The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-03

of which character she has set a stand
ard so high that critical opinion has de-
ciarcd past and future representations OF
the part must be judged from the stand
point Of her rendition.
q q q
A story is current of a trick tried by the
Rogers brothers, recently seen in ST.
Louis with the One Round Of Pleasure
company. It runs this way: Some one
made the rash assertion that clever peo-
pie, real talent. without special favor or
financial backing" had no chance on
the stage in these degenerate days OF the
drama. The assertion was challenged
and wager was made, as result OF
which the Rogers brothers undertook TO
prove that merit would win-thas good
stage work could win public approval even
without prestige or other advantage.
place at Coney island was selected, where
there was certain 20 be a large crowd.
The arrangement with the manager was
simply that two amateur Dutch comedians
would wind up the show with trial
sketch" Jus. before the performance
closed. the comedians. In all the glory OF
grease paint. wigs and boards. but made
up untirely unlike their usual stage APP
pearance. came before the audience. II was
rumored about that two amateurs were 10
take part in the programme. and every
body turned out TO see the fua To the
managers surprise. the comedians made
a veritabie hit. and the innovation made
the audience happy over the rare good
fun. Encore followed encore Meantime
actors from various shows at the island
sweiled the audience until IL was quite
impossible TO carry the deception further.
''I;'s the Rogers brothers, shouted
somebody.
Three cheers for the Rogers brothers."
shouted somebody else. and they were
given with a will by the audience and the
loser paid the bet.
1t is A singular fact that indirectly Rob-
ert c. JngersoiI should be responsible for
the writing OF Wilson Barrett's religious
drama. The Sign Of the Cross Easter
Sunday OF 1894 both Wilson Barrett and
Cot Ingersoil were at the Southern hotel.
ST.. Louis. During the morning J. a. Ora
ham and Homer Brassford, OF the 81.
Louis Republic, called on the actor. They
found him bewailiag the uniucky lot Of
tiny. down-covered chicken that he had
Just received as an appropriate Easter Of
fering
After the chicken had been discussed at
length Mr.. Graham said thar he would
Ike to introduce Mr.. Barrett to Cot In
rersoli. A few moments later the two
men were shaking hands. The ccDversa-
ton. which began III a friendly manner.
spon ,irifted onto the subject OF religion.
Col Insersosi has very decided Ideas on
the subject Of religion. and Mr.. Barrett
has equally decided, although entirely diff
sersnt opinions. The argument ended "a
such arguments Invariably do-neither
convinced the other. and only strengthen
ed his own boi.e!.
Unlike most religious discussions. how
ever. the matter did not end With the
argument, and when that evening the two
journalists sat down to supper IN the
actors room they found him fun OF
new subject. On that occasion quail and
wine had no attraction for Mr.. Barrett.
While his guests ate he talked Il VIII
write a play he said. That vii! appeal
10 the same classes that Col inger@olTs
lectures reach. He riiicuies the Christian
religion zeross the footitghts. / viii show
across the same footEghis the neas.y and
strength and purity Of that faith.
A year later. in the same city where he
conceived the idea OF his play, he present
cd for the sirss time on any stage The
Sisn cf the Cross II ran for over TWO
years In rondon. and II has drawn 70 The
thes.sr thousands that never before saw
4 stage performance. Ministers and
priests have written and preached OF the
power for good OF the play. ard IN 3 re-
cent letter to the management Of the COM
paay now presenting The Sign Of the
Cross" in this country. a Washington cleT-
gysnan wrote: 'Yoar play IS an agreed
nss ansiiose "a Why An an ASnostic. =
HE al not know shat Internationally
Col IEgersoli had furnished this agresa-
bic anss1ose himself.
q . .
ia Guerrero" agho Is 30 play a. the
Renaissance ihsatsr IN Paris IN tss -.