New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-04
ANTAR, son OF SHEDDAD.
HIS TRIALS AND HIS TRlSCLAlloNo AND
HIS FINAL TRIt MPlI-N CHICAGO.
Ivpou , sr.Pr conRF-pONDkNT OF TIE IEIHCNT.l

pl,isorco-bv fine way did You ever note the
CHARMING old-time favor Of this term, Midway
ploisance9 II isn't English il isn't French: II
isn't even half and half, but it might have
originated with Pcpys or the Due de Gramnont;
and he who bestowed il upon tins, III many r.
spccts the most interesting feature OF IN" falr,
whoever he be, must have been MISUNDERSTANDING
down. say the Midway Plai@'ncc, the other day,
| CHANGED 20 encounter two "i our most diStlh-
cuished legislators United States Senators. III
f,ct in company with high government official.
Now if there is thing III this world that love
70 do more than another, it is follow the advice
Of my elders So when this distinguished THO III
an unanimous burst Of enthusiasm. and without
awaiting my expressions of profound respect for
their supcrior Judgment in such matters declared.
" You must soc the Turkish dancers what could
7 do bnt 90? ] paid my 30 ccnts-yOu will
find it in my expense account, and trust you
will allow it-paid it to a greasy. bear-cyci and
pimply-faccd youth, and entered the Turkish
Theatre. or as a poster at the door mad il. the
Oriental Odcon" You never saw an Oriental
Odcon .? If you haven't, you don't want TO-
Certainly not this, run by my esteemed friends
"Picrrc Antonius & Co., Managers. of Constants
noplc" Ii will be loss, either, If you should
be a little late and miss the overture by Oriental
orchestra or the elegant song by the band
/ take these expressions from the modest but
amusing programme thrust into my hands by
swarthy Arabian in picturesque rags VINO stands
inside the door and whose dark eyes sparkle
with an cnth aSasm which nothing but firc-watcr
could have kndled Without that programme
should have been even still moro at than
am now as TO what all the singing and shouting
and dancing meant that going on III the pack
of the hall on a dngy little stage, lighted by a
low of Pickering oil lamps. Worse! Without that
programme | couldn't have sent you this letter,
or any reasonably truthful account of the great
Turkish drama, entitled
"ANTAR. TIE SON OF SHEDDAD"
Don't pretend to know who Anar was. but TT
me- COPY from nv programme the information that
hc is IAN Arabian warrior and poet of the sixth
century He is discovered 1 believe this l. the
correct word-hc Is discovered in the first act
reciting poetry with ironical Illusions to Mas
soud, son of Massoud Ii Kalby, leader of hostile
tribe. This Massoud ha, presumed to make eyes
at Abla the sweetheart of Antar a procecI ing
which moves the latter 10 remark T. hriS' IN"
king of the Benz Abs tribc, that h" viii destroy
Massoui from among the living Ming N'lS
admires Antars cloqucnce AMI eallan'ry, put ven
lures 10 suggest TO him that II might be- wei -
ago for Mnssoud at once, before that bal man
has a chance 10 collect his warriors aud friends
Antar >purns the suggestion and SAYS
kim OF the ace. are persons like H. made to
bc afraid Even if Massoud were 70 gather ms
heroes and friends and al the beasts of the
desert. he will never obtain his wishes when the
milestone of war bcgns 90 turn
Still Antar, besides b'ine 4 warrior AMI poet
is also a prudent man. and Therefore inquiries "n'
il To take charge of the women AMI ch1HcE ol
the tribe during his absence. The kina informs
4 VI I..rt "a
70 look after them. Antar c>prc--c- himself ~
satisfied and IA he departs e. swipc The earth
with Massoud,7 the curtain comes down. barely
missing the royal toe,-thc first act having lasted
81 l-2 minutes.
Act II il short and devoted exclusively 10 the
ladies Alba j. engaged in conversation with
Museikch. her conldant. From her sh" learns
that Massond loves. Poor MasSoud, presently 10
DO swipod MnS.ikeh also males other r'%
marks at least the programme saws 80. bnt ] am
unable t. report what they are. Let H. hop"
thov are not too uncompliment1rv 20 Na--"ud.
The Turkish dIamatst apparently considers the
cony crsation o: women on the stage "a beng on
the whole supcruous. 10 b. tolerated only when
il cannot we'll be avoided, and 70 he cut short
whenever possible. Time. tlcrfcr" j. promptly
called and Alba has only Il minutes in which
TO conhde her sorrows and for"hoilngs -
Musoikch. The curtain deSc"nds ono" more with
a whack, and Mr. Pierre AntoninS in fcz AMI
a greasy smile on his conntcnanc". announces that
the dances, the world famous dances, ladies' AMI
ocu:lomcu such ne there can only hr seen in Com
stantinoplc and other cities of the East Will now
he performed" Several ladies leave the hall. the
men nudge each other. some cubs that ought ~ be
In bed begin 10 look a. tough as they know how.
and great expectations is reflected IN every
face.
But ought 10 return TO Antar before describing
the dances lost Won lose Nh" thread OF the
drama" Amara, everybody knew h" would
turns ont TO be cold-hloodcd villain. II" talI"'
advantage Of Antar's absence, makes love 10 Abla
and-T quote once more my proerammc-""X-
presses his high admiration of her fascinating
charms" Alba gets angry first. and then tries 10
convince him Of the error of his ways. BIT
Amara refuses 20 listen and continues in the
most approved not 70 say realistic, manner, 20
make love 10 Alba Indeed, 10 b"1s Alba tscc
programme once moro "to avail herself OF tho
prcsent favorable time and sit bv him. that h"
NAV have n chat with her and satisfy himself
with the contemplation Of her beautiful antelope
eyes Not bad for Amara. surely but he cannot
successfully Jolly the lady" She r"bukcs him
for his shameful conduct and strikes him on The
breast lie comes 70 himself bcgs her pardon
and-asks her not 10 say anything - Antir about
him She, dear and discrcctcst Of girls, ass'n's
and takes her departure. Amara Is left TO do
liver monooguc, in the course of which h" i
supposed 70 kick himself around the corner.
fguratively speaking, and to curse love. Just
"a the safety valves are beginning 10 work he
hears the songs OF victory chancd by Antar's
returning followers, who have been engaged, yon
may remember in turning the milestone Of
war" Amara rightly coniectnres that the time
has come for disappearing, and lac suits the action
to the thought. Antar enters. il met by TN"
king and rccitcs his adventures. King Kcis
praises him and with ran condeSccnson invites
the hero 10 participate In the "fatigning but
glorious ,ur-iOns of singing, music and dane
ing" In other words they prepare TO paint Tin"
capin red. They do il. too. in trnc Mnssnlman
fashion No wine. but plenty of music and Of
dancing. No wild and bostcrous hilarity, but
dienG".l Indulgence in the fumes of the nargil"
and mild excuses in coffee. AZ the cnrtnin goes
down, the tambourines' and cymbals break forth
with renewed vigor. the kcttlcdrums beat louder
L.. Il md tlo firm 10 h.rn il