The morning times., 1896-08-09

MaokaI labeled her .sBilI." and she would
answer to "Edie" or "Chappic.s Mackay
himself WAS "Cldck" and '.Joe" 10 every
one but John Findiay, and Flndlay was
any military title from captain to general
toall but Macksy. !; hesetwo In addressing
liability OF the nickname Jim" They
were always Just Jim TO each other.
Mrs. Findlay, though in reality Agnes. WIS
always called sally or sometimes "Bgg-
sie," after her part in the dad" and
Mary Sanders never answered to any
other name than kitty
No one knows the reason OF either; they
are locked with the mystery of Jim"
Miss Corinne Parker u Jimmie" Brit;a
Marti's striking name was food for the
gnyer at once. When she first came and
they could not get her name they called
her Betsy Martini and "Bridget Martin"
and Martini or any old thing. Percy
Brooke Is Il quiet man who does not ill.,
vite levity though he does not resent It.
He answered Ia Perky that being as Tar
from his name rs the nickname dared to
wander No one can explain the reason or
origin of these names, but they're perIna-
nently attached to each OF the company
in the mind of each other, with the Sc
urest of attachments, no reason ut all.
-iIE sea son at at least one of the local
first night. however. but the last.
Manager Herman on Saturday night
will inaugurate the regular season
Of 1857 of the Lyceum Theater with
Cyrene and a company Of speciality per
formers which he assures Us are up to the
standard OF his house in the past Since
the closing OF the summer garden and bur
lesquc company the Lyceum has been
treated to house c!eaning and painting
1t Will be bright aad new next Saturday
night when the lights are turned up and
the overture strikes up.
n THEIR openings have not in all eases
| been finally and definitely arranged
- for. Tie Lafayette Square will be
open before September, Is very old,
and the Grand Opera House as u
popular priced melodrama and farce thea
ter. viii, with the Academy, be opened a
week or so earlier. 1t will be neck and
neck between these two houses this year
and the public will be the bcncfciaries
OF the sharp competition. The facade
OF the New National has changed from
grave to gay. The Old red is IL more
Other repairs and refurnishins will BE- done
inside before the doors open. September / 5.
Robert Downing viii be the initial attrac-
ton and the event will be signalized by
the production OF wo bso!utely new plays.
One the American play, Putnam. a Son
or the Revolution" the other, The Search
for Happiness" Work on the Columbia
progresses satisfactorily and it will open
October I g with the Irish OPERA Brian
Boru," by the Whitney Opera Company.
PREPARATIONS for the Annie Lewis
benefit, to be given week after next
at the New National Theatcr, are
| progressing in a manner which III
dicates that the testimonial will not
only exceed financially but will surpaSs
artisJicaliy and In originality anything
of the sort ever given in Washington.
Heretofore it has been the custom to call
together at haphaZard few second or
third class specialists. and with the ma gle
word benefit hope to magnetic the
public. The entertainment on the occa-
sion of Miss Lewis testimonial will, how
ever. appeal to public interest, as well as
individual generosity. Since the announce
ment was made that four original hitherto
Enacted plays by Washington writer's
would be produced, and that at the elc,,.
ton of the audience Manager Rapiey wolld
give the author OF the best one cssa
prize OF $50, tie management has been
delused with manuscripts. All sorts came
One was In five acts, which the author
hoped with some condensation and brisk
action and short waits could De played
inside of the required time
was written on six sheets OF note paper
and had a cast OF fourteen people. includ-
ing two archhishops and u trained dog
or the other forty<four which were sub
mitted many were fair, bat not technically
suited to stage requirements. some were
very poor but several were OF exceptional
and unexpected excellence. After con-
siderable study and consideration OF the
length for production aud possibilities or
pleasing the audience. four plays have
been selected. Two will be rehearsed in
New York by the actors to take part,
the other two in Washington The audi
ence who are 70 constitute the Jury OF
award viii beaccordeit hesame advantages
as the dramatic critics of the press.
Every one will he furnished with sketch
of the play so that they may anticipate
the intention OF the dramatist Next
Sunday we will be able To give the titles
and casts OF the plays. hut the names
OF the writers will be kept u secret till
after the performance
[VI H SMYTHE, who last year mana ed
M Bob Hilliard. and Myron Rice, who
W. managed Potter and Beilew, will