davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times., 1898-12-18
Acahemy-"Down in Dixie. -

machine that Is not new in actual life
is used for the first time on the stage in
one of the most sensational scenes of
Down in Dixie the Southern drama
which Thomas II. Davis and William T.
Keogh present this week at the Academy
with scenic outfit of great magnitude
and large number of novel accessories.
This machine is a genuine cotton COM
press. The heroine of The play, a daunt-
less Carolina girl, Immediately after her
romantic secret marriage to a manly
young Southerner. is made a captiye bv
an overseer who has been an unsuccess-
ful sutor for her love Imprisoned by
him in a cotton warehouse, she escapes
from her place of confinement and hides
beneath some flooring. where she over
hears the overseer and a rascally black
mailer forming a scoundrelly plot and sees
them overpower a naval officer, who sus-
poets them. They put him in the COM
press, set fire to the place, start the ma
chinery and take flight. The heroine
bursts into the room and drags the Off
GERS body from the very jaws of DEATH
This Is but one of several exploits per-
formed by her. The production of the
drama, with its views of Georgia and
Carolina homesteads and cotton fields,
and its host of merry darkeys is said to
be exceedingly picturesque. A musical
band of pickaninnies themselves importa-
tions from Down in Dixie is an impor-
tant adjunct to the presentation.
The times., 1898-12-18
Bijou-yaudeviIIe.

In these days Of conventionality 1t Is
only rarely that vaudeville shows possess
any variety. and it is because OF the very
scarcity of meritorious attractions that
this weeks bill at the Bijou may be
eagerly looked forward to. In compiling
his list of people, Manager Grieves is said
to have not only examined into the merit
of their acts, but into their novelty and
their variances. Accordingly, the coming
series of entertainments should be un-
usually enjoyable. Press Eldridge, who
is probably the best known of monolo-
gusts, will be the star pro tem., intro
ducing his latest and cleverest talk with
himself. Mayme Gehrue, one Of the
Gehrue Sisters. is to contribute dancing
speciality; Fake and Semon present their
newest sketch; the wonderful Nevaros
are to be seen in several remarkable
gymnastic feats; Tom and George Quigley
offer a skit called THE Toll Gate Keep
ers;" the Brilliant Comedy Four" give
unique musical turn, and the Bijou Bur-
lesque Company close the performance
with well-staged travesty. The enter
tainment should be most pleasing one,
and will probably draw accordingly.
The times., 1898-12-18

present her remarkable version of Car
men," The actresses conception of the
wayward and inconstant cigarette girl IL
renowned for its abandon but withal the
portrayal is that of "A woman who can be
az sincere at times as she Is at others gay
and hoydensh. The movement of the
original story is pursued to its familiar,
tragic climax, with the wanton's death
at the hands of Don Jose.
On Wednesday night Miss Nethersole
gives 1.-The Termasant" for the first time
in Washington. This romantic drama is
by LouissN. Park and Murray Corson
was originally produced by the star with
success at Her MajestS's Theater, Lon
don. ard had its American premiere in
Philadelphia ten days ago. It's story con-
Germs Beatrix. Princess of Moya. The
royal maid is called s1he Termagant'' be-
cause of her capricious moods. A stranger
herself to the tender passion of love. she
SCOTS at its presence among her women
jestfully holding what She terms 'A
Court of Love" to mock the passion. Into
the fete comes Roderigo, royal mariner.
just returned from unknown seas. whittier
he has sailed with Columbus. Unkempt
and shaggy, he is mistaken for a luckless
wanderer and ordered from the ground
by mlady and her gallants But Rod
erigo is made of sterner stun than the
befrilied popinjays who seek to rout him,
and so valiantly and wittily does he
triumph that my lady is won to admira-
tion. This emotion enjoys graduation un-
til 1t eliminates In affection and the sur
render of the proud dame to the sailor.
The times., 1898-12-18
Columbia "a HachcIor's Honey
Ino0n.v

The Offering for this week at the Column
bia Theater will be "a Bachelors Honey
moon" This farce, the work of John
Stapleton, was produced something over
a year ago ct Hoyt's Theater, New York.
and ran there for six weeks. 1t has since
been on the road without intermission
and has proven so profitable that at the
beginning of its second season n dupli-
cate company began taking the piece
over a Western circuit.
The plot of the play is not founded on
an unusual basis but 1t is supposedly a
good one, and is spoken of as affording
almost innumerable complications. 1t
concerns the efforts of one John Bache-
lor TO conceal several important facts
in his domestic life. Mr. Bachelor has
been married early TO n young woman
who has died and left him in charge of
two buxOm daughters. Despite the aver
sion of these girls to a step-mother, he
finally falls in love with a notorious ac-
tress, Juno Joyce, and weds her. Having
done this he discovers that her dislike for
children is as great as that of his off,
spring for step-mothers and consequently
finds himself engulfed in predicament in
which he is only plunged deeper ty his
efforts TO lie out of the trouble. From
this affair come innumerable mixtures
particularly amusing to everyone hut
Bachelor. The play made something of
an impression on the occasion OF its last
visit to Washington and should have no
difficulty in attracting good houses this
week
The presenting company is said to be
one of exceptional strength, and j-
headed by George F. Nash, who Is well
known to local theater-goers Those who
saw "Chimmie Fadden" will readily re-
call Mr.. Nash as Mr.. Paul, The blase man.
about-town with a decided penchant for
small bottles. In "A Bachelors Honey
moon. AIR. Nash is credited with having
a part much to his liking Another mem
Der of the company who is well known in
this city is Godfrey Stein, a Washing
| tonian, whose last appearance here was
I as a member OF the Columbia Stock
| Company. Edith Athelstone, a charming
and talented young lady who was form
erly with Mr.. A. NJ. PaImers That
Man" will also have prominent role
Others in the cast are Irnia LaPier. Jessie
Burnett and James r. Pittman, 1r
The times., 1898-12-18
The Mutoscopc.

The mutoscope which is now on exhibit
ton at l211 Pennsylvania Avenue is night
ly drawing crowded houses and is said 20
have aroused no end of focal interest. A
series of photographs are taken of a mov-
ing object by a special camera at the
rate of forty per second. one scene thus
being represented over a thousand times.
the mutoscope being the machine by
which the pictures are then presented to
the eye. Among those who have submit
ted themselves TO the Instruments camera
and who are now being shown here are
President Mckinley, the Prince of Wales
the Emperor of Austria, the Emperor of
Germany, Capt. Sigsbee. Sir Henry Che
ney. Col. F. d. Grant Gov.-elect Roose-
velt, Ii Hung Chang, and many others,
while permission was given and all neces-
sary assistance rendered for the photo
graphing of the new disappearing gun at
Sandy Hook. the Empire State Express.
and the jubilee procession which occurred
last year in London. All these pictures
are now being exhibited making the mu-
toscope as much an object of instruction
as of amusement
The times., 1898-12-18

seen here befope and the emphatic hit it
made then is well remembered. not only
because the entertainment given was a
most enjoyable one with any number of
delightful features, but also because it
was presented by an ail-round cast of
brilliant people seldom found in one or
ganization. Anna Held is the biggest
kind of a favorite with the Washington
public, which -hould take liberal advan-
tago of the novelty of seeing her in an
English-speaking part This is one of the
first she has ever attempted, but her
treatment of the role is sad to be an
artistic bit of work, portraytng the true
spirit of the Parisian-born coquette. Miss
Held fiirts with her eyes, her mouth. her
fingers and her feet, weaving a mesh of
magnetic attraction for her masculine ad-
mirers in the play that to many is quite
irresistible. The chanteuse is effective
and pretty. exquisitely proportioned and
a thorough actress. 1t has been remark
ed that she can do more in five seconds
with her lashes than Anthony Comstock
can undo in five years.
In addition to flirting and frolicking her
way through the mazes of '"rhe French
Maid" as the merry Suzette, the fair
Anna will offer an entirely new special
lty in the second act Of the piece When
The times., 1898-12-18
FRIENDS OF LAST WEEK.

Much comment was heard last week re-
garding a criticism published in The
Times on the work of William Winter
Jefferson in the role of Bob Acres While
it was universally admitted that his per-
formance was not up TO the standard,
there were many who wished TO make al
lowances for his age and limitations, and
who, therefore, considered the review to
be somewhat brutal There was, of course,
no intention of unSindness in this article,
but rather desire TO fully temper JUS
reason why young Mr.. jefferson should
not be considered in the same light with
his fellow-players. When one buys 4
purse he asks only about price and ma
terial, nor would he be satisfied should
some error in the manufacture be excused
to him by a remark to the effect that the
case had been made by child. Private
interests do not take hold in matters of
business. a purchaser desires only to get
the worth of his money, and cannot be
expected to forego that privilege for the
sake of sentiment.
So, though it be commendable to en-
courage ability and to foster talent, there
is no reason why the theatergoer should
be asked to pay for the training of its
possessor or TO accept what he produces
until that production is thorough
ly meritorious. 1t is true that
the cast seen in support of Mr..
Jefferson was alone worth the
price of admission" but this is no
argument in favor of the youthful star
| The purse aforementioned might have
been made of the finest leather and yet
been spoiled by a single careless stitch
In worse company the lads work might
| not have shown to bad advantage. bu'
+. beside men like Otis Skinner and Wiltor
| Lackaye and Vernen Charges 1t lacked
| weight and finish. New York audience.
were given a perfect performance ant
there was no reason why Washington
| should not have had the same benefit
Certainly. Joseph Jefferson could no
have prevented his own illness nor hav,
been expected to appear under such dis
tressing circumstances. but there ar,
| plenty of able men in the country whit
The times., 1898-12-18

she is 10 gladden. :he hearts of her femi-
nine friends by wearing a gorgeous gown
of continental design ana conception thar
is supposedly incrusted all over with
brilliant jewels, the whole costing in the
neighborhood of SJ1O90
The company to be seen In support in
cludes many of the original New York
cast, which was brought here last season.
and is headed by Charles A. Bigelow.
who can produce more laughs in a short
er space of time than any other fun
maker alive. Hallen Mostyn claims at
tention, too, for his artistic conception
of the part of a jolly sea-dog in the
British navy. He has the rolling gait, the
breezy style and all the awkwardness of
manner and personality that belong to
the real jack tar of the old school. Eva
Davenport does some excellent burlesque
acting as Lady Hawser, while Yolande
Wallace is pleasing to look at and Mamie
Forbes is said TO dance like a fairy.
! George Honey. Edouard Jose, William
Armstrong, f. J. Heron, Matt Woodward.
and Augustus Sohlke also have conspi-
cuous eharacterizations in the presenta-
ton. One of the many new features OF
1.-The French Maid" this season is an cleo
tric fountain which throws a shower OF
flowers upon the players as the final cur
tain falls.
The times., 1898-12-18
ssTrlllY.'

No one with a love for the beautiful can
afford to disregard the presence in this
city of Ashley cooper's remarkable paint
ing, ''Trilby," which is now being exhib-
tied at 1909 Pennsylvania Avenue. The
painting is undoubtedly one of the finest
ever shown in this city and has attracted
the most enthusiastic praise from those
w'no have visited 1t. The picture repre-
sents Trilby, the most famous of DuAlau-
rier's heroirsz, posing in the nude. The
flesh tints are as near perfect as in any
like work of art. while the draperies FORM
ing the background of the canvas are not
infrequently mistaken for real. SO well
have they been portrayed. The figure Is
wonderful creation-inaccurate only In
the fact that no woman since the time OF
Venus probably has possessed the wonder
! full form shown. The entire work deserves
| the highest praise and cannot be toe
strongly commended. 1t is on exhibition
| daily.
The times., 1898-12-18
Lnfayette-olga Nether.ole.

Perhaps the most notable. engagement
of the week in this city will be that of
Olga Nethersole at the Lafayette Square
Opera House. Miss Nethersole is now at
the beginning of the fourth successful
week of her American tour, Cleveland,
Philadelphia, and Baltimore having been
the cities visited. In all of these the bust
ness done has been remarkable and there
is every indication that the local book
ing will prove as profitable.
The repertoire to be given here is a
great one. Tomorrow night the English
actress will be seen in 1.-THE Second Mrs.
Tanqueray," play originally done by
Mrs. Kendall, but which was written by
A W. Pinero especially for Miss Neither
sole. Other contracts interposed, how
ever, and it was not until this season
that the star was enabled to produce the
piece. She is said to have made an in
stantaneous hit with 1t and should add
much to her laurels by its means.
On Tuesday night Miss Nethersole will
The times., 1898-12-18

exhibition has never been given in Wash
ington to any but the largest audiences.
and there seems to be small probability
that this rule will be broken soon. These
pictures show admirably the wonderfully
intelligent manner liz which the poor
peasants of Oberamergau enact the story
of the cross. Every Cmotion. every ges-
ture and expression Is perfectly repro
duced. with the result-that-the spectators
are so impressed that frequently several
minutes eiapse beforH the applause that
invariably follows the accompanying lee
ture CT Prof James Skelly breaks out.
Special vocal music will be rendered at
today's performances II. DuShane Glow
ard ard b. A. Yewell singing the Incl
dental selections. The box Office at the
Colombia will be kept open for the sale
of seats.
The times., 1898-12-18
kernnn,.-uixh Roller Burlesquers.

"The Paresis Club" and "a Lady OF
Quantity are the two musical comedies
to be presented by the High Roller Bur
lesouers'' this week at Kernan's. Both
are to be done with the aid of specially
PAINTED scenery, elaborately arranged
light effects and all the other accessories
which add so much to productions OF the
sort. Six clever comedians and score OF
the prettiest women on the variety stage
are said to aid in making the enterta!n-
ments enjoyable. Sandwiched between
these sketches are numbr of first-ciass
vaudeville acts that should provoke wide
attention. Lew Randall will introduce
some of his newest ideas in sand dancing.
Ed Miller and a half dozen members OF
the company contribute a skit known as
1.-THE New Professor" beautiful Sylvia
Star is seen in series of living pictures.
and the remainder of the bill is made up
of a number of other people of note.
There will be the usual daily matinees.
The times., 1898-12-18
THE PASSING SHOW.

This year has been a notable one for
full plays-or what few of them have
been done-and unsuccessful plays have
in most cases been attributable to men
and women never before heard of in a
dramatic way. Mansfield's "Cyrano de
Bergerac'' and Annie RusseIl's Gather
ine' are both by authors hitherto un-
known, while any number of the less
prominent presentations have emerged
from beneath the hands and pens of new
comers in the field. Among this class
must be considered Sidney Wilmer and
Walter Vincent, whose excellent farce,
"a Stranger in a Strange Land" made
so favorable an impression last week at
the Columbia While both writers have
tried their ability in the line of theatric
offerings before, the attempts have al
ways met with so little success that the
name of neither is familiar to the most
parcticed amusement-lover Nevertheless
in their present effort the aspirants have
proven themselves possessed of me-
chanical knowledge and skill rare in the
best known of contemporary .construc-
tors
"a Stranger in Strange Land" is one
of the most novel comedies of the sort
ever seen here. OF course, from farcieal
point of view, the word novelty has its
limits. An excess of uniquity would
probably be more disastrous to such a
work than complete lack of that estima-
BILE quality. There are in the world of
lighter dramatics only certain number
of episodes, situations and plots of rec
ognized humor, and the best one can do Is
to handle these inl such a way that they
may not be readily identified. "a Stran-
ger in a Strange Land is built on the
ancient foundation of mistaken identity.
The characters that realize it's story are
most familiar-a bold. bad youth with
some ability at telling lies when that
form of misdemeanor becomes .neces-
sary. detective with a fondness for i'm
The times., 1898-12-18
The Wnrrruph.

New matter is being continually added
to the series of moving pictures now being
shown by the Wargraph in Metzerott Hall.
Much of this is in the form of photographs
that were taken during the progress OF
the late ..unpleasantness. but which
have just reached this country All OF
the views shown are said to be extremely
thrilling, and are quite as instructive as
The times., 1898-12-18
NntionaI-.The French Maid,

So successful and widely popular pro-
duction as that of THE French Maid"
with the added attraction of beautiful lit
tie Anna Held in the title role. should
prove an irresistible magnet to theater-
goers this week. when it comes 10 the
National. THE French Maid" has been
The times., 1898-12-18

they are interesting. Business continues
excellent and there is small probability
that the engagement will be brought to a
close for some time yet. Performances
take place daily at the hours of 2:15, AIS
and $50.
The times., 1898-12-18
The rn..lon Play pisture.,

The remarkable local run of the "Pas-
sion Play" pictures will be heightened by
the giving of two special performances to-
day at the Columbia. One of these Will
occur at 4:15 and the other at SIS The
The times., 1898-12-18

1t Is with considerable pleasure that
one notes the booking OF n return en-
gagement for the Rogers Brothers, whose
clever conceit, "a Reign of Error" was
presented here so early in the season
that the business done was hardly in ac-
cordance with the attractions. merit
John ]. McNally, who is responsible for
the vehicle. is one of the country's best
known and most successful playwrights,
his good fortune in fitting May Irwin
having acted as much in that stars be-
half as has her own ability. "A Reign of
Error" is witty in the extreme and gives
room for any number of pleasing inter-
polations. The talented Rogers Broth
ers. whose work with the Casino reviews
will be remembered. have provided for
the Interpretation of these additions by
supplying the most remarkable company
of its sort ever seen in Washington.
Among the members of this organization
are Maude Raymond "a vaudeville per-
former of note: George Caine. late lead
ing woman with Lost, Strayed or Stol-
en- and THE Girl From Paris Ada
Lewis. whose tough girl in The Widow
Jones' will rank with the best character
creations OF the times: La Petite Ade-
laide, well known for her dancing with
THE Merry World and 1.-The Lady
Slavey;" George Marion. a character
coElSulan OIL ftpuldIOH, 1dTTie EUtflS
and other reputable players.
Messrs. Klaw & Erlanger have added
the most costly and tasty costumes for
the production, while the scenery, proper
ties and electric effects will be recalled
as having been uniformly of the first
| class. In consequence. "A Reign of Err
ror' is one of the most enjoyable contri-
buttons of the year and sense of the in
justice done when the presenting troupe
was last here leads one to trust that busi-
ness during the coming engagement will
be more in accordance with the snow 5
worth.
The times., 1898-12-18

Most actors write verse, as most press
agents write plays, without the slightest
idea of the rudiments of the labor in
which they are engaged. The average
amateur poet knows something less CT
meter than n gas Inspector. and his pro-
ducts are not, therefore, especially en-
joyable. But Wilton Lackaye is an
author of different mold. many of the
lines he has contributed to The Times
having possessed real merit. The star
has lately written a satirical account OF
the reform work that has been accom-
plished recently in New York The poem
is entitled "A Ballad of Broadway" and
reads:
All, what fine sport on the night Broadway.
Sport for you girls whom the fools call gay.
Leering for lust or the price Of drink
Watchful OF eye-with tread that's slinkl
The "Centrals' are out and the ward-man won't
shirk;
Moral srasIn. D. D., says disguised men must
CA discharge il the officer tiares to reiuse)
II his store clothes deceive you, look out for
cop shoes
Fight if you're caught. like a wild beast at bay!
Ho. for the sport of the night-Broadwsy!
Ho, for the sport OF the night Broadway,
Where can find such hunt in the day?
Sport for the pckpocSet, plying his trade
Your peril for him vacation has made.
Sport for the scribe-what story you make.
Funnier far than item he'd fake
Sport for the officer seeking his stars
You're making his record behind prison bars
Isns have banned you and ologies say,
Man made the debt, but the Woman must pay!
Ho. for the sport of the night Broadway.
IIo! for the sport OF the night Broadway!
Maudie and Ruby and Trixie and May,
preacher is stalking you, jinglinE the wage
Paid by dull dupes for his fine .Christian'' rage
He'll send out rosy-cheeked Sunday school lad,
Bid him fiirt with you-wanton5-then swear that
you're bad.
Cheat men, and blk 'em, and rob IL you can;
If you don't, you'll be cruelty whipped by that
man.
Wolfsh-eyed ''souteneur," watching to prey
From the time you turn out till the time you
decay.
Ho. for the sport OF the night Broadway!
Ho! for the sport of the night Broadway.
Hark. 'Tis the eve of Gods birthday.
Christmas chimes, here, en- the crispy air;
Toy-laden children are laughing. there.
Happy mothers and daughters pure.
Guarded by love and we'll sheltered from lure
Freedom of purse for the waits of the street,
But no mercy for Magdalen. prone at their feet!
No Charity. Faith lost and Hope-not a raw!
Death II from that one commandment YOU
stray.
All, for the woes of the night t-Broadway!
ENyoI.
Father and mother, and maker of laws:
Priest and policeman and Pharisee-paussk
But for this friend Of Magdalens, mercy, today--
Your daughters the quarry on night broadway! T!
A miniature sensation was caused in
theatrical circles last week by the pub
lication of the Christmas Mirror. an edi-
The times., 1898-12-18

A miniature sensation was caused in
theatrical circles last week by the pub
lication of the Christmas Mirror. an edi-
The times., 1898-12-18

Father and mother, and maker OF laws;
Priest and policeman and Pharisee-paussk
But for this friend Of Magdaen's mercy, voday--
Your daughters the quarry on night broadway T!