The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-02-08

III The New Yorker is distinctly loyal.
He makes for himself certain traditions
and adheres to them. Certain streets,
certain manners, certain drives, and
most positively certain theaters are given
the stamp Of his approval, and from that
time on are recognized. y first night at
one Of the approved theatres means, if
YOU are in the audience, the seeing not
only of a properly presented play, but
of a wonderful gathering of people
] Probably one Of the best first nights OF
. the season is that which introduces the
stock company at tine Empire 1heater.
In the first place - IS theater ad-
mirably adapted, by its background and
drapingS of deep crimson to bring out
the gay costumes, and to intensity the
bright faces Of the fair sex. Women
understand this and eagerly accept an
invitation to be one of the audience.
There is always certain to be present
at a first night not only the fashionable,
but the artistic set as we'll. There Will
be all of the critics, from Hillary Bell.
with his classic face and silvery hair,
in Il perfect evening get-up, down to Viii
lie Winter, with his sad face, disarrang
Ell colffure and dowdy appearance. Each
one knows that Il first night at the
Empire will mean inspiration to his pen
Then the writer's turn out-the writer
alike of books. of editorials, as we'll as
of plays. There is Bronson Howard
who wrote "Aristocracy." Il little man.
keen looking, and with an air of fright
hess about him that Is wonderful sug-
gestive OF a c0ntonted life. Why should
he not lie contentcd He has been sue
Charles Wyndham, the English actor. as
she talks to him, proves by her anlma-
tion that he has beside him always an
interesting companion. There is David
BeiaScO. to whom we owe the Heart
of MaTyland' and many another good
play. He looks like Il Catholic priest
of Spanish descent, and suggests, while
he is quiet, the deep student, but when
a smile comes over mis- face one wonders
whether, after all, he is not only a hap
py boy Of twenty. Another successful
playwright Is certain to be at the EN-
pire's first night S Madeline Iucette
RyIcy. Tiny Of build. fair of coloring
and daintily dressed. she is Il living con
tradiction ot the idea that a woman
writer must be ordinary to look upon
and untidy in appearance.
FASHION IN LIE BOXES.
How the fashionable women are dress
cd. There is scarcely Il bonnet to be
seen anywhere. Brilliant bandeaux OF
jewels flash from beautifully dressed
heads. tiny aigretteS of feathers stand
up high in the air, but the big hat is
OstraciZed. Never at any time in the
history of dress, since the days Of the
grand Louis, was there such richness,
and tonight II seems as if every wo-
man had put on her finest frock, her
richest laces, her most elegant furs, and
then flashed all her jewels upon the
eyes of the l0OBers-On SO that every
thing might gain by contrast with them.
Soon it is time for the curtain to 60
up. Then there is silence, for this is
a polite audience. There Is time to
look at the title on the programme
The COnqUerors.' What does this
mean! Up, with Il certain sOlemnity,
rise the heavy curtain, and there before
YOU Is the picture that tells what the
name mean. Have You seen the picture
before: 1t is the interior of Il grea;
French castle. The furniture. belonging
to an era gone by, is magnificent in its
antiquity. Correct in every detail, all
about the room are various bits that
tell of the luxury enjoyed by gentle
women. On the walls hang Old family
portaits; but, alas! though the castle is
French. though the pictures on the wall
are those of the old French noblesse
yet sitting at the tables drinking and
smoking are the German conquerors.
Playing on the beautiful French piano
Is a young uhlan. who is singing. not
some pretty French chan>On, but ''Wein
N"lb, und GeSang. The faces on the
wall have been made ridiculous by the
chalk held in the hands of an enemy.
y French Duke has modern high hat
put upon him and holds in his rams an
angry cat. \ lady of the time of Mime.
de pOmpadour is decorated with whisk
ers and displays at a ridiculous angle a
tiny parasol. SO that the mighty have
fallen. After the first applause ii few
lines are said, and suddenly there rlshcs
on the stage Il big, dashing, handsome
German to protest because he cannot
do as he wants. and he wants to make
Il playhouse Of the French chapel. Not
Il second ciapSes before the house is
hl!ed with sincere applause. It IS to
Welcome Favcrsham, the young diStingue
leading man of the company.
WELCOMING THE ACTORS.
Scarcely have the echoes died and he
mas Just finished bowling his acknowl-
"d2emcntS when in from the rooms of the
'"I"ef"d there comes gentle priest
ana then the applause begins again
inns Inn" for Crompton. and somebody
III til" audiences says. with an affection
th;it all the audience feels. Give an cx-
ira mana for dear old Crompton.'
soon thE creature quantity dressed
with her faIr hair arranged i'm stiff
rurlS. appears, who, before She has
time to enter her complaint or can tell
that Il t'renchman, even if he wore the
conqueror. would not take the pet of a
lady. or can beg for the return of her
trained squirrel, is looking into the eyes
of the audience, and everybody is laugh
ing and clapping and smiling a welcome
again and again to Ida Conquest. the
clever little soubrettc,. who has the won
derful art of never over or under act
lnG her part. There is a deal Of en-