The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-20

qualities and the correctness with which
| 1t is rendered. He is an artist, and a
credit to the musical talent of the city.
| Mr. John Mason. who had appeared on
| but one previous occasion In Houston, next
recited THE Quiet Lodger,' an eccentric
creation of James Whitcomb Riley, and
| IN response to an encore presented an
amusing dialect poem In the shape of Joel
| Bentons Kodak Fiend." The contrast
between the two selections served TO show
Mr.. Masons versatility. THE Quiet Lotg
en- requires "A considerable amount of dra-
matte fire and intensity to make it effect
I've, and Mr. Mason got out of it all there
was in 1t. The Kodak Fiend' was equally
| pleasing, the manner in which the dialect
was handled being especially commenda-
| BILE
| Following this Miss Bessie Hughes sang
u beautiful soprano solo entitled Spring
Song" by Well The audience demanded
more and she responded with "The Harp
| That Once Thro' Tara's Halls" which
was all the more effective on account OF
! TIE fact that 1t was apropos to the occa-
zion. Miss Hughes has an eXcsllent voice
and knows how to use it. Her first mum
Der was made more effective by a violin
oblisato played by Mr.. Mason
| The last musical number was composed
of two choruses Of ladies' voices entitled
respectively the Cradle Song" by
| Brahm, and The Song of the Fairies, .
| by Smart. These were rendered in 4 very
acceptable manner by the ladies who par
tlcipated in the mixed chorus with which
the programme was commenced.
Mr.. A, b. Kidd acted as accompanist
during the evening, which is as much as
TO say that all the accomplishments were
well played.
Captain Butoheson's Grafton came next.
the stage being occupied by a number OF
the Sharks while he was speaking. Cap
tain Hutcheson's oratorical abilities are
so we'll known as to make comment SUI
pcrfluous. The beautiful word picture he
presented must have been heard to have
been appreciated, and any report of it
would necessarily give only very made
quate idea OF its excellence The speak
er's initial appearance was greeted by a
spontaneous outburst of applause and the
climaxes of his address throughout elected
genuine and hearty evidences of appre-
citation.
Last, but by no means least, came the
farce entitled. "The Charms of Music"
wherein the havoc wrought in a uuiet New
England household by would-be COM
poser was portrayed. Probably the best
WORK of the evening was that Miss Sadie
Timmins who played the part of Mrs.
rhorne. who was driven from the protec-
| tlon OF her home by the alleged musical
genius who was rampant there. and then
was driven back again by Joe Smiths
bull, Miss Timmns' portrayal of the
character was an easy and graceful one
and In her cllmaxes she showed ability of
which even trained professional might
well be proud.
made her altogether Irresistible. This
was her maiden effort In the amateur the
atrlcnl line, but one ignorant OF this fact
would never have become cognizant OF II
Trough her Interpretation of the char
acter Of Eva Thorne. She was entirely
free from any embarrassment and entered
so thoroughly into the spirit OF her WORT,
as TO remove from II any evidence of
amate,Tishness or forced and unnatural
acting which qualities are so objection
ahle IN performance OF this character.
Tho flowers and the hearty applause that
her delightful portrayal OF the part ellie
ability. 40
M, A. @. Powell had part eminent,y
suited TO him in that OF Hamilton Hir-
sue Hamilton, the long haired eceen-
,Iloity who sought secluson in the We'll or
10 most any old place when he had an
idea. Mi. Powell Is endowed by nature
Win droll and thoroughly amusing
manner aud this he used TO good eject
IN me part be portrayed. out of which he
got all II contained. His every appear
.ance was the signal for hand clapping and
ianghter on the part OF the audience.
INC part OF Elizabeth, the New ENGLAND
mouse maid. was to have been taken Inv
MIS-. n. G. Munger. but she, unforn,-
nateiy. suecumbed 10 an attack Of illness
ohiy a day before the performance. This
was heavy lose To the cast. but. nothing
dannted, Mr.. John Mason, under whose
etiieient direction the piece was produced.
made up as "cullud lady" ana plsyed
me part OF the servant In a manner winch
noth pleased aud amused hIs audience. on
eaurse he had his professional experle,ca
70 draw on, but even then the s,tuatlon'
ONT Of which he came with flying colrrs
ws5 a trying one. His business" IN tia
scene where Eva saw the mouse WAS The
hi OF the evening. 80 '"'
Nr, W, Y. Kendall. yr.. played the mart
OF walter Thorne. the head OF the bomsn-
heln, y an cminently satisfactory man
nrr ne Is the possessor az consider
ts'ea' IN this line and he never appea-ed
70 better advantage than on this occasJon
- Vas particularly rood In the scene In
wn'ch he read the letter left by his bet
Inc part OF Richard Douglass. the sum
,r young man who carries on the fair
Eva from under the very noss OF his