The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-05-23
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
A Temperance Town,

run. Audiences CroWueu the lnSalreS
where it was produced and its moral
effect was as great in way, as Mrs.
Beeoher Stoves Uncle Toms Cabin
The name of the drama was ''Ten Nights
in a Bar-roonA' and even at this late
day it occasionally finds place on the
boards AS can well be imagined the
play sets forth the misery and suffering
caused by the rum traffic.
In "A Temperance Town. produced at
Portland theatre last evening" after a
long and successful run in Boston, Mr..
Charles Hoyt-whose dramatic 'sslxits,''
such as Rag Baby" "Trip to China
town. and others, have made his name
familiar to theatre goers all over the
country, and brought him much wealth
takes the other side of the rum ques-
ton and makes an appeal for the rum
sci er. or in other words, for the saloon
His play makes a certain rumseller
saloon keeper because he has asick child
to support, and portrays the leading doc
tor, lawyer, and clergyman of the town
as putting up job for a raid on the
mans saloon. one Of them getting him
to sell pint of liquor and take the pro-
peeds to pay the doctor for attendance
ON his sick child thus obtaining the EVIL
denee to convict him in court. When
brought before the judge an old comrade
In the army comes forward and pays his
fine and thus the saloon keeper escapes
imprisonment
1t is difficult to understand the great
rush to see the play except on the ground
that the audiences attracted are entirely
In sympathy with the saloon keeper.
There is but little that is bright in the
dialogue; in fact it is decidedly fat The
features that create the most laughter
are of the same character that have made
the ''skits' popular; variety business
like the ;swhistling servant girl by Mr..
Eugene Garfield with dance, and the
seizure at the close of the second act,
where the bottle is tossed from hand to
hand The lawyers in the trial scene
,lso makes good deal of laughter.
The audience last night broke the
record during Mr.. Lothrop's lease from
a financial standpoint The orchestra
gave up their places to the public, and
the theatre was great mass of perspir-
Ing humanity. The prospect indicates
an audience fully as large tonight.
Miss Elsie Lombard, as Ruth, was
warmly welcomed last night, as was Miss
Evelyn Pollock, well known in Portland,
Eugene Garfield and other members of
the company. The curtain was called
several times.
The Manola-Mason Company.
1.-THE other day while visiting old ship
mates at the New York Navy Yard" said
Acting Manager Edward Taylor, of the
Manola7Mason Company, who is now in
this city, 81 acquired a bit of unwritten
history. Almost everyone remembers
when the city of Portland became-I
forgot how many years old-that the
famous White Squadron of our new navy
was sent to assist in the celebration of
that joyous but temperance event. There
were perils and dangers in that squad
ren's cruise never before made public,
and it is only in confidence that the
officers of the fleet speak of meeting and
forming the acquaintance of John Mason.
'Ah,' said an old officer of almost every
other experience, Mason was a man for
ship; he was every inch sailor. He
had shanty on Peaks Island, and a
eat-rig anchored off the plank called
his landing pier. There was nothing
from the maintruek to the keelson that
he knew anything about, but he was in
bveryone's mess and no ones watch. 1t
was a sad day when we parted company,
but the admiral softly remarked, I have
not had the pleasure of personally meet
ing Mr.. Mason, but am cognizant of the
quiet charm that he exercises upon the
officers of the Tennessee. wish him
every happiness, and if thousand
dollars will cause him to navigate his
shallop to distant port, the reform fund
shall pay it gladly. Mason would not
sail, so the squadron had to. Those
we're days of long ago-since then the
angel of connubial bliss has cast soothing
oil upon the seething waters of a bowling
singleness; yet John in his heart clings
fondly to his maritime experiences and,
to the admiring wonder of Mrs. Mason,
and with old cronies, spins seayarns that
knock Fennimore Cooper's silly" The
Manola-Mason Company may close the
season here June Sd,
Belshazzar.
People who enjoy cantata, or al
oratorio, well given, must not fail to &C
to Chestnut church tomorrow evening
and hear the oratorio of Belshazzal
given with large chorus and fine sole
talent, under the auspices of George
Gilman Chapter, Society of Christian
Endeavor
The following well known Portland
singers will participate as soloists: Miss
Rosamond Mcclellan. Miss Hattie Derrah