The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-01-17

his bills. He now gets $500 a week. but
II laid off for seven days for lack Of an
engagement. finds himself without
penny All this simply means the greater
the success the faster the pace until there
comes n break down and the friendly Elks.
Jessie Bartlett Davis received a most
peculiar Christmas present from II. G. Bar
nabee. 1t is a dinner service made in
Limoges, and the designs of the dishes are
MS unique as the talents OF the handsome
ccntralto. The handle at the top of soup
tureen is group OF three ducklings with
bills pointed 10 a common center while
fourth reaches up his bill from the base.
vegetable dish is surmounted by cock
in the act Of growing. another supported by
two pcacocks with dragging tails Then
there are snails dragons and half -imposs
Bile creatures of various shapes and degrees
OF heinous ugliness Miss Davis adds that
| It is quite evident that Mr.. Barnabee has
a horror of the commonplace, always pre-
ferrlng to 1t the grotes4ue
Actors and actresses who are not born
in New York City enjoy great advantage
over those who are. says theatrical
writer Very many OF the dramatic edo
itors in other cities evidently take spe-
cial pleasure in making note OF the fact
that this or that actor or actres Is ma
tive OF their city whenever they play there.
I II is a frequent occurrence to road that
So and So is a Boston. Philadelphia. De-
troit Louisville, Washington or some other
eeogranhical hoy" or girl But VINO
ever heard of any one getting. any Tree
professional advertising because Ne" YORK
Ia his native city? 1t is also n very pleas
ant courtesy to managers. for 1t is always
sure to effect the receipts pleasantly In
this connection It Is also worth noting
that the proportion OF native New Workers.
in the theatrical profession is exceedingly
small.
Hoyt's new play. "a Contented Woman"
has passed through the fire, and cmerges
as one of the most successful and artistic
pieces of satire ever put on the stage by
this talented man. 1t is the story OF a
woman in politics, and contains a moral
and n pair OF pants-yes, Just plain pants.
BY and by, maybe the moral ana the OBJ
jectionable garments will be taken out.
and critics will be at loss for anything
to praise Hoyt's work on this play was
evidently that OF loyalty and love. 1t was
written around his beautiful wife. who
takes the part OF ~ Contented woman
1t speaks volumes for the play when Mrs.
IIoyt. who is not an actress. can hold the
boards through four acts without firing
the audience.
Miss Mathers offer OF $500 for play
to suit her personality will bring her about
500 plays and woe to the man who reads
them all. His brain will be composite
picture OF dramatic lunacy. This offer OF
money prizes has seldom. II ever, brought
forth artistic results. Mira. Thurber has
time and again tried tho experiment. and
mediocrity has inevitably been her reward.
Somehow or other the muse works better
when spurred by native fire or starvation.
Then. 1t is said more in pity than in an
ger. 1t was not long ago that Mather would
have inspired plays without asking them.
Now. either Margaret or the public Las
grown cold.
"Thc Ceisha" Is no doubt the best OF
light musical comedies of recent years. Its
long and successful run at Days theater
in London has been repeated at Days the
alter in New York. where all who witnessed
| II have Endorsed the verdict which London
play goers have passed upon 1t. 1t Is said
Of it that the ear IL pleased with the music.