davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning times., 1896-05-10

A for the drama there never was time
"a in he last twenty-five years OF the
4 | history Of the American stage when
there has been such n dema nd for
plays. You may attribute the
evident aud conce ded depression in the
drama 10 what you will-tO the encroa CHI
uent Of the bicycle, the invasion Of the
f0nign actor. the extravaganza Of sal
aries and productions, the multiplicity Of
tbFBters-though in a measure Influenced
by sn-there Is Cne predominating defeC-
ton that points the moral TO the tale. and
that IS the absence OF good plays. There
neeTI be no distinction. There are tCo few
worthy melodramaS. genuinely humorous
farces. Iegitimately funny comedies, too
little originality in romaGCes. consistency
In domestic dramas. naturalnesS, since rity
or ability in anything 4 I all which takes
the stage in the masque Of a play. The
drsmatiSt has no occasion to complain:
he and he alone is reSpoRSble fcT the state
of affairs. Good, interesting. consistent,
natural. coherent, and aftra Give plays are
not hcInr turned out from the mills of the
dramatic gods in sufficient Numbers to
supply the demands. The craft may split
their own eHr-drumS with their CRY OF no
appreciation
There's a fortune in n good play: but II
must he a good one No half WAY imitation
ofE former success. one scene or hackueyed
ci6firap Witl 90. lie pubic Is being
weaEcd away from the theater because
the5c are not good plays enough to win
them in. Actors are revamping old sue
cesseS. many are idle. Canvass the field.
Marie Wainwright is in plight for a play
Sol Smith Russell has offered to make the
m3n rich who viii fit him. Roland Reed
takes recourse 10 a warmed over RAYMOND
SUCCESS OF generation go. Jeff De
Angels after reading librettos Mi season.
is forced TO announce his stellar debut in
a revision Of The Caiiph.'" Francis vii
son hasn't had anything to speak of since
''The Merry Monarch" and fortune waits
the ran capable of fitting him. Digby Bell
is driven puj Of comic opera into a revival
OF IN old timer.
Robert MauteH and Thomas O. Sea
brooke Eave each tried three or four plays
TINS wear. hut none amour { 10 much. Alex
ander Saiyinl is driven TO Shakespeare be-
caFe no one can write 4 dignified and
lofiF romantic drama. William II. Crane
hasn't had a successful vehicle for his
tAat7lts since The Senator Stuart Rob
son r"tircS next year because no play good
enaHEh 10 retain him is forthcoming and
Biffard Mansfield clings 10 back numbers.
Herr Miller. Georgia Cayvan and Carrie
Tumcr would fain star: they can't find
pieTTs hat even show promise in manu-
SCTSd The LyCeum. The Empire and Pal
rneT's stock companies dislland for lack
OF material 10 work on number or
Auerican dramatists have single success
eara to their credit. and on that they have
tradei az crafImen.
Ovde Fitch has Inflicted numbcrfes
tHo- Tar one BrurnInel. Sydney Roseu-
The morning times., 1896-05-10

field wrote The Senator and has since
given the constituency ready to call hlm
dramat3t nothing but milk and water
adaL it!onS. Bronson Howard, the dean
OF the company, failed on "Aristocracy''
and hasn't really done anything since
shenandoah" Gus Thomas wrote Al
abaInsi." since or before, what David
BeIasco hasa success in evidence. Augustin
DAILY has lost the combination TO his for-
mer hits. Do the dramas count? Note the
above list OF struggling stars without plays
and compare with the lavish appreciation
given the few successes of the past couple
Of yea rs. "Trilby," Heart OF Mary
land" and Prisoner OF Zenda" are the
only three new dramas which would make
the name of their authors. Pla Us are writ
ten. pIa VS. are played, but they only con-
form TO tie old recipes for the brewing
their taste is flat and unprofitablc.
In England the case is much the same.
Trilby and Zenda are the only two dra-
matte successes of the season abroad
Jones, Pinero. and Grundy the only lanies
they have TO swear by, have followed the
false gods and they have achieved nothing.
Forbes Robertson and Mrs. Campbell are
driven to Shakespeare, John Hare finds
lie must revert 10 the dusty and nusty
volumes of Robertson The Kendals long
10 come back to our Ell Dorado, but they
must needs come empty handed, for TO
worthy play have they to magnetic our
dollars Edward s. Willard is ePen-eyed
and open-eared for a piece to float himself
here again Felix Morris can find no one
to fit binl. Verify now is the available
time The genius who will put his ren to
paper and write the correct article VIII
wake the morrow TO find himself famous.
Who VIII strike the rock" Who viii be the
Moses to lead the famine stricken out of
tlp DESERT
The morning times., 1896-05-10
Gould Have Sinned More

'I hear, brother, that you attend base
ball games on the Sabbath said the Rev.
Mr.. Wilgus to one OF his favorite parish
oners.
"Yes, do admitted the accosted one
But l don't swear at the umpire on that
day no matter how big a robber he So
India napoIIs Journal.
The morning times., 1896-05-10
No Fixed Wages.

Applicant-No, I didn't gilt no fixed
wages where / was last. I worked on
time.
Business Man-Were you discharged?
Eyes, sir / expected to be there for
years but they discharged me in three years
for bein' good
'That's strange Where did you work?''
''In the penitentiary. New York
World
The morning times., 1896-05-10

~DTNG and gone are the several hum
4 dred Brit ish Thespians who the past
season Invaded our theaterS. The IN
CurSiOu proved a pest IN more and
a less mild sense au1 IN various ways.
To the public they brought scarcely any
thing worth Scciug: they dTu gsEccd the sup
ply OF act ursso that the native value >hranh
aIarmingly. But they are gone. an-i. though
the past season has been more n cemon-
stratIou of English mCapaCiJy tiIan Amer
ican capacity. there Is no INN efiIaJe dan
ger of an INN edate return III the nNad-
ing horde. What did they bring: Henry
Irving. always excellent, 50 good stage
director. so substantial ard eleva-ng IN
taste. that he Is loved and forgiven for
not being a really great actor. John Hare,
q comedian Of first rate quaIi cations.
but as often pointed out no better than
halH a dozen capable character actors OF
our own soil aud school.
However for these two we are indebted,
aud they lend attractiveness To any season
they grace by their artistic efforts. Other
than Irving and Hare? Alas. that vast
horde of British comic pieces. the young
woman from the shnr. the cahman nn his
holiday. The Artists Model ana His Excel
lency. Each OF the aEgregauOns carried
thirty to fury people. and each and every
one of the people whatever may have heea
his or her native capacity did very little.
surditics without the saving grace or
hurle>oue comiuality. not to hint even
at hGnlor. Songs and music We're rarely
Inspiring. OF the whole invoice u may lie
said that John LeHoy was exceptionally
clever in q legit!matcly IL Ct-s way
aud that Marie StudhOlme was beautiful
ancEad nothing particular tOto wort dong
They are gone. They went empty handed
and crushed in spirit. The old trick OF
bringing over companies that woald be
hisSed oft the London stage nolongeT rniloes
American dollars because Of the English
trade mark.
T1urus out that no goose laid the golden
eggs. but a species Of fowl win discerning
Intelligence They are wiser, and, let US
hope. better men They won't return in
hurry. II is safe TO Frophesy 2 respite
from English companies. This viii give
the American talent chance 10 shine
again. Though Barnet. Smith ard Good
via write about as lame book as the Brit
ishprs they have the tact TO supply p!Ctur-
esuue l.a X grounds and the eyes are feasted
if the ears are tortured. Producing seems
20 Ice a lost art to the islanders. No imPor-
taaious approach Henderson's or Rlce'S
or Ahbey's productions. Let the Amer
ican writer Of dialogue and doggerel pull
uHbimself togeth her and let the American
bUrlesquc comedian relinQGish his Ian
guid disregard OF study in working ont
new parts, put originality and thought into
his creations and some appreciation OF re-
ffnpmcnt make an effort to be funny with
out being silly and amusing without degen-
era'ing to Yulgarity. seize lis opportunity Y
and rescue his profession and his livelihood
fran the diStrust which taking and incom-
Detemcy have bred for it Now is the
available time.
The morning times., 1896-05-10

- LEONORA DUSE has gone home in q
towering ra &c at America and hurled
from the ships sides her determina-
tion not to return to America any
more again forever. In one light this
is too bad. In her performances there was
a whole life time of lessons for our
actresses rs to the value OF art and natural
ness and unaffected sincerity. 1t is said
that only in New York and Boston did she
ply to satisfactory business. Certainty her
Washington enEa cement wasuDsat isfactory
enough. But how can YOU blame the
people. The culture that seeks and an
preciates fine art in the abstract and in
dependent OF association with some concrete
entity-such as painting for the pictures
sake, music for the composition's sake. or
acting for the plays sakc-wfilc extensive
and enthusiastic and responsive, they are
not sufficiently numerous TO GRO wd a large
theater five times Il week. There We're
many. not Inultitudes. IN every city in
which Duse appeared who gIcried in and
embraced the opportunity to sec her truly
irreproachable art.
But why expect people who cannot under
stand the lingo OF the actors 10 come when
the chief value of q theatrical exhibition
The morning times., 1896-05-10
Ar. GILES SHINE has just passed

kxR GILES SHINE has just passed
w through an exceedingly painful
surgical operation in New
York hospital. 1t was entirely
successful and Mr.. Shines
friends in Washington and elsewhere
wifi hail the good news gladly. For
time his trouble was critical and the opera
tion was necessary 10 save his life. Mr..
Shine has innumerable friends nd admirers.
who nope to hear of his speedy and com
plcte recovery.
The morning times., 1896-05-10

HIt III UDIII J pt dtTUSs JWU CUIIIIIIIiS
that female pedestrians were wanted.
Further investigation revealed that it is
Manage Herman who wants them and the
walking match is to take place here in Wash
ington. SO Washington may be without
summer comedy Company or lecture course
on esoterie impenetrabilia, but the ATS
faction of the native may find foundation
in contemplating a twelve days foot eX-
pedijion in the Lyceum back yard. All
sorts and conditions OF walk will tackle
the path. There is safe odd on the
theatrical lady who walked in from Oshkosh
and number perfect ladies will come
duly authenticated with walking papers.
The contest is strictly for long distance
artists and trick and fancy walking is
barred.
The morning times., 1896-05-10

F there's anything newsy or curious
going on in the profession or IN its inl-
mediate environment il is rot apt to get
away from Harry FisEc. Tie last i'll
stance of stage-struck curiosity Is
told by him this week Mrs Sophie Adler,
4 brooklyn washerwoman, over fifty years
OF age, recently became stage-struCk. and
studiously viewed the performances OF the
Brooklyn LyCeum Theater Stock Company
noicSs than three times in each week Grad
ually Size nlem0rtZed a miscellaneous col
lection ef stray bits, and these she recited in
n loud vnice as size toiled over her washtub.
to the CONSERVATION OF her daugh' n aud
the annoyance of her neighhors. Her strong
est effect is said o be Il dramatic perpration
addressed TO the ceiling, followed by long
pause. and a fervent gaze at her waShboard.
With the words, Aye there's the rubr'
Last Tuesday, overcome by despair ofrecog
milton, Mrs Adler swallowed rat poison.
and now reposeS in n hospital
The morning times., 1896-05-10

-HE manner with which sone Of the
older actors contend for the old
school is pitiably nsistant. A young
man in Chicago with rs mUch sense
and CaudOr rises, like another Betsy
Prig TO say he doesn't believe there Is
no such person as the Mrs. 'ArfiS school
OF the drama. In fact. place III ''the
Old school is u needless CONCESSION 10 pee-
ple whose achievements eUtitle them to
very little consideration. Poor actors who
in an evil dag have posted their names as
stars and are prIde-fOrbdden To relmqulSh
mask under the cloak apoCryptal tradl-
tions of the stage which are only the
heritage OF other bad actors. The writer
with Mistress Prig's rebeliiously suspicious
disposition SKIS:
what in the world do people mean when
they talk icarnedIy about the Old school
OF acting? II is difficult to say. For as
rar back as the memory of the writer gees
there has been but one SCLCOl or actlnE'
the school that is ever new-tlatOf nature.
OF what occurred before that time Ciie can
know nothing except upon the testimony
of the chTOniClers. But one VIII have to
20 long way 10 ilnd any evidence that
pOor aCtiug-UnHatural acting, If you VIII
ever approaCicd the dignity Of school.
Hamlct's advice to tle players Is very good
cvi.ieucei as 10 what was considered good
hiStrionic art in his time. In COliey Glib
ber'S writings. which cover tie history or
the stage from the days Of Eettertpn almost
10 GarrirI'S time. reference Is repeatedly
made to the ait that .'hcids the mirror up
TO nature" And the testimony OF HaZlitt
Hunt and Others Is enough to prove that
neither Garrick. the Kem5lcs. kean,
Nacready. nor any OF The old Iav0rites in
their great creations ever trans grcsSed this
simple rue Plainly this old school which
makes rautinc a virtue. ana only carlcatures
nature, is hard to locate"
The morning times., 1896-05-10
"The Pride Of Limerick"

at will have no more shenanigan,'
Said Mr.. Darby Flanagan,
Who gayly
His Shillaley
Waved on high.
With his brief valedictory
He sailed right in for victory,
A-thumping
And a-bumping
Nose and eye.
1t was curious how furious
He landed with a vim
On the man who passed q spurious
TWO dollar bill on him.
Oh, hepunched him and he munched him
Till he made him pretty sick
And the crowd all shouted, Darby.
He's tue pride of Limerick"
Darby Flanigan's Banquet.
The morning times., 1896-05-10
arrangement recently entered into
BY Charles B. Hanfnrd with Thomas

A Arrangement recently entNred into
Il by Charles B. Hauford with Thomas
Keeue Will interest the friends of the
principals. Mr.. Hanferd is to be-
come Mr. heene's manager next
season. The arrangement only ais for
preliminary season Of twelve weeks
during which an opportunity will be given
10 Judge OF the adviSabIlity of pursuing
the plan OF campaign definitely. 1t is a
further part OF the agreement that during
this period Mr.. EeCue is 10 act the roles
played ny Mr.. Booth, aud Mr. Hanfurd is to
play the parts IN which Mr.. Barrett ppeared.
during the memorable tour of the Booth
Barrett Combina ton. such an allia nee
which would naturally attract The clientele
Of both actors should make profitable the
venture.
The morning times., 1896-05-10

Is the effectiveness with which the story is
presented to them. The alternative Is
hypocrisy. If Duse would study and master
English she would find that business would
boom on her return. The folly Of these for
eigners' rage would be more evident IL
the tables were turned. What support
would an English company receive in
Italy, Spain, France, or Germany? They
come TO us with an fntOlerant, supercli-
ious air, prepared TO damn if we do and
damn if we don't Tf they play to poor
business, they fret their foreign hearts and
swear we're not appreciative. IL the cofn
flows fast and they are received with ac-
claim. they ctIuekle in their jargon and go
bone TO tell what race OF snobs are
Americans.
In New York Duse played to good busi-
ness because Gotham is Il city or Snobs
and with the assista nee of a strong italian
colony to pack the gallery the theater
was kept filled. In Boston the Italian was
well received because there is in Bean
Vile an inquest ionable and extensive Gull
ture which eau appreciate fine art in the
abstract. Otherwheres there was not
enough snobbery, knowledge Of italian
or appreciation for art for its own sake
to make money for an expensive enter
prise. Irving, English, French and italian
mot GERMANY opera, and worthy AiEeri-
cans succeed. We understand them.
The morning times., 1896-05-10

$1.25 to baltimore and Return via
Pennsylvania Railroad.
Tickets will be sold Saturday and Sunday,
May 8 and 10, and wiilbe valid for return
passage until Monday, May II, 1896 Good
on any train, my6-5t
The morning times., 1896-05-10

- DOR Billy Seanian, One can't recall
the cheerful peek a. boo gOsoou with
| out sentimental exclamation. He Is
still III BiDCming,lale in the unfelent
ing clutch OF Tie fatal paesis. The
worst and saddest feature of his case Is
that. though hCpelessIy imEeCie. lie thrives
physically. \ friend who went 70 see him
when over in New York last week says he
is brown and ruddy and actually fleshy.
Seaman reco gnized his old friend as he came
into the room and called him by name.
Then the sudden flash of light went out
and he turned again to the toys with which
he constantly plays. once he looked
up and pointing to the toys,
said. second childhood. isn't it, His
case puzzles the doctors. Other patients
give way under the stress Of paresls within
Il year or two at most, but Billy Scanlan
has been in the asylum for i've years.
john Mccullough, Barley Campbeil. Tony
Hart and others of the stage people sue
Cumbed 10 the ravages OF this disease within
Il short while.
The morning times., 1896-05-10

N OWN in an obscure corner of last
weeks Clipper l found an advertise
- ment (do you note how an ad. in an OBJ
Scure corner vii. catch the eyer stat
The morning times., 1896-05-10

| NJ HAT has come over the press gents
lEI Of May Irwin and Fay TeHlpieuon?
S What Crane would call crimson
war was va ageiin New York, butno
bulletins were sent out. II was just
about the time that Sarah Bernhar'it and
Fanny Davenport were dueling in Boston.
The rivalry bttween May and Fay was
over the negro dittv. - Love 7 Ma Honey"
though the title didn't express the state
of affcctionate reciprocity between the
singers The song was composed by Fay
sung by May, but priority ana superiority
was claimed by both. Perhaps Fay heard
how Fanny Davenp0rt bought a box ar
Sarah's performance, for she secured one
a Mays performance. May saw her. She
summoned the musical director and told
him to cut out d" Ma Honey" She couldn't
sing it with Fay in the box The end OF
the second act came without the song. But
a bunch of roses. came up after one OF her
songs Just the same. During The entr'acte
May looked into their depths ana found q
card: Not to be sung until after Ma
Honey - and it was Fay'S card
Just what emotional process May went
through is not told. IL the third act after
her recitatiOnS. the audience showed plainly
1t wanted Ma Honey ana Fay whispered
across the fOotIightS To her fatfriend: Sing
it, May came down and looking towards
the box said: Use scared. chile. with
you sittin' there" but the band played.
Then the two artistic souls were pledged
each in its own depths TO purple love for the
other. New York may take pride in its
goddess fcudS even if Boston did have
a rival Spat. But how did the press a agent let
this slip?
The morning times., 1896-05-10

- HE second act of "A Midnight Bclr' is
set with New England country snow
scene, with schoolroom on the right.
The characters on entering the school
house cross to the center of the stage.
The particular bane of Deacon Tidd's
(Digby Bell life is country boy named
Martin ed. Redway9. who snowballS him.
ices his doorstep and otherwise torments
him. The roof OF the schoolhouse is covered
with a thick coating of property snow. At
the end OF the act as the deacon slides in
on the sled and bumps against the school.
house. the snow slips Off and buries him
in a huge drift Tuesday night the deacon
and the other characters were conducting
the exhibition in the schoOlhOuse when the
spring, that holds the snow in place till
the proper time. gave way. and precipitated
the snow drift at the wrong time. The
characters were somewhat put out, but the
deacon. with a quick wit. turned to Martin,
We'll. Martin. there's snow for Won to
shovel during recess" 1t made hit with
the audience. who guessed the properties
were out of order.
The morning times., 1896-05-10

- ~0TNG and gone are the several hum
H dred British Thespians who the past
season Invaded our theaters. The IN
cursion proved a pest IN more and
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-06-18
ROWell-SmitlI.

June with its leafy glory is the favor
lite month for weddings. ON Saturday
evening last at the residence of Oliver
D. Dean on High street GEO. ". Rowell
was united in marriage to Miss Eta A.
Smith. The ceremony was performed
by EeY. {. V. Hanson, pastor of the
bride Both of the contracting parties
are residents Of Madison, but Mrs.
Rowen has spent some years in this
place, and has a wide circle OF friends
here as well as in her native town.
Nj Eowell is thrifty farmer and
will take his bride to his pleasant home
which is on the line of the Somerset
Traction Company They have the
congratulations of their many friends
upon their marriage.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-06-18
Two Lives Saved

Mrs Phoebe Thomas, Of junction
fF 3D.. Was told by her doctors she
had consumption and that there was no
hope FOR her bat two bottles DR.. Kings
New Discovery completely cured her
sud she says It saved her life. Mr..
rhos Eggers 1856 Florida St San Fran
cisco. suffered from dreadful cold,
approaching Consumption, tried with
out result everything else then bought
one bottle OF Or. Kings New Discovery
and 10 two weeks WAS cured. He is
naturally thankful 1t is such results,
II which these are samples, that prove
the wonderful efficacy of this medicine
In Coughs and Colds. Free trial bottles
st Roland I. Patterns Drug Store.
Regular size SOC, and sl.00.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-06-18
Pomona Meeting at Fairfield

49, - -
The regular June meeting was held
with Victor Grange. Fairfield The
heavy raia falling almost constantly
through the day rendered i unfavorable
for barge gathering Tn hall. how
eyer. was well flied a.th representatives
ir5m Victor. SkoWhegau. Ea.t Madison.
Nouidgewoea. w Portland and ken
nebec Valley Oranges. Piscaiaguis and
kenuebec counties were also represented.
Worthy Master savage va. present.
aI.o the Oyerseer. Secretary Ceres. Po-
mona aud Fora.
\. II. E..i- poke for Victor Grange
in welcoming the members Of the
Pomona aaa ". L. Merrill Of st. Adams
Grange responded - the address of
welcome &. l.. Weaks. Asst Steward
Of he STATE Grange. Hon Thoma, Dag
gstt Of FeXerof- and Au-el Holwav. Of
he State Executive committee. respond
20 10 fheir laue. with remark. for the
good Of the Drder. T. T.. Libby. Master
u Victor Grange. Presented al original
paper Oh HI" essential work Of the
Grange: Mr.. \. II. Ellis gave most
beautifully written poem on what We
may eXpeet Pomona meeting viii -
twenty-five year, hence: Nelson Holwav
favored tie Grange
With Instrumental music. The question
"Re>oiyed that Our wives scrub too
much aud read 700 little" was the sub
Jet OF a lively discussion by Ms l.. Z.
Howe. Lester Holway, Mrs. J. Z. Long
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-06-18
Gard of Thanks.

We take this opportunity to thank ouI
kind friends and neighbors for all the
kindness rendered us through the i'll
ness and death of our only son and
brother, also to friends who furnished
the lovely flowers.
ISAAC FREEMAN.
FANNIE +. FREEMAN,
MIR. AND Mis-. CHAs. r, DRAkE,
MAUD W. FREEMAN.
North Cornville, June Il, 1896.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-06-18

Maine was represented AT the third
biennial of the General Federation OF
Woman's Clubs, held recently at Louis
willie, Kentucky, by Mrs. Henry r.
Dowst Of Bangor, president of the
Maine Federation, Mrs. e T. Eaton.
Skowhegan, delegate at large. Mrs.
Bangs Of Augusta, chairman of state
correspondence, aud Mrs. Eta H. os.
good of Portland, who gave a parHa-
mentary drill Americas club women
formed a most brilliant gathering. They
came from east, west. north aud south.
and the words of an old auutIea who
said, clocks like de pick % de worl had
done drap down ON dis place. most
httingly describes them America may
well be proud of her club women. and
Names club women rank With t6e best
of them