Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-22

Daniels. And again the curtain fell with
out him. Thrice more this happened to
the accompaniment of a roar of applause
Meanwhile Daniels was going through the
aforesaid minute up in his balloon far
above the stage. 1t appears that when the
men pulled on the rope which raises the
balloon through the agency OF big double
block they pulled unusually hard. The
balloon shot like an arrow UP into the
curtain loft far above. 1t might have
fallen back with disastrous results ere the
men could take in the slack had not the
rope got damned in the block and held the
balloon fast. Daniels, amazed and breath
less. looked over the basket and down to
the stage far below. Never before had ne
realized that such a distance existed be-
zest to his thoughts, recollections of bal
loon disasters of frightful character
crowded into his mind. guy rope swung
by him. He knew the supports must be
giving away. From far below the ap-
plause came and went in waves as the
curtain rose and fell CHANGING up he saw
that the big block through which the tackle
runs was suspended by a single rope fast
ened to a single girder. To be sure, the
rope was big and the girder iron; but big
ropes have broken and so have iron girders.
Visions of another like break flashed before
Daniels. Something must be done. With
Daniels to think is to act. Escapes the
word said he. And putting his athletic
training into use he Skinned quickly up the
rope to the girder, onto which he climbed.
Then, with outstretched arms for bal
ancing pole, he ran swiftly along the grder
to safety. And when the curtain went up
the sixth time he was on hand before the
footlights to bow his Acknowledgements.
And, as he placed his hand on his heart,
there was the ring of truth in his words:
Believe me, good people, this is Inc nap
piest moment of my life"
VIM F. Ryan, who now plays the de-
tectfve in "A Stranger in New York. was
the first in this city to sell the New York
papers on the streets and in the depart
ments. Before Billy" as he is called by
his many friends, had opposition, he had
two or three smaller boys to assist him.
He folded his papers on large radiator at
the east door of the treasury, and in time
made it news stand. His humor was such
that it made him popular everywhere, and
when the superintendent of the treasury
wanted to GUST him Billy's friends in that
department came to his rescue. He gave up
the paper business shortly after that and
went transforming, with the usual results.
He then opened restaurant and his gen.
erosity made him poorer, but wiser
man." A few years ago he rented a vacant
church building on 9th near street and
placed merry-go-round therein. That
effort was failure, but afterward he
amasse a considerable -, money with the
the city. The Commissioners and the
police, Billy says, made him seek pastures
new. He has many friends here who will
be glad to welcome him back to Washing
ton.
PAUL LAWRENCE DUNBAR.-Mr Paul
Lawrence Dunbar. the negro poet will read
from his own works, both poetry and prose,
In the 10th Street Baptist Church Monday
evening, the 31st instant for the benefit of
the Home for Friendess Coiored Girls on
Meridian Hill. Mr.. Dunbar's literary ac-
quirements are of high order and he is
ha
read he has met with great success, and it
is expected that the church will be crowded
Monday night. Seats may be secured at
Droop's.
COLUMBIA THEATER-One of the
most important engagements that will be
seen at the Columbia Theater during tho
season will be that played by the celebrated
actress, Mile. Rhea, and notably strong
company next week. In the principal char
acter in her new play. The Empress of
France are artists widely known to his
trionic fame. The play, which was recently
produced, made an instantaneous hit, and
Is one of the most interesting presentations
of the historical class ever ATTEMPTED In
the title role of THE Empress of France"
Mile. Rhea has greater opportunities for
stronger action than in anything she has
yet attempted. She was never in better
form than at the present time 1.-THE En-
press Of France" presents for her numerous
opportunities for the display of her undis-
puted talents and will serve her admirably
as Vehicle throughout her tour of the
&C untry. Her individuality and strong, ear
nest methods are observed at their best in
TINS presentation. Her performance of
The Empress is marked by all the
Charms that belong to the French school
Her Josephine is facile and mpathetic
and is distinguished for perfect good taste
sincerity and grace, and Is portrayed in a
careful and artistic manner worthy of an
artist Of Mile. Rhea's well-known ability
addition OF
press OF France" is presented with stump.
tuous scenic settings. the most brilliant
display OF costumes and an array Of other
paraphernalia-
Thursday afternoon a special matinee of
Camille" will be given. a part in which
Mile. Rhea made one of her greatest sue
CT sses- Her tour this season is now being
directed by Mr.. Frank L. Goodwin, the
weii-known manager, who formerly con-
Quoted the tours of Clara Morris and Les.
ter Wallack. and covers all the large cities
to the Pacific coast, and 1t Is very probable
that short engagement in London will
follow. where she has received very fiatter.
ing offers.
NATIONAL THEATER.-Next Monday
night what has been termed all over the
country where it has been seen. Charles
Frohman's funniest, most successful and
best-played character comedy" Never
Again." will have its first performance in
Washington, at the New National Theater.
n,
entitled lie True de Seraphin'' (Which can
be freely translated, the scheme trick,
little game or dodge" of Seraphin, was
| purchased by Charles Frohman from it's
| authors about a year ago. but before it had
| ever been offered on any stage. The orig
! inal is now entering upon its second year
at the Vaudeville. Paris. Henry Guy Garlic
| ton made the American adaptation, keep
| ing as close to the original as its rather
! naughty plot would permit. but eliminat-
ing all that was Objectionable and insert
| ing much that was original in fun. This
| version Charles Frohman chrfstened Never
Again." A comedy which in this country
| in less than a year has attracted over
| three-quarters of q million people, playing
| six months In New York. three in Chicago
| one in Boston and weeks or a week at a
| time in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Brooklyn
| uwice), &c, which has attracted prob
| ably half million playgoers in Paris in a
year, and many thousands in London In
the past two months-that play can be
| called justly Most Successful" When
! such players as Z. NJ. Holland. Hugo Toll
| and. Samuel Reed, George Marion, James
| Kearney. Charles Eldridge, Joseph Nc
| Kiever, Grace Kimball, Maggie Holloway
| Fisher, Marie Derickson, Anita Rothes
| and many more of comparatively equal
| standing in the professionalism such are
| associated in one comedy the term best
! played is no misnomer. At all events any
Il