Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1917-08-24
THE RED CROSS
AND PATRIOTISM
Pretty Plays By Dainty DamseIs, at
St. Johns College Gymnasium
PAST AND PRESENT JOIN HANDS
Picturesque Tableaux -Vivacious Wis.,
ion and Picturesque PAINT
ings" Of 'Ye Long Ago

AlthoueH many pleasing Things were
said of what might be expected at
last nights Red Cross entertainment
in st. Johns gymnasium, yet the half
was not told. 1t was a most success
full affair in every detail, and too much
credit cannot be given the promoters
for their untiring efforts in bringing
about the splendid result.
"The Fairies Child" was a pretty
little skit, in which the fairies romp-
ed to their hearts content in the
woodland bower Their song, unac-
companied by music, was Very pretty,
and they entered into the spirit of the
dance with grace. daintiness and a
Zest that showed their ability as we'll
as careful training
The stage setting for this part of
the program was a woodland scene,
and the pine trees used in the decora-
tions were so arranged that they made
a perfect fairies dell. Here the lit
tie play was presented in an atmos-
phere that fitted il TO a nicely and all
of the characters were well portrayed,
but as the parts were all taken by
juvenile performers their voices. at
times, could not be heard by many in
the audience. However, when one
takes into consideration the size of
the room this is easily explained
This did not detract from the play at
all, however, and when the curtain
was rung down there was unmistak-
able evidence that the audience had
enjoyed it thoroughly.
The dance by Miss Idella Duvall,
Queen of the Fairies, was one of the
treats of the evening, and all the
Fairies joined in with a spirit that
showed good training and ability.
The tableaux by the little fairies
was very captivating. 1t served as a
prelude to the one by Mr.. Ogle Single
ton, of Washington, who portrayed
Memories which was one of the
beautiful features of the evening.
The hall was darkened and quietness
reigned when Mr.. Singleton struck a
match to light his weed" and as the
thin curl of smoke went upward the
visions of his fancy came trooping be-
fore his minds eye. First the school
girl of tender years, to be quickly fol-
lowed by the sport girl, the summer
girl and then the bride during which
time the recitation of lines appropri-
ate to the character were recited by
Mr. Singleton. A flash light was used
to good advantage during the cecital
to show the audience what his minds
eve saw.
During the Memories" and when the
bride was in the spotlight, Miss AL
verta Duvall sang very sweetly and
in a good voice Believe Be If All
Those Endearing Young Charms"
The gem of the evening was the lit
tie playlet, "The Patriot Girl" This
told the story of young lady of the
present CT injury visiting the home of
her colonial ancestors, and finding it
deserted save for the maid, proceeds
to make herself at home. She is in
formed by the servant who, by the
way, claimed to have been in the fam
lily since 1850, that something would
happen that night and insists in stay
ing to see what will take place She
uncovers the paintings on the walls
and awaits developments. She has
not long to wait as the clock strikes
midnigh. and the life-siZe portraits
on the wall apparently come to life
and step out into the drawing-room
The upto-date girl is startled but not
afraid. and she is invited to stay by
her ancestors, which she does, and be-
fore her very eyes she sees portrayed
a very pretty love scene of her family.
The clock strikes and they retire to
the frames from which they came, and
the young miss of the present day pro-
claims boldly that she is glad she is
an American and waves the American
flag while a squad of soldiers from
the local company of the new national
army formed in line before her as
a guard OF honor.
The scene was very effective and
highly patriotic. 1t called forth
vociferous applause.
Miss ldella Duvall represented the
20th century Others in the pictures
of 1880 we're Miss Mary Dorsey, oi
Howard county: Miss Elise Ridout
daughter of Dr. Ridout. the acting rec
tor of st. Anne's: Miss Eleanor Rid
out. her sister; Mr.. Mitchell Duvall
of Baltimore, and Mr.. Barchet, OF
Severn. were also prominent charac-
ters in the scenes.
There was a display of war relics
by Mr.. Joseph Bigelow, in uniform Of
French ambulance corps. recently II
active service Somewhere in France
and dancing concluded the delightful
evenings entertainment