Los Angeles herald., 1890-08-11
The Palmer Company tonight
in capt. Swift"
A Strong Play and a Strong
Company.
The Extent of Modern Dramatic in
Business.
Imitation of Noted Actors-PersonaI Gossip
and Theatrical News-Notes.

in captain Swift" The play opens in
the drawing room Of the London house of
the wealthy and elderly Mr.. Seabrooke,
where there is conversation concerning
new acquaintance of the family, Mr..
Wilding, who oncec saved Mr.. Sea-
brooke's life, and about whom there is
suggestion of mystery, Wilding en-
ters-a handsome man of twenty-five, an
ex-Australian. who tells of a certain Cap
tain Swift, bushranger, who once held
pistol at his head in Australia. Mrs.
Seabrooke sees in Wilding resemblance
to man to whom she had thought she
was married over twenty-five years ago
but who had deceived her. The child, a
boy, had run away from school and had
never since been heard of. Gardiner is
introduced to Wilding. 'I know that
tace," says Gardiner to himself, and the
curtain falls.
The second and third acts occur at Mr.
Seabrooke's country residence, "Fern-
shaw" Wilding, guest there, has fall
len in love with Mr.. Seabrooke's niece,
Stella. The latter returns his love, but
is loved by Mr.. Seabrooke's son Harry
When Mrs. Seabrooke learns of the situa-
ton she tells Wilding that he is her son,
cast off years ago, and asks his forgive
ness. In the mean time detective from
Australia arrives upon the track of Cap
tain Swift, and, with the aid of a know
ing revengeful butler, ,identififies Wilding
as Swift. The latter, receiving the charge
with nonchalance and derisiOn, agrees to
go to London with the detective to prove
who he is. He escapes from the detec-
tive on the way, and, in the last act
turns up in the chambers OF Gardiner
who, knowing all, has offered him his,
friendship. There he meets in turn Stel-
la, who has come to ask Gardeners aid
in his escape but now parts from him
without a word, despite her love and an
when the detective, having tracked him,
arrives to take him Telling his mother
who he is, and promising her that the
secrets of her youth shall die with him,
he passes beyond the curtains into the
next room. Then Mr. Seabrooke enters
hurriedlv, but his wife conceals herself
from him, knowing that the revelation
of the cause of her interest in Wilding
would kill him. A pistol shot is heard
behind the curtains. causing her to utter
a cry. The curtains part. and Swift, dy-
ing, half staggers, half falls into the
room, expiring in a moment. 81 heard
some one Scream" cries Seabrooke to
Gardiner, '.who was it," ga woman
who loves him." replies Gardiner.
"Poor woman'' says Seabrooke, little
dreaming that the woman is his wife and
the mother of the dead man lying there.
A Big Business.
Last year it is estimated that more
than 4S0 fully equipped companies were
on the road, to which must be added at
least 200 others which started from
Chicago, Cleveland, st Louis and Kan
sas City, skipping along the by-ways,
and seldom jumping into first class
houses even in the West. This year it is
estimated that the number of nomadic
companies will be even greater, as the
air is filled with reports about new
companies getting ready to start out.
Among these are John McNally's GA
Straight Tip" in which Jimmy Powers
will star; Lew Rosen's "The Houstle,"
Sophie Eyre's "Joan of Arc," Gus Will
liams and John T. Kelly's You and l."
and "The U. S. Mail''; Effie Ellsler's
"MissManning," Franklin Files"
Overlook, H777," by Joe Clifton;
4'Base Ball Crank" by E. Howard
"Sleep at the Switch" by w. 7. Clark
ga Westerner," by E. E. Rose; and
great many more, "The Editor" "The
Silent Partner "The Canuck," ga
Barrel of Money" Hoyt's GA Trip to
Chinatown" /" "a Texas Steer,""A Brass
Monkey" and ga Midnight Bel, "The
Millionaire probably Blanche Mars
den's Gabrielle Gerard" ga Pair OF
Jacks ga False Scent" Byrne and
Gordon's GA Prima Donna" cold Jed
Prouty," Natural Cas- "The Henriet-
ta,' Shenandoah, f" "The Burglar" Mel
ly McHenry in "Lady Peggy" go out,
but the names of all would make too
long list to publish.
The estimate of the total number OF
people earning their daily bread from
theatrical performances must also be
somewhat changed. 1t was said few
years back that those numbered 10000,
but last year nearly 800 foreign actors
came to America, and this season will
bring even greater number, not count
ing a perfect flock OF variety people
from England, and the continent who
will next season make the United States
their happy hunting ground. In the
past two years bevies of yonng women
have been sent on the stage through the
dramatic schools, one of these alone, it
is said, furnishing 200 new-made actress
es, that actually found employment.
During this time, although new comers
are plenty from all sources, but few have
comparatively speaking, joined ''the
great majority or been retired; SO,
taking lone consideration with ano-
ther," the professional family at work
in the 1000 theatres and halls through
out the country, when the next season
is it's height, will number not less
than $4,000. 1t is said that England has
a dramatic family of nearly 10000, the
number being larger than ours from the
reason Of the greater number of stock
companies, and the few number OF trav-
cling companies sent kiting though the
provinces. They know nothing of the
$4,000 miles or more of railroading, or
its expense, of an American company
en- route from ocean to ocean, and from
lake to gulf, per haps in one season.
(Dunlop's Stage News.
Notes.
Bob Graham. who has been engaged
l. II 10 ,N1o in,