The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-05
NYE-PIELD-R
Great Success of the Entertainment Given by
These Three Well-Known Writers.

These Three Well-Known Writers.
The audience that crowded the Grand Opera
house to the walls. last night, was fitting COM
pliment to those who furnished such feast of
humor and pathos, and aatfering alike to them
and to the city of Indianapolis It was one of
the finest gatherings that ever greeted any artist
or organization. The main floor was filed to
overf1owing with the elite of the city, and many
who are never found there were obliged to con-
tent themselves with seat upstairs. Every
chair was filed, and, better still, every one was
filed when the entertainment began, showing
how eager the public was to hear every word
that was uttered. It was demonstrated that.
while Indianapolis is exacting in its
discrimination, it is enthusiastic in its
appreciation of what is really ar
tistic and excellent The good feeling that
was evident among the audience was reflected
from the stage, and a better pleased people never
reluctantly filed out of an opera-house in this
city. The entertainment was faultless success
In every feature, and it is difficult to particu-
larize without appearing to slight other features
no less worthy of mention. It was made
evident from last nights demonstration that
literary excellence. humorous and pathetic, is as
highly appreciated here anywhere else. The
hattering reception accorded Mr.. Riley in the
East could not surpass his greeting here, while
Messrs Field and Nye, who fairly divided the
honors of the evening with the Indiana fayorite,
could not ask more without receiving
larger house to accommodate the people, and it
is safe to say that they will ever receive warm
and hearty welcome should they ever honor the
city with another visit. It was happy combi.
nation when these three gentlemen were brought
together, each one so neatly supplementing the
other.
Promptly at the hour to begin Mr.. Nye APP
peare6 before the audience and without formal
ity began to talk. He wished to state for the
benefit of the management that Mr. Field had
requested the audience not to use their opera
planned that The was naturally diffdent, and the
fact that, unlike many of us, he was painfully
bald lNye himself is bald as a brick-yard
it would only. be delicate compliment
notice it." He had come, he said, in response to
a telegram from Mr. Field, who requested him
to bring his best suit-''it is just my SIZE" the
message said-and particularly to bring the coat,
vest and trousers, as Field was already provided
with suspenders. The audience was in instant
sympathy with the speaker, and the laughter
that began at the outset did not wholly subside |
till the last person locked and left the house.
After paying graceful compliment to the fame |
and popularity of Mr.. Riley Mr.. Nye proceeded |
at once to his talk on Robust Cyclones" 1t |
were impossible to give an adequate idea of his
manner and appearance, which add so much to
the humor of his irresistibly. funny |
pieces Tall, angular, awkward (prob- |
ably assumed and with a manner as |
mild and plausible as deacon or confidence
man, he talks with such evident sincerity that
he would deceive the elect were his text match
for his actions. His dissertation pugilism
onA
good Funny as his writings are in print they |
are incomparably funnier interpreted by |
him.
Mr.. Field widely known as the humorist and
satirist of the Chicago News, made we believe,
his initial appearance before the public as a |
reader. last night. But nobody would have
suspected it, and he as self-possessed as
Sol Smith Russell, and fully as great humor-
ist, with much wider range of matter to draw |
uron. While his. recitations were funny, his |
readings were pathetic and beautiful. A |
finer production than his ''Wanderer" ca n hardly |
be found His Romance of a Watch" made the |
audience roar with laughter. The only individual |
that left the house before the entertainment |
closed did so while Mr.. Field was reading, and |
he was seized with nasal hemorrhage. We feel |
warranted, however,, In saying that the gentle |
man from Chicago cannot fairly be held respon- |
slble. There scores of people who saw the |
young man leave who will gladly testify that |
Mr.. Field had nothing to do with it; nor do we |
think that the young himself feels any |
more aggrieved at Field than at Nye or even |
Riley 1t was one Of those unucky condolences
that there is no accounting for and we trust |
that 1T will not prejudice the Chicago people |
against Mr.. Field.
AS for Mr. Riley. he was plainly in the best of |
spirits. He could not be otherwise, with such an |
audience gathered to hear him and his friends. |
AS consequence, he never appeared to better |
advantage, and was greeted with an encore every |
time he appeared. as, in fact, all who APP |
peared on the programme. Mr.. Riley's selec-
tons, last night. were all new to indianapolis |
audience. with. probably one exception. Moth |
ing to Say" was particularly fine, while his hui
morous poems were among the best he has ever |
written. He is evidently still growing
The programme was beautifully rounded ont |
by the assistance of Miss Emily Bng |
ham, the talented young reader, and Mrs. |
John c. New. whose abilities as vocalist |
are well known. Miss Bingham was particularly
felicitous in her rendition of Scotch dialect |
poems. her "Cuddle Doom" being very enthusiast
icaly received. Mrs News singing of LA
Primarera" was especially we'll received, and |
both ladies received hearty encores The enter
tainment, as whole, was one to be remembered |
long with most pleasing effect.
TIE Joint CONVENTION