The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-23
CLOSE OF THE BOOK FAIR
VARIETY SHOW IN AFTERNOON AND
FARCE IN THE EVENING.
The Latter Caused Much Amusement
for the SpectatOrs-Fair
Financial Success.

The festivities of the senior book fair
were continued at the Shortridge High
School yesterday afternoon and last night.
The general opinion was that the enter
tainment this year surpassed the street
fair of the naughty ones" In the after
noon a variety show, under the direction
of James E. Randall. was given, and the
fair closed with a farce in the evening.
There a good attendance at the per-
Torrance yesterday afternoon, and the au
dience was very we'll pleased with the en-
tertainment. All the turns were well
received, especially those of Mr.. Stanton
White, mimic; Todd Hyatt, illustrated
coon" songs; T. ]. McAvoy, reader, and
Carl Brickerts sketch. Others who con-
tributed to the amusement were Miss leila
Spence in "a whistling solo, ShOrtridge Trio
in a Bowery sketch and Shortridge high
School Orchestra. After the vaudeville
performance the hall was cleared for the
dancers. and a full orchestra furnished
the remainder of the entertainment.
The biggest hit of the book fair, how
ever. the farce. "A Shortridge
Scheme presented last night to an au
dience that packed the assembly hall. The
piece written by Paul G. Edwards,
member OF the class, and was acted by a
capable company from the '02 class. 1t
tells the story of the lighter side of school
life and of the tricks of d girls brother
who is fond of playing practical jokes. The
plot is simple. Jack Donald. a Shortridge
boy, is very particular individual and
writes three notes to his best girl friend,
asking her to attend the book fair with
him, before he gets one that suits. Tom
ShaTltOn. the girls brother. finds the other
two notes and sends them to different girls.
All the young ladies are delighted TO re-
ceiVe an invitation from nice a young
man until they find the others have also
been asked TO go with the same boy. This
starts the fun, and things are not straight
ened out until the tables are turned on
Tom by a friend, Frank Ross. who mails
him six notes accepting his CTom's - invita-
ton 10 the senior entertainment. The plot
ting brother confesses his part in the
scheme, and the piece ends with everybody
happy and singing, "Oh, You Must Be a
Member of the |. III. s."
The first act takes place in May Sharl-
toms home, the second in the school library
and the third in Mays home. All the parts
We're we'll taken, especially those of May
Games Gipe) and Jack Donald Orchard
Barbee). The best acting probably was
done by Earl Pritchard a new Short
ridge teacher. Professor Spyglass, a great
student of the stars. The action of the
farce was fast and held the audiences at
tention throughout The dialogue con-
faculty and hot shots at different pupils
in the school, all of which were recognized
by the audience and loudly applauded.
One of the features of the farce was the
rescue OF Miss Nermed (Bess Trout a
new teacher from the clutches of the opos-
sum by Mr. Biddy. This happens in the sec
ond act. The possum, which, by the way,
is the real thing" runs into the library
and causes much excitement by jumping
into the waste basket Mr. Biddy hears
the cries of Help and rushes in, catches
the wild animal and walks off the stage
amid the applause of the audience. Just
then two Daily Echo reporters who have
been assigned on the sensation rush in to
get the details of the story" Another
feature of the farce was the singing of the
Shortridge Quartet. composed of Frank
Ingram, in the second act. The boys sang
IF We Should Make Love to Our Teach
ers, written especially for this piece by
Paul Edwards. Following is the cast OF
characters for "A Shortridge Scheme:'
May Sharlton, a ShOrtridge belle. Miss
Hazel Osborne; Alice Barton. Mabel Pray
Bess Ridgeway. Bess Coldwell; Tom Sharl-
ton, James Gipe; Jack Donald, Richard
Barbee; Frank Ross, Coburn Allen; Pro-
Horned. Bessie Trout: class treasurer
Maynard Allen: Daily Echo reporters, Ray
mond Bangs and Mr.. Biddy.
At the close of the performance the or
chestra played for dancing, and those in
charge OF the booths again offered their
articles for sale and tried in various ways
to relieve visitors of their money. A gen.
eral good time was had until II o'clock,
when Home. Sweet Home" by the or
chestra, announced that the senior enter
tainment of 1902 was over
1t is estimated that over 500 will be
cleared. which will go toward starting a
gymnasium fund