Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1888 — A Successful Shakespearean. [ARTICLE]

A Successful Shakespearean.

The third annual festival and entertainment for the benefit of the High School Library was held in the Opera House, last Friday evening, and, like its predecessors, was a brilliant success, and netted a fine sum for the purpose for which it was given. The materials for the splendid and superabundant supper, were contributed by the liberality of our citizens, and solicited and collected through the exertions of the pupils of the school. A very large number of Shakesperean characters' were represented in costume, many of them very handsome and striking and nearly fell sufficiently appropriate to satisfy all but the hyper-critical. After the supper a short literary program was executed, consisting of a sketch of Shakespeare and hi s works, by Waiter L. Will ey; the address of Catherine of Arragon to the judges, by Miss Grace Vanatta; and the appeal of Portia to Shylock, in the Merchant of Venice, by Miss Nellie Kelley, nil concluding’ with two scenes from the “Merry Wives of Windsor,” by a doztm or more performers. The entertainment was pleasantly interpersed with songs and music. Mr. Thad P. j Varney, the comedian and theatre manager happened to be present ’ ience with a recitation. The voting of the silver dish to -tba.m.Qfi.t.poimlar lady took place after the literary program. After some scattering votes- the matter settled down to a contest between the friends of Misses Blanche [ Loughridge and Ray; Leopold. The final declaration of the result showed that Miss Leopold was the victor, having received 1876 votes to 1473 for Miss Loughridge. The-gokl ring in a piece of cake was won by Miss Caroline Irwin. The net proceeds of the entertainment will be about $125. All of which will go to increase the number of books in the library.