davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times., 1899-10-01
FRIENDS OF LAST WEEK.

why don't you get sketch that is ar
tistic?"
Impossible Art means refinement and
quiet In vaudeville playlet something
must be doing all the time
This is the question that the writer has
often asked headliners of prominence
and this the answer he has invariably re-
ceived In the parlance of the olioist, moth
ing is doing unless property man in a
policeman's coat and drayman's trous-
ers is pounding a dummy with a stuffed
club. the star of the piece is racing madly
from one side of the stage to another or
the larger of the two comedians has del
ueed the smaller with a stream from
seItzer bottle. These things constitute the
general idea of grace, wit, and novelty.
They are the accepted foundations for
twenty minute vehicles. And yet, with all
this. the three farcettes that have occa-
stoned favorable comment in Washington
have been the only three very worthy OF
that comment-Liil.an BurkhaIt's a Pass
ing Fancy" Minnie Dupree's "Da ngerEeld
'95." and Mr.. and Mrs. Perkins d. Fishers
THE Half Way House"
None of these afforded such an object
lesson as the last mentioned, which has
been done for six days at the Grand
The piece was as pointless a rubber ball;
as utterly without romance as a fire dog
is without pups. During its action no one
fell in love or downstairs; lost his heart or
his trousers. And yet the rustic of pro-
grammes and the clatter of seats that were
accompaniments 10 the production Of Miss
Burkhart's Her Soldier Boy and Beatrice
MoreIand's "A Game OF Goif'' were con-
spicuous by their absence. ''The Half Way
House" simply told OF the manner in which
an ultra life-lke player went TO a rural
hotel and there eonyersed with the old rus
tic in charge. But the dialogue was Won
derfully bright. the business so well
thought out and the improbabilities so glar-
ingly lacking that the work was wholly de-
lightful. The writer witnessed the per-
formance four times and intends to see il
again when Mr. and Mrs. Fisher return.
All the credit for THE Halfway House
is not due to it's author. Ezra Kendall
Many are the vaudevillians who would have
filled such sketch as full Of hoTseplay as
is an orange rind of orange. Mr. Fishers
impersonation of the hotel man was one oI
those rare bits that used TO make folk IA
nous. Mrs. Fisher was quite adequate to
her part. When their work is duplicated
The times., 1899-10-01

is really one Of the best actors on the
American stage, and who will be recos
nized as such when he has forgotten Mae
terlinck and Sudermann, is preparing 10
give subscription performances of plays too
dull for any other sort of rendering, and
this action is Gflling forth both commenda-
tion and condemnation. Altogether, the
high artists and the low artists are having
quite a time OF it.
The New York Telegraph" takes the
field in its usual absurd fashion. When
everyone has quietly and somewhat pro-
saically decided that thing is right and
proper and advisable the Telegraph in
variably contributes to the gayety of ma
tions by totally disagreeing. In the pres
ent instance the paper in question had
this to say:
The world is getting wise, and we are pleased
10 note the success which attends the presenta
ton at our theatres of comedies, farces, bur
lssqnes, and extrayaganzas- The mission Of the
drama is TO entertain If there is any uplifting
educatlng or lnculeating of moral lessons. ii is
merely as an incident and not as the purpose
1t IS better TO laugh than weep. and therefore a
melodrama or tragedy must be extremely good
fFonl an artistic point TO earn it approval and
The times., 1899-10-01
I,afave,,e-Harrf.ou >. waIfe.

Harrison J. Wolfe, who viii begin a
weeks engagement at the Lafayette Square
with q special matinee Of THE Corsican
Brothers on tomorrow afternoon. is not
unknown 10 Washington thestregoers. hav-
ing been seen here on several occasions as
leading man with various and important
companies. As Paul Kauvar, he first came
70 this city il 1892, winning for himself
praise that is said 10 be still recorded in
his heart and scrapboOk- Later, the young
actor returned with Jim, the Penman,
In Old Kentucky" BLUE Jeans" and even
as 2 feature Of Margaret Mather's produc-
tiOn Of '.CymbeIine." In all Of these he
may be remembered as having done con-
sistent. earnest, conscientious work
During the past four years Mr.. Wolfe has
toured the country in presentations OF tragic
and romantic drama. and has been partlc-
ularly commended il the roles of plays in
The times., 1899-10-01

On two different occasions during the
past year The Times has called attention
60 the fact that in no city in the country
do outdoor celebrations ever benefit the
theatres Already established here by sew
oraI inaugurations and by the recent Peace
Jubilee, the truth of this statement was
further proven last week in New York,
where business dropped TO the lowest pos
sible ebb during the Dewey festivities. The
influence Of our own coming reception
might not have been felt had there been
in town anything the public was really
anxious to see. but there was not and, con-
sequently, houses were empty Perhaps
the largest audiences Of the six days just
gone gathered at the Grand, where Madame
Tavary and other circuit people drew very
well. indeed
Creston Clarke made out rather bad Y at
the Columbia, the James -KiddeT- Hanford
triumvirare made out somewhat worse at
the National and Robert Downing. in An
Indiana Romance" did not make out at all
Al the Lafayette. A singular circumstance
WIS the Tacantness OF the Academy, which
offered Ishan's "Oetoroons" as an attrac-
Tion. Usually a show of this sort may,
at least, depend for patronage upon the
cosored population Of Washington, but the
rule did not hold good after Monday, and
the downtown place of amusement was all
but deserted Nothing seems to affect
Kernan's and the Bijou. Harry Morris
Twentieth Century Maids did excellent
~ at the one and q vaudeville bill was no
less fortunate at the other.
Several strong combinations are an
1iounced for this week and business may
pick up about Wednesday, though the i'm
mediate future does not look promising
James O'Neiil is TO be the star at the Co.
lurabia. where he viii present THE Mus
l9eteers" for the first time in this city un-
al Saturday, on which evening he viii be
seen IN what is announced as a sumptuous
revival OF Monte Cristo." The Times
feels also that il can vouch for William Gil
lstte's Because She Loved Him So, at the
National the comedy having made an evil
dent impression when last given in Wash
ingtOn In the classic shades of the Lafay-
cite, Harrison j. Wolfe is TO offer David
Carrick al Wednesday matinee and Friday
right -Hsmlet" on "Wednesday evening and
a. the Saturday matinee. and The Corsican
Brothers for the remainder Of an engage
snent that includes a performance on Mon
day afternoon. Pauline Hall viii head the
vaudeville bill al the Grand An extraor-
binary company, which numbers among
Others. Rose Coghian and John 7. Sullivan,
visits The Academy with The White Heath
er." Weber's Partisan Widows are to be
the attraction at Kernan's and the usual
style Of entertainment viii hold at the BIZ
jou. II is 70 be hoped that The Times is
wrong in its prophecy Of bad business.
The times., 1899-10-01

There was a parody that was voted the
acme of wit-the perfection Of versihea-
ton. Here it is:
newsboy with papers under his arm
Approached me upon the run.
And Just 10 encourage the lad bought
copy of The New York Sun
dog saw the picture of army beef
As dropped it upon the ground,
He swallowed the paper and then he died
Just as 'The Sun went down
Another gem even more sparkling is
this:
Now, to you we'll telegraph. that's pretty shady
It's another of VIC need all the dough-
The elephant and tiger feel SO badly
They are thirsting for drink of Ramapo.
Two hundred millions would come in convenient
But we can't see money go that way.
Wen pay for ale and porter,
But well never pay for water,
For New Workers are not built that way.
If THE Conquerors' or "Zaza" contain
ed a line of that sort the Mirror would
have been right in calling both degrading
The Rogers Brothers were in Wash
ington twice last season with "A Reign
The times., 1899-10-01

corroboration of the verify of statements
made by the press agent who has pre-
ceded his star here. According to the crit
les of the Quaker city, the Sydney Grundy
version of Dumas "The Three Guards
men, which Mr. o'Neill is presenting un-
der the title of "The Musketeers," is in
fnitely more stirring and virile than are
any other of the books various adapta-
tons Mr. Grundy's D'Artagnan is de-
seribed as being a marvellous character
marvelously realized, while the incidents
and episodes in which he takes part in his
effort TO save the honor of the Queen or
France are mentioned as compelling cred
ulify not even aimed for in the Waller
dramatization.
OF Mr.. O'NeilPs production OF The
Musketeers'' so much has been said al
ready that there seems little reason for
further testimonial to its adequacy and
costliness. H. Beerbohm Tree did the piece
at Her Majesty's in London in such fash
ion as TO call forth the heartiest commend
alton of the English reviewers, and Mr..
0'Neilrs staging is averred to be behind
that OF his predecessor in no single partic-
ular The star himself is so undoubtedly
well equipped for such role as that OF the
fiery Gascon that further words on his
work are also unneeded. Managers Lieb-
Ter and company have supplied the actor
with a cast which includes such people as
Jefferson Lloyd. Jaques Kruger, Edmund
Breese, George Johnson, Arthur Garrels,
John ". Thompson, Mark Ellsworth, Je-
seph Downes, ]. A. Num-, ]. c. Beebe,
Claude Gilbert, Jean Jaques, Frank Ser
geant, Edward Forrest, Edward Bourchard
Jameson E. Long, Allen Lane, ]. E. Lau-
ier, George Gray, Edward Thomas, Maude
Odell, Gertrude Bennett, Minnie Victor
son, and Nora 0'Brien-
The Musketeers" will be the bill at the
Columbia until Saturday night, when q
sumptuous revival of Monte Cristo' i:
| 10 be substituted
The times., 1899-10-01
Bijou-VaudeyiIIe.

Midnight performances will be the order
of the week at the Bijou, where Manager
Grieves is figuring upon the best means of
catching the dollars of Dewey eelebrators.
Since the only true method of doing this is
in excellence of bill the director of the
house has provided a list of performers
which includes the names of Delmore and
Lee whose act introduces ''breakaway''
Mexican ladder; Jess Dandy, New York's
best-known parodist; Ellsworth and Burt,
whose latest sketch is entitled Domestic
Pets" West and Williams, comedians; the
Whitney Brothers, musicians and the mem
bers of the Bijou Stock Company, which
is 10 be seen in burlesque entitled THE
Waits OF d Street" The entire entertain
ment should be most interesting one and
there is every probability that IL will draw
exceedingly large audiences
The times., 1899-10-01
Kernan,s-.Parisian widows,

Kernan's-.Parisian Widows.o
With three performances scheduled for
every day in this week-a midnight mat
inee being especially added to the usual
two-it is not probable that the women Of
the Weber Partisan Widow combination
will have chance for the accumulation of
that predominant burlesque evil-hesh. II
the strain also causes a few red eyes and
nervous hands the loss of charm viii be
amply made up, however, by the excellence
of what promises to be most meritorious
series of entertainments. "The Manhat
tan Comedy Four" vocalists; Anna Suits
and his assistants, electrical Illusion
lists; Howard and Bland, pianist and a
soubrette; Hayes and Bandy, dancers;
Anderson Engelton, who is seen in bit of
''Virginius;" Russell and Tillyne, aero
bats, and Ruby Marion, cornetist, certainly
should compose an olio far above the aver
age, while much is also expected of the
after part, a musical farce, dubbed "A
Tin Wedding. In this are to be sung a
variety of the newest rag time ditties,
while scenery, costumes, accessories, and
electrical effects will add to the worth Of
this portion OF the performance. Seats for
any of the daily three shows may be
purchased after tomorrow morning.
The times., 1899-10-01
Academy-@The white Heather.v

Acade my-"The White Heather.v
When the managers of the production to
be seen this week at the Academy Of Music
had advertised I" The White Heather with
Rose coghlan," they probably felt that they
we're announcing as good play and as good
company as could be provided at the
prices. They were not prepared therefore,
10 see John T. Sullivan walk into their Of
fee on Thursday night with the information
that at headquarters he had been engaged
for the role opposite that to be assumed by
his wife Naturally, no one was averse
TO this strengthening OF the organization
especially since the competition in Wash
ington was to include no less distinguished
a parsonage than Admiral Dewey.
Ii Is true, though, that not even in the
presentation OF The White Heather at
the New York Academy was an actor of Mr..
Sulhvan's ability engaged for the not-too-
/ trying part of the stock manipulation There.
as elsewhere, more attention was devoted
to the sensational effects of the piece-to
its change scene, its regatta scene, and It's
diving scene-fhan TO the lines and business
| OF the work Itself Matters promise to be
very different here. The most casual thea
4 tregoer cannot but remember how nearly
perfect was Miss Coghlan's portrayal of the
| title role in THE Sporting Duchess" and
can readily understand to what advantage
she should appear in part SO similar as is
| that OF Lady Janet The aforesaid casual
| theatregoer may not recall Mr.. Suliivan's
| efforts before those exploited here in "a
Bachelors Honeymoon" nor has he need tc
| do So AS the suffering inebriate of that
miserable farce Mr. Sullivan was simply in
imitable. With these two players in the
The times., 1899-10-01

Guided In his most recent repertoire On
Wednesday night and at the Saturday matt
nee local critics will be given an oppor-
tunity of Judging his much-lauded
Hamlet while David Garrick" viii be
done or Wednesday afternoon and Satur-
day evening. During the remainder Of his
stay In the Capital the star Is 10 be seen
as the twin brothers Di Franchi in THE
Corsican Brothers" This dual part, so full
Of contrast and varying emotions. is said
10 have been enthusiastically praised In the
West, and Mr.. Wolfe's production of the
piece az the Lafayette Is awaited with some
interest. The support engaged includes
Corinne Parker. a Local girl. and twenty
other people. Manager Painter announces
that Monday nights entertainment viii not
be begun until after the Dewey parade has
dissolved. This viii enable the patriotic 10
see qaste as much OF the performance as will
those who do not intend 10 lend their per-
sons 10 the reception.
The times., 1899-10-01
NatfonaI-s'Because She Loved Him
Sa',

NatTonaI-s'Because She Loved Him
So.o
q The Little Minister of farce is what
Charles Frohman calls the William Gillette
comedy 10 be seen this week at the Ma
an unprejudiced judge, there are many
persons in washington who will agree with
him regarding the merits OF Because She
Loved Him So.' The piece is 50 wholly
free from the trififng suggestions and
glaring improbabilities of its class; so full
of humanity and optimism that one can
lot help being pleased with it. This pleas
ure is more than enhanced by the excel
lence of the company presenting the offer
ing. ]. E. Dodson, who is Wei known for
his character representations, is at the
head of these players, while Francis Car
Isle. Arnold Daily. William b. Smith, Tully
Marshall, ". ]. Constantine, Charles Ell
bridge. Roy Fairchild, Annie Irish, Kate
Meek, Leonora Braham, Maggie Fielding
Margaret Mayo. Frances Coms:ock, and
Augusta Close complete the admirable cat
engaged
Localities may remember that the story
of the effort concerns the marital lie aIions
of Oliver and Gertrude West, a couple
whose married life might be termed ideal
but for the Incorporate Jealousy Of the
young wife The green eyed monster is so
apparent in the household that his pres
] ence is detected even by the servants, one
OF whom takes advantage OF this fact to
! place two of her hairs on the husband s
coat on an evening which she wants to
herself While the quarrel that ensues
reaches the desired end, it threatens also
10 separate Oliver and Gertrude, who goes
TO her parents for consolation The old
people have lived together happily for over
thirty years, but. shocked by the state OF
affairs between their children, assume an
ger toward each other in order to show
Gertrude the consequences of her foo ish-
ness. From this point complications null
+ tiply until they are banished for happy
! climax and a final curtain. So charming a
( tale so charmingly told cannot but prove
attractive TO the clientele Of Manager Rap
! ley's uptown house.
The times., 1899-10-01
coIumlin-Inme. o,NeIII.

The newspapers ISSUED on the morning
following James o'Neilrs opening a fort
slight ago In Philadelphia offer unanimous
The times., 1899-10-01

cast, and supported by what seems TO be
capable organization, 1.-The White Heather
should make greater hit this week than
ever before.
Evening journal., 1899-08-28
GOSSIP OF THE RING.

The match between Jeffry Thone, OF
England and Kid Mccoy, Is only on as
far as the Westchester A. c. Is con
cerned. Both Thorne and Sam Fitz-
patrick deny that they wanted a GER
tain sum, win or lose, as the Ohlcials
OF the Westchester Club announced.
Both fighters will no doubt appear
pretty soon, and the battle Is likely to
take place at the Broadway A. c., on
September 3. Ii is all up to Mccoy, for
1hOrne is satisfied.
Bobby Dobbs arrived in New York
on Wednesday after besting the Eng
lish lightwelghts.
Jack OBren, of Philadelphia, who
has just returned from the West, is af-
ter a match with Charley McKeever or
Young Mahoney.
Eddie Santry, of Chicago, has been
matched to box twenty-five bounds
with Ben Jordan, champion Of Eng
land. The match Is to be decided on
November . in the arena of the COney
Island Sporting Club The men have
agreed to weigh in at 122 pounds at 3
o'clock, and give or take two pounds
The purse is to be $2,5OO. divided on a
udala VI 90 pei cent w lut Winner anu
25 per cent. to the loser.
Kid Lavigne has been matched tC
box twenty-five rounds with George
McFadden, at the Broadway Club, New
York, on October 6.
Gesrge Russell and Charley Hit,
furnished a fast six-round go at tn,
Quaker City a. G. on Friday night.
was the best fight OF the eyeninR al,
Hitte had slight advantage at Ia,
finish.
Jack Glynn, OF this city, and Jc
Golden, OF Philadelphia. are talked O
as a match at the next Empire show.
George Dixon may lose the sight O
his left eye. Continued punching Vi
that member has seriously impaired II
Evening journal., 1899-08-28

Donahue. Lauder, Cross and himself,
and will entertain the boys on the
road. John I. Rogers ought to get into
the game
Irwin. OF Washington, has offered
the release Of Pitcher Mercer to the
Baltimore Club for $1,000. The Brook
lyn Club has been after Mercer, too,
for several weeks.
While Hickman was waiting for his
ten days notice to expire, he received
offers from Brooklyn, Louisville, Gin
cinnati and Washington. The Bostons
resigned him.
Hanlon says that II Casey can keep
at the gait shown in the recent Boston
series, Wagner and other star third
basemen are not wanted by Brooklyn.
williams, of the Pittsburgs, leads
the League in hits yielding more than
one base. He has made 127.
The Philadelphia Club carries a man
on the trips whose sole duty is to
study the signals Of the opposing bat
teries. and transmit them to the Qua
ker batsmen by a secret code.
Here is what Donovan, the Pitts
burg manager has to say OF the League
race: Hanlon has will OF iron and q
heart OF steel. He is also game to the
marrow. He has set his mind on win.
ming the pennant. and will spend
money to land il. I believe the Balti
mores are dangerous factors in thii
lcontest and win intimately fight 1t on
with the Brooklyns.
Evening journal., 1899-08-28
PROCLAMATION.

Whereas the Island of Porto Ricol
has been devastated by disastrous
hurricane and a great multitude of the
people of that island have been rem
dered destitute and homeless; and
Wheras, The people of this
state rejoice in peace and plenty and
safety from the wasting hand of storm,
and are ever ready TO aid their less for
tunate brethren in all lands.
Now therefore. l, Ebe W. Tunnel,
Governor of Delaware, do hereby re-
quest that the citizens Of this state
contribute to the relief of the suffering
in said island, by donations Of food.
clothing or money, and the mayor OF
the city of Wilmington is hereby des-
ignated to receive such contributions
and to forward the same through the
proper channel
In testimony whereof, l, EDe
w. Tunnel. Governor OF the
State of Delaware, have here
unto set my hand and caused
the Great Seal of the State to
be hereto affixed this twenty
| [Seall fourth day OF August, in the
year OF our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and ninety
nine, and OF the independence
OF the United States of Ameri'
ca the one hundred and TWEEN
ty-fourth.
By the Governor:
EBE w. TUNNELL.
j. II. Hughes, Secretary of State.
Evening journal., 1899-08-28
HE WAS A BOGUS SOLDIER.

WILLIAMSON EN-
GAGGED BOARD AT, THE CLAY
TON HOUSE AND MYSTERI0USLY
DISAPPEARED.
Hotel-keepers should beware Of an
erstwhile soldier who is passing as a
recruiting officer for the United States
Volunteers, and has done at least one
Wilmington proprietor.
On Tuesday last young man, ap-
parentiy about 80 years of age, dress
ed In the regulation uniform OF the
volunteers, and giving his name as
Lieutenant A. W. Williamson, engaged
board at the Clayton House. He said
he was conducting a recruiting Office
in the Federal building, With him, as
baggage, he carried a parcel of cloth
ing wrapped in newspaper. "Lieuten-
ant" Williamson was a nice-lookine
young man, and the only feature that
marred his appearance as military
man was the lack of regulation cap
He wore a stiff hat. After remaining
until Thursday morning, Lieutenant
Williamson suddenly departed, with
out paying board. He left the hotel
saying he was going to the recruiting
office to see his superior officer, "an'
he never came back"
He also left behind him his suit o
citizens clothes, and several business
cards and letter. The letter was di
rected TO Mrs. A. Obendorfer. of No
1144 South street, Philadelphia ant
was signed by a woman claiming to b
his sister The contents advised hin
to do better.
Several business cards were also LEI
by Lieutenant" Williamson.
Inquiry at the Federal building fail
cd TO reveal any recruiting Office. TIL
opinion seems to be that the man is
genuine hotel beat.
Evening journal., 1899-08-28
WHOLE FAMILY ARREsTEp.

Adolphus HursOck, and his wife,
were arrested Saturday by Odicer I'd
wards at Ninth and Market streets. on
a charge Of being drunk and disorder
ly. Their 6-year-old son was with
them when brought TO the police sta
ton. The woman created so much
excitement by swearing that il was
necessary to put her in the dungeon,
while the child was placed in the care
OF Matron White, and the husband
locked in another cell. Hursock Of
fered TO settle the case, but was in
formed that they would have to stand
trial first. They will have a hearing
before Judge Ball.
Evening journal., 1899-08-28
BASEBALL NOTES.

The Hartvilie team, of Philadelphia.
missed the train Saturday and the
game at the Union street grounds with
the Brownsons was postponed. An ex-
hihitiop game was played with a pick
ed team
Goeckel, Of the Philadelphia team,
who was formerly leader Of the Uni
versity OF Pennsylvania Glee Club, has
organized a quartet, composed Of