davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times., 1898-07-31
STAGE GOSSIP OF THE TOWN
Goings and Comings of Local
Theatrical FOX.
TWO STORIES ON BOB DOWNING
Johnny Lancaster and Jimmy Bar
rows Spend Their Vacation on the
POtOmac-Alice Judson Makes m
Hit I'm ''The BeEgar Student.''-Pat-
ten to Go Out Next Season,

Never look a gift horse IN the mouth"
is an old adage. "Beggars cannot be
choosers," Is another and both are good,
though the sharp adventurer OF the
street generally manages to oyerrule
either of them. Theatrical people are
known to be generous even to the point
OF extravaganza and, therefore. they are
preyed upon numerically by these recre-
ants. A little scene was enacted in front
of one of the local hotels last week that
illustrates the meaning of the above re-
marks to dot. IT was in the I'VE sma'
hours" of the morning and the chairs
were crowded with those genial wander
ers, the "profesh." Robert Downing, as
stout as ever. and Drawee. the juSgler,
were among them. Things had gotten
very dull and everyone was waiting
for some ecentricity to turn up md be
turned down. At last the wished for
character came round the corner and
made straight for the building. He was
a little bent-over man who looked ike
a half-opened jack-knife ard had an air
about him that was unmistakab.y Irish
"Tu bet dollar that he has a wife
and five children at home,'' hazarded
Drawee from one end of the porch IF
this was Utah,"' drawled Downing, good
humoredly, I'D make it ten that he had
five wives and a child at home" Other re-
marks were passed, and all sorts of guess
es made as TO the means the little man
would take TO play upon their feelings.
Several had even begun TO think of some
way in which to head him of. and all
the rest had gotten ready to run be-
fore the old-style tale. At last the fell
low reached the porch, and began talk
ing in a whining treble. ''Will you give
me few cents?" was his plea; Just a
few cents 1 have this 'baccy here. and
I want TO smoke. but / haven't the
money to buy a pipe" 1t was unex-
pected. Every one on the porch began
looking for stray coins. and in a few
seconds the beggar had enough 10 pur-
chase a hah-doZen meerschaums. Then
he walked cOoily over TO the one vacant
chair outside and took a seat. From his
pocket he drew a very decent pipe, and
lit it. I've been around ac,ors a long
time" ne said. as he saw some one
about 30 show his advocacy of lynch
law. and I've gotten to be just as tricky
as they are" And Downing was SO sur
prised tha. he burst into tears and gave
the man a cigar.
The times., 1898-07-31

And speaking of beggars, 1t is said that
Jess Dandy, the comedian, was walking
along the street one evening last week
when one aecosted him and asked for a
dime to assist him in getting back to Bal
timore.
mo, sir said Dandy. Indignantly. 'T
am always willing 10 give money for any
worthy purpose. but to a man whose per
verted taste makes him want to get back
TO Baltimore-not tonight" And he
didn't
The times., 1898-07-31

For the first time in the history of local
amusements, if not for the first time IN
the history of amusements anywhere
grand opera will be the bill next week at
a summer resort While it certainly
seems fitting that so lofty style of en-
tertainment should be given in the build
ings once utilized for the Chautauqua,
the hot weather makes the project odd
Much that is good has been said for the
producing organization, however, and
prosperous season may be enjoyed. There
will be two pieces given during the
week, Faust and ''Maritana, both cast
TO the full strength of the JaXon COM
pany. Vaudeville viii continue the at
traction at the Union Roof Garden, now
an assured success.
DESPITE heat that should have driven
people into the air for comfort, neither
of the outdoor resorts did unusually well
with their last bills Robert Downing
headed the program at Glen Echo, but
succeeded only in drawing fair houses,
while Leola Mitchell and her support had
no better luck on the garden. The mer-
curiaI manager never ceases however in
his hopes. and there is some prospect Of
good business in the coming six days.
The Jaxon Company, which will appear
on Monday in the Amphitheater at Glen
Echo for a limited season. and which
VIII produce standard operas in English,
is said 10 be one of the most complete
and versatile organizations in existence
today Il has a happy faculty Of blend
ing comic with grand opera productions,
in q manner that has proved most salts
factory, and is seldom equaled by any
company that one can cali to mind. J. J
Jaxon. the manager and stage manager
is spoken of as being personally respon-
sible for this state of affairs.
The JaXon Company is said to be com
posed Of some of the best lyric artists il
the profession and includes Mile, Diard
Louise Engel, Cora Deane, Bertha Eeh
man. Maude Poole Payne Clarke. Win
fred Goff, VIII p. Carleton. c. NJ. holly
John Reade. A. z. Arnold and Director
of Orchestra William z. Macquinn, wh'
is man Of vast experience and undoubt
ed ability. On Monday. Tuesday AM
Wednesday of next week Gounod'
Faust" will be presented, and Vincen
Wailace's Mariana" will be produces
as the program for Thursday. Frida.
and Saturday and Saturday matinee
series of sacred concerts will be give
during the season, the first of whicl
will form the attraction at Glen Ech
tonight. Popular prices will be main
tanned during the engagement.
Another bill of exceptional interest i
promised for this week at the Union Roo
Garden, the popularity OF which seems Z
increase rather than anything else as tn
days go by. A number of new and i'm
pOrtant acts will be included in a pro
gram TO be headed by Lucy Rogers. VIII
is said TO be the daintiest of singing an
dancing soubrettes. Other turns will b
of corresponding excellence and the en-
tire entertainment should be most enjoy
able. The usual concert will be given o
the roof tonight
The times., 1898-07-31

Fred Gomez. assistant manager Of the
Boston symphony Orchestra stopped on
mere recently on his way 10 the Thousand
Islands He stated that II has been da7i,T-
ed 10 abandon the concerts OF the or
sanlzation in Baltimore and TO Increase
the number in New York Washington
VIII not be deprived of her opportunity 10
near the orchestra. arrangements for-the
usual number Of local entertainments
having already been completed for next
season.
The times., 1898-07-31

The New National Theater has baa,
given into the hands of rbe rapo,,,.,-
and may be expected to have assumed
decidedly fresh and pleasing appearance
when the time for opening comes Not
only viii 1t be repainted and redecoratad
out an entirely unique lighting arrange
ment Will be carried into effect and ia
counted upon to add much to the looks
Oh the place. The carpets and draperies
wiiI also be changed while the chairs
ooth upstairs and down are to be re-
upholstered There is no cozier place in
town than Manager RapIey's house and
u shouid nave improved greatly upon IL
self within the next few weeks.
The times., 1898-07-31

Kernan's Lyceum Theater. newly reno
waited and repainted. will be opened to
the public week from tomorrow night
with Robin Hood, Jr.," as the attraction
For years past the lights in front OF this
popular house have signaled the begin
ming of the theatrical season and both
for that reason and because of the long
inss OF its extensive clientele its first week
has always been hailed with delight
Opening nights at the Lyceum are in
variably triumphs.
Manager Eugene Herman has booked an
especially large number OF combinations
for the season and expects year OF IN
precedented success. Chief among the
| companies which viii appear at his house
| are Phil Sheridan's Metropolitan Bur
! lesquers, a H. WOodhulFs The High
Roller Bryant & Watson's Australian
| Beauties Weber & Fie!dS's Vaudevillians
and the Clark Brothers Royal Burles-
| quers. Besides these combinations there
| will be seen at the Lyceum:
Harry Morris. Little Lambs.
The Rentz-Santiey BurIesque Company.
The Bohemian Burlesquers.
The Partisan Widows
| Reilly & Woods Big Show.
The Russell Company
Sam Devere's Speciality Company.
The City Club Burlesque Company
The John l. Sullivan Company.
lSUdH ) OCIOEOOnS-
The Venetian Burlesquers.
AL Reeves Big Show.
The American Beauties.
The New York Stars.
Vanity Fair"
Rice & Barton's Extravangaza Com
| pany
Jermon's "Black Crook"
/ Teh Gay Girls of Gotham
| Irwin Brothers Burlesquers.
The Vaudeville Club.
The Moulin Rouge Company.
| The Rose Hill English Folly Company
The KnickerbOcker BurieSquers.
| THE Glad Hand"
Gus HilFs Masqueraders.
| The Gay AmazOns.
! Miss New York Jr.
| The City Sports
! The Rose Sydell Company.
! The Big Sensation.
The Bon Ton BurlesquerS-
The times., 1898-07-31

Williams anu Stone. the two merry
comedians seen last week at Glen Echo
mixed many new jokes with their old
5nes and kept the house in an excellent
Aumor all through their turn. one Of
them told the story OF a certain soldier
who had retired for the night In cuba. but
remained sufficiently awake to indulge in
a conversation with his neighbOr. Why
uld you ehilst? he asked suddenly The
other man turned over IaziIy and raD,tsJ
oh, / don't know l had no wife and
loved war-I guess that's the reason
Why did yOu?"
Wen, answered the first speaker. II
mad a wife and 1 loved peace And then
there was a panic.
The times., 1898-07-31

Hub Smith. the song writer connected
with the consular division of the State
Department. has been ordered to Homo
lulu. Mr.. Smith has an unlimited num-
Der of friends and admirers IN this city.
all of whom regret his change of resi-
dence but find pleasure in the probability
of his speedy return.
The times., 1898-07-31

Goodwin Patten. one Of the cleverest NJ
local payers, Will in all probability h.
seen on the road next season. Mr.. Patten
mas for some time had negotiations pend
ing Tor his engagement and has finally
secured manager 70 take him out for
brief tour. The Bells will be n,ada
the feature Of the bill. the young actors
ltnpersonation Of Matthias being perbaos
'he best IN his repertoire
IL VIII be remembered that he was sean
at the Lafayette Square Opera House in
that part something over two years ago
ana that the impression made was most
excellent Several outside efforts in the
role have received the most hatferine
recognition, and II was deemed advise ble
70 make Irvins's great play the piece ds
resistance. Mr.. Patten has also bought
The Honor Of a Spy" a powerful milf
tary sketch which has had a long r,,r In
the vaudeville houses and will assume
the part OF Everett Clarke. an officer in
tne service Of the Union army. There are
SAID 10 be many opportunities in the role
winch Mr. Patten should find no difficulty
IN improving. While nothing has as vas
been definitely settled in regard 10 fba
tour, II IS expected that it will begin about
the lst OF October.
The times., 1898-07-31

Mary Helen Howe is said to have been
engaged for the next two years at the
Royal Opera in Wiesbaden. Miss Howe
is probably the cleverest of our local
sopranos and should have no difficulty
in making an excellent impression any
where While we in Washington will be
sorry to lose her. if this report be true.
there is no doubt that the visit abroad
will open the way 10 a brilliant future
for the lady herself.
The times., 1898-07-31

Clarence Belair, a clever young Wash
!nstonian. is spending the hot months at
mis- home in this city. Mr.. Belair was last
season with James Young and has spent
the last few weeks touring the South
with Daisy Siddons in repertoire of
light comedy sketches. He is spoken of
as having made an emphatic hit.
The times., 1898-07-31

Did 1t ever occur to anyone how very
fortunate it was for the writer of patriotic
songs that the ship that was blown up in
Havana harbor was not the Iowa or the
New York?; Really, it seemed quite prov
idential that destruction should nave come
through the Spanish government to the
Maine and that the word Maine should
rhyme with Spain. To that fact and that
alone we owe the thirty-four war songs
that have been written since last April.
The men who compose these prodiGies
have no poetical power beyond such
combinations as blue" and true" and
anything but so apparent a rhyme as
that mentioned would probably have
gone unnoticed.
There was received in the office of The
Times dramatic department the other
day a ballad by Thomas Killen and Dan
Rees entitled, He Sleeps Upon Havana $
Shore" The music of the effusion is
really very pretty, and the idea express
ed in the words has the merit of true
pathos. But the rhyming is no less alb
surd than it is atrocious. Fully half the
combinations are made up of the two
proper names first mentioned while the
remainder embrace place and face"
few and blue" part and heart" "
and choice collection of others. It real
Iy seems too bad that the average bal
ladist must have so limited a vocabulary,
but 1t seems to be necessary and one
must put up with it.
Then, too war songs have about run
their course. Even the most rampant
Jingo will acknowledge that thirty-four
of them are quite enough to make one
wish for peace at any price. Under these
circumstances a cute little pastoral should
sell with a rush. There would be very
small chance for loss in a cloth edition
of MARY Had a Little Lamb this year.
VIII somebody please try 1t?
The times., 1898-07-31
GRAND OPERA FOR ACAAAGE
''FauSt" and "Maritana" 10 Be
Given at Glen Echo.
JAXON COMPANY EXPERIMENT

Several Good VaudeviIIians 10 BE
Seen on the Union Roof Garden.
business of the Week just Gone,
Neither Place Did rs Well ns
Might Have Been Expected
The times., 1898-07-31

And speaking of poetry and the Co.
lumbia players, Edward Nackay, who has
already proven his ability as a writer,
contributes the following charming lines
ITO Gywnn:'
81 love you, Gwynn,"
| softly said
The sunbeam kissed
The dewdrop's bed.
81 love iou, Gwynn,'
| softly said
The sumLter's leaves
Had turned to red
81 loved you, Gwynn,"
| softly ssid--
The sun and flowers
Alasl were deadi
The verses breathe the true subtlety of
poetry and suggest daintily more than
they attempt to describe. Altogether they
reflect great credit upon Mr.. Mackay and
show that he shares with his brother the
genius that was responsible for so many
bright lines published during Charles
engagement with the National Theater
Stock Company.
The times., 1898-07-31

Jimmy" Barrows and Johnny" Ian
caster, late OF the Columbia Stock Com
pany, are at present trying to emulate
Jerome's belated heroes of Three Men in
a Boat" and are spending their vaca-
ton in touring up and down that indefi-
mite portion of the Potomac which
writer's like to allude to as being his
toric." The pair have boat to them
selves and should be having a delightful
time. II has been stated that line of
brewery wagons was seen going In the 6i-
reetion of the wharf from which they
pulled out shortly before the start, but
the story is generally believed to be
malicious libel invented by some thirsty
enemy.
The times., 1898-07-31

News comes from London Of the sue
cess in that city of Katherine Lucille
Foote. Washington girl. whose career
there has been as brilliant as il has been
rapid. Miss FOOte appeared on July . at
Queens Hall as the feature of a benefit in
which We're billed a great many stage
nota5les- She recited two poems BY the
Marquis de Leuville and made so en-
phatic a hit that she was Immediately
engaged TO tour during the season with
the Grand Concert Company. She has
hitherto been seen with Wilson Barrett
and al the head of her own provincial or
ganizatiOn-
The times., 1898-07-31

Aloerta Gallatin is summering at her
nome IN Atlantic Highlands. N J. She
mas received many fattering offers for
next season. including one 10 star but
prefers 10 remain in the support OF Mrs
Flske, with whom she made an emphat
lc MT last spring. Miss Gallatin is wise.
Ihere IS infinitely more dignity in work.
ing with such a woman as Mrs. Fiske
than in starring under difficulties. The
season Will begin in September and the
actress will rest until that time
The times., 1898-07-31
Anne Hathaway's Adieu to the
Columbia Players.
ED. MACKAY'S CHARMING LINES
Another Patriotic Song Reviewed.
Grand opera the Latest Experi-
ment at Glen Echo-NOtes and
Queries of Contemporary Theat-
rical Affairs


haps that is the reason that its farewell
was marked with so many polite adieus.
For a week before the season really end
ed all of the organizations male MEM
bers received daily lines in regard to
their departures. some pathetically hu-
morous and others humorously pathetic.
Probably the best of these was a set Of
verses by Anne Hathaway, which were
entitled "Auf Weider Sehn." and read
as follows:
The final night of comedy.
The saddest of the term,
When faces fade and laughs are hushed
And footlights fail TO burn,
Has come upCa us all too soon
For any rhyme reason;
Leaves us to innocuous desuetude
The rest OF the summer season.
There was weeping at the battle,
There joy DER 'B o. her john"
In '.Won at Last" love conquered
Ger many trials borne.
''The Mighty Dollar mirth created.
''Esmeralda" made us sad;
At innocent Lamb we laughed
"A Scrap OF Paper made us glad.
In din and blare of battle
We have had our heart-strings torn,
We've loved and lost and loved and won,
Both joy and sorrow bcrne.
And we've run LIES gamut
With these summer friends SO bright,
Loath. indeed, to pat with them
On this, the final night.
We've laughed, we've cried
just as you bade IN your metic art;
Lived self. rapt moments stole
From lfe's too busy mart
We not that you do but play
But lose ourselves and feel
That there beyond the fooiights
Our joys and woes are real
Good-by-we say good-by again;
There is no final parting,
But just Auf Nieder Sehn.
The rhymes could hardly be called in.
genius, and the lines might be more IL
| meter. but the verse has many strong
points, not the least of which is its trib
ute 10 the company that has just finished
its visit to us and ended its career as al
| organization. Everyone who saw and wa.
! interested in the efforts of the Columbii
| players to please this summer must hav,
| felt what the verses express at the fina
| disruption of the combination. and mus
| sympathiZe with their feminine author
| deeply. Let 1t be hoped that in this cas-
| our good-bys may mean 'Auf Wiede
| Sehn.'
The times., 1898-07-31

Camp Alger has now three theaters, all
tending to the legs and lingerie style OF
entertainment There is also midway
there minus the dancers, and a few other
amusement mustard pias.ers rigged for
the purpose of drawing money from the
pocket of the festive volunteer. Carlotta
The times., 1898-07-31

With the beginning of August one feels
that the theatrical season has come into
a range of vision where it can be dis
cerned without the aid of a telescope In
looking over the enterprises of the last
few weeks he finds less to bewail than in
the course of any other local heated
term There has been only one pre-
nounced failure, and that was a pre-
destined one. Outside of the National
Opera Comique Company there has been
nothing but success with which to credit
the months of June and July. The CO.
lumbia Stock Company made money
bountifully, while two completely new
experiments in local dramatics are both
doing we'll. Altogether wars and ru-
mors of wars" seem to have hurt US very
little in the Capital City, and no manager
who has governed his business with the
slightest degree of common sense has
any cause for complaint whatever.
Commencing with tomorrow night, vau,
deyille will be given a rest at Glen Echo
and a return will be made to opera
Faust and "Maritana." the two first
offerings, will so to show the sort OF
bill to be presented, and while Gouno6
and his associates seem trifle heavy
for the heated term, probably the great.
est part of the chance for financial sue
cess lies with the presenting company
Washington has an all-abiding love fol-
the heavier operate works, and 1t Is
possible that even the ambitions of the
thermometer will not be able to subdus
that pride should the repertoire be wei
presented. Last year the Castle Square
Opera Company played to big houses
right into the hot months, and there /:
no reason why an equally popular and
meritorious aggregation should not man
age to wind up the present summer sea
son.
Variety lovers have had plenty Of op-
portunity to sample all sorts of amuse-
ments this year at Glen Echo. First,
there was a long period of comic opera in
The times., 1898-07-31

w. S. Kusell, a well-known Chicagoite
and manager, is at present in this city at
tempting to close negotiations for an
anus ement resort on the river. He has
number of elaborate plans for the run
ming of such a place and believes he can
complete arrangements for the rental Of
site Mr.. KuseIl seems to have waited
until pretty late in the season TO expert
ment with outdoor amusement enter
prise, but there are still hot days in store
and a chance for a hustling director to
do well.
Among the improvements to be made in
the Academy of Music is promised the
hanging of a new curtain. the work of
Gates and Morange. This will be joyful
news to lovers of popular entertainment
who have for the past few seasons at the
Academy put in their time between acts
in trying to tell the dogs in the picture,
Shakespeare Before Queen Elizabeth,
from the different court personages rep
resented The existing affair has always
been an eyesore and its removal. or the
hope thereof. is treat indeed.
The record-union., 1898-05-20

There are certain regulations not pre-
cisely enforced but admitted by Gus
tom in England, in regard to treasure
trove' BY an old law, one-half of a
treasure belongs to the State. In jan
uary last, on a farm near Penicuck,
Midlothian, DR.. Badger found cache
of old English coin. In the lot were
Edward I. and Edward IL. pennies OF
the following minis: London. 101; Can
terbury, 61 Durham, 10; Bristol. D; st.
Edmundsbury, {; Newcastle, 4; Lin
coin, ,: York, with quatrefoil on the re-
verse, 2: Exeter, /; Kingston upon
Hull, / uncertain, l. broken, ,. Ed
ward Irish pennies: Dublin. A. Water
ford. 3. Alexander III pennies: Two
mullets of six and two stars of seven
points, 3: four mullets of six points, L;
Robert the Bruce penny. j; foreign.
sterling, /. A person who accompanied
DR. Badger also forwarded 5S coins,
but among these there no fresh mint
ages, although one of the Alexander Ill.
pennies showed four stars and seven
points.
The Queen and that august parsonage
called the Lord Treasures Remem-
brancer took their allotted share, which
was one-half of the find. and handed
over to DR.. Badger what was left. This
treasure trove now finds its place in
the British Museum.