The Crimson Sweater Part 18

[Ill.u.s.tration: "They had gathered chairs of all descriptions from all over the school...."]

They went to dinner feeling rather more encouraged and found that Sid had returned with good tidings. Hammond had learned of the entertainment several days before and had been waiting eagerly for an invitation to attend. And every fellow was coming, declared Sid. Roy, who had taken a flying trip to the town for red and blue cheesecloth, reported excellent progress on the last of the costumes. And Post, who couldn't eat any dinner because he had been filling himself up all day with cough syrup and licorice lozenges, thought he might be able to sing, after all. The last rehearsal was at three o'clock, and after it was over Jack shook his head dismally.

"I never saw such a b.u.m show in my life," he declared gloomily. "And talk about singing! Say, I wonder if we can bribe Post to stay away to-night?"

"Why, I thought everything went beautifully!" declared Harry. "You wait until to-night; they'll do a lot better."

"The chorus work was all right," said Chub. "And the tableaux were simply swell. I do wish, though, that Bacon wouldn't look as though he was going to die every minute!"

"But those jokes!" groaned Jack.

"Oh, never mind; I've heard lots worse ones," answered Roy cheerfully.

"Not outside of a Sunday newspaper supplement, I'll bet," said Jack.

"That one about Mr. Cobb and Miss Webb, and falling in love with her the first time he 'spider' is the limit. I heard that when I was three years old!"

"That's all right; folks like 'em old at a minstrel show," answered Chub. "Old wine to drink, old books to read, old jokes to--"

"To cry over," prompted Jack. "All right. No use in cutting up rough now. We'll have to make the best of a bad show. Just so long as Harris and Kirby don't start to using their fists on each other during their turn I suppose I can't kick."

"Well, let's go to supper," said Roy.

CHAPTER XIV

THE ENTERTAINMENT AND HOW IT ENDED

Entertainment for the Benefit of the Ferry Hill School Hockey a.s.sociation in the Gymnasium, Wednesday Evening, December 22d.

Programme

PART I.

OVERTURE: "_Uncle Sammy_," ORCHESTRA

FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY!

The World-Famous Aggregation of Senegambian Entertainers known as the Darktown Minstrels, just returned from their Triumphant Tour of Europe, Asia, Africa and New Jersey, where they delighted Royalty and barely escaped with their Lives!

ONE NIGHT ONLY!! READ THE NAMES!!

_Interlocutor_ MR. ROGERS

_Bones_ MESSRS. POST AND HARRIS

_Tambourines_ MESSRS. EATON AND WHITCOMB

_Disturbers-of-the-Peace_ MESSRS. COBB, BUCKMAN, THURLOW, FORREST, GALLUP, KIRBY, WARREN, PRYOR, BACON, STONE, HARRIS, SHATTUCK, PATTEN AND WELCH.

_Solos_ (the audience permitting) by MESSRS. COBB, POST, THURLOW AND FORREST.

_Duets_ (at any cost) by MESSRS. BUCKMAN AND COBB, HARRIS AND KIRBY.

_Monologues by_ MR. COBB

_Imitations by_ MR. EATON

To be followed by the First Appearance in this part of the Country of Professor Carlos Cole, Prince of Prestidigitators, in Astounding Card Tricks, Marvellous Feats of Sleight-of-Hand and Appalling Wonders of White and Black Magic never before seen on any stage and not likely to be again! (The Management earnestly requests Members of the Audience not to loan the Professor either money or hats. The Management will not be Responsible for the Return of such Articles.)

The Whole to Terminate in a Beautiful and Fantastic Revelry of Song and Mirth ent.i.tled:

"_Christmas Eve on the Plantation!_"

INTERMISSION.

PART II.

OVERTURE: "_Medley of College Airs_" ORCHESTRA

COLLEGE TABLEAUX.

1. _Yale_ MR. BACON

2. _Harvard_ MR. PORTER

3. _Princeton_ MR. EATON

4. _Cornell_ MR. WARREN

5. _Columbia_ MR. GALLUP

6. _Dartmouth_ MR. FORREST

7. _Va.s.sar_ MISS EMERY

ENSEMBLE.

SONG: "_The School on the Hill._"

The Audience will please join in the singing.

_Stage Manager_ MR. ROGERS

_a.s.sistant Stage Manager_ MR. EATON

_Property Man_ MR. PORTER