Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-04-23
THOROFARE.


airy on Monday night, must have convinced
the Changers, if they needed convincing,
that they should have new and larger
hall, one built for them with proper stage
/ facilities, and room where the expected
guest, who is obliged to wait while the
Changers exchange the formalities OF the
occasion among themselves, can be shielded
from the weather, and from the ubiquitous
small boy, who usually goes through a
crowd after the manner of steam engine. |
| Unfortunately, we are of the earth, earthly;
we have not reached the sublimated heights
| which would enable us to go to the Grange |
in the spirit, and, soaring above material |
considerations, refresh our minds with the |
intellectual feast provided for us. Though, |
we do confess that when once we had run |
the gauntlet, and were seated in the brill
liantly lighted room, and looked about
upon the happy faces gathered there, we
forgot the dangers by the way, and settled
ourselves for the enjoyment of what proved
to be most enjoyable evening. The enter
tainment began with singing by the Grange;
the singing Of the Grange is always good.
Then came several Rotations from quite
young children. THE Cancelled Mort
gage" by Anna Carter; 1.-THE Woman that
! Worried, y by Lille Budd; Farmer
i DEOWuS SOuCiuSiOu1 NY b1dLy OttdcUui |
and "The Illnatured Briar, ), by Eva Glenn
emit, is to be commended for having spoken
in clear, well-modulated tone, which |
could be heard throughout the hail. The
best thing among the preliminary exercises
was song, by Alice and May Gibbs, and
their brother Thomas Gibbs This received
an enthusiastic encore, to which they grace
fully responded with another song. The
program flushed with drama in three
acts called, "What's Next?" Mrs. Elsie
Estlack, as "Polly Poke, " played the star
part in this and played it we'll. It was
much the best thing which we have seen
her do. The play was little comedy full
of bright sayings, and funny situations.
The parts were all well taken, and the play
was more harmonious as a whole than any
thing yet attempted by the young people of
the Grange. Mr.. Frank Eastlack as ssWilly |
Willy, dudelet from Gotham, deserves
special mention, not only because he played
i the part well, but because it was so entirely
foreign from his character that it required
more ability to portray it, "Phineas Poke, y
ZONE of the district school board,' and
proprietor of ''Poke's Pine Potion, which
Polly said, was made by whiskey and pine
needles, and taken by those who wanted
drink on the sly, was well represented by
Mr.. VIM. Reed. Mr.. Charles P Budd, as
Timothy Trentwith, made capital Texas
ranger, and his makeup was all that could
be desired, though any Texan that we have
ever seen, after finding that SO pretty girl
as "Gertie Gush'' Miss Lydia Heritage
was not really the long-lost daughter for
i whom he had been searching, would have
married her on the spot, had she been as
willing as "Gertieo evidently was. Mr.
Clayton Hammel, as fMoses Nader y was
long-headed and short-sighted by turns, and
so lost in the end the advantages he seem
ed to have, at one time, gained. Both his
makeup and his acting were admirable.
Mr.. Elmer Haines, as ''Dr. Charles Chint-
zer," generally called "Chub' had the
faculty of turning up always at the right
moment, and gaining all his points in the
end. The part was excellently played
Mr.. leslie Gibbs took the part of "Zeph
Somers," who had his pocket full Of dime
novels. and his brains full of sIniuns"
j He said many funny things, and was
greeted with roars Of laughter whenever he
appeared He is fast coming a favorite on
the mimic stage Of the Grange Literary.
Now, for the ladies: Miss Eva Hughes as
Mrs. Rose Nader, a jealous woman, we
thought hardly jealous enough; Miss Lydia
Heritage, as "GerSie Gush," Of uncertain
age, and looking for husband, and Miss
Hannah Allen, as MRS. Wallace a
fascinating widow who wished to marry,
bore their parts we'll. The ladies all
looked we'll, and what can woman do
more We were RECALLED between the acts
by Mrs. Harry Lowe with his graphic
phone. We all, in our hearts, voted the
evening success, and came away feeling
grateful to the Changers for the pleasure
afforded us.
Last Friday was Arbor Day, and was
celebrated in the school building at two
o'clock in the afternoon. No tree was
planted, because, as the Principal, Prof.
r. G. Hilliard, told us in a short address,
the day was not propitious, and official
announcement, of the date had, not given
sufficient time for suitable arrangements,
and he thought it desirable that the tree
planted should have, at least, chance for
its life We agreed with him, but were
surprised to learn that Arbor Day was
movable feast, subject to the exigencies Of
the climate, and the will of the Governor
in each State. Plans were made for the
planting of trees, and for improving the
school premises in the near future. The
program was long and varied; the music,
of which there was a great deal, was ex-
cellent. A charming little address of
welcome was charmingly made by Miss
Ella Banks one of the teachers, and Miss
i AMY Rambo made the announcements.
We regret that we can mention so few of
the good things given by the children.
Among the recitations, s'The Blue Bird, y
by Maggie Gibbs, was, we think, the best.
She made peculiar little bird sound in
her throat which was very effective. 'sThe
Blue of Wing" by Lizzie Clement, we
thought particularly good, as was also,
Their Flowers, F.. by Joseph Piatt. A solo,
My Bonnie Bird, !, was very sweetly sung
by Mary Gibbs, and an instrumental piece,
wnicn nau Ance 5lbDs q! ene organ, anu
rloi. Elilialu anu Onardie Le 1; wign
snelr yloiins was e rsna,:s auma nsd AZ ~
iace, Une vioiln s VI olialies poo'salu uis-
He f IL nnnil 81 prof billiard IN This
instrument There were so many GOOD
things thin Init time and snace both fail rs. The
Rev George 8 Jobnlon and Mr. Charles