Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-19
ROBERT G. INGERsOLL.

One of the most substantial organizations of newspaper writers in this country is the Chicago Press club. Its splendid enter taiument of newspaper visitors to the Worlds fair will not soon be forgotten. It accepts no favors from individuals, al- though they are frequently offered by thoughtless persons who hops thereby to gain the favor of the press. Every year, however, for several years past, 1t has en-
 gagged Robert G. Ingersoll to lecture for it's benefit, and upon those occasions the
 vast Auditorium of that city is crowed to
 it's utmost capacity.
 Just previous to his lecture there few weeks ago party of newspaper men were awaiting his arrival at the Grand Pacific hotel, where he always stops when he is in Chicago, and they were beguiling the time by the relation of stories they had heard of which the colonel was the central figure. Each man as he began his story would pre- face it with the contention that his was tue best story he had ever heard. Finally tue colonel entered, and after greetings. he was appealed to 10 tell the best story about him himself. After clear ing away some of the dust of travel that yet fingered in his throat he said:
 'tWell, boys, think the best story ever told on me was by the fellow who said that my best epitaph would be the subject of my lecture tonight" Robert Burns," and as he spoke there was that sly twinkle in his eyes that has charmed it's every be- holder.
 Colonel Ingersoll will be seen at O'Brien's copera house Wednesday even- ing, February 20, when he will deliver his celebrated lecture, entitled ''Shakes- peare.
 JAMES DWELL. Two great performance will be seen at the opera house Friday and Saturday nights.
 more artistic actor in this country, will
 present "Virginius' on Friday evening and "Monte Cristo' on Saturday night.
 Mir. O'Neill's impersonation of Virginius, in Sheridan Knowles touching tragedy of that name, is said fully to have established
 his right to be considered among the first of living performers of the classical drama. The part of the Roman soldier, as written by Knowles, is perhaps the most arduous in the modern tragedy. Above all 1t de,
 mands the highest creative force, skill and emotional power on the part of the actor.
 MT. O'Neill is said to truly vivify the role of the heroic Roman centurou, cold and stern indeed, yet tender and loving-a character at the first glance infiexlble and cast in 8 mold too natural to be easily moved by domestic distress. From what we hear of MT. O'Neill's performances it is livere6 with thrilling effect, his power is sustained and irreprassihie, and his acting throughout the whole tragedy leaves an impression never to be forgotten. OOnceruiuS uih ptTlOrnduCo Oi uOute Cristo' it is only necessary to point to his record with that play. Over 5000 times he has appeared in tue character Of Edmond Dantes from Maine to California and back again, and each recurring season the pub- lie flocks in large numbers to the theater when they see the bills announcing "O'Neill in 'Monte Cristo. p New and special scenery is carried for both productions, the costumes are hand- some, and new mechanical effects are in- troduced. In short, both productions of "Monte Cristo' and s'Virginius'' are promised to be complete in every detail Fifty people will be seen on the stage in Virginius.
 TO JOIN IA COLD DAY." Mir. Edward Cagley and wife, whose stage name is Miss Aime Crawford, left last night for Metropolis, Ill.,, where they join "A Cold Day." They were both with the company wSen it happened to misfortune in Mer.dia1 Miss. during the holidays. Tn | .apany now has splendid financial bgc2i.s nd will open the season next Monday, Mir. Cagley is well known to the procession, having starred three. seasons in i.Oie Oleson'' when it made such hit in the west, and was afterwards with Herbert Cawthorn. He is a splendid comedian, and besides his wife is q very clever little soubrette. Both have made many friends in the city aud their return at any time will be welcomed by Btming- ham theater- -g0ers. Xi
 The W,0rf05yS Eair 74S