The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-05-16
THE PICKET LINE
IS ESTABLISHED
Brilliant Presentation Of the Popular
War Drama by the Astoria
Football Club.
TnEATER LITERALLY PACKED
The affair Mas the Most Successful Amateur
Production Ever kitaessed ln This
City. aud Brought Dat So
eiety Ia fall Force.

To say that last nights production OF
AT the Picket Line" By the members
OF the Astoria Football Club was an un-
qualified success ia but 10 give tho proper
credit 10 those persons who took par.
Never before In the history OF the city
were 20 many people gathered together
az an entertainment Of this kind ana
never before was play 20 faultleaaly
produced by amateurs In brief, the en-
tertalnment was characteristic OF the AS
toria Football club. inasmuch as II gave
unbounded satisfaction.
Shortly after crowds began fiocking 70
Fishers. and by s;lS. at which hour the
curtain rose. the theatre was crowded.
The newly-orsanlEed orchestra. under
the leadership OF Prof Busey. furnished
tho music for tho occasion. which
was ono OF the most pleasing features
ef the evening The cast OF characters
and tho fact that the play was 10 be
given under the auspices OF the Astoria
Football Club. brought out an immense
utN N0NltAl NAN AAlNNN w ANfhfs
The only unpleasant feature Of the whole
performance was the disposition OF u por-
ilon OF the audience 10 laugh at pathetic
scenes Local talent has never appeared
but what this insulting action has been
INDUCED In. much 70 the diAgrace-al-
though they probably do not know IT.
OF those who carry on 40. A visitor In
the city. after the performance last
night. said they acted like cattle" The
gentleman was right
There were hut two ladies In the cast.
Mrs J. H. Patterson and Miss Jessie
Jewett. Both won the hearts OF the audi
cnco when they appeared upon the stage.
Their costumes were elegant and their
acting was absolutely faultless. Mrs. Pat
lcrson has had considerable experience
on the stage. haying taken pHrt In scvcrai
amateur performances. and the lady
played her part To- perfection last evcn-
ing, Her artistic ability II not without
other support for with Il are beautiful
features and perfect form. Mrs. Patter-
son took the part OF "LAonorE. a Union
spy. who. at the risk OF her own noble
life. enters the rebel ranks In defense OF
Her Country. The lady was an ideal
heroine. and her acting elected the
warmest applause from the audience.
Miss Jcwett played very pretty part
--"Silvy Holmes"-dAughter. sister ana
sweetheart No more affectionate dhugh-
ter. more loving sister or truer sweet
heart ever lived. Miss Jessie first ap-
pcarcd In the modest attire OF poor
farmers daughter. becoming sun bon
net making her very cute. In the
last act the young lady appeared In her
wedding drcas. and then, instead OF the
bcwitching little farmers girl. she was
the ideal OF u beautiful woman. Miss
Jessie carried out iier part with natural
grace which completely captlvated the
audience A vocal solo rendered by her
In the third act brought down the house,
and the young lady wRs compelled TO re-
spond to the hearty encore. Both ladies
were recipients OF beautiful bouquets.
Al for the gentlemen. they covered
themselves with glory. Mr. Terry Nc
Kean. who has appeared In public sew
eral times, and who is a warm favorite
with tho theatre-goers OF Astoria. played
Squire Holmes" rheumatic In soul. but
Roman In body His efforts were de-
serving OF the applause he received MIR,
Duncan Stuart. owing 10 his humorous
part. was the pet OF the audience. He
was slated on the program as Hiram
Lufkln," raw recruit In lovo and war;
and such indeed was he. His voice was
pitched TO high c, and was as squeaky
as rusty hinge. Such an awkward, un-
sophisticated, but withal comical gawk
was never seen. and he kept the audience
In continual state OF laughter Mr.,
Stuart's performance was the best, with
the exception OF two comedians In "a
Railroad Ticket" that was ever seen at
Fishers,
n A.. a.l.v.
actor, carried out his difficult part as
only a professional can He was caleb
Holmes" the wayward son; man OF
the world. yet a loving brother; a de-
serter. and almost thief, but honest at
heart. Cast from his home. hunted by
the soldiery, enlisted In both Northern
and Confederate armies. narrowly escap-
ing death by poisoning, he finally returns
TO gladden. the last years OF his old
father and see his sister welded to the
man she loves, Throughout the play Mr.,
Vidalin exhibited his ability, of which
the audience showed its appreciation.
His makeup as soldier was perfect.
Mr. John r, Rathom impersonated al
bert Cherrlngton," hero OF the re-
bellion, His also was a pretty part. To
save the life OF his friend, Caleb Holmes
(Mr. Vidalln) he enlists In the Union
army, leaving the object OF his affections
at the mercy OF the man who would wed
her against her will. Mr.. Rathom did
very well and was one of the strongest
characters In the play.
To say that Mr.. Richard Carruthers in
CURED the enmity of every person In the
house is but telling the truth, for such
animosity was the only consequence OF
a correct Interpretation of his part. He
was Harry Crosscomb," a man OF
schemes, and he was indeed villain. His
only object was TO ALLEVIATE the affections
OF Silvy from her lover and then marry
her, thus getting control OF a large In
herltance. After much scheming. his
plans were frustrated and on the very
day when all seemed favorable to him.
he was exposed.
Mr.. Henry ]. Weeks. an actor Of no
mean ability, played the part OF Ser
geant O'Stout," the houghty commander
OF the awkward squad. AS his name
would imply, the sergeant was Irish, and
caused no end OF amusement His rem
dltion of "Mush, Mush, Mush," was
warmly applauded.
Mr.. r. T. Burnett made an excellent
Captain Hartford, and displayed mark.
ed ability. His acting was that OF q
hard-headed commander always calm
but quick. Messrs. Charles Higgins and
Andrew Dalgity had two gruesome parts
The former impersonated sal" robbev
OF the dead, and the latter Jerry" her
partner In crime. Mr.. Higgins made a
perfect hag, while MIR, Dnlgity, with his
| blaokened features and attire OF des-