Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 105, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1910 — "Just As Cute As It Could Possibly Be,” Said Everybody. [ARTICLE]

"Just As Cute As It Could Possibly Be,” Said Everybody.

Probably no more full hearted laughter ever took place in the opera house in one evening than occurred Monday night, on the occasion of the presentation of the “Tom Thumb Wedding.” The children had been in training for several days by Miss Mayme Goodwin, of Brownstown, who with her brother gave the entertainment for the Methodist church. Many of the little tots from three years of age up participated. The stage was arranged as a reception room with two rows of kindergarden chairs on each side. Two young gentlemen in full dress customes acted as ushers and as the little guests to the wedding arrived, all the tots being in fulldress costumes, the ushers seated them and then-made low bowß. The guests came in couples, with the ladies holding the arms of the beaux. When the usher made his obeisance each couple would rise and also make a low bow. The simplicity of the little, ones was wonderful and the' childish grace of some and the bewilderment of others sent the audience into a spasm of merriment that we have never seen equaled. Doubtless some of the little men and women were quite shocked at their parents for such lack of public decorum. After the guest were all seated the bridesmaids, Ruth Clark, Luella Harmon, Elizabeth Moore and Bernice Carson appeared, being preceeded by Mary Jane Brown and Genevieve Irwin as flower maids. Then the bride and groom, Martha Gobel and Thomas Thompson, accompanied by the maid of honor, Helen Warner, and the best man, Leon Gwin, took their places in front of the altar while Charles Halleck, as the minister, pronounced the marriage ceremony of Tom Thumb and Jennie June. The groom then made his pledge and the bride followed with hers, each setting out the stipulations of the contract. Then the little couples marched out in pairs and extended congratulations. All went out but little Harold Donnelly, and no amount of coaxing from his companion, little Mary Hawkins, could get him to leave his seat. Finally she went up by herself and extended her congratulations,, While the little ones spoke one cou’d have heard a pin drop, the large audience being as still as mice until something would occur to convulse them with laughter. It was a success and every little tot was a veritable hero or, heroine with their parents^ The remainder of tfye performance was given oyer to the representation of business finds by young ladies. Forty firms were represented, each by some young lady who would speak or sing in praise of the house she represented. This feature was also very much enjoyed and several of the characters evinced considerable talent. Mr. and Miss Goodwin went from here to Goodland to present the entertainment.