The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1898-07-02

and Dante are almost the only writers
he cares for. He is a seer OF visions
and a dreamer Of dreams, and withal
naif and simple and sensitive, and some
times awe struck before some OF his
dreams il they take possession OF him.
His idea is to express a chara ,ter by
distinguishing every possible detail in
connection with it that plays an essen
sial part. When he must represent an
abstract conception OF a human figure
that he has not seen, but known only
through literature, 1t is impossible for
him to realize by his customary means
his conception. This is what l think
today. wonder how Robins Balzac
will seem to me ten years from now. One
sees it very badly at the Salon, as any
one must feel who. as did, had view
Of it before it was exhibit I'd to the pub
lie. The cross lights are frightful. Civ
ing the weirdest possible look to the
eyes, ferocious shadows to the curl Of
the mustache, and generally unattract-
i've lines to the face.
cara Rejane's new play at the Vau-
devilIe, is deliciously amusing. 10 spite
OF the fact that it is one-role play, and
that it is an artistic mistake FOR Rejane
to want to do that sort of thing. Her
days in the Vaudeville may be numbered
for the story is that she is abont to III
vorce her husband, Porel. and then, of
course she must 60 to another theatre.
The Charles Simon. who, with BertOn
is The author Of cara" is a son Of Jules
Simon. They have made their heroine
out OF one of tho. e cafe chantlnt singers,
who form type as interesting in their
way as Hslevy's little Cardinals. Let
me mention also that cara is accom-
panied by her mother-a Madame Car
dinal of the purest and most interesting
dye, and admiringly done by Grassot,
who ia one of the hest French comedi-
ans. 1t was she who created the part
of one Of the doves in Bisson's The
Dove Cote, which first appeared in Paris
as "JalOuse."
lara sings in the provinces; and il
real life the world is not always gay for
young girls who make their debuts in
cafes in the provinces. They make
their engagements through theatrical
agency, and and generally in virtue of a
commission 10 the agent of something
like fifteen per cent. on the total of the
entire engagement. 1t often amounts to
as much as the entire salary of the first
month. Moreover, in the provinces
theatres are supported by subscribers,
and the subscribers have the right-and
avail themselves Of ito hiss a novice
who does not please them. Tie mana
gers too, had pleasing device Of ar
ranging to have her Kissed if he consid-
ers, upon reflection, that the engagement
has been based upon higher price than
he is willing to pay. The unfledged lit
tie songster, in consequence. far more
often than not, at the end Of her first
month finds herself out. of-doors and in
debt for the agents fee Hers is a hap
by. or unhappy-go lucky, as you will,
bohemian world while one is young in it,
The end is, invariably, that some man
pays her debts and looks out for her.
This is what happened to lara. IL
you know Rejane you can imagine what
a picturesque, original. delightful little
gamin of cafe chantant singer she
made. The whole piece is Reiane. ex-
cept for occasional interludes of her ir-
repressible mother She ends as a star