The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1906-03-15

invariably, piano duet. Once upon a
time Jealous, but misguided, reform
er strove to open concert with a
temperance recitation. He was not
hoWled down but simply talked down.
Everybody always talks through the
opening number. Perhaps it is the
best thing they can do in the interest
OF music, for the fair performers are
usually trif1e distraught, and varia-
tions on "Home Sweet Home" are ant
to become very variegated indeed.
However, "Home Sweet Home" comes
to an end; not simultaneously, but it
gets there all the same
Then the business of the evening
commences. A lady with still, small
voice, attempts to convey rendering
of "Hillorrey,' or the "Holy City" into
the far corners of the hall. This is i'm
presslve and Christening. Deep still
ness reigns, unbroken save by the gem
tie tapping of foot in the back rows.
valnly endeavoring to pick up the
rhythm of the air. This is not encored
Il mean the song, not the footl
Doubtless they feel that an encore
would be kind of sacriIege.
After this the local comic bursts on.
Enthusiasm does not run riot on his
appearance. 1t was sedition, treason
and armed rebellion. Why, what
could be more mirth-provokingp
Does he not wear a smashed tile, red
nose and large gingham umbrella.
and other articles of clothingp After
and between the verses of his song.
which is of venerable antiquity and
delivered in manner even less anus (
ing If possible than that of the London
comedian who first perpetrared IL,
there are wild shouts of encore. He
blushingly Il should say, unblushingly,
if it were not for his nose which gets
decidedly redder) accedes to the re-
| quest After he has acceded five or
six times, the rector, who acts as chair
man, calls the assembly to order and,
reminding them that they will have
the pleasure of listening to Mr.. Funni-
man again later on, begs them to have
pity on him and spare his voice. This
is disingenuous of the rector, as it is
perfectly certain that Mr.. Funniman
never had, and never will have, any
thing in the shape of voice.
1t is the custom at village concerts
for one humerist to follow another.
This is probably due to the fact that
the management committee take up
the work merely as side line from
their more important duties of knitting
pyjamas for the INDECENT heather and
discussing the servant problem. At
any rate, the humorist who succeeds
Mr.. Funniman is but very pale sun
He labors through his song and, altho
he receives an encouraging plaudit
from the rector, feels very much like
the man at Browning Society meet
ing who admits he doesn't care for
poetry.
However, two or three more num-
bers follow, including lady violinist
whose "E" string breaks just in time
to save her accompanist from total
defeat. Then the sensation of the
evening is announced. Mr.. G. .Verdant
de We're, of the London concert, The
had once sung at Salvation Army
meeting in WhitechapeD has very
kindly promised to give us his famous
rendering of Wagner's 20 du Nein
Holder Abendstein. The rector makes
this very impressive, rolling the words
out as tho they were species of
Chinese profanity which he had over
heard and wanted stopped. The stalls,
or rather the cushioned chairs, perk up
and even the gallery, or rather the
benches, are moved.
Mr.. g. V. de V. has of course
brought his own accompanist. In fact,
one feels that if he had had one handy
he would have brought his own piano.
The accompanist, accordingly, after
few piano-tuner-like preliminary skir-
mishes, plays the opening bars of the
song. After this there is silence.
Finally Mr.. de We're, in very audible
whisper, remarks to the accompanies
sits no use; can't sing that thing to
that Internal lowpitch." Sc he an
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