Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-22
ending with the famous expression, why
don't you speak for yourself, John?'
Pliphting Their Troth.

While the curtain is down the reader re-
cites the opening stanzas of 1.-The Spinning
Wheel" and at the words $50 as she sat at
her wheel the curtain is raised to show
the second wooing of John Alden, and again
the actors offer their pantomime, inter-
rupted by the messenger, also in Puritan
costume, who brings word of Standishs
death The curtain falls on the two lovers
plighting their troth.
The picture from "EVangellne' is the
famous betrothal scene of Evangeline and
BASIL starting, Indoors, warmed by the
wde-mouthed fireplace idly the farmer sat
in his elbow-chair." The curtain rises to
show Evangeline and her father seated on
one side of the fireplace, the old man smok-
ing his long pipe and the girl spinning. AS
the story progresses, Basil, her lover, en-
ters and in pantomime he follows the read
er's recital of the uprising of the colony.
Then enters the notary with quill pen
and his seals to witness the betrothal
While the two old men talk in pantomime
the two young people seen to withdraw
toward the window, where they stand, the
young girl clasped in her lovers arms;
and the curtain falls on another familiar
quotation:
Silently. one by one, in the infinite meadows Of
Blossomed the lovely stars, the forget-me- of
the angels"
In planning this set of pictures the hostess
will find many hints in the poetry which
to set forth the scene, such as tankards,
lamps and so on.
Picture After Another.
"The Hanging Of the Crane presents the
most pleasing possibilities and gives the
children something to do The poem
should be read in its entirety, and the
tableaux should be changed quietly and
rapidly, so that the speakers voice is not
drowned by the noise behind the scenes.
The first pictures shows a young man alone
before the fireplace, in which has been hung
a huge black crane, which may be built
from wood or pasteboard and stained black.
He wears the Puritan garb and holds
rather a sentimental attitude in the fire.
light, which can be simulated by the use
of red paper with an electric light behind 1t.
At the commencement of the second sec
ton of the poem, And now 1 sit and
muse curtains fall for few seconds, and
very quickly a young girl. dressed In old
fashioned white muslin, slips into the pic
ture, and the two sit side by side on the
high-backed settle. At the same time two
helpers carry on to the scene a small. old
fashioned table, set with old-fashioned
china and silver with place for two.
On the words, 1.-THE picture fades" the
curtains fall. and the bride makes quick
change to a gray brown dress, which
slips over the wedding finery. and takes her
place at one side Of the table, the young
man at the opposite, and child is seated
in a high-chair between them.
The fourth section shows two children in
stead Of one, and for the fifth the small
table must be removed, a larger one car
ried in, and more young people seated
around it, The husband and wife will
have to don gray wigs, and, II expert at
making up will have time to draw In
few lines in their faces.
The Golden Wedding.
The sixth scene should be omitted, as 1t is
depressing, and the seventh scene, present
ing the golden wedding, will make much
more attractive tableau. AS an encore Zap
plause is bound to follow the two old
people may be seated alone in the settle
Just as they were in tableau No. 2, but
now wearing white wigs. They are bent
with age, but she still sits with her head
ON his shoulder, his arm about her waist.
The success of this evenings entertain
ment will depend entirely upon the hearth
ness with which the young people enter
into the spirit of the scenes. There must
be no modern frivolity, but If details are
carefully followed really artistic per-
Torrance will be insured, and the older
guests in particular will greatly enjoy
revival of interest In the poems which they
read In their youth.
IF refreshments are served after the per-
formance they should be typical Thanks
giving dainties served in New England
households-cider, apples, popcorn and pork
fruit cake, or a spicy gingerbread to Whlch
raisins and currants are added.