davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times., 1898-11-20

Washington is just now finishing fort
night of the most uniformly poor busi-
ness that has attended local theatrical
presentations in some time. While the
greater number of the attractions offered
during that period have been seen here
before, all were given by combinations
considerably above the average and
should have had no difficulty in filling
their houses. So far did they come from
accomplishing this feat. however, that
rumor reports the seats in two or three
places of amusement to have fallen apart
from disuse Figuratively speaking, peo-
pie have fought to keep out of the thea
tiers and the result has been series of
melancholy managers and acrimonious
actors who have had plenty of leisure in
which TO indulge their spleen. Practi-
cally the only organization in town that
had any luck last week was that do
ing THE Belle of New York" which
really drew excellent audiences to the
Lafayette Square. Dan Daily and his as
sistants gave universal satisfaction and
were rewarded accordingly. Notwith-
standing the tenor of Charles B. Han
ford's curtain speech on Monday night.
"a prophet is not without honor save in
his own country and the stars local
connection prevented his undeniable mer-
it receiving the recognition 1t deserved.
Accordingly, houses which looked well
early in the engagement shortly began to
dwindle down until Mr.. Hanford was ap-
pearing every evening before a mere
handful of people. James X. Hackett and
his cast of dramatic students Jared 40
better with their Tree of knowledge" at
the National. Kernans did well with the
Vanity Fair burlesquers, crowds that
beMed the name assembled TO witness
Town Topics at the Academy and a
fair vaudeville bill did thriving busi-
ness within the portals of the Bijou.
Thanksgiving week has always been
good one in Washington and strongly
varied list of attractions promises much
for the coming engagements. Those who
have not yet become sated with musi-
cal offerings-and they are many-will
find something 10 their taste at the La
fayette, where Alice Nielsen brings her
big production of Herbert and Smiths
Fortune Teller" They who crave some
thing more seasoned and not less sea-
sonable, however, had best go to the
Columbia that they may see the excellent
organization to hold the stage there in
the military melodrama, THE Red, White
and Blue" Rural simplicity will be fur
nished in large chunks at the National
In a play entitled "Way Down East"
and written by Lottie Blair Parker, au-
thor Of "A War Correspondent" Weber's
Partisan Widows" will cater to persons
who care for female loveliness and
good vaudeville bill promises well for
those not yet tired of that method of en-
tertainment, the two attractions being
seen respectively at Kernan's and the
Biiou. HanlOn's "Superba" comes to the
Acade e-ly.
The times., 1898-11-20
Biiou--VnuieyiIle,

The excellent standard set by Manager
Grieves in the bills he has been present.
ing all season at the Bijou is supposedly
kept up this week when that clever trav
esty artist, James Morton. assisted by
Maud Revelie. will present n conversa.
tional absurdity, entitled LEFT at tbs
Post" This is said to be one of the best
of acts and is sure to please the Bijou's
patrons. Charles f. Grapewi2 and Anna
Chance will again be seen in "A Jab Ct
keely." Mr. Grapewins work in this
bit was most generously appreciated dur
ing his late engagement here, and no
doubt will be eagerly looked for on his
return. Manager Grieves is pleased to an
nounce the positive appearance of o. X.
Sato. who has recovered from his recent
illness. Emelie Mellwood and her latest
European song successes; Stirk and An
ita, in perilous feats on the flying ira
peze; Fredo and Forest as THE Musical
Tramp and the Elastic Soubrette." ard
several other meritous acts, will make up
the bill. Another burlesque in the shapa
of the duel scene from the reigning New
York Casino success, "A Dangerous
Maid" and District Volunteers" will
also be introduced
The times., 1898-11-20
Kernan,s-.parisinn wiaov,.n

"a Night on Broadway" the clever bur
letta with which Weber's Partisan Wild
ows'' bring their performance to a close
this week at Kernan's. is said to be in
many respects the most coherent effort
of its class ever put on in vaudeville
house. While no claim is made that the
piece is likely to rival "The School for
Scandal or "The Comedy of Errors the
laughter incidental to its production is
secured by the most legitimate methods
possible. The farce is done by cast of
competent comedians and host of pret-
ty girls, whose costumes make up in quail
ity what they lack in quantity. Before
the afterpiece is offered an olio In which
are supposed to appear advantageously,
THE Manhattan Comedy Four" enter
tainers of the most enjoyable type; Cush-
man and Holcombe. in their refined nusi-
cal skit. "a Business TRANSACTIONS Gill
The times., 1898-11-20
Edison Wargrnnh.

The moving pictures of the late strug-
gle seem to retain all their interest. and
crowds are viewing exhibitions OF the
Wargraph daily. THE Hosting of an
American Flag at Cavite," an inspiring
and effective scene, "The Cavalry
Charge" and many like photographs are
attracting attention from the friends and
relatives of those who fought in Cuba.
In fact, no one can fail to find entertain
ment and pleasure in viewing the re-
minders of the trouble which the War
graph offers. The entertainment is given
twice daily with a special matinee at 2:sO
on Saturdays.
The times., 1898-11-20
FRIENDS OF LAST WEEK.

The continual remark that the stage is
losing its most worthy people seems to
be about as well grounded as was the
groan that went up some years ago at
the possibility that our coal mines would
soon become exhausted. Demand creates
supply in the theatrical as well as in any
other business and no sooner is the pc
destal of one fayorite vacated than an
other takes his place. So. while it is true
that our best actors are dying fast, there
can be no denial of the fact that others
are springing forward with equal rapid
ity. Five years ago few theatergoers
knew anything of Dan DAILY, then an
humble exponent of small character
parts. 1t remained for the first of the
Casino reviews to bring him to light and
even then no one seemed to realize how
unique figure the elongated and drothy
comedian was. His remarkable iInper-
sonation of the under Balm with the long
legs and the wary manner made success
full no less an offering than .'The Lady
Slavey." and then critics began to note
that there was something more than
common ability in the lean fellow whom
Marie Dressler threw around with such
apparent ease. Following this came The
Whirl of the Town" with Mr.. DAILY ca
vorting about as Willie Badboy-'a rich
kleptomaniac-the most fashionable thief
to be found In the smart set'-the man
agement cannot be responsible for jewel
ry, opera glasses, umbrellas or false hair
while Willie is in the theater''-and the
laugh provoker. was made. 'The Belle
of New York was an ante-climax
There is no one appearing in musical
comedy today with more than half of
Mr.. Days ability. His methods are not
only novel, but practically unprecedent-
ed, while all of his enjoyable mannerisms
are apparently so free from affectation
that one never wearies of them. The en-
tertainer has good voice, an admirable
presence and has mastered so many of
such trif1ing tricks as falling out of a
third-story box without Injurious effect
and dancing lightly with both feet in the
air, that it occurs to one that he might
make an excellent living on the variety
stage. Not that Mr.. DAILY is in any sense
an acrobatic buffoon. On the contrary.
his chief merit lies in his ability to ex-
tract hidden humor from almost any sort
of line and win ready response thereby.
But he is a conglomeration of all sorts
of vfrtues-a human medley of such mer-
it that one cannot resist bestowing upon
him the most fulsome praise. Mr. Daly
deserves every iota Of his success, and 1t
is only to be hoped that he will soon have
more to deserve.
The times., 1898-11-20

American guns lead an attack on the
enemy. While loading and firing. the
stirring strains of the battle song of our
navy. Three Cheers for the Red, White
and Blue" penetrate the uproar Just in
the nick of time. a war ship appears in
rhe harbor, bombards the fort, batters
down the walls. and Uncle Sans tars
pour through the breach to the rescue of
their imprisoned ceuntrymen. This scene
is described as being ingenious in device
and finely realistic in effect.
The play deals with war and love
American courage. Cuban cowardice and
The times., 1898-11-20
LnfnyeIie-..rhe fortune reller..

Alice Nielsen, the latest, the youngest
and the prettiest of comic opera stars.
will appear tomorrow night at the Lafay-
ette Square Opera House, presenting for
the first time in this city Victor Herbert
and Harry B. Smiths Fortune Teller"
The success achieved by Miss Nielsen and
her company for many weeks recently at
Wallack's Theater IN New York, was re-
markable. Dictionaries must have been
ransacked to have provided the string of
laudatory epithets that We're used criti-
cally to describe her beauty. her talent.
her voice and her verve, and yet all the
extravagant praise showered upon her
seems to have been only the reward of
true merit.
The times., 1898-11-20
Academy-.superbn.,

Reiunevated and renewed. Hanlons
"Superba" comes to the Academy tomor-
row night for the usual weeks engage
ment. The company includes Charles
Guyer, the Powers Brothers. Helois Du-
pont. Elouina Oldcastle. Ada Zell, Eva
Randolph, Airline Athens and others.
The times., 1898-11-20
Way Down En,t.v

Phoebe Davies. Odel Williams. Forrest
Robinson. Walter NJ. Hodges. John Bum
ny. Senator Frank Bell, Sarah Stevens,
Ella Hugh Wood. and Louise Galloway
form the cast which is to present Lottie
Blair Parker's rustic drama, way Down
East" this week at the National Theater.
There will be matinees on Wednesday.
Thursday and Saturday.
The times., 1898-11-20

bert and Goldie. an unusual pair of side
walk ugh-provokers; Crawley and Faw-
ley. with their black-faced turn; the Bur-
man Sisters, serio-comics; Lizzie Van,
who sings rag-time melodies in a synco-
pated manner. and Sadie Cushman. the
most perfectly formed woman on the va
riety stage. Daily matinees.
The times., 1898-11-20

Spanish intrigue are effectively contrast
ed. the heart interest being vividly ap-
pealing and the tragedy relieved by
strong vein of comedy. Patriotism per-
vades the whole production.
The scenes picture a hacienda near
Havana, rugged mountain path, an old
Spanish fort and an army camp. The
stage settings have been painted by Wal
ter Burridge from photographs taken in
Cuba. 0yertures and incidental music
based upon our national airs are said to
have been specially composed for the Of
fering- In the cast, as will be noted
above. are such well-knOwn players as
Gertrude Quinlan. Ida Mcmillan, Maude
Hosford, Lottie Alter. Charles Kent, Ray
mond Hitchcock. Stephen Wright, David
Murray, r. F. Sullivan. C. b. Poor. w. S.
ST. Claire, C. NJ. Raphun, C. ii. Stewart,
John Ince, jr.. E. Duncan and Hazel
Kirk Clarke.
The production has enjoyed the personal
supervision of Frank J. Keenan,, stage di-
rector of 1.-The Christian"
The times., 1898-11-20
PRESS AGENTS ROUND TABLE.

James Forbes, who was here last week
ahead OF The Red. White and Blue.
has an inexhaustible supply of stories and
they are always on tap for his newspa-
per Enthusiastically when his attrae-
tion happens TO be booked for an early
engagement in the particular city that
boasts Of his presence at the time. One
OF the best OF these tales concerns Stuart
Robson and is really funny. irrespective
of its verify. Mr.. Forbes says that the
comedian has a pronounced weakness for
high-priced cigars but combines with
this extravaganza a certain rigid eceno-
my which finds expression in his deter
mination to consume to the smallest pos
sIble extremity the object of his lavish
outlay Members of his company have
in consequence. a wholesome respect for
the infinitesimal pieces of tobacco vulgar
ly known as butts" They are invaria-
bly, careful to sean any chair in which
one Of them may be about to sit for fear
OF willfully destroying the atom TO be
found resting thereon. Ida Mcmillan.
who is at present leading woman with
the COlumbia's next attraction, was last
season prominent in Mr.. RObson's sup
porting company and while there had an
tAHtA AE4lNF eAN NAAANAA AA4t tAE>1 tAStilt say
she still laughs.
One night Miss Mcmillan and Mr. Rob-
son were standing in the wings awaiting
their respective cues. Clutched firmly in
the stars teeth was the fragment of a
fragrant Havana His turn came first.
but there was no convenient seat in sight
whereon the precious bit could be laid.
Carrying it on the stage was impossible,
for the play was The Comedy of Err
rors." and there Is no record to show
that either Of the DTomios smoked. In
despair the comedian turned to his neigh
Dor and squeaked. Hold it." She laugh
ingly assented. but n moment later was
astonished 10 note an expression of anx-
iety on his face and to observe that he
was walking in her direction. Certain
that she had missed her cue, Miss Nc
MILAN became possessed of the idea that
Mr.. Robson had come to apprise her of
her lapse of memory She was just about
to rush on, trusting to some lucky chance
TO set her right. when the star stopped,
and she heard in a stage whisper the IA
rniliar lisp:
Say, Miss Mcmillan. it's going out
puff up.'
The times., 1898-11-20

months now, and has appeared In so mar
row range of parts that it would seem
impossible for him to vary his work. and
yet the little fellow is seldom twice alike
He has a quick eye for opportunities,
and obtains more smiles in the course of
performance than all the remainder of
the organization combined. Moreover, he
Is both industrious and energetic. The BIZ
jou management should endeavor to Sc
cure more like him.
Speaking of uniquities-thIs word Is not
in the dictionary-anybody who can resist
laughing at Sparrow should consult an
undertaken about his sense of humor
The Great Sparrow is totally different
from any other performer who ever reach
ed Washington. and his methods, II rath-
er coarse. are enjoyable ON that account.
Those who visited Kernan's last week
can attest that there have been better
jugglers here, but 1t is doubtful IL there
has ever been seen a man more capable
of tickling the risibles of an audience.
From the time he enters, dressed in an
oii-cloth suit. until he leaves with the
broken fragments of a pumpkin on his
head, the house does little but applaud.
The whole act is novelty. and novelties
are SO scarce now that the discoverer of
one deserves commendation.
There was a great deal Of virtue in the
supporting company which accompanied
Charles b. Hanford at the Columbia last
week, and none of the members possessed
larger share of 1t than Paul G. Taylor,
the Launceiot Gobbo in The Merchant of
Venice Mr.. Taylor was seen here In
the same part with Keene. and made a
most excellent impression. He reads well
and has at the same time an aDDreciat ion
OF the low comedy in the role that wins
an audience TO him directly. Moreover.
the actor looks comic and-no unkindness
meant-just stupid enough for the ser
want of the Jew. His impersonation is
undoubtedly one of the best ever given
the part. possessing with all its ciownish-
ness certain dignity and restraint that
prevents its lapsing into puerile non
sense. Mr.. Taylor was seen in a variety
of other roles while here. and in all sue
ceeded in proving his earnestness and in
te ueence
The times., 1898-11-20
Columbia-.The Red, White, and
RInev

Wherever you see the red and yellow,
b.aze away at it, is a motive which in
spires the actions of the personages who
are introduced to the playgoer in 1.-The
Red. White and Blue" a timely patriotic
work, which will be presented this week
at The Columbia Theater
The characters who figure in this real
istic military drama are humble marine,
"A chaplain, a veteran of 81, a naval
lieutenant, soldier and lover; a war cor
respondent. breezy and brave: End an
American woman. tender and courageous.
No episode in the piece is more likely to
stir the emotions of an audience than the
defense of wounded soldiers and suffering
reconcentrados by the fair ''gringoes."
who. in response to the command of the
heroine. LET American women handle
The times., 1898-11-20

show and pounded drum in the band.
Washburn was the father of variety In
this country and many Of the best men
on the stage today began their careers
with his wagon combination. I'll tell you
one thing. and that Is that partial sue
cess has made me no dude l never have
photos taken. as I do not want people to
know how really handsome / am until
tney come to the theater. II they knew
they wouldn't come. You may notice by
my Efforts here that 1 know nothing at
an ABOUT making UP. All care is to paint
my race so that 1t looks long and cadav-
erous. Critics call me the solemn come
dian In fact. 1 am one of the happiest
of men. But the term seems to please
and SO. to quote Chimmie Fadden, wat
t'ell?"
The times., 1898-11-20

There are some pretty poor imitation
comedians in the Bijou Stock Company,
and perhaps it is because of this that
Johnny Weber stands out as one who de-
serves a considerable need Of credit. Mr..
Weber has been with the house several
The times., 1898-11-20

Mr.. Forbes is also responsible for an
anecdote regarding Charles Kent. who is
also with The Red. White. and Blue
Mr.. Kent was once in the support of
Edwin Booth and relates that on one oc-
casion. when Don Caesar de Bazan'' was
being done and the star had entered in his
rags, that immortal actor began making
every effort to attract his friends atten-
ton to something or other. Mr.. Kent vas
puzzled when Mr.. Booth managed to come
closer to him and to whisper, Look at
my patriotic foot The gentleman ad-
dressed glanced downward and there. pro-
truding from the wOrn-out shoes were
three of the tragedian's toes, colored, by
the aid of grease paints, vivid rcd,
white, and blue.
The times., 1898-11-20

Mable Amber presented her first adven-
turess during recent engagement. and Is
not impressed with the beauty of the
character. II must say that there is lit
tie satisfaction 10 be found in doing roles
In which one expects the audience 10 hiss
every minute said she. This part 1
have now has some of the most brutal
speeches ever put in a woman's mouth
l like TO hold the sympathy of house.
and nothing is harder for me than trying
to carry the load of its dislike / do not
care how good the work of an adventures
is. she will never be loved by the fem
inine part of her auditors You will re-
member that my first impersonation in
your city was when l did leading business
with Nat Goodwin. In Rupert of Hent-
Eau which will soon be put on, 1 have
character part which is good, but very
brief. In fact, all the female roles of the
piece are small. The play Is fair, but
one cannot well foreteI its reception at
the hands of the public"
The times., 1898-11-20

A few moments after the announce
ment was made that a Hanford-TyIer-
Maciean combination would be on the
road this year a Times man was
introduced to Odette Tyler in a box at
the Columbia. TIE lady had Just split
her glove in applauding the efforts of her
future partner. Charles B. Hanford. and
was apparently not regretting the acct
dent. She said:
Why are We returning to the stage2
Because we love the life and cannot re-
main away from it longer. Ever since
Mr. Maclean and / have been living at
Shepherdstown We have been raising
chickens with incubators and having a
lovely hoydenish life. All the time. how
ever we have contemplated baeksIiding.
and you will remember that We avoided
announcing our retirement as a perma-
nent one. So we acted '-fsomeo and Ju-
iiet to the chickens, allowed the
germ of fame to creep into our sys-
tens. and here we come again-as they
say in the circus-ready to assist in Civ
ing you some fine productions of standard
plays. My new gowns are beauties and I
nope we will get back to Washington so
that you may see them. This union or
combination, as you call II. has been in
preparation for some time, but like Ange-
line. the human snake. we kept the secret
well. No one need say now that a woman
cannot hold her peace"
The times., 1898-11-20

I'VE used to read in our copv books
that familiarity breeds contempt
says Joe Herbert. who is now appearing
with the Alice Nelson Opera Company.
TN going to change that motto 1t
breeds hankruptcy-that's what 1t breeds.
1t bred q crop of !. o. Us for ME and
knocked hole in my pocket book as big
as the leak in the derelict Maria Teresa.
When / was in London last summer / met
a very nice fellow with one of those
names that can never be remembered
He was the image of E.ichard Croker. ac-
cording to pictures 1 had seen of that
gentleman in the papers. / simply couldn't
remember my friends cognomeu, and so
1 Familiarity nicknamed him Croker He
and 1 ran around a good deal together
One morning l went into the barber shop
of the Hotel Cecil for shave There was
Croker in a chair. 1 waxed familiar
again, gave him a slap on the back and
yelled Hello, Crokerr The shock knocked
the lather in his eyes, but as soon as he
| could see he Indignantly said: "Who are
you, sir? What do you mean by assault
ing me?" To my horror the man
wasn't my friend. l apoIogized
! and tried to explain that
thought his name was Croker. I
am Croker he said; Richard Croker, of
New York Wen, 1 apologized some
more. ard we finally became quite con-
genial. There it was again. When l got
| to this country ! was proud of my ac-
quaintance with Croker. 1 told my
| friends abo1t II and / bet on his man.
| Van Wyck That's why 1 say familiarity
| breeds bankruptcy And all this from
George Bowles, who Is representing Miss
Nelson this season and Incidentally dis
| tributing impressions of her company
Manager Grieves. of the Bijou. had a
| unique experience the other nigh, and
the funniest part OF the whole matter is
| that il really occurred The performance
was over and he was walking down
/ Pennsylvania Avpnua uhap
The times., 1898-11-20

Preparations are steadily going on for
the issuance of the Mirrors wonderful
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1898-05-14
Daudet and Animals.

Daudet had lurking kindness for
sinners. He pitied them, for he could
not see how in the long run they could
succeed in anything. But the self right
eous We're more offensive to him. l
think he was right in saying that men
and women who pass for having never
sinned are unpleasant companions, and,
from the day of judgment standard,
perhaps the worst sinners of all. The
sensibility shown in "Jack" and other
works did not extend to animals Dau-
det, though a cigalier, was deaf to the
chirp of grasshopper and cricket. Birds
have no place in his rural sketches. He
could not understand the touching
beauty of the ''last friend" at the poor
mans funeral. Animals were simply
brutes to Daudet. At best they We're
warnings to human beings not to live
merely to eat, sleep and leave posterity
behind them. They sometimes were
vices incarnate Such We're the fox, the
serpent, the scorpion. What selfish,
heartless thing the ant was! 1t had
head if you will, but it was the sort of
head that organizes labor in sooty fac
tory towns. The dog was the beastliest
beast of any. Daudet fled from every
drawing room where he saw a lapdog
Paris Letter in London Truth.