The Portland daily press., 1899-09-11
RuNe DOWN.
c.rss,. Fan. on shs Gem vhsasrs
Season.

The season at Peaks island Is at an
end. When the closing lines Of the
mighty Dollar were spoken on tho
stage Of the Gem. Saturday night, BY MIR.
James Barrows's excellent stock comra-
ny and the curtain started TO roll down
for the last time the orchestra began to
play Aud Lang Syne" AMI the COM
pany and the audience united In singing
the OLD song which has brought to an end
80 many happy gatherings. There were
q few tears shed among the members Of
Mr.. Barrowes's company while this
song was being sung for they have found
the audiences which have greeted them
at tbs Gem enthusiasts aud cordial and
this always appeals TO the hearts of play
efs the wide world over On the part Of
the nudlencs who hsvs followed this
company through the intricacies OF the
excellent plays produced by Nc. Bar
rows's people far the past three months.
who have laughed at Mr.. Bsrrowes's
drollery, sympathizsd with Ann War
rington and George y. Farren In their
lovers troubles. smiled at and appiaudsd
the vivasious Blanche Hall In her
quarrels with John Lancaster. hissed the
villa n and otherwise amused themselves
In the stories SO we'll portrayed, thers
was feeling of regret that they had seen
them all for the last tune acting togeth-
or. Saturday night they ceased to exist
as company and by the beginning Of
another week Will have been scattered
to win new plsudits from theatre goers
in other places but wherever they 60 the
patrons of the Gem will wish them well
and follow them with interest.
There was the usual amount of byplay
In the last performances and the custom
airy testimonials of regard bestowed upon
the players by their admirers. Every one
got a big bouquet and some Of them two
or three. AL were warmly greeted when
they made the first entrance aud ons
or two who seemed the especial favorites
got rather more than their share OF the
applause. 1t was like every other closing
night which the Peaks Island theatre
has seen about this time of year for many
seasons past All the members Of the
company took advantage of their lines to
! throw out some local hits which were
thoroughly enjoyed by those who under
stand them.
Mr.. Farren had some funny things to
say about catching short Holsters,
while Mr.. Eddinger related how be had
saved Mr.. Farren from being arrested
through his "pull with Bill Gardiner,"
the fish warden. MIR. Farren when pre-
sented With a dummy check for $500 by
Il a. "A thak he tsut hod ha
could spend all Of 1t at Peaks" and MIR.
Eddiager rstorted that ''it would be Inn
possible to do so," which raised a laugh.
Frequent references were made to Libby
the milkman' and other noted island
ceIsbrities-and when Mr.. Farren at one
time was forced to say In HIS part that he
had had "a most disagreable time here
and was glad to go away" 81 don't
mean a word of It," be hastened to say to
thu audiencs, I" have had tn best time
at Peaks that ever had and shall
never forget it." and 1T is needless to say
that the audience showed their apprecia-
tion of this.
On the whole II has been n very pleas
ant season for tho patrons of the Gem.
They have had their moneys worth of
amusement and their attendance on this
theatre up to the very last night shows
| that 1t has lost nothing In popularity this
Summer. Mr.. Barrowes has been sur
rounded by some people who have made
many friends here and who have been
much admired and when the last theatre
boat for the season sailed away from the
| landing at Peaks Saturday night and
the steamer gave its parting salute while
Mart Sargent tolled the big bell on the
wharf in adieu, the big crowd seemed to
appreciate the fact that the closing
night at the Gem had been big success.