davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22
THREE FOB A NICKEL.
Shrewd Ohio Postmaster Causes a
Rush for Postage Stamps.

The business world of the village of
Johnstown, in Ohio, had succumbed TO the
heat and had lain down for the summer
siesta, says Pittsburg paper. Plainly
things needed a stirring up, and it was
Postmaster and Editor w. A. Ashbrooke
who did it. His humble instruments were
merely piece of white pasteboard and
some black paint, the latter. however
mixed with shrewd quality of brains.
When his preparation was finished a
large placard challenged the notice of all
passers.by with the startling legend, "Post-
age stamps. three for 5 cents" The first
response to this alluring statement was
from a drummer. He accosted the post
master: "Do you mean to say that YOU
actually sell three postage stamps for a
nickel?'' The postmaster said that this
was undoubtedly the case. We'll" said
the drummer, II never saw a reduction in
stamps before. I'll take 50 worth. | don't
need 'em but its the best bargain in stamps
| ever heard Of"
He waited with gratified smile while
Mr.. Ashbrooke put his 50 bill in the drawer
and counted out the stamps. BY this time
bis expression of complacency had given
place to one of chagrin, and as he pocketed
the stamps he remarked, well, that is
one on me-"
Presently a winsome girl came tripping
up with letter to her sweetheart When
she read the placard her eyes sparkled
with pleasure to think that the stream of
coin she was steadily pouring into Uncle
Sans Golfers was to be even slightly
diminished. She laid down nickel with
confident air and said: "Give me three
stamps"
The obliging collector of Government
revenues pushed her out two .wos and a
one. Then perhaps he didn't pay for his
little joke. Feminine scorn held the floor
In that office for the next five minutes.
Then with the somewhat feeble perora-
ton: "Wiil Ashbrooke, you think you re
smart, don't your the offended maiden
tlounced out Of the office.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22
This actor is well known in the theatrical

This actor is well known in the theatrical
world, and will doubtless prove strong
attraction.
The piece in which he is to make his
initial appearance tomorrow is a comedy
drama from mis- own pen and one which
has won praise in the great Eastern cities
It's story is full of absorbing interest, the
pathos which IS not of the morbid kind
and this is amply relieved by bright
comedy element, which is supplied princi-
pally by Septimus Sawyer (Hatch) and
Ferdinand Hoffmeir (Swain). The scene
is laid in New York, but the story is cos
mopolitan in character.
Fine new scenery has been prepared for
all four acts. Following is the full cast:
Rita, an Italian street singer . Maud Edna Hall
Helen Montague, an English lady of wealth
Mrs. Tarbox, mistress Of Bay View COTTAGE.
.............. ................. Sarah Stevens
Klttie oRourke, servant to Mrs. Tarbox. -.
Sir Randall Burns, Bart ....... II. Coulter Brinker
Jaspar Craddock, the black sheep of a wealthy
English family Fred J. Butler
septimus Sawyer, attorney atlaw. New York
Jimmy Nipper, alias "Cockney JIM" London
Giovanni Cont, an italian organ-grinder.
.:..-............ ................. Edmund Hayes
Ferdinand Hoffmeir zone Of the Finest"
Joseph skerritt, an English detective officer
......-...........W William E. Humphrey
Felix O'Paff, attorney at-law New York City,
late OF DuDln. .....-.......... ..Mllton N ODles
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22

young friends was full of quips and jokes.
Last, but not least, the Farbianu troupe
formed a charming quartet. In their
repertoire they had a selection of the
national music of nine different countries
each sung N its own language.
The popular interest shown in 'Lucia"
at the Tivoli demonstrates how mistaken
those enthusiasts of modern music are
when they say scornfully that the dear old
operas our grandmothers loved have had
their day and that the works of DoniZetti
and his contemporaries should now be
labeled music of the past" and put in a
museum of antiquities.
Donizetti still has power to charm the
musical masses that the whole cycle of Wag-
ner's works will probably never possess.
Musical missionaries would tell US this is to
be deplored, but all the preaching in the
world will not alter the fact that where one
person will fall under the spell of divine
harmonies a hundred will listen with de-
light to a sweet and catchy melody.
Miss Valerga gave startllngly revolu-
tionary rendering to the part of Lucia, for
she acted and detained the role as if she
were the Jocunda, Santuzza or any other
dramatic heroine of modern music-drama.
Only just now and then did she indulge in
bit of meZZa voce that recalled the
methods of the fute-like Lucias of ira
dition.
Those Lucias did not care about acting,
their one idea was "bel canto," the produc-
ton of sweet fiute-like tones of runs and
cadenzas that the violin, in the hands of a
master, could scarcely surpass for purity
and lack of effort. The great singers
whose names are associated with the role
OF Lucia did not care anything about the
heroine's passion and her despair. They
were on the stage to sing, and sing they
did, with a ravishing sweetness that is
rapidly becoming a lost art.
But that was before Wagner and his
followers had revolutionized the world of
opera. The old Lucias are faded or dead
now, and Melba is the only young woman
who can sing the role with all its old
glories of "bel canto."
In the Tivol; performance Miss Valerga
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22

the crowds that focked to witness it. The
play has the usual ups and downs of melo-
dramatic life, though it is romantic IN ten
dency.
All the parts were satisfactorily filled.
Miss Edna Hall has had so much prac-
tice in tearing passion to tatters'' in
every phase and relationship of life, that
she is now quite perfect in it; Alice Gordon
made bright little sailor-boy and Bessie
Savannah was good as the French maid.
Charles SWANS remarkable power of die
ton was well to the front; as usual.
neither words nor ideas tagged for a mo-
ment, but poured out like a mountain tor
rent.
The District Attorney" after a success
full two weeks run, will be withdrawn from
the Columbia Theater and replaced to-mor-
row by Diplomacy"
The AlcaZar Theater has been very much
beautifeG under the new management
and is now one of the prettiest and contest
houses of amusement in town. The gen.
eral scheme of color is pale blue and tan,
trimmed, as it were. with gold and touch
of pink. The new drop act, painted by
Dietz, represents the muse of comedy borne
aloft by cupids. The design is appropriate
and pleasing, though the cherubs are not
so plump and buxom as artists usually
represent them.
The new company acted up to the COM
edy tone OF the house by keeping the audi
ences in a constant state of hilaritv all
week by the performances of Every body's
Friend" and "a Ringer" Both cards were
good all-round ones, and the animation
never Jagged from beginning to end of the
show.
At the Orpheum old friends, as well
as new, were greeted with packed
houses and hearty applause last week.
Among the new corners Miss Pearl
Andrews stood first and foremost.
Her artistic delineation of various we'll.
known actors and actresses was received
with rounds of applause as one after the
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22
AIcazar Theater.

"Everybody's Friend and "a Ringer"
in which the new company at Grover s
Alcazar made its first appearance, will re-
eelve their final presentations at to-day s
matinee and evening performance.
TO morrow evening the double bill will
be replaced by the amusing farce-comedy
Chip of the Old Block in which Robert
j. Scott will be the central figure. The
play is not an entirely new one to San
francisco audiences, as it was well re-
celved here several seasons ago at the
Bush-street Theater. r. j. Scott on that
occasion assumed the role of Major, an
old seadog, a part which is said to be
especially suited to him and which he will
repeat tomorrow.
The chief actor will be principally as
sisted by Miss Oracle Plaisted, who will as
sumo the soubrette role in the production,
and together with Scott, will render several
new and attractive specialties The re-
malnder of the cast of Chip OF the Old
Block" has been selected from the best
comedy talent of the Alcazar company,
and will include G. E. Lothian, Mrs. Fanny
Young, Miss Fannie Warren and Harry
Lewellyn.
weekly change of programme is an
nounced, save in exceptional cases. AT the
Wednesday matinees the management has
introduced the feature of serving refresh
ments in the shape of icecream and cake
between the acts of the play.
TivoIi Opera-House.
The Tivoli will continue its season of
grand opera tomorrow night by produc-
ing Verdi's tragic opera, "Ernani."
The work is one of the most popular
that the Italian master ever wrote. and the
llbretto of the opera is unusually dramatic
and interesting. Most librettists and COM
posers have treated the barytone like a
stepson, and have heaped all the glory
and heroism on the tenor, but it will be re-
membered that in "Ernani," as in ''Higo-
Ietto," 'Otheilo," etc., Verdi has shown
his fondness for the barytone voice by
making the tenor role almost subordinate
to it.
The plot of ''Ernani' is too well known
to need summarizing. Perhaps the finest
scene in the opera is the one where Don
Carlos, the barytone, overhears the delib-
eratlons of the conspirators in the vault OF
the cathedral of Granada and confronts
them.
Martin Pache will sing the title role
John ]. Rafael, Don Carlos; George I'll.
Frederick, the Duke of Silva, and Ida
Valerga and Laura Willard will alternate
in the role of Elvira
By special request Balfes ballad opera,
"The Bohemian Girl" will follow for one
week only.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22

have just joined the company at the
Columbia. Richman has been Mrs Lang
try's leading man for some years, but be
is now at liberty to join another company,
as the Lily's time is too much occu-
pied with her divorce proceedings to
admit of her acting. The rest of the cast
tomorrow night will include: Henry E.
DiXey, William G. Beach, Miss Maud Win
ter and j.. r. Stockwell.
1.-THE Magistrate will be the comedy
selected for the farewell week of the Stock
well Company.
Henry E. Dixey's matinee this afternoon
will include famous representations, statu
airy, scenes from "The Seven Ages" Irv-
ing, Paderewski, Hermann. Adonis, etc.
Among other things he will introduce the
art of making up.
The ladies who compose the officers of
the San Francisco Nursery for Homeless
Children have arranged that the closing
week of the Stockwell season shall be
benefit one for the nursery.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22

"Dorcas," with which Miss Pauline Hall
and her company are RECALLING Baldwin
audiences, is very light opera comedy, at
times verging on burlesque. The date OF
the play is supposed to be at the end of
the last century, but the moral tone of
"Dorcas" would indicate an earlier period,
q sine when society did not insist upon
spade being called an agricultural imple-
ment-a time, for instance, when Fielding
and Smollet wrote Tom Jones" and
Frederick Random" and when these
books could be FOUND on any lady's draw
ing-room table. At that time such an
escapade as a woman of title masquerading
as a peddler might have passed muster,
but at the extreme end Of the last century
society had become more decorous and
was more easily scandalized. 1t is hard
to say at what period in history an English
lord would have invited an innkeeper and
his wife to the hall and allowed the for
mer to get drunk in his wife's drawing
room.
These little inaccuracies aside. the play
is very amusing, albeit rather broad IN
its wit and humor, which smack strongly
of their German origin. Miss Halls Dor
cas- is rather groteSque than grace1uI Wnlle
she is supposed to be masquerading, but
when she resumes her rightful position of
Lady Honoria there is little left to desire
in this respect. Her voice is rich and full
and her singing thoroughly acceptable.
The same may also be said of the other
singers. The music is exceptionally bright
and pretty.
1.-The Great Metropolis" received the
greeting of an old friend and valued one,
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22

mimickings of celebrated actors and act
resses. Hines and Remington will pre-
sent new sketch this week entitled THE
Hook Shop" and Dryden and Mitchell
and Hugh ]. Emmett will also appear in
new business which promises lots of mer-
riment.
In addition to these performers eight
new people will be introduced. They are
Weston and Hubert, Haines and Pettingill,
Mcmahon and King and Meehan and Ray
mond (Gus and Annie).
Haines and Pettingill are recognized as
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22

remarkably bright dialogue and gag
ging artists, their poolroom scene being
especially funny. In Meehan and Ray
mond the Orpheum has an entertaining
sketch team. They will appear in their latest
Eastern success, "a Lucky Strike" They
are also to give banjo and vocal solos and
duets. McMahon and King, black-fac
comedians, are said to be excellent expo
nents of plantation singing and dancing.
Webster and Hubert are comedy must
cal sketch artists.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22

hit on that occasion, and the role of
Countesse Zicka has ever since been one of
the most popular in her repertory.
The play is one that has worn exception
ally well. 1t was first produced at the
Coincide Franchise in 1877, under the title
ment Scott and B. G. Stephenson into Eng
lish. under the name of Diplomacy"
Since then it has remained favorite, both
in England and America
The cast of Diplomacy will include
Estelle Clayton and J. C. Richman, who
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22

has been singing the old music in the old
style, and her dramatic acting and impas-
stoned defamation carried the house,
thereby showing her policy to be wise one
what the shades of Donizetti would say
to such a course is matter that need not
be considered.
A wide field of possibilities is opened up
by the growing tendency of theatrical man.
ayers to furnish refreshments gratis be-
tween the acts of a play.
There has long been, at regular theaters,
an invidious distinction between the sexes
in the matter of refreshments. The gen.
tlemen of party can always go out be-
tween the acts ito see friend" and incl
dentally fortify the inner man by partak-
ing dwell, sandwi ches and lemonade.
The ladies of the same party have to sit in
their seats, feeling bored and possibly
thirsty, while they sadly realize that the
days of perfect equality between the sexes
are not yet.
Some time ago the management of the
Columbia Theater humanely started the
custom of sending round glasses of iced
water to the ladies between the acts. The
avidity with which these were partaken OF
showed that the iced water was grateful
and comforting, and the management
went one better in the paths of hospitality
by offering the ladies punch, which was
excellent in quality but mild and entirely
Misunderstanding.
The Alcazar is now bent upon eclipsing
even this liberality, and to that end has
organized 'icecream matinees," at which
refreshments consisting of icecream and
cake are served gratis to the audience be-
tween the acts.
The question now arises, when will
this lavish theatrical hospitality stop?"
Shall we have Thanksgiving matinees"
at which turkey and cranberry sauce will
be served between the acts, and will enter
prising managers advertise special Christ
mas-day performances. at which specially
will be made of furnishing an entire roast
beef and plum pudding dinner between the
acts of christmas" play, the soup to
be served with the overture and small
black coffees to be given away at the doors
as the audience leaves the theater? In
time it may be better investment to buy
a theater ticket than to give dollar for
blowout at restaurant.
Baldwin Theater.
Miss Pauline Hall and her company will
continue to present ''Dorcas" all this week
at the Baldwin Theater. Several new mel
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22

odies by the eminent composers Johann
Strauss, Millocher, Carl Zeller and Max
HiIshtield will be presented. AT the Sat-
urdav matinee. September %, a large-sized
tinted autographed picture of Miss Hall
will be presented to each lady attending.
Saturday nights performance will end the
engagement
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22
At the Columbia.

Diplomacy" will be produced to-mor-
row night at the Columbia Theater, with
Rose. Coghlan in the part she appeared in
fourteen years ago, when tine play was per-
formed at Waliack's She made great
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22
THE DRAMA,
Good Bills Promised for the
Coming Sennight.

other was recognized and admired by the
audience. Weston and Miss Herbert made
another excellent number. They are pro-
ficients on the banjo, and the music they
produce from other sources is astonishing.
Weston played the xylophone with great
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22
THE TRILBY BOOM.

1t Will Probably Strike San Francisco
When the Palmer Company Arrives.
The Trilby boom may be expected to
reach San Francisco on or immediately
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22

success, "Charley's Aunt" which will be
presented by the original company. This
will be followed in rapid succession by
series of strong attractions.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22
At the Orpheun .

An almost entirely new bill is promised
for tomorrow night at the Orpheum.
Pearl Andrews will continue her clever
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22
At the Grand.

"Love and Law" will be produced at the
Grand tomorrow night, when Milton
Mobiles will open four weeks engagement.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22

furious type, which has even caused
beauteous maidens to fling aside their SHOES
and stockings, has not yet reached the
Pacific Coast.
The boom is coming when A. NJ. Palmer's
company produces "Trilby" at the Bald
win Theater on the Goth inst.
The engagement follows directly after
the present one of Pauline Hall. The pre-
senting company will include among its
members Wilton Lackaye as Svengall,
Edith Crane, Ignace Martinetti, S. Miller
Kent, Reuben Fax, Walden Ramsey, Her
bert A. Carr, Charles Garfield, Z. w. Nor
rison, George Trader, William Herbert,
Edwin Brandt, Victor NJ. de Silke, Morel
Beane, Rosa Rand, Jennie Reiffarth, Grace
Pierrepont, Lucille Nelson, Monta Elmo
and Alice Evans.
Lackaye's Svengali has been much dis
cussed for its powerful rendering of Du
Maurier's character. The accompanying
pictures represent Lackaye before and
after making up for the part of Svengali.
The PostDispatch, abiding to the per-
Torrance of the Palmer Company at st.
Louis, says: when the curtain went
down on the third act and Svengali will
ton Lackaye) lay dead across the table,
with his CHASTITY, ghoulish face upturned
toward the heaven he could never hope
to reach, and poor Trilby, edith
Crane) come screaming from the stage,
stricken with fear at the Kisses of
her old admirers, and yet freed at
last from the thralldom of the dead mon
ster, there came from the audience which
saw all this splendid dramatic action such
burst of approval as would 10 honor to
any author, any player. The applause
came in storms, rising and echoing from
pit to dome. The curtain rose and fell
and still the demonstration kept on until
it must have rivaled the ovations the
musical world accorded La Svengali when
she sang with the voice of Trilby and the
brain of her hypnotic master"
German Comedy Company.
Tonight Conreid's German Comedy
Company will give their last performance
of the season at the Baldwin Theater, when
Blumenthal and Kadeburg's newest COM
edy, "Zwei Wappen" 1.-TWO Crests), will be
performed. 1t is said that this comedy is
one of the best written by the collaborating
authors, and the work has met with great
success on the other side OF the Atlantic.
! The cast is strong one, and brings the
entire company on the stage.
The California Theater will open for the
winter and spring seasons on MondaS
evening, November 4, with the coined
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22

dexterity, and brought out the hidden
music of row of empty beer bottles, while
Miss Herbert made sweet jangling on sew
eral hundred little bells of graduated sizes.
Emmett's ventriloquism was wonderful
and his conversation with his interesting
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22

after September 80. Hitherto Trilbymania
has been mild and gentle epidemic on
the Pacific Coast. 1t has manifested itself
in the wearing of big silver hearts and in
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22

Baldwin Theater.
Miss Pauline Hall and her company will
continue to present "Dorcas" all this week
at the Baldwin Theater. Several new mel
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22

1.-The Great Metropolis" received the
greeting of an old friend and valued one,
too at the Grand last week, judging from
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-12-13

: l,e, efAdeen Cry fo'
Pitchers Castosle.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-12-13
Clsrgy Permits for 1893.

An entirely new agreement with
respect to half-fare permits for the
year 1896 has been adopted by all
lines in tho Western Passenger asso-
citation territory, under which cIer-
gymen and others entitled to half.
fare privileges under the rules will
make but one application and re-
ceive single permit which will be
good over all lines party TO said gov
eminent.
As all permits for the entire terri
tory comprisd in the Western Pas
senger association will be issued by
Chairman Caldwell at Chicago, it is
recommended that application be
made at once to the undersigned if it
is desired that permits be in the
hands Of applicants by the first Of the
year. r. STocKaoUsE.
General Ticket Agent.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-12-13

The Nashville, Chattanooga & St.
Louis railway. the model railroad of
the south in equipment. road way and
service, is also the greatest in his
torical interest, more than fifty
famous battlefields and five national
cemeteries being located on the vari-
Gus lines of this system. This is the
preferred route to Atlanta for the
Cotton States and International cx-
position. open from Sept. Is to Dec.
81, 1895, for which very low excur-
sion rates have been made. Through
sleeping Car service from st. Louis
to Atlanta via Evansville, Nashville
and Chattanooga. This is the route
OF the famous ''Dixie Flyer" through
sleeping car line. which runs the
year round between Nashville and
jacksonville. Fla. For further infor-
nation address Briard +. Hill, 1928
Marquette building, Chicago, ILL.,.
or r. c. Cowsrdin, western passen-
ger agent, Railway Exchange build
ing. st. Louis. Mo-, or
w. L. DANLEY. G. p. ct. A..
Nashville, Tenn.