davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times., 1899-04-16
CHATS WITH THE PLAYERS.

In the cloak room OF the National Thea
ire Times man found Joseph Jefferson
last Wednesday morning and paused for
the purpose of paying his respects. The
Dean of the American Stage" is getting
very far along in years and begins TO
show most of them in the strength of the
lines about his mouth and in the frequen-
cy of those on his forehead. He is still
hale and hearty. however. while his eyes
are as bright and his wit as sharp as they
might ever have been. Clad in a black
Prince Albert coat and wearing 4 pecu
Iiarly shaped beaver Mr.. Jefferson resem-
bled nothing so much as the quaint pie
lures one sometimes sees in long -forgo.-
ten books. He rose as the visitor entered
and that individual, after making few
suggestions regarding the weather. be-
thought himself that an interview would
not be amiss and asked. MIR. Jefferson,
what is the chief evil of the contemporary
stage?"
The audiences, replied the star
PROMPTLY And then he continued, Since
the demand invariably creates the supply
and not the supply the demand, theatre
goers must always be blamed for what
ever there may be wrong with the ann e.
ments of their time. The great public.
which is really nobody because everybody,
goes to see what it likes and the manager
| or actor who tries forcing il to take one
| form of entertainment or another is sure
| IF but single end.
} "As matter of fact, l do not believe
The times., 1899-04-16
The EIk. BENEFIT.

The arrangements for the Elks' benefit,
which occurs next Tuesday afternoon. at
the Grand Opera House, have been COM
of the events OF the season. The com
mIttee in charge has secured the services OF
a number OF clever people, and an enjoy
able afternoon is assured all who attend.
The full United States Marine Band, un-
der the direction of Prof William H. San
telmann. will open the programme, while
among the others who will appear are
Minnie Dupree and company. In Annie
Russelrs ''Dangerfeld, '95''; Nellie Nc
Nulty the popular Washingtonian, who
sings the coon songs; the Sisters Mil
lar: Hilda Thomas and Frank Barry, in
Miss Ambition; Burr Mcintosh and
company, presenting THE Colonel's Xmas
Eve; Constance NJ. Hurworth, the phe-
nomenal double-note whistler; Welby,
Pearl Keys and Nellis, artistic dancers;
Mile. Adelina Roattin, operate vocalist;
THE Three Nondescripts, acrobatic
comedians; Florence Henri King, the
charming violiniste; Carmenelii and Lu-
ellie. musical grotesques; A. c. Lawrence,
monologist; Dewitt and Tourjee, .wo
American trumpeters; Whitelaw and
Stewart. THE German and the Get:
Fish and Quigg, eccentrics; Louise Ker-in,
Flora Parker Mr.. and Mrs Stuart Dar-
row, Marguerite and Princess, and the
three Goldsmith Sisters.
The performance will commence at 12:3t
and continue uninterruptedly all the after
noon. The house is to be beautifully deco
rated for the occasion and handsome SOU
venir programmes will be furnished thos.
holding reserved seats. The advance sal,
indicates that standing room will be at I
premium
The times., 1899-04-16
Rnoo,o nt,I,. Wi,d We,t.

The heat of last week and the announced
closing of a local theatre have created an
atmosphere of summer that paves the way
most effectually for the statement tha: on
Wednesday and Thursday next Buffalo
Bills Wild West and Congress of Rough
Riders of the World reaches Washington.
This great show-an American institution
peculiarly national in its enterprise and
size-is candidly more pretentious and
enormous now than ever before. Our re-
cent war with Spain and the subsequent
acquiring of colonies has given Colonel
Cody scope to broaden his exhibition by
the engagement of natives from our new
territory and by reproducing the more
prominent battles In which American and
Spanish troops took part.
This portion of the show is said 20 be
really marvellous. For the purpose of ade-
uately reproducing the stirring events of
the late unpleasantness'' no less than
sixty OF Roosevelt's Rough Riders are sup
posed to have been secured. and with the
assistance Of the guerrillas, Cubans, and
other native warriors always carried, give
The times., 1899-04-16
Biiou-Yaudexiue.

The popularity OF the Bijou has reached
such point through the excellence of the
performances given there by Manager John
Grieves that the patrons of the house
could only be surprised by being invited
TO attend meritless entertainment. 1t is
not proposed to take this means of as
tonishing the clientele of the theater, how
ever, and, from the view point named, the
bill furnished this week will be most COM
monplace. The people to appear in the pro-
gramme are McAvoy and May, farceurs;
the three Brothers Luken, acrobats; Dan
Tourgee and Eva Dewitt, musical come
dians; Fish and Quigg. .'the long and short
of it, the three Goldsmith Sisters, singers
and dancers; Adelina Roatino. soprano,
and the members of the Biiou Stock Com
pany.
The times., 1899-04-16
Kernan,s-"Tbe city sports,

One of the old stand-bys at Kernan's
Theatre is Phil Sheridan's CITY Sports,
an organization which has stood the wear
and tear of ten years in the amusement
field. The entertainment offered this sea-
son is said TO be far superior TO that shown
on former visits and will probably crowd
the Lyceum twice day during
this weeks engagement. The pro-
gramme advertised provides for
the appearance of Ruth Beecher,
a soprano of some note; A. C. Lawrence,
eccentric monologist; Leslie and Gaylor,
vivacious chansonettes; the Monte Myro
Troupe of four pantomimists; Scanlan and
Stevens, comedians; Farnum and Nelson,
acrobats. and of Chrissie Sheridan in Ar
thur Filippi's skit, "Pastimes Among the
Flowers" Before and after this olio are
presented two farces, "Maloney's Visit"
and THE Troubles of King" The per-
formance affords many novelties and not
little matter that is sure to be enjoy
able
The times., 1899-04-16

In commercial way local theatr.cals
acrobatics last week and the results OF
the exhibition were manifold. OF the six
attractions in town only three were pre-
sented at the usual rates, one of the com
binations appearing at bargain counter
and the other two at advanced prices.
With Joseph Jefferson charging one-fourth
more than the conventional admittance
fee at the National and the Grau Com
pany exacting sums ranging from So down
at the Grand, the purse of the theatregosr
was pretty severely taxed. Business at
the sextette of the houses opsn was rather
spasmodic but generally good. The Dean
of the American Stage began his engage
ment here to a comparatively small audi
ence, which bettered itself on Tuesday and
Wednesday evenings and remained al
high average during the remainder of the
period. Tim" Frawlsy's organization
was seen in The Charity Ball" at the Co
lumbia by gatherings that, IL not over
whelmingly great, augur extremely well
for the entrprising manager. .Devii's ISL
and" drew rathr poorly at the Academy
and the Harris Brothers, whose "Sympo-
SUM filled in the first half OF the week
descriptively If improperly called hard
luck" Not more than an auditorium full
of persons witnessed the entertainment
during its six performances. May How
ards Burlesquers brought fair fortune TO
Kernan's, and the vaudevillisns at the
Bijou faced the usual number of specta-
tors. The Lafayette was dark.
Excepting only The variety houses. every
theatre in town suffered somewhat by the
Inc nf he
Thursday night. Despite the truth of this
statement 1t is to be feared that Manager
Grau's organization hardly covered expens-
es here-a fact deplorable when the ex-
eellence OF the company and the desirable
ity OF its presence is understood The
response made by local theatregoers, how
ever. was promising If not wholly salts
factory and will probably guarantee Wash
ington an annual return OF the combina-
ton The performance OF ''Lohengrin" on
Thursday at the Grand drew really no.
table assembly. and while La Trariata'
was sung on Friday almost 10 empty
benches, yesterdays matinee of Faust
brought out an increased gahering, and
that OF die Walkure" last night filed the
spacious auditorium only partially.
For the coming week a variety OF at
fractions is announced, the one novelty
being the first Washington production of
Anson Ponds military melodrama. Her
Atonement," at the National. Excepting
for q Thursday afternoon concert by Sou
sa's Band the Lafayette will be dark At
the Columbia the Frawley Company ap-
pears In Alabama vaudeville is 10 be
resumed at the Grand, with Minnie Dupree,
Hilda Thomas. and Cheridah Simpson as
headliners, and the Black PATHS ''Trou-
badours." a well-known colored combina-
tion, comes to the Academy. Phil Sheri-
dams City Sports and a vaudeville bill
at Kernan's and the Biiou finish The list
OF the period though an Elks' benefit and
q dozen concerts may be of service as ee-
ment in the weeks mosaic.
The times., 1899-04-16
Academy-BIack PATHS ..Trouba-
dours."

A genuine festival of mirth and melody
is promised from Black PATHS ''Trouba-
dours'' on the occasion of their this weeks
series of performances at the Academy of
Music. The company has earned the repu-
tation of being the best of its kind ever
organized in this country and is credited
with giving an entertainment which en-
bodies delightful blending of opera,
comedy. burlesque and vaudeville, embel-
lished with costly costumes and appropri-
ate stage settings. There are said TO be
fifty people In the combination, which in
cludes Madame Jones, who is undoubtedly
a singer of fine attainments, and Ernest
Hogan. who is best known for his author
ship of "All Coons Look Alike to Me-
The first hour and half of the evenings
pleasure is devoted to laughter making
and spectacular effects. During this time
is introduced rather novel skit, AT Gay
Coon-ey Island" which has done service
for several years and is still understood
10 be attractive The piece is composed
of the newest jokes and witticisms, which
are interpolated among a choice collection
of coon songs and buck dances. In this
sketch the fun Is largely due TO the en-
deavors of Mr.. Hogan, whose abilities as a
comedian are said to be somewhat remark
able The setting used is the work of that
best known of scenic artists. Harley Merry,
while costumes and properties are alike
supposed TO be adequate.
The vaudeville bill which follows has
been commended highly for its general
excellence. 1t ultimately gives way 10 the
operate kaleidoscope" which has become
famous among patrons OF negro entertain
ments. II is in this portion OF the per-
formance that the company appears to the
best advantage. Such solo and ensemble
singing is said 10 be heard rarely save in
the most pretentious grand opera combi-
nations. The Black Patti and fifty Of her
support assist in rendering this meiange.
II lasts only thirty minutes, but during
that time the best selections from Faust, -
| Carmen" III Trovatore." THE Grand
Duchess Tar and Tartar THE Bohe-
milan Girl" Mariana" and "Luecia and
Rigeletto" are given. The costume worn
The times., 1899-04-16
CoInmbin-.AInhnm MIA p

Manager Frawley is exhibiting an inter-
esting series of revivals AT the Columbia
just now and not the least attractive of
the list is that selected for this week.
Augustus Thomas delightful idyll of
Southern life, Alabama has ever had
warm place in the hearts of Washington
theatregoers for the reason that the Capt.
tai City, standing midway between Dixie
and Yankeedom, has always been in posi-
ton to appreciate the sentiments and
characteristics of both sides in our great
national struggle.
Alabama" is not a war play. for, al
though the division OF house against it
self by reason of the combat between the
States forms the basis OF the principal
theme. IL was Mr.. Thomas pleasant duty
TO show how the animosities thus engen-
dered were being smoothed away by the
patient hand OF Time and how natural love
Of kin was reuniting families long supar-
ated by the bloody chssm OF civil strife.
And now that this prophetic effort, which
doubtless did much toward softenine the
feelings Of both factions, has been realized
in the complete reconciliation witnessed
during the late war with Spain, when the
sons Of the North and the South, whose
fathers fought each other. stood side by
side against foreign foe, it viii be re-
81 proves that the bonds OF blood and
brothership are again sound and strong in
spite OF an old and bitter estrangement.
The clever exposition of Alabama life and
character will be especially appreciated
here. since Localities are familiar with all
the types which appear in Mr.. Thomas
work. Manager Frawley is taking great
pains TO fit each of these portraitures 10 a
player who will best realize the part, and
the selection OF Burr Mcintosh for the role
Of Colonel Moberiy-an impersonation
''TriIby" and his .'Mizzoura" blacksmith
augurs well for the start.
Harry Corson Clarke, the comedian, y ho
has made such hit as the Judge In THE
Charity Ball." will be directly in his ele-
ment as the Squire while Myron calice as
Captain Davenport. Selene johnson rs the
Widow Page. Godfrey Stein as her SON
Georgia Welles as Carey Preston, Mary
Van Buren az Mrs. Stockton, corinne
Parker as Atlanta. and George CASTOR at
the old darky, Decatur. would seem 10 be
admirably placed. For the role of Col
onel Preston. the old Southerner whose
bitter memories OF the past are the prin-
cipal obstacle TO the happiness Of the
younger generation. Manager Frawley ha:
surprise in store for his patrons in the
person of an actor who. he declares, is tn,
best he ever saw in the character. Ala
bama" gives opportunities for elaborate
setting and dressing and il is promised
that these features Of the performance vii
be fully cared for.
The times., 1899-04-16
"TheIrnn.v

AT 1909 Pennsylvania Avenue. where
Ashley Cooper's painting of "Thelma" is
being exhibited at so much head, is also
a gallery of pictures to which admission is
free. number of masterworks are in this
hall. but none half so artistic or so striking
as is Lindsay's lion, Nero" This canvas
is really one Of the most brilliant ever
seen in Washington. The figure OF the
king of beasts is life size and so yivified.
so full of motion and existence, that it
challenges the admiration of the most cen
serious. A number of other clever studies
are in the exhibition and all serve as an
excellent prelude to ''Thelma,' which is
the objective point of most people who
visit the rooms.
The times., 1899-04-16
Santnueili.

The time allotted santanelli, the hyp
notist, in this city is4sloyly drawing to a
close. The mesmeristnoriginally came to
Washington for the space of a week, but
his reception was SO hearty and the bust
ness done so gratifying that an extension
was finally determined upon. The engage
ment, however, is necessarily limited, and
those who are anxious to see the San Fran
ciscan had best go now. Santanelli con-
tinues to give his performances twice daily
at Willard Hall
The times., 1899-04-16

Heather" MIR. Frohman is supposed to
have secured very strong company for
road service, among the people engaged
being Louis E. Aldrich, Orrin johnson,
Richard Bennett, Jessie Busley and Mar
garet Robinson, and it is this organiza-
tion which will be seen here.
Her Atonement'' is mentioned as being
chiefly notable as production of magni-
tude. Its dozen or more scenes take up
the most pretentious subjects, reproducing
such well-known metropolitan localities
as the Astor House, City Hall Park, Print
ing House Square and the Courtland Street
Ferry. During the time in which these
places are shown two big parades are
brought upon the stage, introducing scores
of soldiers, crowds of on-lookers and a
brass band. The troops are an important
element in a story which has military he
ro and an army nurse for a heroine. They
figure not only in the professions, but they
are seen crowding an East River boat
which is exhibited moving in midstream
and again they appear on a train of cars
which is said 10 roll out of the Pennsylva-
mia Railroad station in Jersey City as ma
jestically and impressively as if the whole
affair were genuine. These representa-
tions are described as being decidedly stir
ring and as affording great opportunity for
scenic display.
Inc piot OF tne play Is Daseu on tne
shooting of Charles Leroy, roue, by one
of his victims, girl named Martha West.
James Morton. the brother of another girl
whom the scoundrel has betrayed, has en-
listed in the service of his country, and
upon returning is arrested for the murder.
A Colonel Swift is engaged as counsel for
the defence. but his efforts are unavailing
and the prisoner is about to be sentenced
when Martha West. who is really the law
yer's daughter. makes her atonement.
From all accounts. this theme is delicately
and cleverly handled, SO that from Ii ere
evolved number of really strong sltua-
tions The sale of seats for the engage
ment opened on Thursday, and has pro-
gressed more than satisfactorily. The time
is ripe for the production of good military
melodrama, and Her Atonement' appears
10 come under that head.
The times., 1899-04-16
a nurr Mc,uto.h Lecture.

Burr Mcintosh, the actor-newspaper man
who was recently in Cuba with the Fifth
Army Corps, will give what should be an
interesting lecture on next Friday after
noon on the adventures and incidents at
tendant upon his experience during the
Hispano- American war. Over loo photo
graphs, taken by himself at the scene. will
be used TO illustrate the talk, which will
doubtless be most absorbing. Seats for the
event go on sale tomorrow.
The times., 1899-04-16

a lifelike representation of the scene In
speaking of this and of other portions of
the exhibition the New York Herald. on
the morning after Colonel Cody's advent
at Madison Square Garden, took occasion
to say:
The grand review opening the evenings enter
tainInent was what il &d always been. most
superb spectacle, the whole scene being niied
with Il glttering crowd OF hoTsemen, Indian,
Cossack, Mexican, Gauchq, Arab, and COWBOYS
with detachments OF the. cavalry of England,
Germany, Russia, and the lnited states ana
squsdrons of Cubans Hawaans, Porto Ricans,
and loyal Filipnos. al ~
At their head appeared the most gallant horse
of them ALL Buffalo Bill whose reception
gave more the most abundant evidence oil
his popularity.
All the accustomed features of the great show
given with their usual success, including
the wonderful feats OF craftsmanship OF Annie
Oakley and Johnny Baker, the pony express riders
and the pursuit and rescue OF the Deadwood
coach by Buffalo Bill and his band OF cowboys
There were also splendid exhibitions OF skill
by section of Captain Thorpe's Battery ID oil
the Fifth United States Artillery, musical ride
by Il squadron OF the British Sixteenth Lancers,
and an exhibition of rough riding by the splen-
ddy trained troopers of Colonel Summers regi-
ment. from Fort Myer, Va.
By far, however, the most attractive feature
of the entertainment the assault and cap
ture of the Hill of San juan. First shown
the gathering Of the American forces, infantry,
cavalry, and Rough Riders. marching in until
the vast arena was filled with armed men, who
eanped and sung round the watchfres till night
fell. and then in the darkness disappeared most
mysteriously. Dawn revealed at one end of the
arena grassy slope crowned by palm trees and
a Spanish blockhouse. defended by men in blue
drill uniforms and broad sombreros.
Suddenly the American forces charged in, the
men extending in skirmish order and opening a
brisk fire. that was responded TO by the de-
tenders OF the hill.
Artillery wheeled into position. and the rumble
of Gatiing guns filled the building. The Span
iards replied, but the assailants pressed forward
and then, in whirlwind of cheers and flying
coors. went charging up the slope over the lines
OF Spanish dead.
Gymkana races, Indian games, the buffalo hunt,
and the attack on the settlers cabin brought q
most exciting evening 10 close.
From this description, printed in one of
New York's more conservative dailies. it
may easily be seen that the performance
given by Buffalo Bill's Wild West is not in
| ferior now to what it has been in former
years. and there is every reason to expect
! that great business will be done when
! the aggregation reaches here.
The times., 1899-04-16
The sousa Concert.

After having travelled $1,000 miles in
three months, with such trifling incident
ais as a head-on collision, landslide,
two snowslides, and one blockade, John
Philip Sousa will, on next Thursday.
bring his great band TO Washington for his
last concert this year. In conformance
with his annual custom Sousa has arranged
special and attractive features for his 10
cal appearance, and on this occasion he
will give what he calls .'Sousas Spring
Musical Festival introducing five brill
liant soloists. new to these entertainments,
and, best of all, two new musical eompo-
sitions by himself.
First and foremost of these is the
Sousa march for 1899 which the popular
writer has reserved for its first public
performance in Washington. Certainly no
single melodic offering of the year inter-
ests so many people as does new Sousa
march. To the bellies and beaux of the
land it means a welcome addition to the
literature of dance music; to the soldiers
yet another soul-stirring, entertaining
military air. and to every lover of har-
mony something odd and attractive. The
composition is a complete one, in form
resembling Sousa's famous "The Stars and
Stripes Forever, and not an operatic
medley, as are some of his other sue
cesses.
Sousa will also present here vocal
quartette which he has written TO the
words of Knox's immortal poem, "0h, Why
Should the Spirit of Mortal Be Proud?
This was Abraham Lincoln's fayorite
verse, and the music was inscribed on the
last observance of the martyr Presidents S
birthday The quartette will be sung by
Juliette Corden. soprano; Bessie Bonsal,
contralto. George Leon Moore, tenor, and
Leland H. Langley, basso.
In the general programme, which viii
be unusually attractive in its makeup
Sada will be the violin soloist. This final
| concert will be given on Thursday after
noon at the Lafayette Square Opera House
The times., 1899-04-16
NasionnI--H~r Atonement.r

Charles Frohman's production of Anson
Ponds military melodrama. Her Atone
ment." Will be given series OF eight per-
sormances this week at the National The
atre. The piece has Just finished trium-
phant run at the Academy OF Music in
New York. where IL is said TO have been
given TO crowded houses and where II was
accepted as the legitimate successor Of
THE Sporting Duchess. and The White
The times., 1899-04-16

in the reproduction of scenes from these
works we're made by Herman, the London
haberdasher who was formerly with Sir
Henry Irving. The engagement here will
be of the usual duration and will be mark
ed by Wednesday and Saturday matinees.