“NOT IN THE PROGRAMME.”

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1421, 4 September 1878, Page 3

“NOT IN THE PROGRAMME.”

Messrs Vernon Reid and Delaney, two of the members of the Kennedy, Cheovers, and Bent Minstrels, caused a good deal of uneasiness to the other members of the company and their numerous friends, on Sunday night and Monday morning, through their disappearance from the gaze of those who, knowing them so well as they did, could not but view the said disappearance with considerable alarm. At the same time the gentlemen in question were going through a series of exciting scenes which had not been_ previously rehearsed, and were by no means intended to “go in the programme.” In other words it seems that on Sunday morning a party of the Minstrels, having heard so much about our beautiful Avon, determined to judge for themselves, and started at an early hour for New Brighton, which they reached at a somewhat advanced period of the day, for they had hardly reckoned on the amount of muscle power that would be required—nor had they calculated upon the floating masses of weeds that would have to be overcome. The main body of the Minstrels in the tenoared safety boat were partially accompanied by Messrs Reid and Delaney, who, anxious to rival the exploits of the celebrated owner of the “Rob Roy” were each (like a distinguished brewer in this town) “ paddling his own canoe,” and in the lightness of their hearts—and their vessels—they had shot far ahead of their friends, who, on arriving at the “ mud-flats,” judiciously pulled up. But the “ canoeists” had gone out to sea, and darkness coming on, together with a heavy surf coming in, those in the boats became considerably alarmed. They speedily ran ashore, and raised a number of fires with dry brushwood. But the canoes returned not, and at last, sad, weary, hungry, and dispirited, the Minstrels sought the Brighton Hotel, and the comforts which a wet beach and an empty stomach can never afford. Here they remained during the night, and after another search, next morning at break of day, they gave their friends up for lost. They then returned to town, and at once gave information to the police. But they might have saved themselves all trouble and alarm, for the canoeists were just as right and comfortble as, and far less troubled in their minds, than the “ boatists” themselves. Having once got beyond the reach of the surf and the rollers, they had paddled at a respectful distance from the shore to New Brighton, which they reached, the evening being a very fine one, without any mishap beyond a spill on the beach. But they soon got, wet within at well as without, and innocent of the troubles they had caused their friends, after a hearty meal they turned in and slept the sleep of the just. The next morning they made arrangements for the return of their canoes, and themselves returned to town in time to catch the train to convey them to the steamer. They then learnt of the tribulations of the Minstrels at largo at their supposed loss, and just as they entered the town a party of police wore leaving it with the avowed intention of “dragging for their bodies.” However, on learning of the safety of the two adventurous young gentlemen, they came to the conclusion that there had been “ Much ado about nothing,” and returned to their arduous duties of inspecting the pavements. We have no doubt that the circumstances of Sunday will indelibly impress themselves upon the minds of the “ colored” gentlemen, and will long remind them of their Sabbath excursion on the “ Silvery Avon.”