The morning call., 1893-02-13


and very small audience appeared in the
auditorium There were just half dozen
newspaper men and as many members of
- the theatrical ''profesh," but they were a
critical set and just as trying 10 the begin
ner as crowded house.
Many times since he signed the contract TO
appear as Uncle Tom has Peter recited his
lines in the gTeenrOom. but not until yester-
day did he have an opportunity 10 display
his talents before critics and all the men,
bers OF the troupe. He went through the
ordeal remarkably WELL however. and his
hackers declare that Senator Hamden of
cakewalk Fame will not be ''in il" with the
heavyweight when it comes to SHOW
down."
incidentally Ii may be mentioned that
StockwelPs spectacular production OF
Uncle Toms Cabin" will first be produced
next Monday night. the Goth inst, at Santa
Rosa. For a whole week the company viii
perform in the interior before the piece is
presented to the San Francisco public. The
experiment viii be not unlike that Of the
apothecary in The Rag Baby who tries
his prescriptions on sports" dog before be
serves them 10 ailng patrons.
But there is little doubt of Jackson be-
Ing in the pink of condition" when the
audience al StockWens Theater calls
''tme" for the first act on the night of the
9th inst.
And the rehearsal yesterday?
Well, It was all that could be expected
under the circumstances. 1t was not fun
dress affair, but the participants in the
NAV went ahead with all the confidence
borne of careful study.
You had better 60 a little further back,
bows" said Manager AT EllinghOuse 10 the
critics as they began 10 take front seats.
"a little further back and you Will not dis
compose Peter"
So the newspaper men moved further
back, but they again went forward when
Jackson made his debut. For some min
utes Stage Manager Nick Long, who is
somewhat Of a singer himself, carefully
drilled 8 quartet OF negroes, who rendered
the touching Old melodies so characteristic
Of the play.
IAN right for the third act," shouted
Long. Where is jackson ."
In an instant jackson, radiant in a light
oyercoat and tan-colOrtd gloves, entered
from the right wing, moved gracefully
across the stage and acccsted Eva, bright
little lass. in the person of George Cooper,
who is more at home upon the stage than
of 1t.
The first few words that dropped from
Peters lips as he greeted little Eva were
almost inaudible, but his confidence in
creased as the act progressed.
Come with me, Uncle TUm." says Eva,
as she kisses the big fellow and leads him
away.
Yes, my little dear" says the muscular
Uncle Tom, as re starts away with the
goldan-haiTed lass.
ION, lands! how shiftless!' interposes
the yenera BILE dame, Ophelia, as she begins
to demonstrate at tile latitude allowed The
hero Of tie story.
Eyes, missy, yes" repeats the big
Australian, as be disappears with little Eva
behind The left wing.
ALREADY he knocks out Sullivan and
COTbett as an actor, whispers Ellinghouse
enthusiastically.
But jackson is just getting warmed up
10 his WOTE. Be has breathing spel for
q few minutes, while TOpsy. Eva and
Ophelia have their turn. OF course, every
one is too veil acquainted with Uncle Tom
and his cabin for q criticism of the whole
performance 10 be Of startling interest.
All eyes are therefore focused on the
hero Of the touching drama, and the hero Of
many p contest in the TOped arena as we'll.
Topsy tells Eva why she can't become an
angel, and Uncle Tom again appears on the
scene.
St. Clare hands Tom a mythical roll Of
greenbacks with which TO pay some bills.
Then Peters acting begins in dead earnest
and he grows quite pathetic. Yes. marsa,"
he says, sadly. 'but-bui-"
"W hats the matter, Uncle Tom?" asks
st. Clare.
ways been good to me, but be is not always
good to himself"
Speak out" says the master, kindly.
"MaTsa is not good 10 himself" and
Peters voice trembles little with MS emo
ton.
ooh. yes, I know" continues ST. Clare, "I
had little to0 much champagne on board
last night"
This is the Australians chance for pathos,
ana he takes advantage Of IL admirably.
HIS lecture Ga temperance. that winds I'D
with "stingeth Ike an adder" is delivered
with emotion and earuestness.
The master promises to reform and so
gladdens the old Negroes heart that he ex-
claims: Bless you, marsa, l feel much
better now. You have taken a heavy load
from old Toms heart De Lord bless you,
marsa. for"
"Ali right" interrupts St. Clare. as he
wipes away mythical tear and walks off
as Uncle Tom concludes pathetically,
bless you, marsa. bless you"
TOpsy, Eva and ODhelia have another
turn and the little ideal Of the Southern
home grows seriously i'll before Jackson re-
appears as Uncle Tom. Peters voice trem-
bles still more and takes a deeper sentiment
as be tells the master about Eva. faint
no use trying TO kee Eva here" says be
emoiionally. There always was some
thing deep in her eyes" Peter makes a
graceful exit by carrying off little Eva in
bis arms.
Fannie Young and Minnie Ellsworth in
their respective parts as Ophelia and ToDsv
have some more fun with each other, and
the stage manager recalls the hero by shout
ing: Enter, Tom first; eh, Jackson!
Come right down herel"
Once more Peters pathos is marked as
he speaks of his little mistress. As he
quotes from the Scriptures be points dra-
mafically skyward and saws: 1.-The Lord
m fo ha
bridegroom. We all want to look at the
glory when the gates are opened"
Then there is another touching scene as
Eva embraces her father and tells OF the
angels and of all that is beautiful in the
ETHEREAL regions. She stretches out her
little arms TO Uncle Tom as the angels issue
the final summons. There is some sobbiDg,
genuine or otherwise, but the sounds Of
grief are quickly drowned in the chatter OF
other members of the company
SIockwell, q veteran of the stage, makes
his appearance as Lawyer Marks in the
auction scene, and even in the rehearsal
makes everybody laugh with his comedy.
"ParsOn" Davies is the auctiOneeT, and he
plays the part for all there is in it. Simon
Legree. the villain. seizes Uncle Tom
roughly az he Kisses: Look at the Niger
with his boots BACKED" tie feels Of Peters
big arms, and is amply satisfied with the
muscular development.
iStop that you MINK" roars Davies, as
Emeline shTieks when exhibited. With al
the usual cOmical and pathetic incidents the
auction is conducted, and concludes By Le-
gree buying Uncle Tom and Emeline. He
yanks his property about In a manner that
might have been dangerous had it not been
"Only IN fun"
The auctiOneer's parting eulogy OF Uncle
Tom is: Cone OF the most valuable negroes
ever born"
All Of the spectators laugh as they whis-
per to each other. Yes, lie is valuable"
''You both belong TO me-" sDarles Le-
gree, as lie shakes bis newly acquired slaves.
And heaven help u.s." saws Peter Jack
SOD, alias Uncle Tom. and the third act is
over.
Judging from the cast Ia Stoekwell's spec
taculaT production rival companies will
bova IN bustip They ata paarty oil oid