davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning times., 1897-03-07

Il A Barnet is likely to find rival in
his eldest sob, who mas just perpetrGted
his first offensc n he play writing line.
IL Is a very sensational nlel0drama, in
thirteen acts, bearing the highly ColOred
title Of Life in South Boston" The piece
was given It's first performance i'll Mr..
Barnet's barn and was enthusiastically re-
ceiyed. The price of admission was fixed
at one cent and seats were provided for
thirty. The fact that sixty cents was
taken in at the door speaks well for young
Mr. BarneJ's first work
The morning times., 1897-03-07

Jessie Bartlett Davis was entertaining
number OF young girls at her home, in Chi
caSo, last week, when some one asked W hat
was the most supremely JOYFUL moment OF
n woman's life. When he asks her
began the sentimental girl Rubbish"
This one was prosaic. Its when She gets
u silk dress or something of the SORT q t an
incredible bargain and every one said to
her: You extravagant thing!" Its when
she contrasts her state with that of her
friend who got married. No need to in
trodace this girl as a cyniC. Nowhere
near it!' quietly observed Miss Davis Its
when she's perfectly certain her hat is
askew or her hair looking like that of a
wild woman of the woods, and has been
worrying about il for hours, and then u
sudden glimpse in a mirror shows her that
she's looking prcscntable, if not positively
stylish Now, isn't it?'' Maybe it is"
they all admitted
The morning times., 1897-03-07

The C!orinda question seems to have
reached its firststa &c Of solution. Clorinda
is better known as Miss Wiidairs, or, as
Mrs. Burnett calls her in her story and play
"a Lady of Qusiity" At first Bessie
Tyree wanted to play CIorinda. She even
went TO London to- see Mrs Burnett, but
her mission was iii vain Then it was an
nounced that the FTohmans had secured
the play for production in this country.
Later, however, it leaked outthat Mr.. Froh-
man and Mrs. Burnett could notaeree upon
the actress to play the leading role. Mrs.
Burnett had virtually promised the part to
Miss Eleanor Calhoun, young American
actress, WHO shelter kno own in London than
she is here, white Mr. Frohmaninsistedt that
Miss Olga Netiers ole was the woman best
suited TO imPcrSonate the rather peculiar
character OF CiorindG Wildairs- Neither was
willing 10 submit to tie others epinion in
the matter and 20 MIS-. Burnett began to
consider offers fIom other American man
ayers.
One of the first propositions brought
Mrs. Burnett was fro,u a representative of
iia Arthur. At first Mrs Burnett in
sisted that Miss Calhoun must play the
leading part, but ne surrendered last week,
and she and Julia Arthur viii next year
star in this piece. Miss Calhoun will
probably be propitiated with the English
rights. Mrs. Arthur is wellknown in
The morning times., 1897-03-07

The Lyceum will offer as its attraction
for this week that wCll-known and Justly
popular H W. Williams Own Company. one
of the hest vaudeville aggregations on the
road. Itincludes the Rogers Brothers Ger
man dialect comedians, singers and dancers;
Billy Clifford and Maud Huth. two original
artists introducing their novelty coIaedy
creation, entitled The Chappie's Call"
also an imitation cake walk. and negro
melodies by Miss Huth: those two exceed
insly funny fellows. Fisher and Carroll,
Irish comedians, singers and dancers: Felix
and Cain. acrobats, vocaiiSts and talking
comedians: Bennetto and Reto, the premier
contortionists OF America. in one of the
most wonderful acts ever presented for
public approval: Smith and Fuller, musical
artists, introducing various Instruments, in
cluding the South American marimho. bau-
boo balls, etc, and Emery and Marlowe,
the comedy duoin nup-to-dates sketch As
a closing feature To this big program the
screaming farce, entitled ''McFadden's
Flats" made popular by the New York
Sunday Journal, will be presented
The morning times., 1897-03-07

Many people visited the now already well
known Crystal Maze of 42I Seventh street
northwest last week, and it has been no
ticed that il is mostly the best class OF
Washington people that come TO enjoy all
the funny adventures that one encounters
after entering the Maze portals. There is
a general idea prevalent that the Maze is
place where a visitor gets absolutely lost.
and that il takes hours to find the way
out of it. That is only true to a very lin
tied extent, as the Maze covers only a space
of s by As feet, which is NOT bigger tr
two ordinary living rooms, and no one.can
really get lost in such small space.
The Maze is in reality more Of an opti-
cai illusion than anything else; one is con
stantly fHisled and deceived by its mir
rors; but YOU cannot exactly lose yourself
in its passages. 1t has been demonstrated
that visitor can go from one end Of the
Maze to the other inside of one minute; hut
of course he has got to know the way to
be able to do that; and that of course is
the point; il YOU know your way through
you can go from one end to the other with
out touching any OF its mirrors; but We are
afraid that not many will be able TO ac-
compli sh that feat.
The morning times., 1897-03-07

COLUMBIA Lillian Russell, in 'AnAmer-
lean Beauty tonight. lecture on Cuba"
4 O'Clock matinees Tuesday and Wednes-
day. Priscilla -
LAFAYETTE-"The Heart of Mary
land"
NATIONAL-'A Black sheep"
ACADEMY-~The Girl 1 Left Behind
Ne"
GRAND-~The Limited Mail"
BIJoU-Miaco's Spectacular Pantomime
Company.
KERNAN'S Harry williams own Com
pany.
The morning times., 1897-03-07

These Quakers look as If they had Just
stepped out from Meeting two hundred
years ago. Their costumes are accurate
reproductions of that time. We refer to
the "Quakers' now dist rihuting free
samples of Quaker Oats.
The morning times., 1897-03-07

1.-The Girl Left Behind Me-" which will
be presented at the Academy OF Music to
morrow evening, is a stirring play, in which
heroic sentiment, thrilling incident. and
sparkling comedy are gracefully and arts
tically blended. The story is one OF alb
sorbing interest from fiIst to last, and it
is told ill clever, entertaining dialogue,
which is often crisp and sprghtly. & tells
of stirring incidents Of Indian warfare on
the Northwest frontier, into which is inter
woven very pretty love story, and just
enough of yillainy and intrigue TO serve as
a background, upon which truth, bravery,
neblFneSs and unwavering fidelity are
painted with a bold, free hand, in vivid
colors. The climax. in the third act
when Lieut.. Hawksworth rushcs in to Post
Kennion, is very dramatic and thrilling,
and is admirably executed.
The morning times., 1897-03-07

The expressions among the gods and
the gallery gods, although much used,
are little understood" says j. Z. Dodson.
They first originated in the nrury Lane
Theater, the ceiling of which represented
blue sky and clouds among which cupids
were fitting about in every direction"
The morning times., 1897-03-07

Lillian Russell comes to the Columbia
Theater tomorrow evening, to fill her an
nual Washington engagement, always one
of the most important and interesting
events of the theatrical season. Miss
Russell will appear in her newest success,
''An American Beauty" which was writ
ten especially to fit her great talents as a
singer and an actress. The book is by
Hugh Morton tine pen name of C NJ. 8 Nc
Lellan, a brilliant and graceful writer,
formerly editor of Town Topicsl, and the
score is signed by Gustave Kerker, an op-
cratic composer, whose works have been
successfully sung from one end of the con-
tinent to the other, and who possesses the
divine gift Of melody in a superlative
degree. ''An American Beauty" departs
materially from the environment in which
the songstress has been relgiously con-
fined by every one who has had hand in
her direction within the past ten years
Newport in the height of its social sea-
son s a legitimate source of curiosity for
the uninitiated, and Monte Carlo in the
full swing Of its gilded gaming and in
trigue is rich in possibilities that no play
maker has yet reflected. This is the en-
vironment chosen for the new opera The
organization supporting Miss Russell this
season is the largest and most efficient
she has ever had. AN American Beauty
The morning times., 1897-03-07

When The Heart of Marylan nd was given
its initial production here something over
year CO. the best and most experienced
theatrical managers in the country an
ticipated but a small easure of success, III
not indeed a failure. They had confidence
in plenty in anything that Bclasco might
write, but those who had read the play
and appreciated the manifold require
ments OF the leading part, did not believe
Mrs. Carter capable of playing it. But
/. they evidently overlooked the fact that
Belasco had not only written the play for
her, but had devoted three years to her in
struction, and there are few better teach
ers of dramatic a TT than he. The play
went from here to New York, where Mrs,
Carter certainly divided the honors of a
remarkable success with the playwright
Mrs Carter declares she has no genius;
that genius is only a word for hard work
And certainly she has laboredlong and hard
Very few actresses, after having achieved
a success such as was Mrs. Carters
last season, would have spent the summer
asshe did. Most of them would ha We taken
trip to Europe or would at least have
sought the seaside or some Fashionable
mountain resort. Instead, Mrs Carter went
off into the Berkshire hills. where she had
u room fitted up for work The part of
Maryland Calvert calls for considerable
physical endurance, and in order to keep
her muscles in proper condition it was nee
sssary that she should go through daily
systematic training.
At tire close OF the third act, where the
famous belfry scene 'brngs down the
house, Mrs. Carter has to run I'D the
winding, rickety stairs OF the old church
tower and there to swing out on the clapper
OF the big bell To do this night after
night would test the strength of any but
one thoroughly trained to stand such tn-
usual excrtion. SO last summer, in a room
up in the Berkshire hills, Mrs. Carter ha.
platform erected with two sets of steps
running up to 1T, and up and down these
she would run as she knew she would have
to do all Of the season while playing Mary
land Calvert. To keep her arms and wrists
and hands in good condition she ha d an old
bell rugged, upon which she was swung
daily The strain on her vocal chords in
this part is also great, and to keep her voice
in proper condition she went through daily
vocal exercises The rest of her summer
was given to absolute rest.
is TO this constant devotion to her art
that Mrs. Carter attributes her success
She never goes, anywhere; never visits.
nor does she receive. She takes no
stimulant, other thana cup OF black coffee
just before going on for the belfry scene.
Her diet is as simple as her life, and is as
regular as that Of rigid recluse. She
has no pets, either, Which she lugs about
the country with, her-no canary and no
pug dog. Apparently she lives for her
art, and her art alone.
a young girl OF singular beauty. who
lives in Washington during the winter is
The morning times., 1897-03-07

he and his wife, Miss stanhope, Joined the
Lyceum Stock Company, appearing in The
Wife, The Charity Ball." "Old Heads
and Young Hearts and other Lyceum sue
cesses. Miss Stanhope retired from the
stage and Mr. Wheatcroft joined the EN-
pre- Theater Stock Company on its inaugu-
ration, playing the role Of the villain in all
of the Empire successes until two years go.
He then organized the Empire School of
Acting, an institution that has given Man
ager Frohman many promising actors and
actresses.
Mr. Wheatcroft returned to the stage
when "Heartsease' was put on at the
Garden Theater recently, and left that
company to create here the role of the
husband in "Spiritisme. Mr.. Wheat
croft leaves a widow and a son seven
years old.
The morning times., 1897-03-07

An amusing incident which the late
actor used to telLwas about a nautical
meiodrama in which he appeared in the
English provinces.
THE old sailor had to come cut of lis
cottage said Mr; Wheatcroft, (which for
reasons best known to provincial managers
was put up in the center of the stage. The
actor cast for the part of the old sailor
delivered the time-worn line: i haven't
seen my son for sixteen years, and he's
coming home today This venerable remark
was apparently more than the scenery
could staud, and the cottage indulged in a
sudden collapse. After a number OF fruit
The morning times., 1897-03-07

Henry Miller has been so successful in
'HeartScase" that the engagement Of Olga
Nethersole has been cancelled at the Gar
den Theater.
The morning times., 1897-03-07

pany? Edward Stevens and Robert Shep-
herd have iefbit, and WilliaIn Sampson an
nonnces that he is going. These are all
valuable people'to DAILY, Stevens especially.
He has taken up several OF James Lewis
old parts, andin the new pieces he has been
cast for the roles which would inevitably
have gone 10 Mr.. Lewis if he were alive. He
has not been uniformly accepted, but he has
shown excellent comedy eaiiber, somewhat
tinged with the high colors of operate ex-
travaEauZa, and he was working steadily
into the delicate methods OF the Daily circle.
Dean Pratt was taken up by Daily in hopes
of second Jimmy Lewis, but this anna
teur has not realized for him.
Now who is going to play the comedy
roles for Daily? Herbert Gresham has made
good his claims to Touehstone, but that is
the only leading comedy role i'll the DAILY
repertoire adequately filled.
The morning times., 1897-03-07

Inauguration edition Of The Times,
twenty-eight pages, including sixteen pages
souvenir extra, ready today. Price, in
wrappers for mailing, Five Cents
The morning times., 1897-03-07

''AiI work and no play" remarks Charles
4. Hgelow, would be a good way to de-
scribe the average farcc-comedy."
The morning times., 1897-03-07

America. She waS a member OF the Palmer
Stock Company for several seasons: she
was later seen in The Prodigal Daugh-
ter, anu last. year she played second to
Ellen Terry, ia Irving'S company. She
Is now in the Lyceum Company. in Lon
don, and has played several characters
which Miss Terry would have had if she
were well
The morning times., 1897-03-07
NEW PLAY BILLS

Mr.. +. \. Harris, the distinguished war
correspondent, hasbeeninvitedby by the Cuban
junta to give lis thrilling experiences in
the Cuban army this evening at the Co
lumbia Theater. Many photographs re-
Gently taken viii be shown on a canvas,
anu the last days OF Alaceo and present
manoeuvres OF the insurgent army VIII be
usually displayed Many prominent Sena-
tors and Congressman viii be present,
and great interest is being taken in the
entertainment. Mr.. Harris experiences
as prs soner under the Spanish yoke will
he graphically described From present
appearances large audience VIII be pres
ent to hear the true story of Cuba's wrongs
The morning times., 1897-03-07

Several new pieces have been pleasantly
received over in New York this season,
but not one of them made the hit which
is to the credit of Secret Service The
piece is d war pla y from the pen of william
Gillette, who wrote the first of the war
plays, Held by the Enemy Secret
The morning times., 1897-03-07

At the New National tomorrow even
ing Hoyt's merry skit, "A Black Sheep
Will be presented. ANY of HOyt's comedies
are sure of a hearty welcome here, but
the coming enga cement of A Black Sheep"
will attract more than ordinary atten-
uion, because its success here last sea-
son was emphatic In this piece this pro-
life and popular playwright has retained
his fonduess for odd titles, and his latest
word is funnier than any of its predeces-
sorS.
Otis Harlan is the bright particular star,
the principal cha raCter, Hot Stuff"
having been written especially for him.
He is surrounded by the same cast that
presented this piece for $50 nights at
Heyt'S Theater last season. Since its
presentation here last season Mr.. Hoyt
has made so many changes, and improved
his work so much that "a Black Sheep"
will return to- US in new garb.
The morning times., 1897-03-07

The fraternity of American actors lost a
valued member last Wednesday in the
death, in New York city, of Nelson Wheat
croft. Mr.. Wheatcruft was plavinc with
the big cast doing Sardou's 'Spiritisme" at
the Knickerbocker Theater, New York.
and he had been i'll but six days A hard
cold developed into pneumonia, which
caused his death.
MI. Wheatcroft was an EnGlishman by
birth. He made his first appearance in
this country IN April, 1887, and there is
a remarkable coincidence in the charact er
or The role in which be made his debut
and that Of his last appea rance here.
He first played at NibIo's in "Traver's
House" a spirituaIstiC play, in which he
assumed the role OF the villain, and his
wife, Adelaide Stanhope, had that of The
adventures. John T. Sullivan, who re-
Gently succeeded Wheatcroft as the vii
lain Of "HeartseaSe,'' was also in the
cast In "Traver's House Wheatcroft
played the role OF a believer in spiritual
ism. His last rode was that Of D'Au-
benas, convert TO spritualism in Sar-
dou's "SpiTitiSme,'' which was produced
1.-THE Knickerbocker Theater February 22.
Mr.. Wheatcroft was born in London.
February 10, 1852. His father was a
prosperous manufacturer in the metal
trade, and the son spent some time in his
factory. 1t Will surprise his many friends
10 know that as boy he suffered fright
fully. But he Joined the Birkbeck Insti-
tute or Dramatic Arts, and was in the same
class as JeffreyS and Catherine Lewis and
Arthur Pinero. As an amateur he showed
much talent, and made his professional
debut as John Caspar Lavater. the physi-
ognomist, IN Not Bad Judge" with
George Melville, in 1873
During the next fifteen months he mas
tered 40 different roles, playing ever ything
from Hamlet to low comedy parts After
playing i'll the provinces, London and South
America Mr. Wheatcroft came TO the United
states. He played in The Dukes Motto"
Ticket Of Leave Man, 1.-THE Dead Heart, ~
Separation" and Tangled Lives" Then
The morning times., 1897-03-07

as new dramatist. The standard is Sar-
doU, Belasco, Sheridan, Howard. Thomas,
| Gillette, and the others who have reached
! Olympian heights.
The new dramatist must reach these
| heights at a single bound. The critics
| demand it, the public expects it And
| n he fall short so much as hairs $ breadth,
| he topples back into obScurIty. To try again,
! not with encouragement and friendly
| hope, but with the string OF public indiffer-
ence at his heart and the eel o in his ears Of
| Yo,ces crying. Presumption" He is not
| ood at all, because he is OF all GCcd.
Back To his table he goes. Or, perhaps
10 truce III with life, to sustain him While
/ be writes, he must give half his time to
! bread-winniug Thus the task is made
! harder. His energies are exhausted more
quickly, his mind is distracted and the
sensitive temperament is bIunted. Then
aItef while of SecluSion he comes rap
ping again for the welcome he Covets.
ferhapS he Tails, perhaps succeeds: but
success is rare. When, however. the dram
atist originally gifted, self-tliscuvered. de
veioped, master of disappointment, is
finally accepted his reward is great. IL
is IN proportion Co his hardships. II is
the only bit OF justice in the whole pro-
ceeding. Few people have the genius and
STABILITY to win. The example OF one dis
courages the others. That is why l won
der at the Mortons
Michael saw all Martha's beginnings.
struggles, refusals and failures But he
remained with her for the triuniphs He
has profited by his association and ohser-
walton, which has been an Incompatible
school for him. His piece is a. farce. and
calls for none OF the stronger clements
Of play-making; but may we not one day,
perhaps look To this scion Of the Morton
house for share OF his sisters gifts OF
grace and sentiment, together with the
expression Of his own masculine tenipera-
ment in fine vigorous drama, in which
words and sentiment are but the embellish-
ment Of strong dramatic structure?
By the way, are there any more Mortons?
The morning times., 1897-03-07

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less attempts to have the front of the
cottage assume an upright position, the
nautical heavy turned deliberately to the
audience md said: / think thereis storm
coming on. I'd better take my house in
coors Andhe took phis house and walked
OH the stage, to the huge enjoyment of the
audience
Perhaps some who read this saw 1.-THE
Wife" at the Lyce um, New York, and re-
marked this contrettmps.
There was scene in which Henry
Miller tore the wreath from the head of
Georgia Cayvan, who personate d the
bride. Then Herbert Kelcey us Senator
Rutherford made his entis,uce, and the
plot thickened. Mr. Wheatcroft, as the
villain, was in hiding, and after Kelcey's
entrance usually came forth on the bal
cony and significantly remarked, 1.-The
cyclone has struck One evening lust be-
fore making this comment one of the pill
lars supporting the veranda got loose
from It's bearings and fell on his head
Whereupon he delivered the line, .'the cv-
clone has struck, just as if nothing un-
usual mad happened, and quietly replaced
the pillar. Miss Cayvan as wei as MIR
Kelley and Mr.. Miller were so overcome
with the ludicrous nature of the accident
that 1t took them some time to recover
their equilibrium. T"E
The morning times., 1897-03-07

a young girl OF singular beauty. who
lives in Washington during the winter is
the victim Of Anna Helds milk bath story
She thoroughly believed in this bit of
press agency until she learned better from
the Frenchw Woman when she was here Then
she wrote to Lillian Russell, who is an
acknowledged professional beauty, as wen
The morning times., 1897-03-07

The Lafayette Square Opera House was
packed from floor to top gallery every
night last week, and al at the matineeS,
and the prospects are that it win con-
tinue in this condition for the week to
come THE Heart of Maryland" is prov
ing as attractive in Washington as it was
elsewhere. 1t is not easy to say just
where the charm of the play comes in. 1t
is individual: it is well staged and well
acted, and it is good play. and its sue
cess is largely due, Of course, to the
power of Mrs. Carter.
one of its peculiar features is the blend
ing Of comedy and tragedy n most taking
way. Just at the point when one feels pa
thctic, something funny happens, and the
audience breaks down in a little laugh.
At one of the emotional crises of the play
comes in the episode of surreptitious em-
brace through a curtain which is deli
ciols bit of comedy. Odell Williams, with
his unctuous hupor, and John w. Jennings,
with his old-fashioned, quaint comedy work,
are two excellent players, and they give
the audience a good laugh in a perfectly
acceptable way, just between two intensely
tragic scenes 1t is in a graveyard, too.
People got excited over this play even in
conservative Boston.
The morning times., 1897-03-07

The Martinettis add great interest TO the
stay of MIR. Whiteseii ; Miaco Spectacular
Pantomime and Speciality Company for an
other week. The Martinettis are aniong
the best known people in their branch OF
the profession. The reputation THAT the
three brothers bear can be better appre-
ciated when tits said that the sale OF seats
for the week include many orders from
people who have already seen the show,
but who are anxious to have chance to
come again. especially to see the work OF
these members.
Another feature of the performance
much in favor during the past week was
Cyrene's slack wiIe act. There is uO end
OF difference in walking a tight wire and
one not pulled taut, as the swinging motion
in the latter case makes it ain. ost inpOssi-
ble to hold ones balance CyTenc goes
through the act with all the grace possible,
and uses her arms little ore than if She
Were on tie floor. Alfred Miaco, the clown
adds greatly 10 the pleasure Of the scene
by his funny antics. There are few -ow
comedians who can equal the veteran actor,
andhe ohringa laugh Advance
sales have been very heavy, and there is
little doubt that the show viii duplicate
its record