Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-05-03
THE rooney BOYS;
A WATERMELON PARTY,

"Roney's Boys" FIVE IN number and
constituting the only concert company
Of It's kind IN America, will make their
FIRST appearance IN Salt Lake Saturday
afternoon and evening. Henry y. Roney.
originator manager aud director Of tho
company has visited every state in the
Union with his five singing boys and also
filled engagements IN Canada and Cuba.
White on the road the boys receive an
education, visit all points OF interest IN
every section OF the country toured and
enjoy other privileges which the ordinary
boy does not have. "Roneys Boys are
not related to their instructor but are
selected because ~ their vocal and musl-
cal ability, When their voices change or
they, themselves become too old for their
parts, they are returned to their homes
and new candidates chosen. The Rooney
boy may be eight or H. but he is seldom
Olqcr than IL.
Henry y. Roney was for years a choir.
master and organist In tho Grace Episco-
pal church, Chicago. About 10 years ago
he conducted the memorable tours of
Blatchford Kavenaugh. the then great
boy soprano, Mr. Roney organized Mt
this time a concert company composed Of
five young boys. The personnel OF the
company changes yearly but the company
SIN numbers FIVE, and this years IN.
cludes Tracy Holbrook. the young violin
yirtuoso. Mr., Roneys duties as guide,
teacher conductor trainer and mother
and father 10 these healthy. active young
Americans, are not simple nor easy. Their
voices clothes, education training-all
are arranged and superinteded by Mr.,
Noney under whose personal care the
boys spend every moment while on their
tours While the company was hlllng an
engagement in Texas some time ago the
boys enjoyed watermelon" party and
uearly drove their manager into nervous
prostration. During their stay In one Of
the hotels the boys struck Up an &C.
qualntance with the hotel managers son,
9 B-year-old, active brisaned, strong
limbed lad. At the supper table Henry,
for that was his name. described the
fun and sport OF watermelon stealing IN
glowing words and vivid pictures The
Roney boys said nothing but did some
deep thinking, After supper six boys stole
silently out OF the hotel and hurried with
cautious steps towards the edge Of the
town. Mr.. Roney went into his boys
room but found no boys. Investigation
lead 70 the startling discovery that Henry
aud the famous quintet were missing
When o'clock rolled around Mr. Roney
was half-cra2ed with anxiety. Searching
parties had beck organized and sent in
all directions. ~ 100 Mr. Roney was al
most crying, 20 worried was he Nothing
had been learned OF the boys where-
abouts
The suspense was relieved I'm laugh
able manner, although Mr. Roney con-
feSscs he laughed through sheer relief
and not because he saw the ridiculous side
Of the situation. From the darkness ard
tho doorway OF the hotel, emerged six
shamefaccd boys with mouths and eyes
suspiciously wet To the rear was farm
eT whose appearance was rendered threat
ening by an old rusty gun ne carried In
his hand The sight was too much for
the guests In the hotel office and a hearty
laugh was enjoyed BY all present Mi
Roney muttered faint but thankful
OH
"Be these your boys?' asked the farm
er indicating with the gun. the six boys
They are" answered Mr. Roney
We'll, they've bin IN my melon patch
and busted two dollars worth OF vines, -
retorted the rustic.
Here's your two dallars, Keep the
change" Mr., Roney almost shouted,
thrusting a Ave dollar note In the farm
ers hand. The hoys sang that night IN
their usual brilliant style, but the de-
lighted audience little knew that beneath
the cassocks and SUPPLIES Of the five 1T
IT, choir boys beat I'VE boyish hearts
thrilled with their evenings escapade In
watermelon field.