Omaha daily bee., 1897-03-07

Stdered, and attractions worthy OF patronage
have it as a rule within the limits Of that
period as well as out Of IT, Nevertheless. it
Is undeniable that the offerings of the two
Omaha houses for the last half of the week
just past have not met with the conspicuous
favor Of the public. This presentation OF
fact may be taken as a disparagement of the
entertainment provided. whereas 1t is not
intended for anything so unpleasant. Neither
the performance of MIR. Morrison in that
ingenious spectacle which the advance agent
is pleased to call "Goethe's immortal
tragedy" nor that Of the refined comedians
who have been presenting The DaZzler" is
by any means devoid Of merit. They can
not, however, even to the most friendly
eyes, be made to appear as novelties, al
though 1.-The Dazzler' has been brought up
though an extra electrician or two have been
added to the following of DR.. Faustus. The
people nowadays are like certain Athenians
Of old in that they spend their time In nothing
else, but either TO tell or to hear some new
thing. And they carry their propensity so
far that, with an exception now and then
by which they neglect a new thing by reason
Of it's very newness, they demand novelties
absolutely or else fall back heavily upon
venerable stand-bys, which are old enough
to have been born again several times over.
When Francis Wilson was here week be-
fore last, he encountered more than once in
his transformations walks abroad a we'll
looking lad of perhaps a dozen years., whose
clothes told no tales either of poverty or
affluence, and in whose intelligent face an
absorbing interest in MIR. Wilson's movements
was apparent. At length he approached the
comedian in The hotel one afternoon and ac-
costed him with that absence of circum-
~locution which is one of the chiefest charms
Of extreme youth.
"Ain't you an actor?' asked the small
boy.
What makes you think SOP" was the non
committal reply, accompanied by Mr.. VIII
sons kindly and paternal smile.
"Oh l don't know" said the lad, but l
guess you have something to do with a
theater all right enough"
why, that's true" rejoined the comedian,
land l know how you found it out. It's be-
cause l have a smooth face"
Nav" said the youth, with a mixture
of disdain and pride; Il seen yer picture in
tho winders."
Wilson was not insensible to this tribute
to his fame.
"Do you like to go to the theater?" he
asked.
You bet was the emphatic reply. "What
does it cost to go to your show?"
ooh, that depends" answered the come
dian. "How much have you got?"
II got 10 cents" said the boy, a little
obviously, for he began to realize that at
least half a king was before him.
Wont do said Wilson. with mock
severity. ''Why, people gladly pay $1.50 to
see me play and hear me sing"
The boy seemed duly impressed and tried
to rise to the occasion.
Wouldn't you let me into the gallery for
a dime? You could send MT out before the
show was over" ,.c
The comedian gave the subject that pro-
found consideration which its Importance
merited. a
"You see,' said he, ."it's, this way. like
a. I.,o t,.olI;no-t ,oopla NJ ,p, scb wv or
IL you don't know what that means, people
who have been to school land studied and
know something. Now what is your name?"
willie Douglas" replied the boy.
well, Willie, you look bright and smart,
and as if you were worthy to see one of
my performances. If l could hear you spell
eel now, l should be, sure of it," .-sm
The lad fixed a despairing eye upon those
of Wilson in which, in calmer moments. he
might have detected a very merry twinkle.
81 don't believe 1 can he said. mourn
fully; 1--WE never had that at my school,"
ooh, try coaxed the comedian; mo
body ever did anything in this world with
out trying" f#
All at once the boys face lighted up with
an inspiration. 81 know now" he shouted
gleefully; tits double Ell, Hob, anybody
could spell that. Now, do l go to the
SHOVE" &
81 think you do, Willie.' replied Wilson,
regarding him gravely. "'At any rate. If you
will honor me by accepting my escort to
the theater. 1 will see what the treasurer
can give you for your 10 cents"
So they passed through the stage door
together; and when the small boy came out
he had a bewildered look on his face, for
he had looked upon strange things behind
the scenes. And he carried in his hand
an order, signed Francis Wilson," calling
upon the treasurer to give Willie Douglas
the best seat in the house. More than that,
Willie occupied the seat as brave and bold
as If he were a whole king himself, and
sat through the performance with every
mark of satisfaction, having invested the
whole of his 10 cents in candy at one time.
Having in a great measure reformed the
theater hat nuisance by the gentle influence
of moral suasion, local theatrical managers
are showing a disposition to encourage and
perpetuate a beautiful custom by allowing
a certain vendor of chewing gum to attach
samples Of his appetizing product to the
playbills which are circulated among the
audience. Since this charming combination
was made, the performers at the house which
furnishes free gum to its patrons have pre-
scented a varied study in mastication. There
is nothing more stimulating to an actor
than to look out over a sea of jaws moving
in unison and to hear the sound which ac-
companies a thousand concerted chews.
Some objection to this benehcent provision
has been heard, chiefly from men who
| would eScheW gum as futile ana cneW To-
bacco by preference. But such cavif may
be silenced by the well-grounded assurance
that a movement is now on foot which will
result In, the enclosing of a small, but sery-
iceable Mug of the nicotine weed In every
'progrum'' given out. The gum Will be
there, too, of course, and consumers may
either take 1t or leave it.
Coming Events.
On Thursday and Friday next, with Q
matinee on Saturday, at Boyds theater
Omaha amusement lovers are to have thell
first glimpse of "Chimmie Fadden," the
Bowery boy, who, represented by Charles
Hopper, has been such a fad in New Yorl
and the east, and whose adventures, placed
in dramatic form by EdyaT W. Townsend
entertained the theater-g peFs of the metrop-
oils for FIVE months last winter. 1t Is claimed
that Mr.. Hopper gives clever and thoughtful
representations of thiseodd type of city life,
He is surrounded by a Company of undoubted
excellence, several members of which
achieved successes in their various parts only
less brilliant than those 'ofs the star himself
Mr.. Hopper's supporting company is the same
as that which surrounded him in New York
and Boston. 1t includes George Nash, John
Flood, VIII Cowper, WI. Sheldon, Bar
ney Reynolds, Harry Il. Rawlins, j. r. Fur
long, Sydney Price, Beth FRANKLIN, Beren-
ice Wheeler, Irene Vtahcqurt, Fanny Den
ham-Rouse and Marie Bates.
VN ia