The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-05-15
SINGING SCHOOL
WAS UNRULY
Briny Tears and Anticipated
Dresses Were Prominent
AT CHURCH CONCERT
Bloody Nose Causes BasSo TO
Leave the Room.

eye country folk Of ye olden time"
who attended Mehitable Plunkett's sing
ing school in the First Presbyterian
church last night were an unruly lot
and the wise, specialized dame who
taught the rudiments OF music and could
sing any part except the bass. with dif-
aculty induced the boys 10 refrain from
teasing the girls and was utterly unable
TO prevent the maiden in the short white
dress who occupied the 'front.' seat from
disturbing the equilibrium OF the school
BY her briny tears and violent sobs.
While the singing teacher was having
all these difficulties, the large audience
which had gathered 10 witness the unique
entertainment given by the choir Of the
First Presbyterian church made no ef-
fort TO conceal its amusement and all
pronounced II 10 be the most eomiesi
burlesque they had ever seen presented
by home talent
After few Of the scholars attired In
the clothes their grand parents wore had
entered the school room, Miss Sarah
Norcross, as Mehitable Plunkett entered
and by her imperious manner let every
one know that she was on hand and
was running her OWL singing school.
Dame Plunkett was robed in A black
dress and wore an old fashioned bonnet
She looked fierce when she seowled at
one boisterous fellow who said that she
was not good looking. She reminded him
thar handsome IS as handsome does.
After a few more had entered IL was
announced that Squire Bellingham would
come TO drill the school for an approach
ing concert and that he would bring
with him Julius Caesar his colored nd
der ard servant. Immediately Sylvia
Nightingale who was arrayed in a gray
dress. with wide, long skirt. and who
was represented by Miss Fay Simpson.
said MY parents VIII not let me come
to singing school If any niggers are
present"
This school is Dame Plunkett's affair
and she don't allow no meddHn' from
the outside replied the irate tsacher.
Sylvia Immediately subsidized
Soon the school bell was rung and
whole train Of peculiarly attireG people
entered with flourish ard took their
seats.
Wen begin with the rudiments of
music" said the singing teacher solemn
". What is the staff?''
Miss Georgia Mccoy. who represented
Betsy Martin. who could not sing note
though she could shed an oceanfui Of
tears. rose to her feet.
You can answer, Betsy" said the
teacher.
Bread" was the answer
How do you figure that bread is the
staf?" queried, the teacher.
We'll I have heard tell how bread
was the stan of life" was the innocent
reply.
After the rudiments had been reviewed
and the scholars had been divided into
first trebles. second trebles. tenors and
100 s7asher called on Sylvia
Nightingale TO sing the scale. The
teacher began on ia" but the girl
wanted 10 begin on do This. OF
course. resulted in a pariey in which
the teacher came out victorious Several
others were asked to sing the scale and
most of them sang an octave too high
or sang monotone or no tone AT all.
When one girl arose to sing. Martin
Luther, who was represented by Charles
Carver. slyly pulled her hair, causing
her to shrek and get of the tune He
was promptly reproved by the teacher
and then looked like sauer kraut.
Professor Barber. who represented
&oses Simkins. acts the Ounce and IS
promptly placed on the Ounce stool.
After several voices have been tested,
the school sings:
THAT awful day will surely come,
The appointed hour make haste.
When l must stand before my Judge
And pass the solemn test"
At the conclusion OF the song Betsy
Martin buries her face IN her handker-
chief and when the teacher asks what
is the matter. she sobs: y vas think
ing of that awful day
At last Squire Bellingham, represented
by Prof z. c. Marshall. enters. attired
in a three-inch collar. a long linen buster
and wearing ''stovepipe" hat. He bows
TO the dame teacher and after the two
have constituted themselves a mutual
admiration society takes charge Of the
school.
he directs the school TO stand. and az
ter much beating Of the air and wearing
out OF shoes on his part. and Jealous
work on the part Of the school. an "old.
familiar hymn" is sung.
Mr. Carrothers. as Hadac Comstock.
sings a ballad about Z boy who died
from the effects Of a serpent bite. The
song causes tears 70 I'll the eyes OF the
assembled teachers and pupils.
IN the midst Of the rehearsal. James
Vincent who was on q hack row Of
asses. arose. Dame Fluukett looked
towards him and saw thas he was hold
You may 90. she said. and he went.
soon the teacher notices that Betsey
Martin looks pale and haZEard
what is the matter Betsey2" she
asks
Betsev rises ard SAYS Tn awful dry"
Two boys are Immediately dispatched
for water and soon they RETURN 10 Stake
the thirst OF the school.
n order N ar-rzs the school several