National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-17
THE CHARITY MATINEE.
MISS LYDIA THOMPSON AND TROUPE
WORKING FOR 4 GOOD CAUSE.

WORKING FOR Il GOOD CAUSE
THE CLERK OF THE WEATHER IN BAD
HUMoR-MIsS THOMPSON AS IICAEIN
TAKER - PROGRAMMES AND FLU" ERs
/ FOR SALE FOR CHARITY LADIES
! or TYR TROUPE AMONG THE PEOPLE
,rur1p EFFORTS IN THE CAUSE AND
T1FrR LADY-LIKE DEPoRTMENT THE
pFProRMANCE AND THE PLEASANT IN.
CIDENTs.
The clerk OF the weather seemed to have little
sympathy with the charity movement yesterday.
Losden skies and dripping rain rendered 1t quite
uninVitIng out Of doors, and people who would,
on ordinary occasions, have patroniIed the charity
matinee kept their tickets for another occasion
or contented themselves with tho reflection that
they had done their duty by buying tickets, and
Il mAttered little TO them whether they used
them OF not. If the clerk of the weather had
continued for an hour or so in the good humored
at which seemed to have possessed him In the
middle Of the day, people would have been con-
tent to have SCENT rain for the remainder OF the
afternoon, for at one time the clouds broke away,
the sun shone-rather sickly, to be sure-and 1t
seemed as If the weather would remain clear for
the remainder Of the day, but April is the month
OF tears and never did she seem more tickle, for
all of o sudden the black clouds slid up the sky,
the sun hid his head behind them, as If ashamed
OF such shabby conduct on the part Of the clerk
OF the weather, and in few moments Jupiter
Pluvius came in in an ugly mood, and let loose
the food gates for three or four hours. 1t was in
order to grumble or get angry. The rain would
fall, and consequently the people had to goto
THE MATINEE
IN carriages, waterproofs, overshoes, and under
umbrellas. At o'clock the doors were opened,
and when the audience came in Miss Thompson
was discovered at the head the stairs leading to
the Vestibule Of the theatre, prepared to take
dckets- twas . novel sight TO see tieket-taker
beautiful in form and feature, and it was not to
be wondered at that the audience, as they filed in,
''took good look" at the lady, who sat there so
calmly and with such graceful selfpossession.
Miss Thompson was attired in 9 very pretty walk
fng costume, and smilingly welcomed the ladies
and gentlemen, taking their tickets and tearing
on the coupons for the seats with and pre-
eision that would have done justice to ticket
taker Of many years experience.
Those who had seen Miss Thompson on the
Etage in one Of her rollicking moods were doubt
less surprised TO find Ter q modest, quiet and
extremely ladylike person, with no sign OF for
Wardness or undue familiarity about her. That
the curiosity Of many was rather pointed was no
more than could have been expected under the
circumstances, but Miss Thompson's selEposses-
sion was equal to the emergency, for sho quietly
received the tickets seemingly unconscious that
she was the observed of all observers, and that
many persons were occupied longer time in
passing her than was quite necessary.
NTHE vEsT1BuLB
Of the theatre, beside Miss Thompson. was an ami
mated scene, indeed. Close 70 the stairs was
little table with q white cover, upon which was
pile of programmes. These latter were gotten up
for this especial occasion, and consisted Of the
names Of the lady managers Of the charity fund,
the cast Of the characters for the pieces to be
played, and the usual matter necessary to explain
the order of ceremonies to the public. The pro-
grammcs were nicely printed in purple, upon fine
white paper, all four sides Of the sheet being
cupied by the printing. These programmes were
being disposed Of by the ladies and gentlemen at
tached to the troupe, while the vestibule was
crowded by the audience passing in, who seemed
to enjoy the novel scene immensely. At the other
side Of the yeStbule was the glass case containing
opera glasses and place for the slowing away OF
the umbrellas checked for the audience. These
perquistes, on ordinary occasions, belong to Mr..
Ellinger, chief usher, out we're kindly devoted to
the charity fund by that gentleman.
MISS ADA BEAUMONT,
ono of the most prominent ladies attached to the
troupe, was among the most active and efficient
in the work of adding to the charity fund A stock
young lady provided with them as we'll as with |
number Of programmes. Miss Beaumont, with q |
full supply of each in her fair hands, offered them
for sale in q pleading manner, and few, indeed, |
there were TO resist such On appeal. Miss Beau |
mont is tall, symmetrical English blonde, re-
graceful in movement and animated in
She was very handsomely attired |
in heavy black silk costume, which fitted her
almost faultless figure operFection. She worked |
rlxy hard har tnal- nTh hon,
Duets and programmes, as the amount of her sales
abundantly testified. "Please buy q bouquet |
only two shillings' was said in SO pleading tone
that the@'tHO shillings' was usually not long in |
making Its appearance.
MISS cGaELLA DUBOIS,
another prominent and favorite member Of the |
troupe, proved a diligent worker in the good
cause. Miss Dubois IL of French descent, has
large, dreamy dark eyes that peep out from under
the long eyelashes in manner that is apt to play
havoc with susceptible young men. She has an
eIquisitely-moulded figure, and o coaxing, pet |
ting, winning way about her that renders her an |
adept in the art ofinVeigling young men to spend
their loose change for bouquets and programmes. |
Miss Dubois was attired in heavy black silk, with
the back shirt train and the front made open t.
display o satin-quilted petticoat. The costume |
was rich and elegant and calculated to display |
her figure to the best advantage. With her hands |
full Of bouquets, programmes and money she be- |
sought the gentlemen and ladies to purchase |
'only for the sake Of charity" Not content with
her Iabors in the lobby she repaired to the asles
and collected qEits pile Of stamps in her in
cursions among the benevolent. Miss Dubois is |
entitled TO great praise for her energetic efforts
AID deep interest in the cause of charity.
MISS ALICE ATHERToS,
known in private life as Mrs. Willie Edouln was |
ha NJ he Io5
lists" Supplying herself with q large paper box |
cover she filled It with small bouquets and made |
q modest but determined raid upon the pockets |
Of those whom she accosted, and the result was |
that her receipts were very large.
After securing the Testibula, she too trans |
ferred her attention to the people in the orches-
ira, and succeeded in cleaning many quarter" |
or "half" for her stock IN trade. Not content |
with oven this extended field Of operations, she
took her bOI-coyer and hIed away to the dress |
circle and made thorough canvass Of that part |
Of the house. 1t was quite useless to deny her. |
IAN for charity" was urged in so winning Q man
ner thst few whom she aceosted escaped without |
investing in her stock. Miss Anterior was very |
tasteiully attired in black silk. She wore no bon
net, but her hair was becoSihgiy arranged and |
trimmed with streamers Of blue ribbon Her
manner was extremely modest. 1t was entirely /
devoid OF forWardness, and many an expression of
admiration was INDUCED IN for the perfect little
lady" -Fr~-N9~,
H.
81 - THE OTHER LADIES
engaged in the good work were Miss Dora Tenn |
pie, Miss Augusta Stuart and Miss Madeline
Santon. Each of these ladies was very prettily
and modes:ly attired, and active in the good
cause of charity. They seemed to be all over at
once-in the vestibule, down the aisles or up in
the dress circle, and many poor fellow was quite
abashed at finding himself the centre Of beYy
OF these beautiful dadies.
WILLIE EDoUIN.
If the people who enjoy the entertainments Of
the Thompson troupe, and imagine that their
funny ways IRE only put Oh had been present
yesterday such o delusion would have besII ef
fec:uaIly dispeIled. Mr.. Edouin, in q full-dress
black suit, provided as much amusement as q
programme seller as he ever did in an equal
space Of time as the Heather Chinee." Sta
tioning himself on the first flight Of stairs, with
his comical face all smiles and grimaees, he let
few pass without having first contributed to his
stock Of STAMPS" by diminishing his stock Of
programmes. Here you are ten cents or two
for quarter" was heard all around, for Edouin's
voice is not by any means a weak one, nor is he at
all backward, particularly when engaged in 50
good cause as charity.
Presently transferring his services to the vesti-
fla ha oda nd sat for ~