The evening world., 1894-05-25
SOME LAST NIGHTS At HAND.
The Empire, Daly's and American
Theatres Close To- Morrow.
Interesting Gossip About Some Of
Our Plays and Players.

Miss Bessie Clayton. whose wedding
cards are out, is o'e OF the prettiest skirt
dancers and one OF the hardest workers
on the comic stage. She comes from a
Pennsylvania Dutch family Of Methodist
ministers. Her mother had never been
inside Of a theatre until her daughter
took her four years ago, and she has
been behind the scenes ever since help
ing her with her care and encourage
ment. 1t IL very amusing to hear these
ladies talk about the prosaic side of
this poetic life. Salaries were not always
as big as they are now, and before she
made her success In the "Trip to China
town company Miss Clayton had to
practise economy, as well as the light
fantastic. The laundress and ballet
shoemaker tool so much of her salary
that in order to keep down the expense
Of silk hosiery. she substituted home
dyed Isle thread. In her clearinghouse
bill one of the extras charged for was
damage to bureau" so much. In lieu
OF a practising bar the top drawer was
pulled out for support. and the daily ex-
One Of her steps-touching n shoulder
bouquet with either heel-has been great
ly admired by her rivals.
With all her marriage failures and pro-
fsssional successes. Lillian Russell Is Il
worker. and allows nothing TO interfere
with her studies. She. goes to take u
lesson because the lady whose method
she considers as good as any professors
II the musical world will not go to her.
She takes her turn with the rest; she Is
always on time. and II is not unusual to
see her IN the rcccption-room an I'M
wiling listener to some slrlll voiced
pupil, perhapo n member Of her own
chorus, getting the last moment OF the
time due her.
Nj, in "GudseonS," at the Empire Theatre.
silver lorgnette. which plays an important
TART In her stage business. There are
no glasses on the stick, but, like a fan
IN the hands OF n Spanish beauty, 1t is
q world of comfort to her. When dresses
we're worn long there was always some
things for the hands to do; with the
mort. even all around the skirt now In
9 there Is nothing to engage them,
and Miss Aliens lorgnette is the envy
OF the ladies' in the company. She has a
reputation for the graceful expression
or her hands. and there are skill, beauty,
variety and the fascination of fine man
ners In the play of her glassless eye
glasses.
The successful appearance of Nine.
Prince Of Wales Thea dam' last week se the le
London. has given the gossips a new
subJect for discussion. Like Lydia Pink
ham, Nine. Rupert Is widely known.
she made a fortune, out Of cosmetics
three years ago, and may be said to
nave stepped from the toilet table Ia
the stage. She Is a lender little woman
OF rather prepossessing appearance, and
since her determination ito play for
charity.' has put a lot OF time and
money in study. Nine. Rupert won the
praises OF the English critics, and It is
said has three or four good offers from
managers to star.
The Empire Theatre and Days Thea
IRE both give their last performance of
the present season tomorrow night.
This leaves only three more representa-
lions of Shore Acres and "Gudgeons.''
h latter play, at the Empire, has a
very large, fashionable attendance, and
Henry Miller's clever work arouses the
greatest enthusiasm. The Empire stock
company leaves Sunday morning for
chicago, where 1t begins a long engage
ment next Monday night. opening at the
Wind" ~
Charles T. Darcy, the author of "In
Old Kentucky" has signed a contract
to write another play for Jacob Lit.
1t Ia to be a society m~elodrama, and