The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-03-22

and dramatists. Since the success of
Denman Thompson's "Old Homestead"
a number of stage productions have
had for their central figure the down
East Yankee and the scenes Of which
are laid in various parts of New Eng
land. Uncle Josh Spruceby." which
will open a brief engagement at Ma
CURES Monday night. is one of the
latest and most successful of this style.
1t has a number of it's scenes take place
on the old farm. The incidents of a
trip to the city, in which the awkward
old farmer meets with awkward per-
plexities and amusing experiences,
forms the groundwork for the comedy
element. An old-time husking bee In
the barn brings to mind memories of
the past to many a man whose boyhood
days were spent down on the farm.
Another feature of the play is big
saw mill in full operation.
Through the efforts of Mrs. II. L.
Leavitt, an actress, b. III. Cosgrove, a
life convict in the Nevada penitentiary,
was pardoned a few days ago. In 1865.
so the story goes, Cosgrove killed his
sweetheart at Reno in a fit of jealousy
and was sent up for life. Last year
Mrs. Leavitt was a member of a dra-
matte company touring the coast and
which played at Carson, and on request
of Governor Jones a performance was
given for the inmates at the prison.
At it's conclusion a number of convicts
came up to Mrs. Leavitt and her hus-
band and thanked them heartily for
the pleasure they had given them, and
presented each member of the company
with some little trinket of their own
handiwork Among the number was
Cosgrove, who presented Mrs. Leavttt
with a pair of fine singing canaries
raised by himself. Mrs. Leavitt grew
interested in. him, and, after a little
persuasion, she learned the story of his
life. Mrs. Leavitt's heart was touched,
and she went to work with woman's
will to secure the convict's pardon and
was successful
Minnie Radcliffe, the leading lady of
Sol Smith RussellS company, is soon
to marry the nephew of Duke Won Met
ternach an Austrian-not the duke
himself, as report has 1t. The young
people met in Vienna last autumn, dur
ing a reception at the American lega-
ton. Theirs is romance OF love at
first sight. AS soon as II was permissa-
BILE young Won Metternach offered his
heart and all his worldly goods to the
modest American actress. This is an
exceptional case in one way, because
the young lady is not an heiress of the
union scampering away with titled
foreigner. Her pretty face and charm
ing manner constitute her fortune.
She will retire from the stage at the
close of the present season, to prepare
for the prospective nuptials. The mar
riage will be solemnized in New York
this summer. Miss Radcliffe's mother
is Marion Lester, the actress.
Julia Marlowe Taber, talking about
theatrical women, recently, said: THE
executive ability in women of the the
alter has been quite as remarkable as
the courage they have shown. In touch
ing on this point, one at once recalls
the experience of Laura Keene. who
was a successful manager, as well as a
delightful Coincidence, and particularly
one instance when her aptness and
nerve were amazingly shown. The play
was Much Ado About Nothing" At
the last moment II was discovered that
the costumes were not ready. Calling
before her the stolid and gaping supers,
whose dresses were in a sad state Of
incompleteness, with a paint brush
hurriedly brought from the paint
frame, she finished the decorations on
their doublets and trunks with black
paint, at the same time exclaiming
with the rapid delivery peculiar to her,
Now, keep apart, don't sit down, don't
brush against the ladies, and immedi-
ately was off herself to dress for Beat
rice"
Nine Modjeska's farewell tours have
all been given up. says telegram from
Chicago, her engagements Cancelled,
and whether she will ever appear on
the stage again is a doubtful question.
Her company has been disbanded, and
both actors and managers are now in
New York city. Count Bozenta, Nine.
Modjeska's husband, says she has not
a single performance on any stage in
view. All she is planning for Is the re-
covery of good health. She hopes by
April / to be able TO start for Califor-
mia, where she will remain until fully
restored to health. Her condition has
improved much during the last few
days and the doctors say she will soon
be strong enough to be removed from
the Hotel Virginia to the home of her
son, Ralph Modjeska.
The long pending suit of the heirs of
Steele Mackaye was called up for trial
in New York yesterday and Ii is ex-
pected that the proceedings will bring
out something of the fabulous profits
made out of Hazel Kirke." The heirs
sued Rev. Mr.. Mallory and his brother
to receive a larger share Of the profits
from the many hundred performances
of Hazel Kirke.'' II is alleged by them
that owing to a flaw in the contract be-
tween Steel Mackaye and the Mallory
brothers, who were the owners of the
Madison Square theater, a large part
of the profits was never paid to the
author. 1t is admitted that during its
long career the profits derived from the
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