The Savannah morning news., 1901-12-19
FRENCH BY SCHOOL GIRLS.

most enjoyable entertainment was
given last night at the home of Miss
Hartridge on CASTOR street. The even
ing opened with the performance of a
farce adapted by Miss Ward from the
French of Mrs. Hugh Bell. The open
ing scene, a dainty drawing room in
the home of Madame Du Bots, was a
particularly attractive background for
the effective costumes of those who
took part. 1t was Madame Du Bois'
day at home, and, as is often the case
in real life, the conversation was de-
voted to the weather and to the chill
dren of the visitors. Madame Du Bots,
the charming hostess, dressed in velvet
and gold, was impersonated by Miss
Mary Morel, whose self-possession and
fluent French made her one of the
best characters in the play. Miss Do
rothy Baldwin took the part of
Jeanne, the pretty little daughter of
Madame du Bots, and played the part
OF an enthusiastic naive little girl,
then of the petulant child, admirably.
Miss Miriam Dent, as Nine. Lefebore,
fashionable lady with lorgnettes and
bored manner, carried off her part to
perfection. The by-play of Miss May
Egan as Nine. de Rouvre, young wo-
man absorbed in her personal appear
ance, was very good. AS Mime. de
Taniere, deaf old lady with an ear
trumpet, Miss Marjorie Wesson was
inimitable. Besides her acting, the
costume she wore was of great inter-
est Each part of it, from her coal
scutue bonnet with its lace veil, to the
stiff skirt or brocade, was
over a century old; a Canton crepe
shawl dropped from the shoulders, and
black lace mits We're worn.
Miss Florence Stevens took the part
of Mime. Mason, a sweet, gentle old
lady, and in a becoming and quaint
costume of black silk, was very attrac-
tive. AS the dainty little maid. in black
alpaca, with white apron and cap,
Miss .Milred Cunningham filled her
part to perfection, and the entire play
was excellently rendered and ELECTED
much applause from the audience.
The French play was followed by an
English one, entitled the Peasant
Queen" the scene laid in the time of
Louis XIV. The scene showed the
interior of a wealthy peasants home.
Miss Minnie Mackall took the part of
the middle aged peasant, Nine. Bon
occur, in black silk gown and powder
ed hair, very nervous, very agitated
and very fearful, an admirable and
consistent mpersonation Of the char
acter she represented.
In rose brocade and Jewels, Miss
Claudia McAlpin was very effective,
playing to perfection the part of the
Dtronizing, impressive benefactress
the Countess of Belleville. Both Miss
Mackall and Miss McAlpin had been
seen last year ON the amateur stage,
and what they were at that time was
more than realized last night.
AS for those who mde their first ap-
pearance in dramatics on this occasion
much praise was given. Both Miss
Elise Krenson and Miss Ophelia Dent
made a great impression in their
parts. The former, a village mischief
maker. sharp tongued, suspicious, with
shrill voice and absurd green goggles,
called forth repeated applause. SO
also did. Miss Ophelia Dent as BETH
ma, Nine. Boncoeur's old servant who
now scolding, now praising, now SAD,
now gay. seemed the life of the play,
almost its raison detre. Miss Con-
stance Chestnut as Marguerite was ex-
cellent in voice and gesture, and was
charming little figure in her peas
ants dress and cap.
The heroine of the play was Adele,
Louise bearing, very sweet and pref
~, the favorite of the village girls.
the pet of her grandmother, and Of the
Countess. Enough cannot be said
In praise of the chief actors in the play,
yet no less Is due those taking the mi
nor parts.
Following is a list of the peasants,
chief among whom as candidates for
the rose of honor were Miss Nora Ed
mondston, Miss Gladys Girardeau, Miss
Mary Elliott. and Miss Virginia Bis
bee. The others taking part were Miss
Nellie Halle, Miss Ethel Durham, Miss
Alberta WILLY, Miss Inez Tiedeman.
Miss Lila Carmichael, Miss Mary Bell
Gilbert, Miss Claudia Johnson, and
Miss Janet Menzies.
The costumes were particularly
pleasing, and the dancing Of the flower
girls added greatly TO the attractive
ness of the evening.
The entertainment closed with a
christmas carol sung by all Of those
who had taken part. Much applause
and praise was given the directress.
Miss Ward who in her home. South
orange, N. j., has always taken lead
ing parts In amateur theatricals. Her
training OF the girls in less than three
weeks shows her natural ability in that
line. and too much can not be said Of
the success of the undertaking.
Besides the teachers and pupils OF
the school the guests present were:
Mr. and Mrs. George Baldwin, Mr.. and
Mrs Anderson Carmichael, Mr.. and
Mrs j. r. Chestnut, Mr. and Mrs. w
ID bearing. Mr.. and Mrs. w. A. Bis
bee, Mr.. and Mrs. A. b. Girardeau,
Mrs II. NJ Conner, Miss Conner, Mr.. and
Mrs G. Nj. Gilbert. Mr.. and Mrs. Henry
Hun Mr.. and Mrs. Henry McAlpin,
Mr.. and Mrs. j. S. Wood, Mr.. and Mrs
Henry Stevens, Mr.. and Mrs. Bootte,
Mrs T. NJ Cunningham, Jr.; Mrs. Bee,
Mr.. Fred Wylly. Mrs Armia Palmer
Mr. and Mrs. George Tiedeman, Mr.
tnd Mrs Wesson, Mrs. Charles Shear
ton Mrs. Frank Screven. Mrs. George
Dent, Mr.. and Mrs. Tracy @. Hunter.