A Comical Version

The Normal societies gave ?, revised and modernized version of "The Merchant of Venice" at Normal hall last Friday before an audience of atoom 1,000 people. The revised version was so cleverly written that it was very, veTy funny and kept the audience in a high state of good humor throughout the eveuing. Antonio was represented as tbe captain of the Normal football team. He became so far behind in his Latín that when examinaron day caii); hc was obiiged to go to Síiyiock, a wealthy gambler who was backing the Kalamazoj football team, and get from him a "pony," Shylock dealing ia this elass of goods. Shylock cousents to hif borrowing tiie pany but puts it in the condition of the boud that f the pony is not returned by such a day that he is to receive a pound of Antonio's hair next to the br.iin. The pony becoir.es lost and Shylock is entitled to the ferfeiture. Antonio had won the heart of Jessiea, who was Shyloek's ward and as loek wanted to marry tliis heiress hircself lie naturally "had it in" for Antonio. He awalts untit the Thanksgiving day when the Normáis ano Kalamazoo.s are playing their match game of football. Just as the game is in the height of its excitement Shylock and .1 pollceman rush in on the fleld and SShylock demands his pound of hair next to the brain. This means ruination to the hopes of the Normáis if the bond is enforced, lut all pleadings to Shylock to be merciful are futile and Antonio is dragged olï the field by the polieeman. The last a?t is the great trial scène. Portia, who was in love with Bassanio, Antonio's friend, is disguised as a learned young judge and takes charge of the case Sl.ylock demands his pound of hair and as the bond is forfeited, judgeiiient is given him. He brings Tovth the Shears to cut off the hair when the young judgo admonishes him that he must cut just a pouud, neither more nor less, and it must be fron; next to the brain. Au X-ray is put on Antonio's head to lócate the brnin bul the photograph shows that Ante nio did not have a brain in his head and Shylock's game is in consequente lost. The principal characters were Antonio, A. B. Glaspie; Bassanio, T. A. Lawler; Gratiano, Franeis Goodrich, Shyloek, D. W. Kelly; Tuba), B. J. Waters; Launcelot Gobbo, H. C. Alaybee; the professor, Enoeh Thorue; Fortla, liosalie Spriugsteen; Nerissa, Bertha Dn vis, Jessiea, Carrie Peckham; a teacher. Kdith Todd: Poilv. Marta Kopp; Mrs. Gobbo, Ella JÏaiiger; policeman, Fred Broesomle. The Normal yells, the cíass yclls and the C. B. C. yell were very mueh in evidenee before the play and between acts.