The Mena weekly star., 1916-07-27
.l9l7CHAUTAUQUA,
 100 GUARANTORS
!, sst Niqht's Entertainment Drew the s-aroest Audience of 1916 Season Large Influence for Better
 and Purer Thinking.

The most satisfactory and the
 r,ost successful chautauqua assem- hIy for Mena closed Tuesday night,
 w;th the reading of The Lion and inc Mousse by Dr. Edward Elliott, proceeded by musical prelude nv inc Cosmopolitans. This organi- zaiion is composed of Miss Margaret caft soprano and violinist. Miss Pa den accompanist, and Miss Mary sinclair and brothers, George and ponaId Sinclair. The Sinclairs are natives of Scotland and appear i'll inc picturesque cOstum of the High lands and perform on the bag-pipes, inc musical instrument peculiar to Scotland. Particularly clever work done by them was the sword dance and inc sailors hornpipe, repeating fhe latter at the evening perform ance by special request. Master Ronald as snare drummer also made
 Dr. Elliott in The Lion and the Mouse" was especially strong in his portrayal of John Rider, the lion of the story. His strong pre- sentati0n of this character repre- senting the American octopus, the money king who controlled congress. courts and legislatures, brought out in stronger effect the victory won over him by Miss Rossman, the mouse in the story Dr Elliott was piven splendid attention and it was very evident that the audience caught fully the purpose of the story and the lesson intended to be taught.
 The influence for better thinking and purer and cleaner living exerted by such lectures as those delivered nv Dr. Driver. Walt Holcomb. Fred Eugene Baker and by Mrs. Wharton and by the readings by Miss Water man and Dr. Elliott cannot be meas ured nor yet appreciated. No other influence or force in this community brings together such cosmopolitan audience. Neither religion nor poli- tics nor station in life made a diff ference. All came under the same influence and met on common plane, the ability to be instructed and entertained being limited simply to each individuals capacity to hold to that which is good. ss+e@F
 The best evidence of the sustained interest manifested in the chautau- qua assembly of 1916, is the fact that the largest crowd attended the clos ing session, the attendance being greater even than on Saturday and Sunday nights when the most pop ular numbers were given. 1t is grat- flying. too, thatswithg the success Of the assembly of this year, the chau- tanqua, spirit is spreading in the community, and 1t was compara- tiyely easy task to secure 100 guar antors for the contract for 1917. BAtter still. there are many who re- alhe that if the same community interest and team work, which has made the chaltauqua a success, were directed along still other lines many good things could be accom- phshed for the city and community.
 R. B. Ambrose and w. J. Powell, the representatives of the White Meyers Chautauqua System who spent a week in Mena, made many friends during the short stay. Mir. Ambrose as platform manager was tactful, courteous and conslderate Of the audience and the talent as well by making all announcements and introductions briefly. keeping him. self in the background and yet all ways on the job. MT. Powell as cashier and ticket taken through his uniform courtesy and kindness and personal contact with patrons made friends as easily as did Mir. Ambrose from the platform. Both were free
 to say that nowhere else had they met with such hearty cooperation as was given them by the citizens of Mena. Last night. at the close of the assembly a squad of boys and men were on hand to clear the tent of chairs and benches and to help the men pull up" and load for the next point, so that the job was accom- plished as speedily as tho gang ot veteran tent men had been at work. Their next point will be Mt. Vernon, Mo. where they open the chautau- qua Thursday.