Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-09
Written for The Evening Star.

are hundreds as good as he. Nevertheless, his
desertion Of Daily has made more Talk among
theatrical people and even among outsiders
who follow the movements OF players
generally than any other stage event
within q month. All the week it has
been discussed on the Rialto as though 1t were
q very important thing indeed. The reason is
that Drew is one of the four members of Daly's
company who have been long regarded as fixed
in his employ for life. DAILY is an odd fish.
What with his autocratic rule over his employees
and his spirit Of antagonism toward other man
ayers he Is regarded as the biggest crank in the
business, even among those who respect his
achievements highly. The wonder has been
what he was going to do about it. The
answer comes today in decision by the
manager that tho actor shall not be taken
to England for the summer engagements at
irvtngs Lyceum. nor will he be used at all at
the home theater next winter. He will be un-
der pay during all that time, however. for his
contract with DAILY does not expire until spring.
and his engagement to Chas. Frohman will not
begin until the ensuing season. That is Days
way OF taking occasion to assert his careless
ness of money and his independence of his
players. He will pay Drews salary regularly
every week and compel him to report at the
stage door twice daily, but will not permit him
to face an audience.
DALfs ODD DISPOSITION.
An anecdete is told to illustrate the oddity Of
Augustin Days disposition. William NJ. Laf-
fan, now the publisher of the Sun, at a salary
Of $4,000 year, was the dramasic critic of
that Journal few years ago. He was not con-
WINGED OF the entire greatness of Ida Rehan, the
leading actress of the DAILY Company and being
an untrammelled writer, his opinion ap-
peared in print. DAILY called at the Sun
Of Ch,~,es 4 DAM vbn recsiys, hin, Win h;s
habltuaiiy impressive urbanity. Mr.. Dana is
handsome man, as indicated by the most libel
Gus of the caricatures in the comic papers, and
as partially depicted in the sincere portraits.
bination of dignity and cordially. Everybody
feels at ease in his presence. but nobody is apt
to think OF presuming upon any familiarity.
- am glad to see you, Mr.. Daily" he said.
"what can we do for yours
Il have called to convince you" said Mr..
DAILY, with an air Of considerable confidence,
critic"
Mr.. Dana's manner was unchanged in its
good nature, and his voice did not show the
slightest annoyance as he replied: 'Well. Mr..
DAILY, will speak to Mr.. Laffan about it, and II
he thinks he ought TO be discharged viii dis
charge him.
That ended the interview.
TROUBLE AMONG DRAMAr1sTs.
Three little half-hour plays have made some
thing of literary row this week. The trouble
arises, often happens, from the fact that the
three authors used history or somebody elses
fiction instead Of original themes. Two of the
pieces are being played here and the other viii
Peattie deems himself the writer of Nance
Oldfeld," which Rose Coghlan is using and
which Is dramatization Of Charles Reades
Art" Mr.. Peattie submitted his manuscript to
Miss Coghlan last fall, and she subsequently, re-
tt1rp "a h AID hoh l.,
that she appropriated his work. or course
whether that Is SO OF not he cannot enforce his
claim, because the thing really belongs in
equity, II not in law, to the heirs Of Reade.
But he has made stir about it and has con-
vinced many that Miss Ceghlan's course has
been little devious. The two other manu-
scripts show a similar chance coincidence.
Clyde Fitch and john Ernest Mccain both
read, in published letter from Paris. an anec-
dote OF Frederic Lemaitre, the great French
compelling him to act in an improvised scene,
subsequently showing him how it ought to be
done. Fitch dramatized the incident and sold
the play to Rosina Vokes, who is using it now
in town. Mccain also worked the material
into play and found purchaser in Robert
Mantefl, who is to bring tt out in this city soon
The evidence Is perfectly clear that neither
Fitch nor McCann stole from the other, but
both took the risk Of rivalry by choosing a
theme free to everybody.
AN ENGAGEMENT ON CHERRY HILL.
The passion which worked the death Of Ro-
meo and Juliet, Hero and Leander and various
other figures In poetic history finds queer ex-
preston on Cherry Hill, that famous down
town precinct Of the metropolis, where the
crop-haired citizen flourishes and maidenhood
gains large share Of its sustenance from the
beer key. matrimonial engagement was An
nounced last week at Casey 9, q resort with say
dust on the floor, where the youth Of the neigh
borhood congregates for its evening symposi-
ums. Some one inquired, after the health Of
the contracting parties was drunk, who was
going to support the new household.
"Well," said the prospective groom. Saint
Katie dom der Water Queen down ter der dime
museum. Dere's ten a week, and what's
wantin'?'
The argument was unanswerable and the
health of Katie was again drunk standing. No
further question OF the future bliss of the pair
OF lovers would have been made had not an
individual in the corner who must have been q
pessimist ventured q few opinions.
That's all right about Katie dom the Water
Queen at ten a week." said he; "but s'pose she
gets fred2 l got tripped up just like you
young man, when was married. Ny girl was
solid in hotel up town. She got four week
and her board. thought could live at home
and take three Of her four. but what does she
do after the weddin' but get sick. Then she
lost her place and had to go ont with the
fruit cart again. Don't you bank on Kntie
keepin' up the ten week, old pal. She may
60 back on you."
.'Tain't no matter if she does get fred from
the theayter," said another young man.
Didn't know Katie when she was workin in
the feather factory and wasn't she gettin'
seven a week then9 What's the matter with
feathers il she stops the queen aet9''
well, now, you fellers make me tired" put
in the youth who had captured Katie for a
bride. "lf Katie loses her place at der museum
she amt goin' into no feather factory. l
wouldnt let my wife do anythin' low like dat
Nav. il Katie can't act, why, den, we'll 60 home
tsr der old woman She's got the best washin'
business on der hill. All der swell boardin'
houses sends dere linen to her. Don't-you fear
about Katie an me. We's on velvet, seer
And then Kstie's health was drunk once
moro, after which ceremony the prospective
groom excused himself from the ornpany
saying that his sister promised to meet him in
the Bowery at 10 clock and give him 90 cents.
When he got it he promised to return and set
mp another round in Katies honor.
WHAT A PRIMA DONNA EATS.
'What do prima donnas eat?". asked q
sagacious young newspaper writer Of . waiter
in Broadway restaurant.
whats prima donna?" asked the waiter.
"Well, that Yves prin,a donna that Just went
out. She is great singer in one Of the
.'Oh, wef, that's different She had steak
q II Bearnaise. fried potatoes. spahetti, peas,
Brussely sprouts, raw onion and tomato salad.
Yes. and rice pudding, and cheese and crackers,
and coffee, and pint of wine. That's all"
The youup ueWSuaDor man pr0seuted hiuhc1f