Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-26
BEHIND THE SCENES.


Santa Claus Invades the Dressing Rooms at
the Theaters-Maggie Mitchell Remem-
bered by Her Company-Managers Wilt
and Williams Receive Christmas Gifts.
Maggie Mitchell's dressing room at the
Bijou was bower of beauty when she
entered it yesterday afternoon for the
matinee performance. The walls were
masses of holly and evergreen, and around
the mirror was a wreath. making an ex-
quisite frame for the pretty picture the
popular actress saw when she stood before
it. 'Merry Christmas, Merry Cricket, !"
stood out from a bank of holly, the letters
being worked in red everlastings upon
background OF white. Below this
was the Christmas token from her
company. 1t was an elegant set OF knives
and forks. The knives were finished In
pearl, and the solid silver and elaborately
carved forks bore the letter an" upon the
handles Accompanying the gift were some
verses written on behalf of the company by
Mr. Ed. Poland, one of the brightest young
men of his profession. They were In the
same meter as Miss Mitchell's famous song
in "Fauchon." and were cleverlv engrossed
by Mr.. Poland, cricket figuring promin-
emily in the illuminations. The verses were
as follows:
Merry Christmas, Merry Cricket
We now wish you. one and all;
See the legend gaily pictured
There before you on the wall
Our little gift we pray accept it
For 'tis permeated through
With affection true and earnest
rendered on this day to you.
May the brightness of the metal
Cleaning from each polished knife
Symbolic the JOY and gladness
10 be yours throughout your life.
Solid as lofty mountain,
Brilliant as glowing flame,
Lasting cen as is tradition
We bespeak will be your fame,
Many tributes will be offered,
None can be, though. more sincere,
Or with more good wishes laden
Than our tribute offered here.
We wish that each recurring Christmas,
As it glides into the past,
Will to you bring blessings richer,
Rarer, greater than the last.
Miss Mitchell was delighted beyond
measure and lavish in her expressions of ap-
probation. And it was not a one-sided
Christmas for the company for each men,
Der received yesterday morning some hand
some git as token of Miss Mitchell's es-
day to be remembered by her company, but
none will be recalled with greater pleasure
and warmer sentiment than that of 1890 in
Pittsburg.
Christmas paid happy visit to the Opera
House. The stage carpenter and the gas
man presented Manager E. D. Wilt with a
gold-headed cane, and number of the other
employees made him handsome presents.
One of them was a magnificent Masonic
emblem in a new and unique design.
Peter Schwartz, the leader of the orches-
ira, was given big plush chair.
At Harry Williams Academy his own
company, which is playing there this week,
presented him with an oak desk and a
pretty French clock made of Mexican onyx.
Each employe was given turkey or a box
of cigars by the manager.
The presents received by Harry Davis
from tie employees of his Fifth avenue
museum and billiard, hall were mentioned
yesterday. There will be more festivities
there New Years Day.
A bright $40 gold piece was the present
each OF the attaches OF the Worlds Museum
in Allegheny received. Business Manager
Keenan, and Manager Connor were each
presented with $50. Mr.. keenan, was also
given a diamond pin and scarf and Mr..
Connor was the recipient of valuable
meerschaum smoking set