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Show UTO NIANNineteen TwelveIt was after this show, when the tired company clustered around the mother hen for her commendation or criticism, that our doctor of the older school uttered the ominous slogan that became the battle-cry of the club, "Whit; when do we eat?" But poor old Whitmore was an angel. He was besieged for everything from haircuts to shoe-laces. He always "came thru," and the appellation ot "Tighto," which some son of tradition hurled at him, failed to stick.The club this year made the first Springville appearance. Here it was received with great enthusiasm. We were given a splendid banquet and a full house. What more would you have?Then came the northern trip. We played Brigham, Logan twice and Preston, Idaho. Brigham smiled enthusiastically, Logan surpassed her old self, giving us a time royal; while Preston greeted us with open arms and a brass band, behind which we traversed the principal streets.We made our long southern trip during the holidays. We filled the theatre at Nephi, and Whitmore in his delight made us happier by inviting the club to fill the void in their stomachs at his bounteous table. The journey from Nephi to Ephraim on the "Jerusalem Special,''-the fast train that waits for hens to lay enough eggs to fill the cases-was exceedingly eventful. Hugo Anderson turned stoker and Loren Whitmore sprinter, beating the train to Ephraim by an hour. Van Cott kept the club in suspense for an age, trying to hear his imitation crow of a rooster ten miles away. At Manti the club jumped from the jingling sleigh into the arms of the theatre proprietor, who promised the best "house" of the season. After the performance, Mr. Fred Jensen entertained the club with a delightful supper. Departing from Mt. Pleasant the club realized that they had experienced some very happy days.The Mecca toward which the club gazed throughout the entire season was the Salt Lake performance. When they finally arrived, the actors were seized with the fright of the first performance. But the reassuring applause as the curtain rose, restored the calm. The "Professor's Love Story" was better received than any preceding school play.To the club members the season is a melange of memories. One cannot forget the soulful way in which the Scotch laddie warbled "I'll hae' 'er yet," or his Scotch-Swedish brogue as he shouted, "Vimmins." Then there was that overworked mistletoe at Nephi, the thrilling ride on the "Dummy," that moment of suspense when Lucy broke her heart to the bang of the bass drum, caused by the zeal of a too-enthusiastic member of the orchestra; and so on "ad finitum." And all this merry jingle was held together by a network of banquets, songs, and laughter.123 |