Arizona republican., 1901-03-08
JEROME NEWS
How tho Mining Town Was Enter
 tained By Old Folks.

Tuesday evening the Jerome people ment given in the Methodist church by the children. It was advertised to be "Ye Old Folks Concert, given by "Ye Young Folks" The advertisement, like the advertisements in The Republican. was no fake but the genuine article. The old folks were certainty we'll repre- sented by the young folks. Mrs. Arm strong had spent weeks preparing the children for their parts in the play, and right well did they carry out their parts when the time arrived for them to face the public in their gay costumes, gotten up to show off tho costumes Of many years ago. The church was jam med with good natuTed aumanity as early as o'clock everybody was antic- ipatinQ a gay time and the anticipa- tions were fulfilled. Shortly after 8 the organ pealed forth march. a commo- ton was heard at the door and in came the most picturesque throng even seen in Jerome Many of the celebrated faces of an hundred years ago were there: all who ever read of the thrill ing colonial days. when our forefathers. declaring their independence of the Mother country. fought for their lives. freedom and fortunes in the face of great odds. recognized the people who entered the door. by their dresses. In the front marhcsd no less personages than George and Martha Washington
 They were followed by Lord Baltimore. Nellie Cus,ds. the favorite niece of the father of his country. Israel Putnam. Mistress Charity Mak spiece. Mistress Hopeful Fotheringay. Mistress Tribula- ticn Rawbones, Capt. Clapsaddle. Dol ly Madison and General Gander. The latter was not noted for anything par tlcularly in the days of the revolution. but was noted on the night of the con- cert. The night names of the children taking part in the entertainment are: Bertha Rucker, Thornton Merrill, Bert Miller Edith Merrill. Mamie Dunkle. Gladys Talbot, Inez Reynolds. Almeta and Irene Goodwin. Edith Reese. Flo renee Bagley, Clarence Gerard. Paul and Rosie Manning. Mir. and Mrs. c. D. Manning furnished music for the oc- caslon. assisted by c. F. Fisher-I mean that Mir Manning turned the leaves while his wife played the organ, and Mir. Fisher blew through a flute till he was weak in the knees. The music was good. however, and could not have been dispensed with, It would be un- fair to say that any of the pieces on the programme were better than others, for they were all SO good there Is noth- ing more to be said. The singing, so- los. duets and choruses were excellent. The recitations were splendid One recitation that brought down the house was the sad tale of the demise of Gen. eral Gander. related by himself who. on this occasion. happened to be Paul Manning. The general went out one morning to take his flock of geese for an airing Out of the farm gate ana down the road this cid fellow marched, as proud as young poet reading his first effusion in a six-blt weekly pa- per. He reached the railroad track and saw a passenger train approaching Feeling that he was greater than the train. he called to his followers to keep step and go on to victory. Just as old Gen. Gander stepped onto the rail the train passed and all that was left of the brave leader was a bunch of white feathers and streak of goose grease along the rails. Paul is a droll little fellow and is an elocut!onist at heart. Pretty little Gladys Talbot who is six or seven years old sang a song enti- tied "Gran1ma's Advice" that was so well sung and acted I must say few words about 1t. Gladys is a sweet child
 and very smart. She was at her ease all the time. and fairly took the house hxr cf e.t,. were on a par. Grandma told her never to believe the wicked young men, for they were gay doceivers. She did not believe in the first one that came court ing. but fell in love with the sec- nd one and married him. Then she told her grancm'lthe that If she had been as shy as she advised she would have been an old maid herself. Little Rosie Manning, five years old. took part in several recitations and songs. Rosie is very bright and has the sweetest It, tie voice ever heard in Jerome. She kept the tunes and started in with the music without a falter. Now I have mentioned the three youngest children. and the ctder ones by their fantastic names. so they must be satisfied that the readers of The Republican appreci- ate that tAey all did exceedingly we'll in their respective parts. All the costumes were very gorgeous and costly. The parents went to considerable expense in getting clothing for their children suit able for the occasion. There were many costly silk dresses on the stage. The old and celebrated people whom the children represented could scarcely have afforded such dresses as their des- cendan.s wore. In gold and gilt frame, suspended above the Tostrum. was the smiling face of George Wash ing.on as he appeared in life He was proud of the affair and would liked to have spoken. but was doomed to silence. Flags adorned the walls and evergreens and winter flowers bloomed from pots and vases in the windows, on tables and on the organ. About $50 was cleared by the concert. which went to swell the church fund. Edith Reese, the bright little daughter of Mir. and Mrs. John Reese, formerly of Phoenix. sold 70 tickets. thereby winning the prize offered ts the child selling the most. Altogether the concert was a great social and financial success. The ladies of the Methodist church are workers. and win keep their church above the waves of financial adversity if rustlng and determination can do 1t.