The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-11-26

taS AriuS, the tribune, who commands
an expedition sent to exterminate the
Aegean pirates. Ben Hur attracts the
attention of the tribune by his willing
ness and marvellous strength. Arrius
learns from him the story of the Hurs
and that Ben Hur is the son of an Did
friend. the prince of Hur. The battle
between the triremes and the pirates
boarded and sunk. Ben Hur saves the
life of the tribune in the fight, the
sinking galley leaving them afloat on
a spar in the open sea. They are res
cued by Roman galley on the rising
of the sun. This scene and the mechan-
zeal effects shown in connection with it
is destined to create a sensation, and
would in itself make the success of any
ordinary production.
The tableaux which have been de-
scribed include the first two acts. The
third act opens in the house of Simon
ides. the steward of the father of Ben
Hur. in Antioch. Ben-Hur, now an
adopted Roman, the foster son of Ar
RUS, comes to him in search of informa-
ton of the fate of his mother and sister.
At this interview he meets Esther, the
daughter Of Simonides. They are mu-
tually attracted. Ben-Hur fails to hear
anything of the fate of his mother and
sister from Simonides, but learns that
MESSIAH, his enemy, is to be con-
testant in the coming chariot races and
is training his horses In the Grove of
Daphne. He goes there believing that
only through Messiah can he discover
the whereabouts of mother and sister,
The scenes which show this enchanting
place, so graphically described by the
author in the story, are remarkably
beautiful. Two hundred people will be
utilized in the professions which Ben
Hur encounters in his wanderings
through the grove dedicated to the life
of pleasure led by the devotees of the
goddess. Ben-Hur saves Balthazar and
his daughter, Iras, from death under
the wheels of the chariot of Messiah,
for which he is thanked by Sheil1 II
derm the Generous, the host of Egypt
ians. For this act of heroism Ilderim
offers to grant any favor asked of him.
Ben Hur asks permission of the Shek
to drive his horses in the chariot race
in the circus against Messiah, and it is
granted.
The fourth act is presented in two
tableaux, the interior of the tent of
Sheik Ilderim in the Orchard Of Palms,
and barge on the lake in the Orchard
Of Palms. Balthazar. the Egyptian, re-
lates the story of the Star of Bethlehem
and the Nazarene, now born some 30
years. Iras, the Fascinating daughter
Of the Egyptian. lures Ben-Hur from
his love of Esther and his duty, and,
in the barge, charms him from the
Sheik's other guests by the beauty of
her voice in song. Simonides and his
! daughter witness the conquest of Ben
Hur by Iras, to the grief and mortifica-
/ ton of Esther
The fifth act shows the exterior of
the Circus Maximus at Antioch. Crowds
throng the corridors, laying Wagers on
the characters. MESSIAH is the favor
lite. Sanballat, the secret agent of
Simonides, is placing wagers on the
| Arabian chariot and Ben-Hur. Iras and
! her father are seen. The former wears
| the colors of Messiah and is unveiled,
contrary to the custom of modest
| women of the time. Ben-Hur contrasts
| the bold Iras with the gentle Esther,
| sees the error of his judgment, and his
heart returns to its allegiance to the
| daughter of Simonides.
| Trumpets summon the people to the
arena. where the struggle is on for SUI
premacy between the characters. Ben
Hur drives the four Arabians. while
Messala's chariot is drawn by 1.-The two
| blacks and the two whites" This scene
will rival anything ever before pre-
scented on the stage. Eight horses act
ually run at full speed before an ex-
cited multitude. The smashing Of
| Messala's chariot wheel is shown, the
act ending with Ben Hur's triumph and
his browning as the victor.
| The development of this effect, which
! is not stage mmicry, but a reality, will
have cost $4,000 when it is presented
the first night. The mechanism which
permits the horses to gallop at a break
neck pace within the space of their
length is most cleverly constructed, re-
quiring the entire rebuilding of the
| Broadway theater stage. Two great
cradles. IA feet by 20 feet long, have
been built on railways. so that they
may be moved forward or backward as
| desired. Each of these cradles bears
four treadmils IL feet long and two and
one-half feet wide, composed of endless
| chains of hickory Stats two inches wide,
which are riveted to belts which re-
| volVe on wide wheels. The runaway,
as it revolves. is supported by a large
number of little RUBBER tired wheels,
with ball bearings, making it's action
SO easy that it can be moved with a
slight pressure of the foot. Each horse
| is secure on his treadmill by steel Wire
cables. They hold him in his place, the
revolving of the treadmill relieving him
of the pressure impelling him ahead
| caused by the impact of his feet In
this way the horses can continually run
at their highest sped within the space
| of their own length.
| The chariot race resulting in the Grip
ping, humiliation and financial ruin of