davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29
BfiOu Theater

W. J. Seaman, the Irish comedian and vocal
ist, has won fame and fortune by long and con.
scIentious endeavor in field that was new to
the stage when he first essayed stellar role
The Irish impersonato: of a dozen years ago
was. as many are to day. buffoon, who spoke
with grossly exaggerated brogue and de-
lvered comic jokes that savored more of
American slums than of peasant life in the
Emerald Isle. Such Misrepresentation was dis
tasteful to Mr.. Seaman, not only an
the conmeucement of " hIs eareep ee he
attempted the apparently difficult task. now so
successfully accomplished, of presenting be-
fore all classes of theater-goers faithful life
like picture of Irish life and manners. Mr..
ScSnlsn, who begins weeks engagement at
the BilOu omorrow evening. will be seen the
first half of the week in a revival of Jessop and
Iownsends picturesque Irish comedy
drama, ''Myles AToon." Says Mr..
&c lnlan's manager: Never was
role more admirably adapted to the
powers and methods of an acT0r than is the
character of NyteS to Mr.. Scanlan. Afytes is
youthful, genial, witty, lovable and possesses
the gift of melody aud song In these repects
at least his nature is akin to Mr.. Scanlan, who
TO properly portray the Irish troubadOur need
only be himself. The play itself is pretty 1--we
story. coDcisely told, and not lacking in strong
dramatic situations. which hold the interest of
the spectators from beginning TO end. 1t pre-
sents Irish life as it actually exists to-day,
and is full of witty dialogues, pointed
epigrams and pungent jokes that are as re-
uueu As lnef are luhni. For tDe last nail
OF the week Mr. Scanlan will revive the late
Fred Marsden's romantic IRISH play, "The Irish
Minstrel" Among the principal features of
the programme Will be Mr.. Scanlan's singing of
his own unrivaled ballads and which have be-
come famous throughout the land, ''My Neily's
Blue Eyes" THE Swing Song" whats in a
kiss" You and 1 Love-" my Maggie"
moonlight at Killarney" "Oyer the Mount
ain" and his widely known and always popular
"Peek-a-BOO." Every care and attention Will
be paid TO the proper mounting of these plays.
New and special scenery has been provl ded
ard the supporting company will be str Ong
one"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29
Worlds Museum.

very amusing and novel entertainment is
promised in the curio hall at the Worlds Mus
eum-Theater the coming week. Mr.. Robert E.
Dittrick, who has attained some reputation by
his extraordinary exhibitions or what is
termed "Spiritualistic Cabinet Manifestation"
win be the main feature. His performance
consists of some of the most difficult accom-
plishments by some invisible agency whilst BIO,
himself, remains absolutely passive in full view
of the spectators. Some of his exhibitions are
said to be of such startling nature hat nothing
save supernatural means, which Mr.. Dlttrick Is
SAID to be able to employ, could possibly accom-
plish them. The Madagascar Family, one of
whom is a very accomplished violinist as well
as OF handsome stature, will be another very
entertaining feature, and also the remarkable
handiwork of the Mexican artisans, E. Gomez
Pedrozo, ,Santo Barbaroes and D Elmo Sarturia,
in copying exactly the beautiful plumage OF
many birds by artificial means. using some ma
terial kno wn only to themselves, which, when I'm
ished, SO closely resemble feathers that one can
scarcely distinguish them from the genuine,
and in full view of the audience. Their work
is open for inspection and is certainly rare
treat. In the tbeater a variety combination OF
the bright particular stars Of the American
variety stage, in connection with Signof Hubert
Crisrini, the great slide trombone soloist, who
is well known hereabouts. will give an enter.
tainment that will be fully up to the standard
of first-class stage performances which is the
rule at this popular house.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29

Fully alive to the times, Manager Davis. OF
the Fifth Avenue Museum. turns up with an
avalanche of new and strong attractions in
every department for the Easter holidays; he
announces that marvel of nature. "Baby
Venus" a beautiful infant but years of age,
vet mature as a woman of 25; it is one CT those
strange whims of nature as Inexplicable as
it is marvellous. A man who makes . clothes
line of his skin, Felix Wehel, will also be among
the wonders; Herman and Otto Smith, repro
duclng the "Old World master works" in the
way of plastiQue poses: there will also be many
other famous wonders. In the theatOrium one of
the strongest speciality entertainments ever
given at this house will be introduced. AmoLg
the artists, Fisher and Clark, exponents of the
sports of the day:'' Gibson and Hart, vocal
lists and dancers: Miss Nettie Crowell. ballad
ist: Cannon and Kent, Irls1 sketch artists;
Billy Moore, the well-knoEn black face come
dian. and by special request. the Grouses. Ty-
roean warblers. will be retained for one week
more. Next week Manager DAVIS announces q
convention of fat women, In which he expects
to have delegates pres ant from every State in
the Union. The week of April l3 he will hold
his first annual "baDy show"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29

Sol Smith Russell will open at the Grand
Opera House tomorrow evening in S. E. Kid
der's comedy "a Poor Relation" Sol Smith
Russell was born in New Brunswick, Mo-, and
is now Al years old. He began singing on the
stage at II was a drummer boy in the army in
1858. and appeared regularly at 15, singing be-
tween acts He j. a great student in every line
and member of the Episcopal Church. Of
the stage Mr.. Russell is a genial, dignified
ceptleman who cannot fail to create favor
able impression, upon whoever he comes in
contact with. He is a man of keen. per-
ceptions, limitless wit and possesses brain
enough for a Governor or a Senator.
or even President Five minutes story telling
nv Sol Smith Russell is worth more to a sick
family than $500 worth of pre- Scriptions. He
is a leader in his profession; genuine gentle
man, a warm hearted, sympathetic friend. Mr.
Russell is a very strong believer in real estate
investments. Several years ago he invested all
his savings in Minneapolis, which has made
him to-day one OF the richest actors in the
country He owns a six-story block near the
great West Hotel in that city, ana has recently
bought another entire block opposite the Court
House,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29
Harry williams Academy.

A special Easter week programme has been
prepared tor Harry Williams popular theater.
The Irwin Bros Specially Company has been
here before and is known to be a good combina.
tion. 1t has been strengthened considerab y
since its last engagement Besides thN old
artists who made hit before. uumbe of new
ones of international reputation have be n
added. Altogether the show will be up to tn
high standard that Harry Williams always sets
for his theater,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29

FOUR Matinees weekly-Monday, Tues
day, Thursday and Saturday.
April 6-WEBER AND FIELDS CO.
mh29-11
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29
Harris Thearer.

The clever Irish actor. Charles Erin Werner.
comes here foT the first time in professional
capacity. The repertoire for the week is as
follows: Monday. Tuesday, Wednesday,
Friday a double bill will be given, ''The O'Cal-
Iaghan" and ''Send Your Wife to Brighton"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29
Grand Opera House.

Pattison Selton, Virginia Harmed, Jennie Dun
bar and Charlotte Malcolm. 49,
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-04-23
WALKING THE PLANK.

matches under his hat. Narrowing
and walking the plank" were his
favorite diversions. When a prisoner
was to be "marooned" a suitable place
was chosen generally some desert isle
as far removed as possible from the
pathway of commercel, and the con-
demned man was rowed from the ship
to the beach. Out he was bundled
upon the sand-spit; a gun, half
dozen bullets, few pinches of powder
and a bottle OF water were chucked
ashore after him. aud away rowed the
boats crew back to the ship, leaving
the poor wretch alone to rave away his
life in madness or to sit In despair till
death came. If the bit of sand was
not convenient a plank was run ont
from the vessels side, the victim blind
folded and stan ted out over it, III he
hesitated when reaching the end, and
refused to take the last step that would
plunge him into the water below,
Blackboard" would shoot at him until
he would fall from pain or weakness
from the loss of blood. Howard Pyle
has drawn a realistic picture of such a
scene, that is here reproduced.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-04-23

-Ibartcred my merchandise for another
cargo OF tropical frn'ts, and we steamed
away for New orleans 30 defiance OF
cams
unfortunately we decided 10 take che
cargo as far north az Mobile. Just as
We reached there an untimcly severe
frost nipted the fruits OF our struggle
into nothingness.
my resources were exhausted, but
others picked up the enterprise whore !
was forced TO drop II, and made
their millions from IL. recall, In par
ticular, one old 'dago. then a common
fruit yender on the streets OF New Or
leans, who became millionaire from
the Fay Island steamship fruit traffic,
in few years from the time when
brought the first cargo, by steam, to
Mobile.
"From that disastrous voyage has
grown the immense fru.. traffic with
Central America"
The gentleman who gave me this mar
ratiye In the true Chicago spirit quickly
recruited his FORUM S, and Is now an
honored and successful Chicago business
man.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-04-23

the second port was reached we failed TO
sell as we expected, but loaded with
fruits and put out for New Orleans, only
stopping a moment at Rutan.
"When fairly started on our return
voyage, IL was discovered that the as
sistant steward had failed to separate
the ships supplies from the cargo, and
both had been unloaded together at
Ruitan. Practically all the supplies we
had on board were the few barrels Of
salt pork that we had failed 10 sell at
the second port
"But we would have been able to stand
that had we not been becalmed for
many days under the torrid sun of the
Gulf. AS II was. we suffered intensely.
Nor was that the worst of itl
"The vessel and all its occupants we're
literally overrun with banana rats. BY
the time the schooner put into the har-
Dor at New Orleans, the delay. heat,
and rats had left but little sound, sala-
bic fruit out of the entire cargo OF
bananas, pineapples, and cocoanuts.
40 ap the climax, the ships papers
could not be made out to satisfy the Gus
tom house officials In vain tried to
discover what was the matter with them.
At last l slipped fve-dollar bill into
the hands OF an official. and the papers
suddenly became satisfactory.
Had it not been for the immense
margin o: profit In the cargoes that we
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-04-23

hind legs and gave an impulsive jerk
The girl awnka The goat gave ancthor
sudden pull, and the maiden jumped
out of bed with q smothered cry of
pain.
Then she stopped down to detach the
cord just as the ridiculous beast gave
another violent jerk, and she nearly
lost her equilibrium, and her toe, too,
the cord cutting into the tender flesh.
She sprang to the window aud called
down in hoarse whisper:
stop pulling, Harry. I'll be down
in minute"
Then she made another effort to un-
tie the cord, but the persistent goat
gave his head several angry hobs, and
each time the girl uttered O cry of
pain. Again she called into the dark
ness:
Harry, if you don't stop jerking like
that won't come down at all"
She was answered by another savage
pull, and the cry of anguish that es-
capped her brought her mother into the
room withs look of alright and a
lighted lamp. The young lady tainted,
the elopement was nipped in the bud,
and the disappointed maiden's toe was
sore for month. The goat escaped.
SHEFFIELD Telegraph.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-04-23
the trees sprout and grow from the spot

the trees sprout and grow from the spot
where they strike.
ave no sooner came into port than the
natives came out in forty or fifty little
boats to buy bacon OF us.
AT the consufs we sold for so. so per
barrel flour that cost us only S425.
When we came to sell out our stock of
hams and shoulders, and started to weigh
them on pair of new Fairbanks scales,
which we had brought for the purpose,
the Bandangos would have nothing to
do with us, but insisted that we should
weigh with a pair OF old rusty spring
balances which already stood at three
pounds. AS each ham weighed about
fourteen pounds they cheated them
selves three pounds out OF every four
teen.
"While at the island of RuiLan the
American consul. Mr.. Burchard, made
us welcome to his home. and we
spent night after night upon
his bacony, listening to the yarns
of the sailors and the songs of the ma
tives There were no hotels on the
island and no one took boarders; but it
was good form for any OF the crew who
could not b, entertained at the Consul's
to drop into the first Bandango hut he
came to and call for breakfast, or any
other meal. A favorte dish was cocoa
nut when in the custard state, just as it
was beginning to set. My partner re-
NAMED at the pr ncipal harbor on Ruitan
Island, where we unloaded all the cargo
but few barrels OF salt pork, which we
took to a second harbor, where we OK.
pected to sell IL and at once load with a
return cargo of fruits and nuts. When
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-04-23

tribntIon. and sank back with relieved
oh" The storm lasted fer three long
days. On the second day, however,
could stand the sickening con fnoment OF
the cabin no longer. and managed 20
crawl upon deck.
"The captain dashed mo to the main
mast and then fastened 10 the side of
the vessel He was also wretchedly sick.
In fact, ID Is safe TO say that we were
the sickest community on the face OF the
deep. We every moment expected TO go
to tho bottom, and were trifie dlsap-
pointed to find our misery prolonged.
"When we came In sight OF the coast
we dare not attempt landing, as our
compass and chronometer were out OF
order and we were generally of our
reckoning and along bad coast The
natives, however, came out I'm their
canoes and bartered first for salt pork.
~The sea was still rolling high whom
we approached the island OF Utilla-
again we did not dare to land, but
raised the signal OF distress and with the
glass watched the natives set out for US
in couple of sailboats. 1t took them
two hours to reach us. We de- ided to
beach the vessel and did 50 successfully
with native for pilot.
"The water on shipboard had been so
vile that / was frantic for q drink of
something that tasted clean. So / went
ashore with the islanders One of their
number climbed cocoanut tree and
brought down a large nut, which we
tapped, and from which l took a long,
refreshing draught OF its cooling milk.
AT the earliest possible moment we
Put our vessel into the harbor Of Ruitan.
"The natives OF these islands are
strange composite OF negro, Spanish and
white blood, and are commonly called
'Bandangos.' They dressed with great
freedom when they took the trouble to
dress at all. A more lazy set you never
saw. 1t was great eXertion for
them to smuggle enough rum from Brit
ish Honduras to keep the officers and
themselves suppliedl
at was next to impossible to get them
to do stroke of work. One athletic
fellow came aboard the schooner In the
early morning, and we attempted to hire
him to go ashore and bring in some pine
apples Dress yo' Bress yo! Ise got
no time, and spent fully six hours in
demonstrating that assertion!
"But very little work will answer in |
that climate. The soil is so wonderfully |
fertile that cocoanuts that drop from |
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-04-23
Pixies Peak.

An exchange prints a story of a
young lady who went to Colorado for
her health, and while sojourning at
Manitou fell into conversation with O
gentleman on the hotel piazza.
The gentleman remarked upon the
grandeur of Pixies Peak, which tow
cred majestically before them. The
young lady expressed her appreciation
of the wonderful spectacle.
II suppose" said tho gentleman,
after the conversation had proceeded a
little way. that the mountain has a
peculiar interest to me from the fact
that my own name is Pike"
Naturally it would" answered the
lady, promptly; "and L may add that
my own enthusiasm is probably in.
creased by the fact that my name is
Peak"
The coincidence was extraordinary,
and the story has strong marks of
truth. II it had been made up, the
inventor would almost certainly have
gone on to say that the acquaintance
thus happily begun soon ripened into
friendship; that this in turn gave place
to sentiments of a tenderer nature,
and that the young woman soon be-
came, like the mountain itself, Pixies
Peak.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-04-23
A title Tea Gown.

"But, ma, she's set her heart on il so.
and It'll be awful pretty"
Pretty, no doubt, but it's foolish ex-
travagance. faint as if she was goin'
to wear it year in and year out. and
besides it will take the dressmaker full
three days to make it, and we'll have
her thread and snippin's all over the
house. L Just shant do it. Niece
though she be, that's too much to ask
after all I've done for her. Anyhow,
what's the use-she can't take it with
her where she's goin'."
L, the new pastors wife. was return
ing my first calls, and overheai d the
above dialogue as stood rapping at
the Widow Stebbens'.
A louder rap was answered at last by
that lady herself, and 1 was shown into
the stiff, SNOWY parlor. After short,
formal call, rose to go, when Mrs.
Stebbens said, won't you step in and
see my niece, Lefty; she's sick. and
hasn't been out to meetin' since YOU
came"
l assented, and she led the way into
an adjoining chamber, where Law a
pretty young girl, whose bright ewes.
hollow cheeks, and little cough made
an unconscious appeal that went right
to my heart
Lefty cnatted brightly in that conf
Dental way that invalids sometimes
have, showing me her autograph
albums and schoolmates' photographs,
and finally asking my opinion upon
some samples of cloth that she drew
Tom under her pillow.
Now, wouldn't this make lust the
loveliest tea gown" showing me a lot
of pale pink cashmere, figured with
daisies of deeper shade, with leaves
of pale olives and browns. "Made
with puffed sleeves" she went on. "and
with cuffs and high Medici collar of
olive velvet"
could see in fancy the sweet thin
face set off by the artistic gown, and I
praised both the sample and her taste.
"Auntie thinks it's silly of me. /
know, but in week or so. when be-
gin to be about, it will be so nice to
wear in the house"
The conversation turned to other
topics, aud soon took leave of Lettv.
@1he next time you come / will have
on my pretty gown" she said. pavlv.
as babe her good-by.
'vwo weeks later went to see I,ettv
again. She wore her aesthetic gown
but this time there was no flush unon
the fair face and the still little hands
were crossed over her heart. Mics
Stebbens stood with her mother beside
the casket. Amt you glad now. ma
that you humored her about the dressp
1t wasn't much trouble and she's qoin'
to take IL with her where she goes.
after all" Mrs. Stebbens bowed her
head, but a sob that shook her no rular
shoulders with jerk was all the Tenlv
heard; but Lefty, lying there in he.
pretty pink gown, looked so happy that
4 believe she heard more. -MaI and
Express.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-04-23

Both Had the Change and They Kept It..
A common. everyday incident that
happens In street cars was never better
illustrated than by one which took place
yesterday in q street. Three women
tripped more or less lightly therein on
Madison avenue. As they sank into
their seats two of them struggled des-
perately to open their pocketbooks.
and when neither had succeeded each
grasped the others arm and exclaimed:
Don't, dear I'll payi"
The small woman between them said
nothing, and the conductor awaited
further developments before venturing
in to collect the fares. The comedy
goes on.
"Ive got the change right here"
saws the woman on the right.
$50 have L, responds the one on the
left. The small woman between them
still said nothing and the conductor
approached to discharge his more or
less disagreeable duty.
Don't you dare to pay the fare"
begs the woman on the right grasping
the arm of the woman on the left.
And don't you'll" exclaimed the wo-
man on the left, grasping the arm of
the woman on the right
The small woman between still says
nothing, but as the conductor drops
anchor before the trio she quietly paws
the fare, while the woman on the right
and the woman on the left express
much indignation.
That's always the way with these
fussy women :" remarked the conduc-
tor, "they never do anything, while
the one that don't say not hing does it
all. IN. Y. Mercury.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-04-23

handled, we would have lost heavily on
account Of being becalmed As ID was.
we came out about even In money and
our experience ahead.
u saw plaiely that the fruit-carrying
trade with Bay Islands must be con-
Quoted by steamships, which would not
be subject TO Gains. Our next move
must be to obtain steamship.
shortly after returning to Chicago a
certain lake steamer was advertised for
sale by the United States Marshal at
De Pere.
"That official was a German, who lived
at Milwaukee.
II took the train at Chicago to go 10
the sale, and engaged two berths In the
sleeplng-car. When the United States
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-04-23

rhs Pirates Kidd anu Teach. WHO sailed
in Amsrio IN Waters.

The Pirates Kidd anu Teach, WHO Sailed
in Amsriosn waters.
The names OF pirates most familiar
to Americans are undoubtedly Capt.
Kidd and blackboard For many
years Robert Kidd was a hero of
piratical fame. He was credited with
having captured untold amounts of
treasure, and belief was widespread
that he had buried fabulous fortunes
at differents points along the Atlantic
coast. But slowly these legends have
come to be regarded as mythical, and
it may almost be said that the coming
generation will have doubt as to Kidd's
being real pirate. He was not
blood thirsty enough for an out-and-
outer. and the stories OF his perform
ances, Ia which the gathering of money
is the great point, are tame reading.
But with Blackboard" it is different,
His right name was Teach Capt. Ed
ward Teach-and he was real, raging
pirate clear through. He, too, is said
to have committed a good deal of
treasure to the keeping of sandy
beaches, but he also made more than
one captain walk the plank, and COM
mitted more private murders than he
could number on the fingers of both
hands. Teach was born in Bristol,
and was given his ccgnomon of
Blackboard" on account of his heavy
black whiskers. He began his depre-
dations in 1716, and so bold were they
that he soon took place with the great
est freebooters. He had way, it is
written, of twisting his whiskers with
ribbons into small tails, and turning
them about his ears. In time of action
he wnro sling ouar his shoulders with
three brace of pistols hanging in hols-
tiers like bandoleers, and stuck lighted
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-04-23

years later he was general utility man
in book store. From that time his
rise was rapid. His employers recog.
nized his worth and his promotions
were rapid. Now, Mr.. Stewart has
one of the finest libraries in the country
aud has complete knowledge of books
and the book trade. Mr.. Stewart has
been identified with local politics for
number of years and his election as
Mayor was natural consequence.
His majority was 40. 600.