davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times., 1897-05-09

The first piece TO be produced is an en-
treiy original comedy by Paul Wistach,
whose" Bridget" aad Bluff were pleasant
features of the National stock season last
summer. Thene play is called "A First Of
Tense" andIs calculatSd to be laugh from
first curtain to last. Wm. A Brady bought
all rights to the play Immediately after
hereaG 1t. After ward fearful unat MS ludg-
ment might be amiss, he handed it to Paul
Potter To read. Mr. Potter Is the draInatst
who made "Trilby' into play and wrote
besides The Pacific Mail, - The City Di-
rectory, /" Richard Brinsley Sheridan" and
The Victoria Cross" for T. II Sothern
After he had read "a First Offense'. lie
came tn Mr.. Brady and paid the play this
unusual compliment: BE. very careful
This is either the work of aa experienced
dramatist masqgeraGing under MIR VIII
stach's name for some reason we don't
know, or he has cribbed il bodily from the
French" All of which was very conipIi-
mentary 20 the play and To the author, IL
ndld reflect on American dramatists capa-
blltty for writing rs well as the r Ienc|l
"A First Oefense' has one structural pc
culiarity which no other play possesses 1t
conforms absolutely to the rule of dramatic
unity. No stage license is taken with time
or place In Secret Service" there is
absolute unity Of time. The story OF the
play occupies the same length OF time that
does the presentation Bot the umlties of
place are broken The scenes take place
at different points. In "a First Orfense"
the action takes place in Homer LoveIoy's
house i'll the actual time of presentation
There will be an opportunity for a beautiful
Lamkin and the others will be afforded
an opportunity to wear some beautiful
gowns.
The times., 1897-05-09

Columbia last American con-
cert of RroaiSlaw Huberman; Monday, The
Madrds; Tuesday, Carroll Institute ORA
matte Club in David Garrick;'' Saturday,
Jonnie Juniors in "Mikado.'
National Stuart Robson, in 1.-The Juck-
lins"
Lafayette -" Erminie -
Academy THE Lost Paradise"
Grand-Black Patti Trouhadoms.
Rjou Confederate Spy"
Remarkably Sports.
The times., 1897-05-09

Concerning Sir Henry Irving's remark
able shTinkage In height in his production
of Madame Sans Gene" the London
Daily Mail says: Ordinarily our eading
actor is not far short of five feet eleven
inches But on Saturday night he had
become as correctly Napoleonic in stature
as in manner, How was it done? Sir
Henry was delighted to explain. Bulk
has been obtained by the device OF wear
ing a sheath, over which the clothes fac
SMILES of the garments of the Emperor
fit most exquisitely. Shortness. assisted,
of course, by the fuilness of figure and
width Of shoulders thus secured, is ac-
centuated by most cunning Authorization
Of the thighs, brought about by cleverly
adapted small clothes. No more effec-
tive Transformation has been accomplished
in our time"
The times., 1897-05-09

Ing OF Saturday, May 10. Their recent
successes ON their trip to New York have
thoroughly enthused them, and they are
determined to do big busin ess. Mr.
Rouss has sent them q very complimentary
letter, in which he expresses his pleasure
both with the performance and with the
personnel of the club, and the way I'm which
they conducted themselves while in New
York. Mrs. Davis has also sent a letter, Of
which the following is a copy:
Prof. N. DuShane Coward, director the
Jonnie Juniors. Dear Sir: I hope the
'JonDies' may meet everywhere the ap-
probation accorded to then. here. Their
presentation of the 'Mikado' was ex-
ceptionaliy good and there was no draw
back TO the excellence of their perform
ance They have my best wishes for their
success. Truly yours,
~. JEFFERSON DAVIS"
The times., 1897-05-09

Mr.. Stuart Robson, who comes TO the Ma
tional Thcater this week in his new play,
The Jucklins," will present for the first
time on any stage a genuine cock fight,
which describes an incident In Opie ReaG's
novel OF the same name Although much
has been made by humane societies and by
the public in the way OF discussion Of the
battle of the fowls, il should be understood
that Mr Robson permits the occurrence only
in the line of weIl-tOld story. IL is
a funny theme for play, this fighting of
game chickens. 1t has been made the occa-
sion Of much wholesome huInor, and it is
no doubt what led to it's use. THE Juck-
Iins'' is Southern story, and the charac-
ter of the old farmer is said TO be paTtisu-
larry adapted to Mr.. Robson's peculiar
methods It's pronounced departure from
anything Mr.. Robson has heretofore pre-
scented TO the public
The times., 1897-05-09

Friends OF William Boag, of this city. have
received Invitations to be present at his
marriage TO Maud de la Force Peckwitb,
dt the Church OF tn Holy Cross, Fort Plains,
N Y, atnoon OF Tuesday, May Is. Imme-
diately after the ceremony a reception will
be rendered Mr- and Mrs. Boag II the home
Of the brides parents, and the young people
viii take short honeymoon trip, returning
to Washington 10 be a home at 1749 Mad
ison street northwest, Mr.. Boag viii be
d member of the stock company at the
Columbia Theater this summer Every body
In Washington knows '.our Billy Boag
either as friend or across the fou.iights as
one OF the best young character actors in the
profession The Times joins with all his
friends and admirers IN congratulations and
sincerest wishes that tile future may hold
for him the realization of all possible
prosperity and happiness
The times., 1897-05-09

story. The characters are army officers,
military cadets, mountaincers, and a COM
plement of ladies connected with a West
Point household. The piece requires
strong cast and an elaborate scene setting,
both of which Mr.. Pitou says it is going TO
get No title has yet been chosen.
The times., 1897-05-09

the best shows seen here since Yon Yonson,'
two years ago. Some OF our citizens
thought Hamlet suffered somewhat in
comparison with, that sterling play, hut
we do not 1t was good all through.
Hamlet himself was very good and 50 was
Ophelia, and tile, two grave-dggers were
Just simply immense. They kept the au-
dience in u roar all the time they gere on
the stage, and. although the town marshal
tried 20 preserve order, in view of the sOl-
emn nature of the scene, he couldn't 10 IL.
1t is seldom that we have ever seen
greater display Of facetiousness and real
fun than was afforded by the grave-dig
gers. Horatio was very good, and so was
the host Asthe lamps wereturned down
and the latter parsonage came on the stage
the silence was intense, and one woman
tainted. The fight scene was good, and.
in fact, everything in the play was good
and well acted. We hope this company
will find it convenient to visit US again
in the near future, and we can pledge them
full house aud hearty welcome
The times., 1897-05-09

The summer season of the Cummings
Stock Company, which opens at the Acaal-
envy OF Music tomorrow nj ght, will undoubt-
edly create considerable interest. Theirlo long
and highly successful run in Louisville
Ky, playing at the best theater ia that
city, places them in a position with the
Washin gton public that should not he over
looked. When u company comes to a city
and plays a continuous season of thirty
eight weeks, and is highly indorsed by the
press of that city, there is certainly great
degree OF merit necessary to accomplish
such an Endorsement, and many clippings
from the Louisville papers attest to the
merit of the company and productions. For
their opening bill II. c. De Miles TIE
Lost Paradise" will be given, and it is
promised that their presentation will fully
equal any previous production Of this cele-
brated play. Manager Robert Cummings
has bern here the past few weeks arranging
for the opening of the company and per-
fecting the details In the construction of
the scenery, etc The factory scene, where
the Knowlton Iron Works is shown in full
operation, has received the bulk of atten-
ton, and will be as perfect representa-
tion as 1t is possible to depict upon the
stage. The prices for the summer season
have been placed at 90 and so cents;
boxes, seating six persons, So, and general
admission, % cents.
The times., 1897-05-09

Cycle riders will find good acconneda-
tions for their wheels at the Lafayette Mr..
Albaugh las provided a large Toom for
machines and an attendant tc look out for
them. This is considerate and will be ap-
preciated by those who come to the th eater
on their bicycles.
The times., 1897-05-09

1t is barely possible That the season s
find will prove to be Nance 0'Nei.. This
girl was picked up somewhere or other by
Mckee Rankin. When he went on his pirat-
ing cruise in the remote Southwest In
"Trilby" Size was the barefoo,ed heroine
In .Rankin's lnelodrarna, on the road this
year, she played the leading role and her
performance certainly was refreshingIy SUI
perior to the average scornfut melodramatic
heroine. 1t is now announced that Miss
o Neil will give performance of "Magda"
in New York city. This means but one
thing. tits to be interpreted as would the
announcement that young man was to
produce Hamlet - She wants to enter
the lists with the not merely clever, but
great actresses. Such performance is
challenge to the highest and severest rvpe
OF criticism 1t will be good news fr Miss
O'Neil can weatherit Great actresses are
few and 50 far between, She deserves alI
encouragement, but greatness is only a mat
ter of sentiment after it is achieved
The times., 1897-05-09

arm. Messrs Albaugh and Clark, after
telephoning the theater that the flowers
were coming up, went To enjoy little
lunch. Then they leisurely wendell their
way to the Lafayette opera House.
Here was new s awaiting them
tThe roses haven't arrived" said the
boxkeeper.
Haven't arrived2r said both gentlemen
at once. You ire joking"
mo, l am not, - replied the man, who
always gives you the best that he has.
Then Mr.. Clark started to find thar col
ored man; and he did find him quietly seated
on a stool in the Lafa yette Square
That's where you told me to take 'em,
boss, and here's where they are
The times., 1897-05-09

When the curtain rings up on the pro
ductiOn of 'Erminie" at the Lafayette
Square opera House tomorrow evening.
1t viii make the eleventh year anniver-
saTy Of Jacobowski's successful and bright
production, in fact the most positive
light opera success known to the present
generation OF opera patrons The artists
who appearedin the initial production were
known as Rudolph Aronson's Comic Opera
Company. and won for themselves the re
narkaille record OF 500 nights at the Ca sino
in New York, at that time the acme OF
swelidom and the proper place to enjoy
the beauties Of lyrical entertainment. The
principals are Grace Golden, as Erminie.
Gertrude Quin, as Javotte; William Wolff
as RavSy; Arthur Wooley as Caildy, and
the other male roles 10y NessTs Melville
Stewart, Raymond Hitchcock. Joseph Shee-
han and others The management, at CON
siderable expense. has fitted up bicycle
room in the front basement of the tbeateT-
where bicycles viii be checked free Of
charge
The times., 1897-05-09

Here is a paragraph to be passed over
entirely or else credited wholly to the press
agent by the unbelieyers in the manhood of
Richard Mansfield. This incident leaked
out last week 1t Will be remembered that
little Gladys Laird, who was child actress
in his company. of which her mother, MoiIie
Laird, is also member, diedlately at Lake
wood, OF heart failure following an attack
of rheumatism This mother and child
had no resource beyond their professional
work When little Gladys was taken ill,
In Philadelphia, Mr. Mansfield saw her well
bestowed in hospital and furnished her
with trained nurses and the best OF medical
attendance While the company remained
The times., 1897-05-09

Tomorrow, Monday, evening viii be the
eleventh anniversary of the original pro-
duction Of ''Enninie,'' which first saw
the shiumering footlights at the Casino,
New York, on May 10, 1886. It will be
seen that quite number OF singers Of
reputation were members of the organiZa-
ton. The following was the cast: Err
mimic, Miss Pauline Hail. Cerisse, Miss
Marion Manoia; Javotte, Miss Agnes Fol-
som; Princess, Miss Jennie Weathersbee;
Marie, Miss Victoria SehiIling; Ravennes.
Mar. w. s DaOoll; Cadeaux, Francis VIII
son; Captain, Miss Florence Wilson; Cheya-
lier, Mr.. Max PREGNANT Marquis, Mr. Carl
irving; Simon, Mr.. A. w. Maflin: Eugene,
Mr.. Harry Pepper; Sergeant, Mr. James
Furey. aud vicompt de Brissac. Mr.. George
Weeks
The times., 1897-05-09

i'm that city it was his daily habit to visit
the little invalid, and he always came with
toys and dainties and played with her as
though he We're another child Little
Gladys grew worse Mr. Mansfield con-
suited with physicians aud wished to send
her to bermuda. 1t was found that she was
too weak for that journey, and it was
decided TO take her to Lakewood, whittier
she was removed with every possible care
and attention. Little Gladys died at La ke-
wood. Every cost OF her illness and her
funeral was dcfrayed by Mr. Mansfield,
who throughout was as consiierate and
generous and soiicitous as a father might
have been
or course, The Hon. Robert Fitzsin,-
mons is going to act. In the vaudeville?
HESS your heart. no. In the legitimate
He is going to appear In a new play. now
being written for him by Hal Reid. The
new play is in embryo yet: but that doesn't
matter 1t is named. That's the point
Fitzsimnons, and the name 1t is to be
called AN Honest Arm" That's a good
name for a prize fighters play. What
could he do without an honest arm? 1t is
probably meant TO give assurance that all
reports to the contrary, Mr. F. IS arm is
honest. whatever other peoples arms may
be; and one other persons in particular.
Speaking Of Hal Reid recalls the story
Wilton Lacka ye tells, Reid accosted him on
the streetone day and made himself known
TO Mr. Lackaye' IS enlightenment Then lie
proceeded 70 tell him that he had just the
play for him, IN the course OF the de-
scription he let fly something like this;
Say, 1 got just the thing f'r you. The
mans at the head of a big concern Society
gent ways up nCi. But he robs the corpora
ton, etc, etc. Y see, just want to show
that there's many man in society with
four-carat diamond sparkling in his shirt
front that's a murderer at hearth MI
Lackay ye has not played that play yet.
The times., 1897-05-09

Il believe in the Book from kiTer to
kIveT. but / can't help fighting roosters to
save my Ife!" exciaims Lem Jucklin In
the first act OF The Juckrns," aud
through the four folio wing acts he strug-
giles with his sportive brain. which ever
battles with his religious heart. s'Tae
JUcklins' is said TO have lent itself easily
to stage purposes 1t was drainalized fur
Mr.. Stuart Robson, by Daniel Hart, who
was somew hat assisted in the arrangements
or the plan by James A Herne, the actor
and author of ''Shore Acres" This IS the
first time game ROSTERS have ever been
used as a tear and smile producing eff
feet in the drama The scenes are laid in
the rural interior of North Carolina and
are said 70 be racy OF the soil The char
acters are homely, everyday Southerners,
with sufficient idea of Old chiyalry to
spice the dish They are odd as odd can
be, and the customs and manners OF an
elder period OF the South are said to be
well set forth by Mr.. Read.
The author has painted most interest
ing character in Lem JackIin, the role as
sumed by Mr Robson, who has an inord-
nate propensity for cock fighting. quaint
old North Carolina farmer. whose sole fail
ing is cock fighting, and who believes in
the Book from kiyer to kiver," but con-
soies himself in the hour of trouble. when
the future looks the gloomiest for him, by
finding consolation in tout with his IA
vorite chickens, Sam and Bob The huIupr
Of old man Jucklin is delicious and nothing
could be more absurd than his besetting sin
OF keeping fighting cocks Religious and
conscientious, this is his telling, but IN e
for his amuSemnt only IL is his Sn,ace
and safety valve OF his emotions
The vagaries of the old man are decidedly
attractive, His wife, explaining how their
daughter happened to be named Guinea,
mentions that tlie child's real name is Ange-
lima. Her right name is WHAT" the old
man asks, looking up.
Angelina, said"
We'll it 3 the first time I've heard it,
Any one who knows obstinate old country
iien sees tile similitude In this offhand con-
tradiction. The eocentricities OF old Lem
Jucklin welded to Mr Rohson's fetching
pecUliarities, Is sure. to bring forth u
characterization OF more than ordinary
interest, and, though entirely unlike any
of his previous efforts, the character is said
to prove an excellent foil Mr. Robson
may be relied upon to set forth this old
fellows whimsical nature, his oddity.
and his originality in the most attractive
manner.
The times., 1897-05-09

For the vaudeville debut of that once
splendid artistic, Clara Morris, one-act
play, Justice has been written. That
will give the faeetious brethren of the Rialto
a chance to note that after decline, pass
ing through all the grades of one-night
standom, Clara Norris now goes to seek
justice in the vaudeville Poor Morris!
Some people never know when they have
had enough Yet some do The public
do.
The times., 1897-05-09

At the Grand Opera House this week
Black Patti and her fifty troubadours viii
doubtless receive a cordial reception
The reputation OF this great singer and
tie ca pital compan y W hich Messrs. yoelckcl
and Nolan have surrounded her with can
not fail 10 arouse public interest for the
performance here. In the operatic ia
ieidoscope which follows the comedy and
vaudeville features OF the program q
beautiful rendition is offered of the best
selections OF "Faust,' Carmen "Rigo-
Ietto,' sGrand Duchess" "Tar and Tar
The times., 1897-05-09
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VIII put the finishing touches on IA First
offense" here on the Columbia stage.
Billy Boag will be the groom OF the com
pany, not in the servile but in the matri-
mona; sense. He will ilspend his honeymoon
with the Columbia stock That admirable
actress, Kate Denim Wilson, will be the
chaperone of the theatrical family The
entire company one o the most attractive
that could have been organized
The times., 1897-05-09

When ulia Mariowe comes to the National
Theater next week it viii be to close her
own season-a season altogether crafty
ing to the young artiste, for it has brought
her triumphantiy through New York en-
gagement. Marlowe is one Of the players
whom Gotham would never have
This year, however, they accepted her,
and as in all cases when New York does a
thing, it is accomplished in a highly en-
manner. They went wild over
her, and opened their eyes to what the
country has long ago known .sFur
Bonnie Prince Charlie" ran through their
entire season Its success viii probably
keep all her other plays off the National
stage next week She might vouchsafe
us one look at '.Romola' for curiosity's
sake There are plenty Of people of liter
ary taste anxious to see this play
The times., 1897-05-09

There seems to be a great demand for
the Jonnie Juniors to repeat their perform
ance of the opera "Mikado" at night, and
the boys have accordingly arranged to ap-
pear at the Columbia Theater on the even
The times., 1897-05-09

sold all its seats at this price, but above
il there was a marked falling off.
If the Metropolitan regime in New York
cityfalls down and new one is built over
1t on more reasonable lines, perhaps the
public OF few dollars may have chance to
hear the great artists as often as they
wish, and the musical temperament of the
Europeans will be grated ON our own
But while speculative managers import
artists at twice or thrice their European
price, at "a price which makes il impossible
TO charge rational prices, just so long
opera will be luxury to be enjoyed only
by a few and the many are robbed OF their
rightful pleasure
The stones OF their own house fell upon
the Metropoiitans in Chicago After pur-
suing policy of making one or two prime
donne the exclusive features of their sea-
son, they went TO the Windy City without
Melba and Eames. They had to eat the
food OF theiI own planting The public,
being trained to believe that they paid
their $5 to hear these artists took no ac-
count of a great orchestra, a fine chorus,
able principles Aut Melba, aut nulum!
They stayed away If MI Grau had pri-
manly pursued a policy of teaching the
people love of opera for operas sake. and
not for the sake Of single prima donna,
his season would have prospercd.
The times., 1897-05-09

AT the Lafa yette last week a first-rate
article OF grand opera was given in the
presentation OF Faust" Scemcaily, and
In the matter Of the chorus, the Abbey Conn
pany has excelled il. The orchestra was
crude, but even il was good for the price
As for the principals, while none Of them
were supremely great, ali were thoroughly
enjoyable, and each had magnificent mo-
ments For instance, Miss Klein de-
livered the short passage at the first Ell
trance OF Marguerite, as she declines
FausJs Overtures, as well as it could have
been done The sweetness and modesty Of
the voice and manner were quite perfect
For some reason she held herself in sub
sequent passages demanding power Then
Miss LIGHTER achieved a miracle oftechnical
effect in the ascending scale at the begin
ming of the Jewel song. 1t is great praise,
but it is due her, to say that these few
notes could scarcely have been better
given In the final scene she was likewise
superb. The soldiers chorus has never
been better sung here
There is no compa rison between the
Faust production and the two which pre-
ceded it. What will tie company do with
''Erminle?" 1t is the blu for this week