The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-01-12
ANNUAL SOCIAL SESSION PROVES
HILARIOUS EVENT.
A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING
Song, Music, Quip and Joke Chase
Away Dull Cares Wrinkied
Front.

v OASAASty " IA IAN ~
1of a social session was devised by the
committee to whom was delegated au-
thority to arrange for the annual
roundup of the Billings lodge of Elks,
which took place last Friday night.
For the occasion the lodge room had
been converted into a regular free
and easy" with sawdust on the floor
and tables for the convenience Of the
guests. White-coated and white
aproned beer "slingers" hustled about
the and kept the audience sup
piled with generous bumpers of the
popular brew during the progress OF
the "show" that took place on an
improvised stage at one end OF the
hall. Probably but few of those who
we're present had the honor before OF
being waited on by bankers, city and
county officials, prominent profession
al men and capitalists, but that sat
isfaction vas theirs for the evening,
as all those who were pressed into
service for the time being we're rep
resentatives of just that element. The
truth must be told-some of the dis
tinguished luggers of liquid and solid
refreshments acquitted themselves
with a grace and ease that suggested
acquaintance with the calling before
dame fortune deigned to smile on
them and place them in a position
where they can afford the luxury of
servitors without number for their own
special comfort and convenience.
Vests orchestra supplied the music
and during the opening number crack
ers, pretzels and beer were passed
around, after which came cigars and
then the performance on the stage be-
gan. That order and decorum might
be observed, Dad" Holmes had been
appointed policeman. His naturally
generous endowment of circumference
had been added to by a liberal appll-
cation of some of Mrs. Holmes pill
lows, while a beard of the kind affected
by good, old countrymen whom the ir-
reverent. city boys delight in calling
''Si". and a plentiful use of grease
paints changed his physiognomy into
that of the typical bucolic officer. A
star almost as large as Coreli's, comet
blazed from his breast and his strong,
right arm welded a bladder inflated
to the stretching point as an addi-
tional badge of authority and which
was used with generous impartiality.
The Programme.
Roche, Mains and Sylvester opened
the performance with a travesty on
the late Elks' minstrels first part and
gave way to Ira Whitney, who appear
ed in black and did a very neat coon"
song and dance, to which he vas COM
PEELED to respond with an encore. l..
T. Jones liberated some shot air. and
Gill Clark, in an impersonation OF
Tom Thumb, sang a couple OF catchy
songs. Cass Prudhomme essay
ed a m%onologue and under the guise OF
a tamale peddler raped some OF the
members in racy fashion OF their sew
eral idiosyncrasies. Allen, Gillully,
Whitney and Bouton constituted the
time honored quartette, and did it we'll.
Will Allen liberated some very pretty
music from his cornet and Harry
Drum sang a pathetic ditty about a
sailorman and his marital difficulties.
Doctor Lindsey sang his woodpecker
song, of course, and then acted as
for a four-round glove contest