Professor Strout sang the solo part of the song himself. The singing
society and many of the audience joined in the chorus. Like many
teachers of vocal music, the Professor had very little voice himself,
but he knew how to make the best possible use of what he did possess.
But the patriotic sentiment of the words, the eccentric make-up of the
singer his comical contortions and odd grimaces, and what was really a
bright, tuneful melody won a marked success for both song and singer.
Encore followed encore. Like many more cultured audiences in large
cities the one assembled in Eastborough Town Hall seemed to think that
there was no limit to a free concert and that they were entitled to all
they could get. But the Professor himself fixed the limit. When the song
had been sung through three times he ran up the centre aisle of the
platform and facing the audience, he directed the chorus, holding the
variegated baton in one hand and swinging his woolly plug hat around
his head with the other. At the close, amid screams, cheers, and
clapping of hands, he turned upon his heel, dashed through the door and
disappeared from sight.

The next number upon the programme was a piano solo by Miss Tilly James.
Nothing could have pleased her audience any better than the well-known
strains of the ever popular "Maiden's Prayer." In response to an encore
which Quincy originated, and dexterously led, Miss James played the
overture to Rossini's "William Tell" without notes. A fact which was
perceived by the few, but unnoticed by the many.

At the close of these instrumental selections, the Professor reappeared
in evening costume and again assumed the directorship of the concert.
Robert Wood had a ponderous bass voice, which if not highly cultivated
was highly effective, and he sang "Simon the Cellarer" to great