New Britain herald., 1928-04-07

ANDY WRITES ABOUT. A MINSTREL SHOW
Tells His Girl Little Details Of
 Social Club Affair
Dear Mary Ann:

Received you letter asking me 1T had become a tightwad over night or something as I didn't take you to the banquet and minstrel that was given by the Ten Year So-
 cial club of the factory where I la
 bors. l couldn't take you on &C.,
 count of the tickets costing two ber-
 ries and my pocketbook being more
 empty than vacuum. Anyways
 you hafta work Cor at least put in your time) ten years before you can be member of said club. See ing you had as much chance of crashing the gates to this feed and entertainment as a elephant has of slSidding on all fours into high so- ciety, I'll take pity and tell you about it.
 Being modest I'll say that I was asked to join the minstrels and warble a song or two but I refused because I still remembers the time I sang at the United Fruit Dealers club. l received much applause, most of it vegetables. I was also given rising vote of thanks and sent home in a taxi. But unfor- tunately, owing to the well directed foot-work, l was unable to remain seated long enough to enjoy the ride. After a swell chicken feed we had the minstrels. The curtain rises with the minstrels. all local talent, singing a comical number that Woulda thawed out a frosted cake.
 The end men were all dressed up like a dark night, with complexions to match, and plenty of il. Left end was played by Hen Powers, who wore pair of pants that musta been rescued from the moths by the hired man off Noahs Ark. They was held up by safety pins big enough to close a gap in the Grand Canyon. His jacket and high hat Woulda done credit 10 a sea going cook on g rambling shore leave. 1 Right end was played by 'Howie" 1 Martin, and he wore costume that l resembled a pair Of polka dot pa iamas. such as is given by fond | friends to bridegrooms.
 If 'HoWie' appeared on the street l with it he'd either get pinched or 1 presented with a lea1 her medal for 1 going the present day drugstore cow l boy one better. These mirth pro- Noking boys scored heavily with their humorous dialogue and knocked the l pleased customers for laughing rows of goals. Their gags were clean cut and not a yaWn in a carload. Some were "deep' like the "Skippy" car toons in the Herald. For instance, kastus says to Nose. America is now being known as the Land of the Sun tson), and Moses lazily drawls, "Ych, and the rest of the family comes home q few hours later'
 Hen" Powers put over Mister Gallagher and Mister Shean," (with parodies on members in inc audi cncc) ill way that woulda made those two worthies turn green with ! envy, climb to a dizzy height in an alrplane, jump overheard and not bother to take a parachute along. The customers rocked with laugh CT and couple of guys almost 1oubled up with convulsons or and for minute it looked IS though q doctor would hafta be 'alled to bring them back into shape 'gain. l never laughed so much since the day your old man got lnocked gootey when he forgot to lodge some of the old shoes thrown It your brothers wedding.
 Jimmie "Fat" Furlani, a hefty 'imbo, soloed a popular number. The Road 10 Mandalay,' and al- most brought the house down. This ad knows his high and low notes md can certainly manipulate mean tenor. The interlocutor was lone other than Charles Orsie, our 'oxing instructor at the Y. NJ. C. A. He was all dolled up like the head waiter in a high class joint. Charlie las pleasing voice and made hit, he four bagger kind. win his solo, : The Bells of Saint Mary's." The .udience was appreciative and let Jim know it. Pm not telling any ecrets outa school when l say that 'harlie is as much at home with a olo as he is with the upholstered nitts.
 A couple of swell looking james ave the tired and not so tired bus ness laGs a treat with their song , nd dance act. These james shook . gicked hoofs, and how. They was N ot more to the program, Mary and maybe next week I'll tell you about | !.
 ANDY DALE