Waterbury Democrat., 1901-08-27
MINISTRIES EXTRAORDINARY.
Guests at Branford Point House Given
 a Rare Black Face Treat.


 Last weeks rain made it rather dull and uninteresting for the guests at the Branford Point house, particularly so for the juveniles, of whom there are about twenty. They had played all sorts of games, and listened to ghost stories until they were tired They had also given shows of various kinds, each one being the best that ever was, and far surpassing the one that went before. There is lots of taI- ent there, that could be discovered by any one with half an eye. Finally some one suggested giving minstrels, one that would put Lew DOckstader to shame, and make George Primrose think he was an amateur. Landlord Sanford turned over his parlors to the stage struck lads and lassies, a drop curtain was purchased at Branford's general store, where one can buy any, thlng from yeast cake to a piano. The night was set for the entertain ment, and everybody waited in breath less suspense. The mothers of the minstrels put on their boys cuffs for collars. and the brightest bits of cloth that could be found for ties, and then daubed their faces with burnt cork
 Every mother was property man. for her own group. The girls were neatly dressed in low neck and short sleeve dresses, and really looked quite ''scrumpscious." No rehearsals were required, as everybody said "Oh. I know my part: just wait till you see me. When the curtain finally rung up the happiest and gayest crowd of
 mokes" imaginable were discovered, each waiting to do his or her turn. sam Newman occupied the post of honor as interlocutor, and the general verdict was that Sammy was all right Sammy is a grandson of MT Johnson. who was associated with Maier Kaiser in the clothing business in this. city for a number of years. Jack Dillon and Vincent Maloney held down the corners. and sprang several Jokes, some. of the guests wondering where they had been all this time the jokes-for it was said that they belonged to Noah's time Henry How lett made a typical minstrel. He rolled his eyes and swayed his body in | such true darkey manner that the audience forgot for the moment that | he was not what he appeared. Henry l is Brooklyn boy, and his rendition Eof several coon songs was unique and bup to date Sanford Todd and Julian ! Dillon. the boy babies of the troupe. | brought down the house early and | often. Songs were sung by the female | members of the troupe, and each one | had to respond to an encore, Cath l erine Maloney getting so enthusiastic | that she didn't even wait to be I was ready and willing and sang her I songs in a manner that made the I guests call for more. Marjorie Hor- I ton by her singing and acting pleased
 everybody, and was greeted with ap- l plause at each appearance. Marjorie, l Marion and Catherine were the three l girl babies of the troupe, but there | was nothing babyish about their act I ing and singing. Adrian Dillon sang | several character songs and also did l tambourine dance. Margaret Ma
 loney had lots of songs up her sleeve, and it was no trouble for her to sing
 them. She finished her turn by doing -I Spanish tambourine dance. The following was supposed to be the order of exercises: Song, Every Race Has
 Flag but the Coon" Vincent Ma l loney: song, ssI Guess I'll Have to Tel l song, ..Beer. Beer" Jack Dillon; song 4 ''AIandy,v Sam Newman: song, "The
 Mick That Threw the Brick" Julian Dillon: song, Little Black Me" Mar garet Maloney: song. .'Fhe Jolly Snow
 Brigade" Sanford Todd; song. "Star l light" Marion Gaffey; song, "Christ
 mas Bells" Catherine Maloney: song
 Santa Claus" Marjorie Horton; song
 "Ginger Loo" Ardian Dillon. The
 fancy tamhourine dances and clos
 followed, after which all hands Joined
 in a cake walk, the cake being award
 ed to Marjorie Horton and Jack Dill
 lon. The entertainment was success
 from every point of view. One of tho
 boys said after the show was ovel
 that it was the best thing of the T whole season, as the performers were treated after it was over. It was z
 gala night for the Point house, anG
 Foster Sanford the well known foot
 ball coach, was so pleased with the
 entertainment that he thinks of takins
 the troupe to New Haven to play fol
 week for the benefit of the Yale
 students and others who are anxious to see a real good minstrel perform ance.