The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-06
PETER THE GREAT AS UNCLE TOM.

SAip III Iooaus, DdBSOdIi dHu IOOtUdAip SAS SiAtS
of William Cuyer. of Philadelphia, in memory
of his brother, T. L. Cuyler, of IA
PETER THE GREAT AS UNCLE TOM.
Tho Champion Of Engl and and Austr.lia
Studying His Part.
San Francisco Chronicle.
For two weeks two shadows have been
daily wandering about in the gloom of a
theater on O'Farrell street. The tallest
and darkest of the two has been identified
as Mr.. Jackson, of Australia, and the
shorter rs Mr.. Stockwell, the clever
theater. He has played in "Uncle Toms
Cabin" almost as many times as he has
hairs in his head, and IS giving the COL
ored champion the benefit of his long ex-
perience. 1t is as much as mans life
Is worth to attempt an entrance to the
theater while the coaching is going on.
but several of the clever men about town
have managed to lose themselves in the
place before Mr.. Jackson anu his tutor
arrived, and the result is that fair idea
has been gathered of just how the dark
skinned gentleman handles himself on the
stage.
He first appears in the third scene Of
the first act, and is supposed to emerge
from warm hut on to a snowy landscape.
Here is an opportunity for some good
business, and Peter has been endeavoring
to cultivate the proper kind of shiver to
introduce himself, but somehow or other
the shiver won't come right. Mr.. Jack
son wriggles right enough, but as a shiv-
erer he is not success. Mr.. Stockweli,
who, if professional necessity prompts,
can agitate himself like a jelly fish. is quite
in despair, and has suggested that Peter
should sit in q refrigerator for an hour of
have the ice man call around at the theater
every morning. An admirer of Corbett
has suggested that Peter might be brought
to the proper temperature if he would
only think of the day after he
has met the Californian. The author of
the wlttlclsm, however, cannot be induced
to make the suggestion III person. If he
can only get over the shaking point in
good shape Jackson's friends are confident
that he will read the lines quite as well as
Mr.. Corbett writes letters.
He has great chance to do the upright.
Just alter he steps on the stage Eliza is
dying to the frozen river with her child in
an endeavor to escape North. She wants
Uncle Tom to accompany her, but he is
prone to stay. His reply to the tempta-
ton is worded thus:
Mars'r always found me on the spot-he al.
ways will. have never broken trust nor used
my pass no ways contrary to my word. aud l
never will. It's better for me to go alone than
to break up the place and sell all. Mars'r amt
to blame. and he'll take care of you and the
poor little 'uns!
On the conclusion of this speech he is
overcome by emotion and weeps. At this
Mr.. Jackson is reputed simply great.
why" as one admirer who witnessed
the pathetic incident said, "when Peter
strikes tears he's simply on velvet"
1t may not seem evident just why Mr..
Jackson, when asked what is to become of
him, should place any faith on anything
but his two strong arms and 200 pounds of
avOirdupois, but it was distinctly set down
in the acting edition Of "Uncle Tom" that
he must solemnly declare:
Him that saved Daniel III the den of lions
that saved the children in the fiery furnace
Him that walked o.. the sen anj bade the winds
be still-Hes alive yet! and I've faith to believe
He can deliver me!
After this speech Peter will be given an
opportunity for rest and ice water behind
the scenes until the second act Is called
Then Mr.. Jackson must put on his Sum
day clothes and be prepared to enter at the
left first entrance with Eva. her papa and
Aunt Ophelia. His natural modes,y will
here have chance to rise to the surface
because the father of Eva begins to tell
what good and sober man Uncle Tom is.
Peter may say here:
Please. mss'r, that amt no 'casion to say
nothing bout me.
Later Uncle Tom has an opportunity to
gather Missy Evy" in his arms and law
ish caresses upon her. AS Mr.. Jackson
says himself, this is "a snap" and he will
survive.
In scene two Mr.. Jackson will be dis
covered At the Il. U. z. with Eva on his
knee and the book requires that he shall
be ornamented like the president of
fraternal order at annual reunion time,
He says - Eva's father in his embarrass-
ment:
begs pardon, mssr, but the young mIssis
TONED in the good book, dressed for the sacri-
tee
Miss Eva assures her father that he
Sings such beautiful things about the new Je-
rusalem. anu bright angels, and the land of
Canaan.
But the audience will have a chance to
draw its breath before Mr.. Jackson sings.
He doesn't do that until the next act
Waiting tor Act III the shadowed star
will have an opportunity OF getting him.
self In lachrymose condition, for he is
required TO flow ike fountain up to the
fall of the curtain. His first effort in the
temperance line is accompanied by tears
He weeps as he assures Eva's father that
he certainly will not do much for himself
il he drinks too much wine. Here are the
lines so set down:
Tom deeply affected, cssping his hands and
weeping)-Aul On, my dear young masr, I'm
'fraIi Il will be loss of ali-ali. ooIy and soul
The good pock says ''it biteth like a serpent aud
stiugeth like an adder" my dear masr
The young mas'r agreeing to abstain
gives Mr.. Jackson a chance to hang him.
self up for a time and get himself In shape
to sing. This is what he sings:
oh, had wings OF the morning,
IL fly away 10 Canaan shore;
Bright angels should convey me home,
To the New Jerusalem.
] see band of spirits bright,
That tsste tne glory there;
They all are rosed in spotless white,
And conquering palms they bear.
After the death of Eva Uncle Tom has
quite a scene at the deathbed of st, Clare,
the father of Eva, and at the auction mart
where he is sold to Legree. Just how the
fighter will conduct himself when he dies
is still too early TO predict, but that he
will pass away IN an original manner is
guaranteed.
Standard accident policies and tickets the
best III Bailey building.