Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-14

IhE EOhDS Al AhEAAs DIS H.
The Benefit to 1Tessrs Dufield and
HanIey Last Ni=ht-A Splendid Per-
formsnee-Presentatio to the Bene-
fciarfes-
Il is seldom that larger or more bril-
liant audience is seen in the Theatre than
that which assembled last night. The
parquette and dress circle were filed from
the front row 70 the wall. The patrons Of
the Fords ard the amusement public were
there When the curtain rolled up for
the first act a more briIlient sight could
not have been asked to make the heart Of
an actor glad. The public responded
generously in appreciation Of the efforts
Of the FOrds aud the two young gentle
men. Messrs. Du1held ard Hanley. VINO
were the benefciaries OF the occasion.
The play. The Danites,' Is picture OF
border life familiar 70 the amusement
puGlic, and made famous BY Mchee Ran
kin. ParslOe and other noted actors. II
was presented N a manner that Would
have done credit 10 the best professional
talent on the stage. The cast, including the
i entire mem bership OF the association. was
/ 50 large that it Is impossible to give a
1 separate notice 10 each member.
As SANDY" the poet, the man who could
not write his own name. but whose
| heart under rough breast,
was large enough % take IN
| the whole camp. Mr.. Lawrence Hanley
| exCelled any previous effort that he mas
made. and won a brilliant triumph.
| Among the various characters which Mr..
| Hanley has PLAYED none has stamped him
| 50 strongly an actor as the one last night
/ l. was a difficult role. but il was played
/ bv a master hand. The conception Of
I the tender geutleness in the character OF
/ the rough miner was a mastery effort.
As Godfrey. the ParsOn." who could
/ OutsWear any man in the camp. Mr.. Ii.
/ :. Dufiei showed his wonderful ability as
\ an actor in any role. Mr.. Dufheld has,
/ during his engagement with the EOrds-
/ proved himself 10 be d master Of his pro-
/ fessiOu. His conception Of the bold, fear
| less rover Of the canOns was proof Of MS
/ brilliant talent.
Mr.. W. D. Stone, as the "Judge, .
| elected because he was 1T for nothing else
I in the GLORIOUS climate Of CalifOrny,'
/ made a decided hit and was applaudeC
/ continuously. Mr.. Stone Is master Of al
/ most every character IN the play, having
/ PLAYED il with Rankin and ParslOe several
| seasons.
\ In the dual role OF Nancy Williams
/ and BILLY Piper" the tender lad Of the
| camp. Mass Augusta Chambers made 9
| brilliant mt and won the audience com
| pletely. AS the imperiled Nancy. fol-
! lowed and Swallowed TO the death by the
/ revengeiul Danites and the hated boy
/ whose manners were unfit for the
! rough cOmpaniO0ship Of the miners il
| the guiches. her acting was almost be-
/ yOnd criticism. There are few actresses
/ who. in the short time in which Mis-.
/ Chambers has played before the Savannah
/ public, that nave become so thoroughly Z
| favorite as she. Her manners are charm
/ ing and her conception Of the difficult
F. characters which she has played have wOT
for her the title Of a versatile and talented
| actress.
Miss Pierce. as .Huldah Brown" chris
! tened by the miners The WIdder," more
| than sustained the reputation which sht
/ has established. As schO0lmistress ant
| missionary in the camp and as the true
! and noble wife Of SANDY McGee,' hel
acting was well nigh perfect and won fol
her the favor Of the audience.
Miss FlOrrie Verne as Henrietta.
known at the Forks as Bunker Hill.'
won new fayOrs and received the plaudit:
Of the audience in her conception Of th,
wild vet true hearted girl Of the camp
/ While il is impossible TO devote space L
| the remainder of the cast. each member
Is deserving Of a favorable notice. The
PLAY from the beginning Of the first ac
until the curtain fell at the finish, moved
without the slightest hitch, and was one
Of the most successful ever given by the
| Ford Association.
A pleasant feature Of the performance
| Just before the curtain rose for the las
| act was the presentation Of a beautiful
| gOld-headed ebony cane 10 Dir
Dufield, a valuable diamond shir
stud to Mr. Hanley. and
gold watch charm to Mr.. i. B. Thomp
son. one Of the board Of managers Of the
| association. The presentation was grace
/ fully made BY Judge Harden, who ap
peared on the stage and announced
10 the audience the duty he haC
been called upon to perform. Messrs
Dufield and Hanley were escorted
from the wings By Mcssrs. Molina ant
! Thompson. After presenting the cane
and stud Judge Harden turned TO Ar
not ended until he had presented him. in
| behalf of the association. a testimonial Of
/ the regard and esteem in which he was
| held Mr.. Thompson was completely
taken By surprise, but not more so thar
| Messrs. Dufield and Hanley. B0tL
| gentlemen responded briefly and eX
/ pressed their thanks for the unlocked tOl
gift Of which they mad been made the re
cipients. Mr.. Thompson was so much
| surprised that he was hardly able to re
ply at all.
The performance was altogether the
most successful the Fords have evel
given. At its close Mr.. Dutfield an
| uOunced the benefit TO be given Miss
| Chambers and Miss Pierce next Monday
night. when the comedy. 80. p. B.; or
Mixed" will be presented. This viii
conclude the entertainments given under
| the aUsuices of the FOTLs for the season.