
the bright blankets and 9ivid touches
OF color in the costumes.
Mrs. Wright was handsome and
graceful Nokomis, and Mrs. Symmes
embodied an ideal of the exquisite
and lovely Minnehaha. Mr.. Miners
Interpretation OF Hiawatha was ex-
cellent, and Mr.. Kelly as the ancient
arrow-maker looked and acted the
noble father. Rev. Pfaus' effective
reading of the lines added charm and
dignity to beautiful and artistic en-
tertainment.
The intermisson was agreeably
filled by Mr.. Blodgett in character
song entitled, Twenty Years Ago"
Then nfollowed the "Deestrict Skule"
in all its primitive simplicity; the
school OF twenty years ago, when the
rod was not spared and the present
flowery paths that lead to knowledge
had not been discovered.
Had the poetess been present who
sang
Backward, turn backward, o time, in your
flight,
Make me child again just for tonight"
She would have discovered how to
accomplish the desired transforma-
ton without subjecting Father Time
to the humiliation of backward SOM
ersaults, or other irrelevant acrobatic
feats. For here were dlgnitied ma
irons, wise pedagogues, shrewd busi-
ness men and learned lawyers dis
porting themselves with all the aban-
don OF childhood, or frisking about
like the provcrbial spring lamb.
Whether they had a draught from
the fountain Of youth is not known,
but that they were n healthy, happy
crowd OF school boys and girls. those
who were there can testify.
Mr.. Brassey as Hadrian Snodgrass,
the teacher, was perfect olden
time exponent OF the birch rod in
make up and manner.
Squire Kicker, the committeeman,
whose stronghold was pronuncia-
tion, was ably carried out by Mr..
Cort.
The pupils present were as follows:
Venus Matilda Weeks Mrs. Ed.
ridge) was a dear little girl with a
lisp and enjoyed the honor of being
the teachers pet.
Marie De Void Miss Main) looked
the pink of neatness in print gown,
though her knowledge-or the lack
OF fi,-of the history of George Wash
ington was somewhat startling.
Mary DE Haven Sadeye Mrs. Waite)
was very fetching maiden with ar
tistic leanings. Herremarkable draw.
ing OF the early bird catching the
worm fingers in the memory and
causes us to hope that the bird took
pepsin after accomplishing the feat
Belva McCorkle MRS. Long, was a
pretty yellow-haired girl In a blue
gown and went through the part
gracefully.
Mamie Slowcoach Mrs. Parrent)
was anything but slow. She has
doubtless learned before now wheth
er the Isthmus OF Panama connects
the north and south poles.
Daisy and Mehitable Skinner Mrs
SOIt anu MID. DdtnI Ntic pump duu
pretty with a marked fondness foi
fun and mischief
Martha Washington Hibbs mis-,
Peebles) was taking and trim, but
created the impression that at som,
time she had swallowed Webster's-
core and all. Itwould bea profound
misfortune II oneso promising shoult
succumb to mental Indigestion.
Mrs. Solomon Cranes Mrs. War;
discipline of her son was perhaps moi
according to directions laid down by
Andrea Hoier Proudfoot, but hel
bonnet was beyond criticism.
Zenobla Snellings' behavior Mrs
Weideman) proved that she wa
brought up in the way she should go
Her acting was very good.
Julius and Bilious Call (Mr. weide