Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-12-08
FROM THE PEOPLE
We. Barelayls Entertafnment

VI dlNOtlOiliE VIC SduNhAa given ullhGi
the direction of Mrs. L'Estelle Barclay
with forty of Macon's most talented
children, assisted by Mrs. McMillin as
Grandma, Miss Galloway Kirby as
Queen of the Fairies, DR.. Barclay as
Uncle Sam and Oliver Scales as Bage :"
The children certainly did great credit
to the traing of Mrs. Barclay and these
able assistants, for | do not think their
octing copld have been excelled by any
amateurs, and was certainly proud of
'our children"
In telling of this Cantata | cannot do
better than to publish the synopsis,
which give below:
"Owing to early billiards reported
from the North Pole Santa Claus has
previously announced his coming at an
early date. Those billiards continue
with such fury, however that a mes
sage comes from Santa Claus convey
ing the direful news that all sorts of
trouble make it very probable that this
years visit will not occur at all, He
appoints his little friends who love him
to do his work for him. Even the most
selfish ones are finally won over by the
general Christmas spirit prevailing and
the lesson of the Joy of Giving is por-
trayed in beautiful catchy choruses-
bright, breezy lines. But after all
Santa Claus manages to arrive at the
last moment and makes the happiness
complete. Instead of the usual good
night song which closes all cantatas,
medley of the most tuneful choruses
are given for Santa's benefit. Before
the curtain drops on Santa opening his
pack for the happiest children in Ma
con-"
This was original of Mrs. Barclay and
was a splendid theme, very entertain
ing and, as 1t should, carried good
lesson to the children, to be unselfish
and that the only happiness in this
world is gotten by making others hap
py.
All were excellently drilled and knew
their parts well, in spite of the fact
that Mrs, Barclay never had full re-
hearsal, and while we will say that she
most excellent material to work son, |
still we know that it must take great
deal OF time and patience and execu
tive ability to have carried this perfor
nance through so successfully. She
was very fortunate in her assistants
aud l am sure that Prof McMillih will
be proud is his good wife is half as
good looking when she reaches the age
that she portrayed last night.
Miss Kirby was bewitching as Queen
of Fairies and | am sorry havn't a
grandson to make her kin to me.
DR.. Barclay, as Uncle Sam was in
comparable and acted his part so well
and looked so much better than he usu-
ally does that am going to tell Mrs.
Barclay to always keep him fixed up as
Uncle Sam.
Little Oliver Scales acted his part so
we'll as Page and Sentry that am sure
if Howard should ever be called on, in
case of a scrap with Mexico, and do
half as we'll down there as Little Oliver
did last night he will come back Brig
adler General
| would like to mention each one of
the children who took part in the play
but know | would get into deep water
as this would be about as dangerous as
being judge at baby show. remem-
ber we'll that one time my old friend
DR.. Gresham was asked to act in this
capacity at one OF our county fairs and
he was never able to come to Macon
again, | can only say that was proud
Of the whole set and | told Will that
while the delta beat US in land, noplace
could beat Macon in children and | am
glad that while olher crops may fail,
the baby crop always comes in due
time. In spite of the boil weevil know
that will be like the chill billy" when
tue delta man asked him what he raised
in the hills, he said "children is our
principlest crap" and | hope this crop
will never fall
When little sister (Anne LouiseDent1
found that she was singing another's
part, stopped and said, "Oh, I'm sing
ing Pearles." She said it in her inimita-
BILE and child-like way, and this brought
the house down; at the same time |
saw that she had forgotten to have the
dentist replace her front teeth
DR.. and Mrs. Barclay are so talented
and always willing to use their talents
for any benefcient cause, that Macon
and Noxubee are certainly to be con-
gratulated on having this worthy cou-
pie to cast their lot with US.
As this was given for the Ladies Mis-
sionary Society Of the Baptist church,
am very sorry that the admission
was only 15c and 25c, for | am sure
that Mrs Barclay and her assistants
deserved great remuneration for this
worthy cause that they received last
night, this being the only small thing
about thswhole performance.
| must add that ! thought Uncle Sam
and his flag piece deserved special
mention, and any one seeing how these