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About The Nebraskan. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1892-1899 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 14, 1895)
MtrNftttMU THB NBBHASKAJSt H DRAMATIC CLUB AT ASHLAND. AT THE TOUCH OF A SONG. Last Friday tho University Dramatic Club accom punicd by Miss Manning and some mombers of tho Tri Delta fraternity went to Ashlatul to givo its in itial performance. There has been an immense amount of interest attending this performance and tho many friends of the club will be glad to hear of its groat ouccoss. Tho club arrived at Ashland at three o'clock aud were immediately taken to tho beautiful homo of Miss Nellie Dean where thoy were tendered a reception by the Tri Deltas. In tho evening tho Opera House was filled with a jolly, appreciative crowd of Ashland people, aud scarlet and cream ribbons shone from every corner of the house. "The Open Gate," the one act drama which opened the performance went with a smoothness which rarely attends an amateur performance. Tho many dramatic little scones were breathlessly followed by tho audi ence nnd tho players wore greeted by a perfect storm of applause at the fall of tho curtain. This was followed by "Chums," tho ludicrous col lege play. Tho five boys in this play kept tho audi ence in convulsions of laughter from one end of the piny to tho other. The female costutnos worn by Ab bott, Tucker and Shears took the house, nnd Fnrnier Breed's cowhide boots and bnttornut jeans wero a comedy in themselves. One funny scene followed an other until the house was in a perfect uproar nnd the players had in several instances to suspend tho dia logue until the house got quiet enough for them to bo heard. "When the curtain went down the ouly criti cism seemed to be that the performance was not longer. After receiving the congratulations of a largo number of Ashland people tho troupe took the night train for Lincoln. The two plays will bo produced at tho Funke shortly where the club will bo certain of a packed house after their success at Ashtnud. The company is greatly indebted to the Tri Dellns and Superintendent Crabtroo for tho pleasant time its mombers enjoyed. THE BANJO CLUB. Tho "University Boys' Mandolin Club" has been organized this year with a view of producing some thing first-class in the way of concerts nnd musical entertainments. F. M. Planquo, of tho University Conservatory, is director, and under his leadership all tho talent among its members will bo brought out B. Thorp, jr., is manager, who expects to secure some dates for concerts in the smaller cities of tho state. If all is harmony tho Banjo clnb will accompany tho Glee clnb in its tour this spring. The members of tho Banjo club are: F. 3L Planquo, banjonrine; A- B. Chapman, banjeurine; B. Thorpe, jr., Bobert Manly, first banjos; B. Franklin, jr., pic colo banjo; J. A. Bailey, jr.. Win. Clark, L. It. Pack ard, secoud banjos; Foster J. Beach, Allert Pickctts, guitars. In tho groat Fust church tho chandelier throw a broad cone oE rays around tho middle of the auditor ium, tho light blazed down upon tho organ whore tho organist played and tho four singers fanned thoiusolvesi lazily; it lit up tho plucid, shiny face of tlio nun bier;, as he sat with his fat foro liugor botweon the leaves of his hymn book, waiting till tho voluulnry ceased; it searched out every nook nnd crauny in the faded sum mer hats directly bolow it, and caressed eagerly the round, brown cheek of a girl that sat to one side; but: it touched not so tenderly the fnco of tho young mom who sat with her. Perhaps tho chnndolier half enviedt him that ho could look unabashed into tho clear oyos: turned now and then to his face. Further back there sounded faintly a painful little? cough, and tho light peered curiously in under tho gallery. But it could not reach the face that it sought a man's face that looked pale and drawn in tho dim, ilickoring rays of the gas jot behind him. It was he who had coughed, and he coughed again still more painfully. His oyos were shut now, but they had been open nnd had seen what they had long expected to see, tho little round-checked girl come in smiling nnd happy with somebody that he did not know, but pluiuly tho little girl's lover. When thoy had come in the little man under the gnllory had trembled and grown even paler than ho usually was. In the nest, moment it seemed his eyes, that were shut, saw the girl as she had looked days ago when ho had asked', her if he might love her. And she had answered him, laughing ns if it were all a joke, that he might if he wouldn't bother hen with his love. Ho hadn't bothered her, though it had been a year ago; ho hadn't even spoken to her except nt church or when they happened to meet on the street He had known there was somebody else then, though she hadn't told him so, and ever since ho had looked forward hopelessly to tho day when ho should see her with him. The time had come, but the little man was not ready for it He had thought that maybe ho would not care. But ha did care; he loved her yet. He opened his eyes in utter discouragement and al most against his will sought her out where she sat. As othors rose to sing, he rose too, not to siug, but be cause he could not see her if he remained sitting. Even standing ho was not tall enough, but by a twist of his head ho could catch sight of her chin aud her hand aud the hand of the man beside her, as they held the hymn book together. While ho looked the chin turned nway from him up to tho other, then the wind fluttered the leaves of the book, and to put them back the girl's hand touched for a moment the larger hand beyond. Her fingers trembled and tho eager watching eyes back in tho darkness of the gallery flashed sud denly with tears. She had never touched his hand like that; sho hod never cared for him, never. His head dropped forward. Ho dimly felt that tho minister was praying, praying for tho welfare 'of the nation and tho rulers of the earth ; for tho friends of the church and for its enemies. But tho man under tho gallery prayed for himself, all for himself. His
