The Washington times., 1894-08-17
SUFFERERS FROM THE FIRE.
Great Artistic Success OF the Testimonial
Benefit at the New Bijou by
Manager Butler.

ManagcT DutIeT.
The dramatic and musical talent Of Wash.
| ington could scarcely have enlisted In a noblel
cause than that which appealed to the sym
pathy and generosity Of the public last might
at Buffers Bijou Theater, where the thought
| full manager rendered a testimonial benefit to
| the families of the gallant men who lost their
lives at the Knox fire.
Considering alone the object OF the per-
| formance, 1t was remarkable that there was
| not an overfiowing house. Considering the
| merits OF the bill and the talent displayed, the
attendance should have filled the theater.
But there will be another opportunity this
| evening for the public to respond to what
should be a most agreeable duty.
| AS to the quality Of the entertainment, II
was what was to be anticipated from the
ladies and gentlemen Of the city who took
part in the programme and who are so well
fessionals who were booked to "assist" tor
the two evenings Of the benefit.
Mr.. E. B. Hay made a speech as a curtain
raiser, in which he recited the object OF the
entertainment, paid a high tribute to the men
in the fire department. complimented Man.
ager Butler on the occasion, and eulogized
those who died at their posts of duty at the
Knox fire. Mr.. Hays remarks were well con-
cieved and were equally well taken by the
audience.
As on all similar occasions where so many
volunteer in a good cause the least" was
very numerous. Mr.. Joe Bennett was there
with his wit and wisdom; Mr.. Graham was
there with his solution Of the tariff problem;
Mr.. George l.. Dorsey was there with his sweet
voice and sang. and the Christie brothers
were In it with their 'refined Irish special
ties"
The Columbian Quartette and Mandolin
Club played the..tinkling music Of robin
Hood" and won a recall.
Mr.. Harry Park the champion trick 'cyclist.
did everything with the bicycle except to
make it fly, and that was because 1t had no
wings. Prof. Riordon gave the audience an
insight into the thousand and one things that
may be done with an Indian club, and under
his direction ten charming young ladies of
the High School gave an exhibition Of the
perfection Of the club exercises in that insti-
tuition.
1t was the little people, however, on whom
''the flowers fell in showers" and certainly
these juvenile artists highly deserved them.
Madeline Turnburke. a picture in red, danced
in the most approved modern style, while
Chris Sproesser, whose name was not on the
programme, but shonld have been, went back
a half a century and danced Fishers Horn
pipe" and the college Hornpipe" much bet
ter than many a professional. These two
were succeeded by little Lizzie Rudd, who
danced with castonet accompaniment, two
Spanish waltzes. These were done with grace
and artistic precision.
The performance closed with the farce en-
titled 1.-The Wrong Man." With Denham and
Galloway mot to make invidious distinctions
in the cast it could not be otherwise than
admirably done. 1t will give the sporting
world pointer to observe this farce closely.
The performance will be repeated tonight,
when the house should be packed.