The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-11-22
a MILITARY OPENING NIGHT.
Robert MantelI Appears in Dual Role Q
Actor and Gift Bestower.

There were attractions at both ends OF
the house in PortIand's handsome Jetfer-
son theatre, last evening. On the stage
Robert B. Mantells excellent company
gave charming production OF A Sc
cret Warrant" and the audience on the
floor of the house was fanked on either
sides by blue-coated warriors of Battery
e, Cd artillery. who had part all their
own in the evenings entertainments
The presence of the Battery boys
was due to the forethought and generosi-
ty of the management of the Jefferson,
seconded by that of the Mantell compa-
ny's manager. The battery having been
ordered to Cuba, it was deemed fitting
to give the boys good send-of ana
complimentary tickets to Mantell's OPEN
Ing performances were distributed IL the
camp at Portland Head.
The battery came over in special Cape
electric s, and paraded Congress street.
in command of Lieut.. Hatch. The thea
tire was decorated, inside and out, with
the national colors, and whom the our
tain was rung up it displayed the Stars
and Stripes depending from the big CYL
inder, which display gave the artillery
men an opportunity to test their lungs
in preparation for the later develop
ments.
Between the third and fourth acts, after
the hero and heroine of the play had been
thrice called before the footlights, Mr..
Mantell appeared beside a table on which
stood an elegant loving cup, which had
been procured by the theatre and COM
pany management as gift to the mill
tary guests of the evening.
With grace and eloquence the noted
actor presented this token of friendship.
exprs ssinR confidence in the fidelity and
bravery of the recipients, and the hope
that their service In Americas new
possession will not be attended by
blooished or pestilence.
An usher took from Mr.. Mantell's hands
the beautiful gift and passed it to L cut.
Hatch. who made happy and hitting
speech of acceptance. He said it was not
an easy task to express ones self on
such an occasion, and that an all wise
Providence had not bestowed the gift of
oratory upon the officer at that moment
in command of battery e. "But, . he
added, ''hnd an hundred tongues. and
all the grace and eloquence OF a Mantell,
should be unable to fully express our
appreciation of this gift and the spirit
that prompted it. / propose, however
that in q manner peculiar to soldiers we
give vent to our feelings and thus express
our thanks to you and the management
of this theatre, our friendship for Port
lAQQ anu Uub RlIIc We lo1fC U6ullu us
ssAli up, men, came the command,
ard 800 artillerymen stood up in their
seats and swung their caps in unison,
while their voices blended In series Of
'hurrahs'' that could have been hear out
at Fort Preble.
The cup is OF silver, with large bowl,
on which are engraved an old field piece,
with the cross bars, letter and number
of the regiment. 1t is mounted on a
hJan11 ohortu -vacp ~ ls
"a Secret Warrant the production
of the evening, is a new piece which
gives Mr.. Nantell wide scope for his YER
satility as portrayer of drama. Portland
is delighted to again welcome this we'll
known actor, who has been favorite
here ever since his appearance IS years
ago, as Louis Fedora in Fanny Daven.
ports Fedora. -
The play which was written by W. A.
Tremayne. deals with scenes in France,
in 1920, the plot being based upon the
habit that the regent of France developed
Mt the time of the Mississippi bubble, of
granting to women of the court blank
.letters de cachet,'' by the use of which
they could ifnprison their enemies. The
fact that they were blank made them
especially dangerous, since the intended
victim could substitute somebody else
name. If he happened TO get the wars
rant. FL
mr.. Mantell in the character of Louis
de Beaumont, was an ideal French gen.
tlelnan and patriot, whose grace, dignity,
chivalry and -heartedness were equal
to any emergency. The audience was
delighted with him and heartily applaud
cd on every occasion. He was ably sup
ported by a we'll balanced and exception
ally fine looking company. Miss Corona
Riccardo showed a natural adaptation
to her part as the graceful, innocent,
loveable Marguerite Bertrand. The jeal-
GUS, scheming. beguiling Gabrielle de st.
Victor was timely impersonated by Miss
Marie Booth Russell, while Miss Blanche
Moulton's Irresistible humor in the
character of Catherine, kept the audience
CONFUSED whenever she had any part
in the dialogue. Messrs. A. J. Whaley,
Louien Mccormack, Beverly W. Turner,
Arthur Maitland, =. Henry Crosby and
James l.. Carhart were all excellent In
their respective parts
Mr. Mantell's company will appear at