Evening star., 1897-04-10
AN4Y(2zlzY2N

and in some respects impossible Of occur
renee. In efutation of this unjust criti-
cism a story was printed in d New York
paper OF e. real Mr.. Ralston that bears a
strong resemblance to the Jim the Pen
man. of Sir Charles Young's character
notwithstanding the old story that truth is
stranger than fiction. 1t told of a lawyer
named Waldorf II. Phillips who was en-
gagged by an Englishman named James w.
Marshall to look after certain property
he owned In America and subsequently to
ascertain the whereabouts and condition of
John 8. Giebert and wife, who left Eng
land a few weeks after their marriage.
Mr.. Phillips learned that Giebert was dead
and on his death bed confessed to his wife
that he had forged a letter purporting to
come from Marshall. to whom she was en-
gagged to be married, breaking off the en-
gagement He had also forged her name
to a letter of a similar nature, which he
sent to Marshall. Giebert was an expert
peninan, and SO cleverly initiated the hand
writing of both Marshall and Miss Nelson
that neither had any doubt of the au-
thenticity of the letters: The play will be
produced with an excellent company and
will no doubt attract large audiences.
Kernan's Lyceum Theate--Prominent
among the higher class of burlesque Or
ganizations touring the country Is the
famous RentZ-Santley Company, which will
be the attraction at kernan's next week.
Year after year Mr.. Abe Leavitt has con-
trived to please the admirers of his COM
pany as well as the general public. and
this season he promises the best entertain
ment he has ever presented. Nothing has
been spared to make the appearance of
this organization q feast for the eye as
well as the ear. The costumes worn by
the ladies are rich and elegant, the scenery
artistic and specialties, first part and bur-
lesque are new, sensational and up-to-date.
new series of living pictures, reproduc
tions of artistic paintings, will also be
one of the features. The olio, which is
an exceedingly good one, is composed of
Joseph ]. Sullivan, the well-known pro-
ducer of fun: the Elinor Sisters, eccentric
comedy artists: Dawley and Waldron, de-
scriptive singers; Fisher and Crowell, COM
edy sketch artists; the Engstrom Sisters,
singers and dancers, and Curtis and Cor
den. in comedy sketch. introducing Miss
Gordens remarkable scientific bag punch
ing. The closing feature will be a sensa-
tional burlesque entitled. 'Sillys Dinner,
introducing Tyrene ard Evaline in their
sensational dances. There will be matt
nees Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Bijou Theater.-There will be no perform
ance at the Bijou Theater next week, Man
ager Whitesell having persuaded Miss Stan
iford's manager to cancel on account of its
being Holy Week.
Sousa.-Sousa, the peerless conductor
with his admirable forces, who gives one
concert at the Lafayette tomorrow (Sun-
day) night, is now engaged upon the most
scal organization. 1t covers a territory
of over 21 900 miles, includes 1876 towns
and cities, series of go consecutive con-
certs. and period of 169 days. To estab-
lish this record is simply astonishing. and
yet with it all it is small wonder that the
bands playing is in itself the very essence
of perfection. The men are trained to their
work as finely as any athlete was ever pre-
pared for contest. They are encouraged
and buoyed by that most inspiring of all
tonIcs-the emphatic and enthusiastic
measure of public approval and they have
reduced the science of rapid travel to the
finest point. On his present tour Sousa Is
presenting programs of an entirely unique
character They number In their Selec
ton the choicest works of his extensive
library. With the new there will sound the
strains of the familiar and martial music
that is inseparable from the name of
Sousa. Sousa concert minus a Sousa
march would taste like wine without
grapes. With the genial spirit of the con-
ductor pervadihg the musical atmosphere,
there is nothing of mystery as to the why
and wherefore of hearty, healthy pleasure.
One noticeable feature of Sousa's conduct
Ing is his grace with the baton. His pose
is never rigid. but always easy, natural
and unaffected. The movement of his arms
does not detract from the effect of the mu
sic, but between their sweeping motion, the
rhythms of the melody and the magnetism
of Sousa himself there is perfect accord
and absolute balance. The assisting ar
lists of the Sousa concerts have always
been pleasant accompaniments to the band
and its superb leader. Elizabeth Northrop
is a singer of talent. with a fair voice and
an engaging personality. In Martina john
stone Mr.. Sousa has one of the very best
violinists of the generation. Her playing
is sincere and soulful She had distinction
and authority, and justifies rich praise.
Arthur Pryor, who has no living equal as
a soloist upon the trombone, and Franz
Hell. fluegel-horn player, complete a quar-
tet of richly endowed musicians.
The Castle Square Opera Company.-The
coming to the Lafayette Square Opera
House of the Washington branch of the
Castle Square Opera Company, for the
summer season. means that If this city is
alive to the many advantages offered by
this organization of talented singers we
will have grand and comic opera all the
year around by the beSt-equipDed COM
pany of operatic stars in existence. 1t
is practically the same gathering of ar
fists that for two years past have enjoy
ed the prestige and patronage of cultured
Boston and crowded the Grand Opera
House, Philadelphia, for the past year,
under the management of Charles M.
Southwell. The company will give the
standard grand and comic operas in
manner that will surpass the best produc-
tions seen here in recent years. The works
will all be magniiicentiy costumed and
handsomely staged, and the singers viii
embrace men and women who have won
regulations on their merits artists. The
prices will be %. 80 aand IS cents for the
best seats evenings, and % and so cents
for the best Seats at he Wednesday and
Saturday matinees. 1t required consider
able experience and extraordinary
amount of backbone to undertake to make
opera successful fnanciaily and artistcal-
ly in two cities like Boston and Philadel-
phia. But facts a.'e stubborn things, and
in both places press and public can attest
the honors already won and those still In
store for The organization that will invade
Washington Faster Monday with a
royal production of Johann Strauss "Gyp-
sy Baron" 'rnis presentation (Which VIII
require the services of eighty voices-and
all singing voices) will be followed by THE
Queens Lace Handkerchief and many
other works at once popular and pretty.
Fifth Metropolitan Concert.-The fifth and
concluding concert Of the Metropolitan
series takes place next Wednesday after
noon at the Columbia, and the announce
ment that the soloists are Mr.. David Bisp-
ham, baritone. of the Metropolitan Opera
Company, and Mr.. Charles GregoroWitsch,
the eminent young violinist. should insure
brilliant house for the concluding concert
of this artistic series. Mr.. Bispham Is Il
well known favorite before the musical
public, and his reputation as an artist in
opera and concert Is widely known on both
sides of the water. OF the violinist Gregoro-
witsch 1t may be said he came to this coun-
try early In the season unknown and play
ed with the American Symphony Orchestra