The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-02-23

Washlngtons birthday was celebrated at
Mrs. Martins home by a full recital by the
star of her part in Daniel O'Connell' S
play, Blood Relations" before a select
company invited to hear it.
Mrs. Martin had Just returned from
Weaverville, the scene of John Martin
early mining trials and triumphs and
where he is said to have first met Mrs.
John. She had secured and brought back
with her what she went acknowledgements
of the main street of Weaverville, the hotel
there and of John Martins office. The
scenery for those scenes of the play which
are laid there will be painted from these
photographs, so that this detail may be as
realistic as possible.
More than that, the graveyard scene
where the conspirators attempt to exhume
the body OF John Martin to inject poison
therein, so that the trumped-up charge
against Mrs. John of having poisoned him
may be maintained, will have for its back
ground q faithful picture of the cemetery
where Mr.. Martins remains lie buried.
Nothing that may lend force and spirit to
the play is to be neglected.
Everything possible that may hurry the
production of the play is being done.
Mrs. Martins costumes have been already
ordered and the work of choosing the mem
bers of the company is already under way.
That being done it will go into regular
rehearsal at once and the work upon the
scenery, costumes and other machinery
and properties will go forward together.
1t is expected that the play will have its
initial performance about the third week Of
April.
Mrs. John has entered upon the study
of her part with that dominating energy
which has brought her into such wide
notice and which carries with it something
of an insurance of success.
She read her lines and went through her
part before the little company summoned
or privileged to witness it with all the
graceful abandon and absence of self
consciousness that characterize the accuS-
toned professional.
Her meeting with Reuben Slider on the
mining camp road in the second scene Of
the first act is where the excitement really
begins in the play. Reuben is character
lied as Sydney duck. She takes com
passion upon him because of his complaint
of poverty, and in the act of lending him aid
he Stands her up" and robs her of watch
and purse. Reuben is soon after about to
be lynched for robbing sluices and Mrs.
Hoffman (who has not vet become Mrs.
John Cartin, as the play puts it) enters in
the nick OF time, the rope being round his
neck, and, falling on her knees before the
mob, prevails upon it to release him.
This is supposed to give Mrs. John a
great opportunity for emotional acting and
she certainly enters into the scene with
great spirit. OF course, as done Yesterday
in her rooms, with Reuben absent and the
mob repres ented by only few quiet, some
what dignified and more or less startled
spectators, much was lett for the magma
ton.
So far as Mrs. John was concerned how
ever, she enlisted by her vigor and conf
dence the contideace OF al crescent There
can be no doubt but that she will create a
great impression When, properly costumed
and surrounded by all the accessories, She
appears in her play
In which she 1irst meets her future hus-
band runs in this way:
SCENE 2.
"a wooded road in the mining works showing
in distance. Enter Reuben Slider)
Reuben-Things are getting pretty hot for
me about here. | guess it's about time sh fled
be necktie party sure, and this sluice-robbiug
don't pay in this part of the country I'll make
one more clean up tonight and then clear out.
Exit)
ENTER Mrs. Hoffman attired in walking cos
tume.)
Mrs. H.--So this is typical mining camp.
This is the place Holman has so often de-
the long dusty stage road the rough CORFU
gated hills, the cabins dotting the slopes and
the great pines signing in the evening breeze.
! wonder how long my stay here before get
my affairs IN order, and who shall appeal t?
l find that Gilmore, whom relied upon for in
formation, has moved to San Francisco and
thatI am virtually in land OF strangers.