The Portland daily press., 1898-02-26
MUSIC AND pRAMEa
NORTHERN LIGHTS.

Tho military drama of Northern
Lights was the first at popular prices
to be offered the patrons of The Jeffer-
son. and as consequence, there was
varv large audience assembled at the
tbea4ra last evening. 1t was not crowd
cd bouse but it was not very far from it.
The scene is laid in Montana, and the
time a few days preceding the leading
nm to the Custer massacre. During that
timesan army surgeon meets wife he has
deserted, and to rid himself of second
spouse allows her to inject cholera germs
into her arm. He catches the infection
himself and dies while she is saved. The
last two acts abound with brave deeds
by a lad branded as deserter. and an
Indian, who by valiant service prevent a
second massacre such as has already be-
fallen Clusters command.
The action of the play is rapid, there are
no dull moments and the audience catches
the spirit of the scenes and the enthnsl-
asln eliminates in curtain calls. Inc
plot is strong, and vein of comedy runs
through the play relieving the more serl-
feature is the admirable scenery. Inere
are five scenes. that of the parade grounds
at Sherwood's quarters, Fort Teri, Mon
tana, and the interior of the quarters,
bothspainted by Conrad Tritsohler, the
headquarters of Gen. Crook at Goose
Greek, and Col. Gray's command in the
bluffs at Tongue river. The play closing
under the Northern Lights.
Robert Broderick as John Swiftwino,
the Indian officer, and Robert Neil, as
Sidney Sherwood, had the bulk OF the
work to do and are highly to be praised,
while Lillian Branard was fine as the de-
serted wife who sacrificed her rights for
another's happiness. Frank Allen was
yery clever as Hon Hugo Dore, and Ar
thur Buchanan kept up the run as
Elliott Higgs, the Wall street broker. mar.
E. D. Dennison was an efficient COL
GRAY. and Mr.. W. S. Gill was forcefui
Lieut. Sherwood. Miss Allen was
gentle, pleasing Starlight, the Indian
waif, and Miss Ethelyn Palmer as Helen
Dore, and Carrie Pryor as Dorothy Dun
bar, ''the little Major" deserve special
mention, when praise is due to all the
excellent company.
The matinee and evening performances
today should both be crowded.
A RAILROAD TICKET.
A Railroad Ticket will be repeated at
the matinee at Portland theatre today
and at the evening performance.
coUINc rHE WIND
Those who witnessed the performance
of ''Sowing the Wind" when presented
in this city last season will no doubt
desire to see it again at the Jefferson
March 4.5, and those who did not see it
before have q treat in store Tor them.
One is apt to associate with the name OF
Grundy everything that is prim and pru-
dish. But Sowing the Vino" Is play
in the writing of which Mrs. Grundy"
WAS evidently not considered. The play
deals with delicate subject. 1t is one
of the merits of the play that 1t deals
with delicate subject without being III
delicate. Not that it minces and refines;
it does nothing Of the sort. IL speaks
with remorseless plainness. But-and
this ia a test of art-it depicts truth SO
we'll that one does not even think of no |
ticipo that truth is naked. The play is |
sineularly powerful one. 1t is most
thoroughly human. 1t is SO human that
its interest is irresistible. 1t is the old
story of the sins of the father upon the
children-the old problsm of the unequal
punishment the world lnetes to sinners
of thu weaker sex. 1t is not necessary TO
describe it in detail for it has already
been described in these columns. No de-
soription, however, can do justice to the
subtle and various motives with which 1t
deals. : To appreciate them, one must
see it acted.
PORTLAND THEATRE.
Next Monday night will usher in
week of fine plays at this popular play
house, when Miss Ethel Tucker and her
Company of high class entertainments
will open an engagement of six nights
and five matinees at 10, 20 and 80 cent
prices. The opening bill will be
"Queena, play that affords Miss
Tucker ample scope for her great versa