The Portland daily press., 1897-08-28

he reached his chair he was dancing
gently, while his wife endeavored to re-
strain him from his exuberant show of
good spirits. Later, while the young
people were dancing, I came across him
in corner playing game of poker with
a friend. The chips were mate hes
Were not matching money he said,
but we are making money out of match
esp From the appearance of the pile of
lucifers on the table it was a pretty stiff
game.
Herne's New Play.
James A. Herne's newSplay, in which
he expects to star during the season of
1889 is entitled Rev. Griffith Davenport,
after the chief character in "An Unoffi-
cial Patriot, novel by Helen M. Gar
diner, formerly editor of the Arena. The
Mirror says: 1t is said that although
MIR. Herne has taken the motif and many
Of the characters and incidents flor his
drama from this novel, he has furnished
much original matter in the play The
scenes are laid in Virginia and Indiana,
the time is Immediately before the break
ing out of the Rebellion, and the story
treats of the exciting questions then up.
permost, particularly the one relating to
slavery. Several negro characters are in
| PRODUCED
| The Rev. Griffith Davenport was origi-
nally circuit preacher in Virginia. He
Inherited property, part of which con-
sisted of slaves. He gives his slaves free
dom from. principle, and thus incurs
1.-The i'll will of those about him who be-
leve in slavery. He marries wealthy
widow, who, following his example, frees
| her slaves, and their life is made SO I'M
Pheasant as consequence in Virginia
| that they take up residence in Indiana.
The contrasting prejudises of these
states on the slavery question are brought
out IN the action Of the play, and the
hero is finally induced to give his knowl-
edge of the mountain paths in Virginia,
obtained during his circuit days, to the
Union army, with which he becomes
| identified las AN unofficial patriot. y
| Abraham Lincoln is introduced in one
scene OF the play.
/ May Irwin will return from her sum
mer at the Thousand Islands on Saturday
| to begin rehearsals of her new play. The
Swell Miss Fitzswen to be given at The
Jefferson
| Rose Coghlan, Jeffreys Lewis, and Ffol-
| lott Paget will form the strong trio in
| the leading female roles of The Sporting
| Duchess this season, Miss Paget will ar
| rive next Saturday from Europe Miss
bn Will fbo
role. The Duchess will kbe seen at The
| jefferson.
Lottie Blair Parker's new drama of New
England life. Way Down East, will be
produced on September 3, at Newport, r.
l., by William A. Brady. The cast will
inson, James o. Barrows, Phoebe Davies,
and Sadie Stringham. 1t will be one of
The Jefterson's attractions.
| aThe company which will support Maud
Adams includes Robert Edeson, W. II.
Thompson, Eugene Jepson, Guy Stand
Jessie Mackaye, R. Peyton Carter, Nor
man Campbell, Thomas Valentine, Will
| fred auckland, James Ten Eyck. Lille
B. Henry, and Frederick Spencer. The
con- pany will be seen at The jefferson.
1t is said that Melba will sing in Eng
fish either The Bohemian Girl or Martha,
when she appears with the Damrosch
The Rome, Italy, correspondent of The
Dramatic Mirror says: II do not think
you will be likely to see Tina Di Lorenzo
for some time to come. She has had to
undergo an operation on her leg, tumor
having formed there after the typhus
| fever. She is now in her twenty fifth
year, and is splendid actress, though
she lacks the personality of Duse. In a
word, Duse in genius, whereas Tina is
only talented xtremely talented, but
she never surpassed talent. Her voice is
perhaps her greatest charm. 1t is limpid,
and even luminous in its harmony. 1t is
| nature and art in one. She is also very
lovely woman, and when on the stage she
seems to fill it with the freshness and
sweetness of her youth. Her lips smile
even in grief, and her eyes are limpid
even in her death scenes. She could not
change those even If she would, and the
public would not wish her to change
them-they are too beautiful and refresh
| ing to be changed. :"
The Wilbur opera7 company continue
Ito draw crowded houses at the Star,
buffalo. The house is usually sold out
j!several days ahead. e. A. Clark, Hattie
Richardson, Emmett Drew, and May
Baker met with much applause. The
company presented several operas, among
| them Martha, Falka, Black Hussar and
| Mariana.
= An elegant souvenir programme will
| be distributed among the audience during
the first week of the season of The Jeffer-
| son.
/