Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-24
THE TOPICAL TALKER.
Watching the Birth of New PIay-The
United States MALTA Fund for Flowers
-Signor PerottI or the StaEe.

United States MALTA Fund for Flowers
-signOr PerottI on the stnge.-
A MAN who is usually placid, and though
prone to gallop about from one place of bus
iness to another, as doth the overrated bee from
flower to flower, yet not irritatingly full of the
American spirit Of rush, stopped me on Fifth
avenue yesterday morning and said: "You
must come and see them"
Certainly" said I, "but may be allowed to
inquire what them arer'
my lithos, of course" replied Mr.. George
jerks, for it was that redoubtable journalist,
novelist, critic. editor and what not. 'The
Autographs for my new farce comedy The
U. s. Mail; they have arrived. Let US go and
see them"
When a dramatic author catches you early
in the day after this fashion, there is only one
thing to be done: surrender.
So
THE Autographs proved to be secreted some
where about the premises of Harry Williams
Academy of Music, and thither we travelled.
Arrived upon the stage, where two engaging
young gentlemen in their shirt sleeves were in
dustriously tossing big steel kitchen knives
into the air for the single purpose apparently
Of catching them, we encountered Mr.. John
son, the scenic artist of the theater. The stage
was SO dark that Nh. jerks very nearly swal-
AOHcu Wduu6IluS plcC6 Va as ne
reached for Mr.. JohnsOn's hand.
But Il the stage was in dim twilight the
rickety stairs leading to the flies were enveloped
in midnight. Nevertheless, up the twisting,
worn stairway we climbed Mr.. John
son vent first pausing every step
or two to direct our attention to the pleas
ant facilities for suicide that the staircase
afforded. But we got into safety and daylight
at last in time to see MIR. johnson put the
finishing touches to the picture of an Elk he
was painting on a banneret of white bearing
the word ''Welcome' as well as the emblem Of
B. P. o. E.
By the way Mr.. johnson told me at the time
how many many Of these Elks' heads he had
painted in anticipation of the convention of the
order of Elks to be held here next month. 1
forget how many there were, but think 1000.
And they were mighty handsome Elks at that,
let me tell you.
WELL after Mr.. johnson had touched on
the endearing habits of the Elk in his native
State, the Autographs which we had come to
see were brought out. They proved to be the
black and white proofs which photographers
send out for approval before printing In colors.
Even without the warmth and life which color
will give the picture, the Autographs appealed
strongly to the eye. They are really new ideas,
and excruciatingly funny ones in every picture.
If they represent silently the humor of the play
Mr.. jerks has a nice piece of property in his
~. s. Mall"
Although the plot is not clearly in my memory
yet-and who can relate coherently the plot of
farce comedy?-I remember enough of it to
say that the United States Maip' is a satire of
very good-natured kind on the postofice serv-
nf hic 30 fal for &I,a
employment Of several comedians, number of
soubrettes, with one of these short-skirted
comely young women well in the foreground.
Mr.. jerks has not fully made up his company
yet but he has engaged a number of good
actors, including capital singing soubrette for
his leading female character. The other little
details which capital is required for have been
looked to, and a number of good engagements
have been made for the piece 1t is booked for
the Bijou Theater for week in the latter part
of September, but it will be produced In the
East for the first time in August
#sz
BY the way successful farce comedy is bet
ter than legitimate drama with no draught
The hope of good many men here besides
Mr.. jerks is that his "U. s. Mair' may bring
nothing but registered letters laden with gold
Ssk
THE Fruit and Flower Missionary its
charitable sunlight in the homes of the suffer-
ing and needy never grow less-have secured
the beautiful grounds of Mrs. Hailman, at
Shady lane and Walnut streets, East End, for
the Country Fair which they intend giving on
June 7, next.
1t is worth while to make note in your diary
that on June you will enjoy yourself and help
gracious benevolence to extend itself by 60
ing to the Country Fair on the East End lawns
have mentioned.
Up to the hour of this writing signor Jules
Perotti is undoubtedly the great sensation of
the May Festival His robust tenor and his
dashing style of attacking the high took the
audience by storm on Wednesday night
Signor Perotti is not as handsome as his en-
graved portrait in the handbooks would lead
one to believe. The curling mustache, the i'm
perial, the dark hair, the broad neck of the
pictured Perotti are to be found in the original.
But alasl the straight, finely formed nose Sig
nor Perotti has in the picture he has not in
reality. His real nose is not obtrusive at all;
it is modest feature, humble and depressed.
So his face lacks the distinction it has in the
picture. But he has beautifully small feet and
shapely hands, ahl and he has a regal voice.
1t is remarkable how well Signor Perotti
bears his years. He is past middle age, they
say, but he does not look il. AS he prOmenaded
the streets yesterday in little gray coat and
dark combinations, with a small derby on his
head. he was much observed, and appeared not
to mind it.