The Sunday herald., 1886-08-29
1.-THE SCAPEGOAT."
Mrs. Chanrrsu's New Play-An English Play 10
Find Its First Representation In New York.
National Press Intelligence Companys Forcigi



OF Paris. All modern styles cmana,c from Felix's.
Worth long ago abdicatcd; and Felix, from being
pcr17,Qutcr to tho Empress Eugcnic, has been ad.
vanccd TO the dircctorship OF fashion. Mrs. Chan
frau employed him to make her i've new dresses for
the new play she has purchased In London from Sir
Charles Young, author OF "Jim the Penman," the
most remarkable performance to be seen In the
Worlds Metropolis. on my return here I renewed
the acquaintance, and though 1t made that also Of
Sir Charles, OF whom, and OF whose play, I have
something interesting to write.
: Mrs. Chanfrau and sister and her little son,
Frank, had established themselves In a beautiful
home on Addison Road, where, few evenings be-
fore their departure was visiting, when the author
baronet called. For a long time after the compile.
tlon Of the play It had no title. one had to be in
vented, sand as that said the author, "s the most
dIfncult portion Of my work, usually leave 1t to
the very last" But at "ihe very last" Sir Charles
confessed his utter inability to think Of satisfactory
name. His agent, VIII Z. Chapman, formerly OF
New York, was equally unsuccessful, and Col. Ciif-
ton W. Tayleure, Mrs. Chanfrau's manager, grew
wan and haggard over similar attempts and fail
ures. The aid Of friends and neighbors was at last
desperately invoked. Lady Monckton, the Right
Hon. Mrs. Evans, Lady Somers, william Black, the
novelist; Madame Teresa Kondrop, the famous fe-
male Danish physician whom Mr.. Gladstone always
calls in on critical occasions; Lady Fleetwood, and
the Hon. Mrs. Lightly Simpson were each In turn 30.
liclted to NIL the role Of sponsor for Sir Charess
nameless child. A hundred titles came thus to be
proposed but were successively rejected. Late one
evening, when the company were on the eve OF sep.
arating,a corouetted Broughau, which came noisly
rattling up Addison Road, halted suddenly In front
OF Mrs. Chanfrau's residence. The liveried nunky
proclaimed by ring and the regular double rap upon
ha adONr kv,O kort thaa
and Sir Charles was promptly admitted.
Cropping his way quickly into the drawing room,
Sir Charles, (who lost mis- sight by a recent acci.
dent) shouted delightedly: "i've found n!n
"Found what ?" was the general inquiry OF the
startled group.
"Found name for the play. II came to me while
was supping with Justin Mccarthy and John
hollngahead at the Garrlck Club it's an insplra-
tionlr
"what is it," eagerly querrled Mrs. Chanfrau;
"give us the name-quick!
"The Scapegoat," replied Sir Charles.
"Splendld!" was the unanimous exclamation.
1t was In this Informal way came first to meet
the popular dramatist Of the London Of to-day. lie
Ia q man VI great wealth, accumulated largely In
building the Canadian Pacific Railroad lie IL mast
middle age, yet has only taken to literature within
few years. Amusement rather than his necessi-
ties inclined him to dramatic literature His first
work, "Jim the Pcnman," was, In construction,
story, and general treatment. 30 unlike the modern
standard plays that for time he could get no hear
Ing In London, and was finally forced to take the
risk OF production himself. His success was ins,an-
taneous, and has been continuous now for several
months. Shortly after completing "The scape-
goat" for Mrs. Chanfrau. Sir Charles met with an
accident which has blinded him, and he very much
fears he will not again he able to write. lie was
hurled from his carriage In Hyde Park, and 1t Is
feared that the blindness which followed will prove
permanent. II 30, then "The Scapegoat" will prob
Oe the last play he will ever wrlte Sir Charles Ia
one OF the most genial and popular OF cubmen. lie
| Is also accounted the best London amateur actor
next to Charles Dickens and George Lewis. But for
his blindness, II Is more than probable he would
have either aided Mrs. Chanfrau In the production
of"The Scapegoat," or acted the leading role with
her. He Is well-known among the ton Of Boston
Detroit, Chicago, aud other American cities, and
his success as drAnatlst will be hailed with
delight.
Ihe story OF the play Ia something like this:
Victor Broughton, an English gentleman, travel
| Ing through the United States under an assumed
name, meets and weds In Chicago an American
woman named Linda Calmore. Subsequent to hii
marriage he visits New Orleans for the purpose Of
voved In quarrel over game Of cards with no
torious gambler OF that city. The latter Ia assass
mated the succeeding night. and suspicion fastening
upon Broughton, he is arrested, tried, and con
demned to death for the murder. A week after hit
| condemnation the jail Is destroyed by fire and sew.
eral OF Its inmates burned to death-among them
Victor Broughton, whose charred remains arc iden
| tiled by his English friend. year later Iinds
visits London, SO does victor, who has ESCAPED his
Identification being part OF o plot to Invest mis-
younger with the family title and estates Husband
and vile are brought together by an accident which
nearly results fatally for the former. Recognition
follows, and Linda learning the story OF the murder
resolves to set her husband free from his condemns
ton Tor tue crime. Through tramp who escaped
with Victor and has since been his companion in
mlsfortune. she obtained clew to the rea assassin
and, following 1t with rare sigacity and thrilling
resolution, succeeds at last In bringing him to
Justice.
Mrs. Chanfrau at one time had an Idea Of bringing
the play out nrst In London, aud then presenting II
successlvely In Paris, Berlin Vienna, and st. Peters
| burg, and heard that her manager, Col. @. w
Tayleure, Q former writer for the Southern press
was arranging matters to that end, but very prom.
| isng American offer led to change of plans, AMI
New York will be the first city to enjoy sight of
| the play.
Mrs. Chanfrau's confidence In "The ScapeRoatn IL
attested by the fact that she not only paid IS OOt
cash for the production, but declined In order thai
she might be FREQ TO bring 1t ont In America, al
oner OF $500 week and all expenses from q wei
known English manager for professional tour which
should embrace all Engand. Paris, Vienna, Berlin
st. Petersburg, and other continental cities In or
der to secure the copyright. q single public perfor
nance OF the play was given at Brighton. An ex
| ceedingly brilliant audience was in attendance
Including the author OF the play, Lady MOncEton
the best amateur actress In England, and nearly al
the best known lIteraryiand dramatic critics Of thu
metropolis. The success OF the new play was insta
neous and emphatic, and the consensus OF critca
opinion seemed to be that Mrs. Chanfrau purchased
gold mine In the play. But the first production
practically Will be in New York at the Fourteenth
street Theatre, on September 20, az q cablegran
| from MIR. Samuel Colve states.
The dresses which saw at Felix's In Paris. which
he had made for Ars Chanfrau In, ,"The scapegoat'
were particularly Interesting TO me, because each
costume reveals the strong Individuality which at al
tmes aud In MI things pervades the atmosphere
| about Mrs Chanfrau. While most w0manly and
| sweet IN all her domestic relatons she still main
tains the spirit OF strength and vgor OF character
which 30 ably upheld her gifted husband In his long
and successful career. But wander from the subject
| ofcostnmes, and let my regard for the woman over
come for the moment my admiration for the actress
One OF the costumes Ia Q marvel OF artistic taste
both IN conception and detail II IL OF exQuisitelJ
| shaded gray velvet and O delicate shade OF maize
Atthis point expect every woman who reads this
description TO throw up her hands In holy horror.
| did Ii myself, confess, when Mrs. Chanfrau told
me OF the combination; but II you want TO he con-
vinced, Just lay the two shades together, and ex-
claim as did. This gown IL an evening dress with
full train and bodice OF shaded velvet. with pettcoal
| OF br0caded maize satin, and ornaments OF gray
Jets. The corsage IL dicoiiete with hanging Jets and
ornaments. Another gown is an evening dress OF
white satin en- train, with pearl trimmings A tea
gown OF scarlet satn brocaded In pale lavender, ID
to he worn In tho third act A carriage costume OF
rich brown and pale ecru, with white hat to match,
Ii marvel OF quiet taste and elegance. The chieJ
d'Gupre OF the collection Ia mantle OF some soft
thick white material, with white gOals hair fringe
10 he worn over the white satin evening dress. My
space IA too limited TO more than mention the ex.
qaisite Shoes slippers, stockings fans, hats, ETC.
| ETC., chosen 10 match perfectly each costume. 1
await impaileny these time when the exquisite cos.
tunes may be seen by the public aud my admiration
confirmed.