The Mankato free press., 1903-08-14
Lawn Fete Given BY The Episcopal
Ladies Last Night.
Two Comedies Were the Special Fea-
lures of the Evening.
The Casts Were in the Hands OF
Competent People.
Furction Was Great Success From
Every Point of View.
From Fridays Daily.

Some three hundred people enjoyed the
features set forth at the lawn fete last
evening and pronounced the entertain
ment an unqualified success. The affair
was given on C. ID. Taylor's lawn, under
the management of the ladies of the
Episcopal church. The idea of a lawn
fete is unique in its conception and as
carried out by the Episcopal ladies last
evening was a delight to every member
of the audience.
The principal features of the evenings
program were two short plays, present
ed on a stage which had been erected for
the purpose. The stage was arranged
for a porch scene for the first play, "A
PROPOSAL Under Difficulties" The play
deals with the mishaps of young man
who, while attempting to rehearse ms
proposal, is heard and accepted by par
lor maid, but who, after many mlsun-
derstandings, finally straightens matters
out and wins the lady of his choice. Miss
Smith of Fayette, Iowa, took the part
of Dorothy Andrews, the young lady
for whose hand the two young men are
so earnestly suing. Miss Smith has
marked ability in this line, and handled
the part with grace and charm that en-
deared her to the audience at once. Bob
Yardsley, the unlucky but successful sui
tor. was taken by Charles Butler, and
Will Jacoby handled the role of Jack
Barlow, his insouciant, blase rival. Mrs.
John Parry as Jennie, the maid, handled
a rather difficult part in very clever
manner, and was enthusiastically ap-
plauded.
The second play was a gem. 1t Is en-
titled "A Set of Turquoise" and is from
the pen of the versatile Thomas Bailey
Aldrich. The scene is laid in the garden
of the villa of the count of Lara. Jap
anese lanterns and Raman lamps were
the illumination, and palms and plants
carried out the idea of a garden. The
play tells of a wager laid between the
countess and her husband, through which
she hopes to win certain set OF tur-
auoise. She awakens his jealousy by a
ruse. and in the fire of his passion he
seeks to kill her, as he finds her asleep.
She awakens, explanations follow, the
count sees how cleverly he has been dup
ed and the countess wins her turquolses.
The play is decidedly artistic in its con-
.ception. and its rendition was IN able
hands last night Miss Alice Grannis
as the countess of Lara was excellent and
/. H. Sickle, as the count, surprised mis-
many friends by the talent he displayed
His portrayal of the varied emotions
experienced by the deceived husband
was very well done. Miss Lotta LindeI
as Miriam the maid, who is party to
the deception practiced upon the count
handled her work admirably.
The greater part of the credit for the
manner in which the plays were handled
belongs to Miss Grannis. Both were
produced under her supervision and
training, and very few of those taking
part had ever done any work of the
kind before, and Miss Grannis, more than
anyone else, should feel highly pleased
with the reception that was given then
work last evening.
An orchestra of ten pieces added large
lv to the evenings entertainment with
selections. and also with incidental music
during the action of both pieces. Japan
csc lanterns decorated the lawn, and Ice
cream and cake were served after the
performance Artistically and financial
lv. the affair was a decided success, and
the ladies of the church should feel high
ly pleased with the result of their labors