Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-08-20
Our Local rroupe in LADY of LYONS

been so near to perfection as ii was.
Not in a single instance was the voice OF
the prompter called into use, not once
in the curse of the evening did the
actors some of whose parts we're very
long lose any the fire or the realism
which characterized the entertainment.
Each n seemed for the time being to
lose his or her individuality, and be-
come actual participants in the tragical
or pathetic scenes depicted by the
famous playwright. Much Of the seen
cry used was new and the effects were
very fine, the costumes were as hand
some and elegant, if not more So, than
any others ever worn on a Custer stage.
1t would be difficult indeed to measure
ont to each the credit and praise merit.
ed, and the most the CHRONICLE will at
tempt to do at this late hour, is to make
brief reference to the leading parts.
f. II. Flynn, as Claude Melnotte, the
peasant, but nevertheless a refined and
educated gentleman, carried the changes
without a ~detracting word or movement.
From the poor gardener, at home in his
humble station, he passed to the Prince
of Como, wooing with beautiful langu.
age, and courtly bearing, the beauty OF
Lyons, the daughter of Nj. Deschapelles
the wealthy merchant. His description
to his betrothed, of the beautiful home
on Lake Como, to which he would take
her. held the audience entranced until
the last word had been spoken.
+. j. Y. Rutkowski took the part OF
Beauseant, n of the three or four very
difficult ones, and hat he had mastered
every word, every gesture, even to the
necessary expressions Of the counter.
ance, was clearly demonstrated. From
the polished French nobleman, robbed
by the revolution of his title, suing foi
the hand of Pauline, he passed, when
rejected, to the desperate villain. seek,
ing a terrible revenge for his disappoint
ment and slight. Succeeding in hum,
bling the proud heiress who had refused
him, by introducing her to the garden
er's son, disguised as a prince, gloatinl
over his revenge, as he saw the beauty
led into the net, and finally married t
Claude, like Mephistopholes, ne was
present at the moment Of her humilia
ton to tempt her to fly with him from
the disgrace which had overtaken her
Fooled once more, he waited patiently
until the proud house Of Deschapellei
then when only his assistance coul,
save it, he asked as a price, the hand o
the daughter who twice had refused hi
attentions, and then, when his hope
were about to be realized, the appear
ance Of Claude, whose victimiZed wife
had in years of separation, learned tina
she loved him for himself and not hi
assumed position, with wealth suiTicien
to save his father-in-law from disaster
and n name which made him worthy O
his wife, then indeed the fury and in
sane rage Of the Frenchman was terri
bly, realistic, and his awful curses sent
shudder through the hearts of the au
ditors.
In Colonel Damar was recognized NJ
A. Willis, the Uncle Josh" of a few
months ago. He played to perfection
the part of the bluff, honest French sol
dier who had risen from the ranks O
the army to a position Of trust an,
honor, and who recognizefthe fact tina
mind and heart made the man, no
wealth and title. Despising the prid,
of his cousins, the Deschapelles, he wa
none the less sympathetic in their hou
oftrouble, and planned skillfully for tn
reuniting Of Claude and Pauline, and tn
defeating of the yillainous plans @
Beauseant.
To Mrs. +. o. Burton, in the emotiona
part of Pauline, the belle of Lyons
words cannot do justice. The stronges
commentator was carried to her in tn
warmth of her reception by the audi
ence. Her solos in the parlor scenes Q
the first and fifth acts were doubly en-
cored.
Mrs. j. F. Smith, as Widow Melnottt
and Mrs. b. K. Wood, in the part G
Mad. Deschapelles, were characters a
contrasted as any two that could b
imagined. The former, the wise an,
loving mother of Claude, proud of hi
ambitions and attainments, yet Away
advising him for the best; the other tn
lowly born, yetself made aristocrat who's
one purpose in her declining years wa
to wed her daughter to a title. AspiI
ing at first to a foreign prince, she cor
tented herself with the thought ths
catching a Marquis was doing very wei
and finally was reconciled to her ono
hated son-in-law, who won fame an
fortune in the army. Both ladies wer
recognized and heartily appla..ded.
Mrs. r. S. Lewis, j. F. Smith, B. +
Wood and Ed. Walsh, each and a
did wonderfully well. and only Unite
space prevents special mention of thei
parts.
Miss Rose, of Hill City, the we
known musician, presided at the piano
and added much to the entertainment
by her faultless execution.
Next month the troupe will yisi
D~eadwood, Lead and Hot Springs, an,
that they will meet with success at eacI
of those points is almost a certainty.
Married.
At the home of j. H.. O'Connor, ives