The morning times., 1896-03-31
Goldenberg's. 92S 7th-7e6 KSt.

audacious young army officer, who CON-
ceives little schemes and dare execute
them. Richman's footing is very secure.
lie IS handsome young fellow, seems to
be possessed or magnetism ard esprit. and
certainly evidences degree OF inteili-
gence which commends nifn as q leading
man Of accomplished promise. He s one
OF TWO new names on the Daily program.
Edwin Stevens is the ether. Mr.. Stevens
has improved nleasllrably over the comic
opera days. but there is much to be done
yet by way OF polish to adjust him I.ar-
moHiously TO his present environments.
From the Casino 10 Daly's Is long step.
Time and association VIII work much IN
Mr.. Stevens favor.
The play is of this century's teens, and
the action takes place at Carlsbad. The
cuSuIminS and conversation suggested both
the period and the locale. The Countess
Guckr' will be repeated this evening.
Gen. Felix Agnus, whose name has oflate
years been mixed up with the Baltimore
American, never showed fEore journalistic
strategy in his long career III connection
with that paper than he has shownas dra
Inatist OF bin self with an eye to the main
chance in producing a strong and Character
istic Southern piece out of his new play "A
Woman OF war which was produced at
Aliens Grand opera Hodse last night.
when il is taken into consideration that
he is Union veteran aud up in the councils
or the>G. A r. But tits Just such grace
ful Fittie things as that which show that the
war is over. and anyhow 1t is about the
drama that the people want 10 read.
"a Woman of war Is q romance OF love,
battle. path0s and comedy, which are very
skiIIfully put together n a ,creditahly
dramatic way. The scene Of the Ii6ce is
laid at Port II udson La, and the time is the
summer Of 1868. Three Southern women.
one Southern man and whole lot OF
Northern soldiers are Introduced in the ca st.
The Southern man is a eapta IN in the Con-
fcfierate service and is il love with ard
loved by the elder of the two Southern
sisters.
He has a hard row to hoe with the woods
so fuH OF Northern soldiers, but the
greatest burden OF trial and tribulation
fails on the heroine, which part is taken by
Miss virginia stuart, WHO'S tried by court
martial curing the progress OF the play and
found guilty of acting as spy. Not only
that. but she Is condemned to death, and Is
saved from that fate through influence
brought about by tbe devotion OF the
Northern ma or who has ordered her arrest,
but had become victim 10 her charms before
that painful task of duty.
This is George u. Parker, and he main-
tains iheleading male part with considerable
distinction ana hlstrtonic ability.
Miss Stuart, upon whom rests the carry
ing out OF the many difficult and trying
situations OF the play, is making her iirsI
starring tour. Last year she was with
the Girard Theater Stock Company in Phil
adephia, and was selected as the person
best fitted for the character of Alice Biathely
in General Agnus play. The choice was
no mistake Miss Gatrieila McKeen, who
is the soubrette or the production, has all
I
Percy Piunkett, as Uncie Ben: CarI-Kilbur,
as Lieutenant Kennedy, K. +. DOud. as
Col. Foster, all are conspicuousiy meri-
tortOuS actors.
"A woman of War is likely TO have a
profitable week People still like stirring
oramas anent the late uDpieasantness,
They have IL in this one.
His Absent Boy. a farcieal comedy
adopted from the German by Al. Negman,
was given it's initial performance AT the
Academy or Music last night, and il this
may be taken ds "a criterion the play is
destined toha yc long gandsucceSsfuIcaEeeT
Mr.. y NJ. Palmer, under whose super
vision the comedy is produced, is uudoutt-
cdv fully alive TO the fact thaJ the tdeater-
going public OF Washington Is safe critic
10 pass Judgment upon new venture and
that an attraction which secures its dp-
prOyal can safely go 10 New York Win
every assurance OF meeting popular ap-
proval.
In His Absent Boy" Mr.. Palmer and
Mr. Nat. Goodwin, its owner, unqueSliOu-
ably have money maker. The dialogue
Is sharp and eXhilerating and tue action
at no Tune allows the audience To lose in
tcrest. The absence OF deep plot or tie
time honorcd heavy william adds To rather
than detracts from t he enjoyment or the
performance. Neither have place i'll farce
comedy and especially are they de trop in
this latest claimant 10 pubic favof.
The story OF His Absent Boy is an
! ingenious one aud the many con .icaI SIT
1aUionS in which the characters are placed
afford an incesSant flow OF merrineBt nF
Willie Penuie, a welltO-dO resident OF a
suburban town. but vino prefers New York
has hit upon a brilliant scheme, SO he thinks
of getting money from his rich, but prudent
ana seif-wied wife. He has invented a
story or an earlier marriage ana divorce
with an innocent child who is left to the
mercy OF a cold and cruel world through
the death or its ther, from when he had
previously secured Il divorce. The story
touches the heart OF the Wife and every
month She gives her husband S1O0 10 send
TO the offspring OF his early indiseretion.
1t is needless TO say this sum gets no
IA rther that Mr.. Pennies pocket, VINO
proceeds 10 enjoy life upon his ilI-gotten
| gains.
The play opens with Mr.. and Mrs Pennie
| celebrating the twenty-fiftb anniversary
| oil their marriage, and the feelings of the
| lady have undergone such Change that
| he decides to send for the child ana adopt
it. PenDie is compelled to manufa cture
| fictitious name and address which harpens
| to be that of u manager of Western
| wild cat scheme, and the letter is aC-
| cordingly sent. Fortunately for him, the
| man to whom il is addressed has been
! forced 10 flee from justice before It's de
| livery, and the niSSfve is consequently re-
| turned, with that Endorsement. The huS-
| bands grief over his son 5 disgrace is most
| touching, and his Wife SCotheS him as best
| he can.
| THIS is the main part OF the story, though
| of course, there are other Incidents. which
| add to the perpiexity of the worthy
| couple. and heIp delight the audience.
| Pennies friend, Mr.. Edward Burney, who
! is married to an advanced woman, tries
| to imitat tie 70 rmer's example, and
! quickly comes TO grief, while Jack Mckay,
| the lover OF the gay dcceiver's daughter, to-
! gether with his mother and father, add
| perpieXity TO he situation.
Mr.. Palmer has selected a strong cast
| for his production. Mr.. Frederic Bond,
! who takes the character of Mr.. Willie
| Pennie, is too well known here TO need
any words of commentators. Sufficient
| TO say that he fully sustained the favorable
| impression he has heretofore made and as
| soon as he becomes little more familiar
| with the part will add to his already ex.
/ celleHt reputation.
! Miss Isabelle Coe, as Mrs. Pennie Sus-
| tained her character perfectly, ana Miss
! Katherine Grey, as their daughter, was
! all that could be asked. The other mem
| bers OF the company are good, especially
! Mrs. Louisa Eldridse. that old-time favor
| lie than whom no better imperSOnator OF
| old women ever appeared before the pablic
The audience was large and enthusiastic
many of the first nighters who frequent The
| uptown theaterS being present. Mr. Paf
! mer. Mr.. Goodwin, Mr.. Frank Mckee and
other stars in the profession came over from
New York aud were greatly pleased with
| the production.
1t was apparent that all Washington
wanted TO see Naples, Judging by the iarg;
| and distinguished audience which greeted
| Mr.. 5toddurd at Metzerott Han last night
| as he stepped upon the stage.
| Asrhe briefly and with 4 master touch
Sketchetl the misty origin OF Naples and
| Pompeii" it must have gratified the lee
| turer to realize that be was to personally
| conduct the usual Stoddard tourists wht
were there to follow his every footSteI
| rapt ami hushed. except for gusts OF ap
plaasc as irreprcssihle as the yesuviuS h,
! pictured, threatening the heavens will
| its flames.
The classic bay, curved in its vorlGi-oId
bow of beauty, with the crater towering
| above it and the SuuDy skies above that
the fisherfarn hauling their rust nets n Ion q
| its yellow sands, the shining white mai
t,,s,r =