Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-02-13
OLD MAIDS IN SESSION
Unique Convention" Held In First
Presbyterian Lecture Rooms.
FUN FOR AUDIENCE ARD PLAYERS
One Spinster Wishes to Petition
Mayor and Council to Take a Hand
in situaton-An Enjoyable ANA.
teu- Entertainment.


bly, hall of the First PRESBYTERIAN
church to Overlooking last night wit.
messed clever production of the
odd Maids Convention." satire i'm
one act, presented by local talent for
the benefit of the church
Among the best of the local "hits"
was reading by Jcruhua Matilda
SprigSins Miss Annie Robertsonl. Of
petition to Mayor Samuel r. Bux-
ton and the city council praying for
financial aid for the convention to
relieve any depression that might
ARISE in the matrimonial market, the
market being long on women ana
short on men.
a storm of laughter was evoked
from the audience ky Priscilla Abi-
gail (Alrs. !. c. Morton). who read
list OF the bachelors and widowers OF
the city who are considered on the
eligible list. Many prominent bust
ness men were named, a number of
whom were present. An amusing pss
per on "Woman's Suffrage" was read
by Sophia Stuckup (Mrs. James II.
Reed) and Mary Ann Faddler Miss
Eleanor Harris) delivered series of
comical opinions Oh Man as Il house
keeper"
a tiny mouse made Its appearance
in the midst Of the meeting and the
old Maids" scrambled on top of
chairs and tables and ran about the
platform Rebecca Rachael Sharpe
tMr Hutson Salley) was unable to
find chair upon which TO seek safe.
ty from the mouse and fell to the
floor on his knees to pray.
Cleopatra Suffranra Brown Miss
Belle Johnson) read an interesting
paper on her idea of Il man. while
ATahella Angelina Hope Miss Mary
Sciden) recited an original poem OH
the same subject.
A heated argument on dress re-
form was INDUCED in by Anxiety
Leftover (Miss Jean MacGowan) and
Rebecca Rachael Sharpe (Mr. Hut
son Salley), which was finally decid-
ed by vote of the convention" in
favor Of the latter.
The reading of the minutes OF the
last session OF tho convention" the
roll call and the treasurer's report,
with many lines and the side remarks
by the performers added to the fun
making. The performers were dress
ed in the most ridiculous costumes
imaginable
The appearance toward the close
of the performance of Professor
Makeover (Mr Harold Norton) with
his making-over machine was the
occasion of demonstration on the
part of the old maids. The profes-
sor Briefly explained the work of his
machine. declaring that he could
make the old maids over into blush.
ing beauties of sixteen summers.
1t was decided that Cleopatra Suf-
franna Brown should be the first to
be made over. She explained that it
was her desire to be beauty of
about eighteen and the professor
placed her in the machine and after
few turns of tho crank. the trans
formation was wrought. Miss Lucille
Copper stepping forth in her place.
Miss Cooper entertained the audience
with two vocal solos. Frances Temp
tation Touchmenot Miss Annie
Hamilton) said she desired to be
made into man and after a few
turns of the machine, man (Mr
John Van Ryan, a-rieared. and sang
Goodnight, Beloved. Goodnight"
Juliet Long (Mrs. ]. A. Willet. Jr.,>
and Rebecca Rachael Sharpe asked
to he converted into twin sisters and
soon two small girls, little Misses
Reynolds and Manvillc. emerged from
the machine and sang did You Ever
See Lobster Ride Flec?"
TINY Short (AIr Lindsey Biegerl
was then converted into a blonde of
sixteen summers, who appeared in
the form Of Miss Marguerite Sam
mons, of Norfolk Miss Summons
sang a solo.
The making over machine was bro.
ken by Anxiety Leftover, who wanted
to be changed to a young girl.
Others in the cast were: Calamity
Joe Higgins (Miss Alice Johnson).
Josephine Jane Green (Mrs. G.. s..
Shaw, Betsy Bobbitt Miss Mabel
Cray, Hannah Susannah Biggerstaff
(Miss Lucille Ayler), and Violet Anne
Ruggles (Miss Virginia Hamilton).