------------PLEASANT ENTERTAINMENTAN ENJOYABLE EVENING BY THE EQUITABLE AID UNIONAND THEIR INVITED GUESTS
Few of the social gatherings this season have afforded more genuine enjoyment than the entertainment given by the Equitable Aid Union at their hall the the Wakefield block on Tuesday evening. Over two hundred members and invited guests were present, including a delegation from the sister Union at Wabasha. The programme of exercises was as follows:
Address of Welcome--Dr. S. B. Sheardown.
Prayer--Rev. R. J. Thomson.
Organ Solo--Prof. Roberts.
Song--guitar accompaniment--Master Preston.
Select Reading--Miss Pettis. [Kate Pettis, my great-grandmother]
Song--Mr. Schoonmaker.
Mottoes of the E. A. U. Order--Jno. Chapman.
Harmonica and Bones--Miss Mary Thomas.
The programme in all of its features was attractive and pleasing.
The opening address by Dr. Sheardown was pithy and right to the point.
The prayer by Rev. R. J. Thomson was replete with excellent thoughts and kind words that touched the hearts of the audience.
The organ solo of Prof. Roberts, song by Master Preston, the mirth-provoking song of Mr. Schoonmaker, were all good, and duly appreciated.
The recitation by Miss [Kate] Pettis greatly pleased the audience, as did Mr. John Chapman's essay on the Mottoes of the Order. Miss Thomas's performance on the harmonica and bones was also well received.
At the conclusion of the programme refreshments were served, consisting of oysters, sandwiches, cake and coffee in abundance. A pleasing incident occurred just before the serving of refreshments, in the presentation of an exquisite basket of flowers by the Winona Union to their brethren of the Wabasha Union, Captain Slocumb making the presentation speech, which was responded to by Mr. J. N. Murdoch of Wabasha. The basket of flowers had the letters "E. A. U." imbedded in a floral design on the top.
After refreshments there were several impromptu speeches by both the Wabasha and Winona members. Also a happy rendering of the familiar song "Oft in the Stilly Night" by Miss [Kate] Pettis. The sociability continued to a late hour, and the unanimous sentiment was expressed that it was the pleasantest gathering within the history of the society.
I'd never heard "Oft in the Stilly Night" but easily found lyrics, sheet music, and several versions online. It's a beautiful song, but so sad! I am still scratching my head over the choice of the words "happy rendering" in the newspaper description of my great-grandmother's performance. Here's a stunning version recorded by Maggie Teyte in 1945, also, perhaps, a happy rendering?
What's that you say? You couldn't understand a word of it? A happy rendering, indeed. Here's Kevin McDermott's version, in which the lyrics are quite clear:
"Oft in the Stilly Night" was written by Irish lyricist Thomas Moore (1779-1852).
Oft, in the stilly night,
Ere slumber's chain has bound me,
Fond memory brings the light
Of other days around me;
The smiles, the tears,
Of boyhood's years,
The words of love then spoken;
The eyes that shone,
Now dimm'd and gone,
The cheerful hearts now broken!
Thus, in the stilly night,
Ere slumber's chain hath bound me,
Sad memory brings the light
Of other days around me.
When I remember all
The friends, so link'd together,
I've seen around me fall,
Like leaves in wintry weather;
I feel like one
Who treads alone
Some banquet-hall deserted,
Whose lights are fled,
Whose garlands dead,
And all but he departed!
Thus, in the stilly night,
Ere slumber's chain has bound me,
Sad memory brings the light
Of other days around me.
