Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-08

THERE is well-founded belief among the
friends of Mrs. James G. Blaine, Jr., in this city
that that young lady will never appear upon the
stage. The story about infammatory rheuma-
tism is laughed at as polite piece of fiction,
intended to cover transaction of far more
interesting nature.
A gentleman who is in a position to know
good deal about the affairs of the Nevins family
said yesterday: Secretary of State James G.
Blaine will not permit his name to be displayed
uron the bill boards throughout the country,
and he is willing to pay handsomely to have his
own way. have it on excellent authority that
Mr. Blaine, ST., has paid to his sons wife
large sum of money on the understanding that
she will abandon her theatrical tour for good.
My authority informs me that the price paid
for Mrs. Blaine Jr's. retirement is either
$4,000 or S60, 900, and out of this Daniel Froh-
man, her manager, and presumably some others
must be paid for the trouble they have been
put to-"
ais this move of Mr.. Blaine's voluntary" I
asked.
"Yes-entirely so. Mrs. James G. Blaine,
Jr, was very ambitious to go on the stage, and
it took strong argument to persuade her to
give the ambition up. You may be sure she
will never be seen behind the footlights now.
There is no truth that any threats were made
by the Blaines to Marie or her manager, as I
see 1t is reported there have been. The nego-
tiations were amicable, and terminated as I
have told you"
MRS Blaine was under engagement to play
at the Bijou Theatre this winter. and on learn
ing this news sought Mr.. Gulick and asked
him if he had heard the story related above.
Without replying directly to the question he
said: i understand all her dates are cancelled,
and DO not expect to see her play in my thea
ter or any other mans this season."
Sc
W. ]. SCANLAN relates funny incident that
came under his observation while playing
abroad last summer:
while was in Cork Hungarian band ar
rived to give a series of concerts under the
management of a Mr.. johnson, of Liverpool.
In London, of course, at the conclusion of
concert or performance the orchestra plays
''God Save the Queen" but in Ireland they
would not stand that, SO johnson had an
nounced on the programme that the orchestra
would not play God Save the Queen" The
HungarianS, however, wound up this concert
with an anthem suspiciously like 1t. While
they were playing it there was much uneasi-
ness in the audience. Finally one man got up
very much excited. went out to the door, and
asked johnson why he was playing ''God Save
the Queen"
"Yes, you are" replied the Irishman, "you
are playing it in French"
S.%
THIS season, so far, has been remarkable
for the number of tours cancelled Not only
is Mrs. Blaine unable to make her projected
tour, but Mrs. James Brown Potter and Kyrle
Bellew, Mary Anderson. and one or two others
of lesser importance are. from one cause or
another, unable to fulfill their engagements.
The death of George Fawcett Rowe, the
clever English actor and dramatic author, puts
an end to another promising tour With the
exception of Mary Anderson and George Faw-
cett Rowe, the public rather gains by these
Withdrawals. In place of Mary Anderson Mr..
q mi int
leadership of that very brilliant comic opera
artist, Miss Florence ST. John. For the rest
there are no probable substitutes.
So
MR.. WARDE's engagement at the Grand
Opera House has been fairly satisfactory to
him, and to Mr.. Wilt in a financial sense and
more than satisfactory to the public from an
artistic point of view. The weather in the
earlier part of the week was decidedly unfav-
orable for tragedy. All the same, that sterling
drama, "The Mountebank," attracted large
audiences and delighted all who saw it. MI.
Warde's work in the play is undoubtedly as
be very wise in Mr.. Warde to contract the play
in many places. 1t is far too long and tedious;
nor does the plot of the play demand such i'm
moderate elaboration as it has.
THE United States Mail" the new farce
comedy by Mr.. George jerks, of this city, will
have its first performance upon any stage at
Macauley's Theater at Louisville, tomorrow
night. For the last six weeks or more Mr..
Jenks' play has been actively rehearsed in
New York City with the best results apparent
ly, for Mr.. jerks writes me that the play moves
very smoothly, and has not a flaw in it SO far
as the acting, the costumes and the setting are
concerned. 1t is not to be supposed that at
this time of the year, in a city SO far South as
Louisville, that Mr.. jerks play will make
very large financial success. 1t will however
enable the company to get down to smooth
work, and Mr.. jerks may be able to make such
alterations as practical experience will teach
him are needed before he returns to the North
and commences the season i'll full earnest
MIR. jerks friends will be pleased to know that
there is some hope for the preservation of that
clever author and newspaper mans brain dur
ing this crisis.
THE proposed sale of the Library Hall prop-
erty by the Sheriff under the foreclosure of a
mortgage held by Mr.. Felix Brunot, neces-
sarily interests Mr.. Gulick, the proprietor of
the Bijou Theater. 1t may not be generally
known, and it certainly appears not to be, that
if the sale of this property takes place, the
lease under which Mr.. Gulic1 and company
occupy the theater might become void. 1t is
understood that Mr.. Gulick has received some
sort of assurance of protection under the sale.
1t is even said that the seller of the property
would not agree to a sale thereof except the
purchaser agreed to continue Mr.. Gulick in the
possession of bis lease 1t is by no means Ger.
tain, however, that any such tacit agreement
between the sellers and buyers of this property
could be made to stand. At present the sale is
postponed until December.
HEPBURN JOHNS,