davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1901-12-22

terviewer, "snd after travelling around
this country for several years I caught
the spirit OF adventure which comes 10
most boys at some time or other. and ran
away from the company at Norfolk. va.
In the summer of 1885. l went aboard a
tramp steamer as cabin boy. When on
the southern coast OF China we ran into a
typhoon-pleasant little affairs which
they have in that part of the worid-and
were wrecked. About half the crew were
rescued. and the captain saved me. losing
his own life ten minutes after in an at
tempt to rescue one OF the women. After
spending some time in Peking, learn
iDg something OF the Chinese language
and studying their customs, I sailed for
New York. and there made my first an
pcarance In a Chinese part in "The Pearl
of Peking." 4 was fortunate enough TO
make q hit. and determined to follow that
line as long as my services were in de-
mlnd-
"A strange thing happened while I was
in san Francisco, In which my knowledge
OF the Chinese tongue proved a godsend.
and it isn't a fish story. either. One OF
the members OF the company and / went
into Chinese restaurant ans. heard two
Celestiais planning to sell a girl to a
wealthy Chinese merchant for $500 We
notified the police. the girl was saved and
the two Cinnamon got ten years for their
Mains :"
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
Book Plays Not Popular.

The great craze on the part Of man
ayers for dramatizations of widely read
books seems to have died a natural death.
and now the average manager will have
nothing to do with the play that has been
made over from n novel.
OF the entire crop of plays that have
issued from this source. it is said that
but two Of them, Janice Meredith" and
'-David Harum," are proving profitable
properties this season. Charles DaltOn's
experience with THE Helmet of Ma
yarre." while exceedingly brief. cost him
something like $4,000. and Bertha Gal
lands financial sponsor expended like
sum on THE Forest Lovers"
There are several isolated instances
where well-klown stars are appearing to
good-szed audiences in book plays. but
these same players would attract as much
attention in almost any other sort OF We
hicIe. 1t does not require Charles Majors
when Knightho0d Was in Flower" to
draw people to the theatre to see Julia
Marlowe: she did better business with
Clyde Fitch's Barbara Frictchie'' than
she has with tine Iudianian's story OF
Mary Tudor. alice of Ole vincelnes.
in which Virginia Harmed is being starred
by Charles Frohman this year. is a cheap.
rip-snorting melodrama that would not
be accepted by the patrons OF the Acad-
emy OF Music. who by reason OF their
long association with melodrama have i
PRETTY fair and accurate knowledge OF
what this style of stage performance
should be, and there Is every reason to
believe that they would have nothing OF
Alice and he. hGroics.
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
Wilson's New Role.

Francis Wilson has rellnquished his
part in The Strollers' and has been very
ably succeeded by John Henshaw. Mr..
Wilson has been spending the past week
with the various other members Of "Thc
Toreador'' company in New York. prepar-
ing for the first production of the import
ed musical piece at the National Theatre
next week.
Wilson is said to be particularly happy
in his new part, which will be more along
the lines Of his Caddy OF "Erminie" fams
than anything he has had since the days
of his early popularity at the New York
Casino. He will have in THE Toreador"
an opportunity to do a good deal Of the
sort OF clowning that madn Caddy such
an entertaining fellow, and 1t is safe to
assume that the comedian Will grasp
every such chance with ayidIty. as OF late
years he has not succeeded in increasing
his popularity. Indeed. the Wilson star
was, early this season. thought to be set
ting, when along came his managers.
Nixon & Zimmerman, with The Torea-
DOR" which promises SO we'll.
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
1892" to Washington.

Hattie Williams contributed in a very
material degree to the fuumaking of THE
Rogers Brothers in Washington" at the
National Theatre last week. and as Maizi
Mahoni. shared the honors with the two
stars. Miss Williams is one OF the
ambitious and energetic women of the
stage. From the time when she appeared
in ''I4s2'- as one OF the Daily Hints From
Paris" she has made her way steadily to-
ward the front. and she now occupies the
position of leading woman with one OF the
best known combinations in the country.
I'm glad you like my name" Miss VIII
liams said to a Times interviewer one
afternoon last week. Those is on the
end are quite the thing. They make the
old fashioned hyphen look really pale.
Something interesting? Well, now. that's
lust little embarrassing for. you know.
the press agent Is paid to say that we're
all excessively interesting. but when YOU
come to headquarters for vcrificatton, it's
quito another thing.
II made my stage debut with r. p. Rice,
appearing 1882 and other Of his pro-
ductions and then spent some time with
the Hoyt musical farces. I have always
beeu associated with musical work, last
wear being the nearest | have ever been
to the legitimate That was in The Girl
From Maxims.' and wasn't really legiti-
mate after ALL being French farce Many
of my friends have been good enough to
say that belong in Legitimate work. and
ronetimes | get to thinking seriously of
it, but just when | get TO the point of die
tating my terms by wire to Charles Froh-
man, / catch glimpse of myself in the
mirror and it's all of. With this face?
Neveri Imagine me saying. Stand back!
or .Avaunti Wonderful,
Then there is the inartistic side of the
question, but by fsr the more interesting.
There is SO much more money in musical
comedy. and II you're orce established ard
work conscientiously it's very comforting
to know that there will be coal in the cell
lar all winter Look at the number of
clever and talented girls who work and
strive for recognition for years, playing
little bits of parts with salaries in pro,
portion. Some one told me recently that
/ should have started in the legitimate
and stayed there, as that's where | be-
long. / said. Maybe so, But just think
OF that little ghost that has nevrr failed
to walk. and that is growing healthier as
time gees on No: I'm perfectly salts
fed 70 stay right where | am.
This season is proving a very delight
full one to me in many ways. and is also
fine experience. The keynote Of the
Rogers Brothers performance is action
Everybody plays just as fast as possible.
everything goes ut breaknecls speed. and
one thing follows another with Dewilder-
ing rapidity. The action OF the .pieee is
Keyed up to concert pitch and kept there.
Then when the Rogers Brothers come en-
they play slower, and there's the contrast. |
Unless one Is used to this rapid fire work
il is pretty hard for time. but 1t keeps |
one wide awake. Nlne-tonths OF the peo-
pie who witness the performances go away
with only one idea-that they have been
amused. and as that just happens to be
the object Of the stars and the company.
it's all right, ard everybody is satisfied"
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
A Chinese Comedian.

The company which presented the
BIaney play. Across the Pacific" at the
Academy OF Music last week included an
actor who is particularly clever in a line
which is too often derieted in the form
of burtesque simply because most os those
who interpret 1t are not capable Of 4
faithful portrayal. The actor In ques
tion is Chinese Johnny Williams
and the part which he enaets is. MS as
name suggests, that OF Celestial
Williams tricks Of burlesque magic are
extremely amusing. and his characterize
tion is unusually clever Almost every
body who enjoyed his performance was
amused at what was supposed to be an
Imitation OF the Chinese language. AS a
matter of fact the actor speaks the Ian
guage 1uently. having spent some years
In China, where he acquired fairly ac-
curate knowledge of the customs of the
people.
az went on the stag when l was eight
years DID," said Mr.. Williams to an in
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
Sensational Bicycling.

What Is announced as. the most marvel
ors performance ever seen on an Amerl-
can stage. a feat which almost beggars
description. with it's daredevil reckless
ness, race in which death seems in
pursuit. is now being presented in vaude-
Vile under tho title of the B. f. Keith
Cycle Track Sensation.
II presents, in brief, an actual cycle
race ridden on teacup- shaped banked
board track built on the stage. 1t is
said to be impossible to picture in words
half viyidly enough the scene when three
very fast professional track riders, going
ut express train speed, pass and repass
on coliseum track set at n slope
OF 40 degrees. the steepest incline ever
used. and measuring 10 feet at the bot
tom. 20 feet at the top, and only feet
high. Inches only separate the riders as
they whirl around this small circle, and
the audiences are mute with wonder. al
though nerved to, the highest tension by
the sensational novelty. 1t is the small
est stage track in Ahe world, and was
obtained by MIR. Keith in Europe, where
1t has achieved success in vaudeville
far above any current attraction.
The track is formei of inch-thick and
three-tnch wide Stats OF oak firmly bound
and bolted together. and as the three rid
ers speed around it, the boards. stout as
they are. sag and rock in a most threat
eninS manner To look at the track erect
ed in the middle of the stage the first
thought is mo man could ever ride on
that, and those were the very words of
the three riders who mastered it at the
risk Of life and limb.
II took them two weeks before the riders
could make even one lap on the fimsy
structure. and then only after they had
been bruised from head to foot from the
falls they had taken. Even now as they
speed around the track after weeks of
practice they dare not even look at one
another or take their eyes for single in
stant from the board on which they ride
To do so would mean an instant col
lision and probably serious injury. Each
man must be at all times in a certain
place on that sive-foot slope, and. come
what may. he must not diverge in the
slightes; from his course. for the men
pass each other only By the fractional
part of foot.
The track is eighty laps to the pile
and the riders have made remarkably
good time on 1t. They are practically
riding fat out In the air and the CEN
trifugal force resulting from their great
speed is all that keeps the wheels on the
board track as the riders fairly fly
around The track itself is peculiar and
resembles in shape moro than anything
else funnel. on the inside Of which the
trio of cyclists ride.
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
Foxy Quiller.'

Foxy Quiller." with Jerome Sykes in
the name role, will arrive" at the Co.
lunbia Theatre next week after a tri-
umphant tour of the South and West.
"Quiller' vas originally produced In
Washington, at the Columbia, last sea-
son. and at the time OF the premiere re-
ceived the hearty endorsements of the
Canitai City's theatregoers. II has proved
TO be one of the most sucC essful of the
numerous Kiaw &c ErlnnSer attractions,
ana II is noteworthy fact that each re-
turn engagement played by the company
has been TO larger business than the orig
inal visit
The music OF Foxy Qulller" is in
Reginald de Kovens happiest vein. and
is more distinct than any of his compost
lions that have been heard in this city
Tor some years. There is already brisk
demand for seats for the engagement of
Foxy CUTLER" ut the Columbia. and IL
is expected that the + Street playhouse
VIII hold many crowded audiences next
week
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
The past
week. re
garded by
Past and Present

theairica Il
managers as the very worst period in the
entire season. from a business point OF
view, brought but little comfort to the
Golfers of the local managers or the direc-
tors OF the various attractions that occu-
pied the Washington playhouscs. The at
fractions of the Christmas displays az the
stores more than oatweighcd tho allure
ments oil the footlights. and even such 4
splendid performance as The Rogers
Brothers in Washington" did not draw
anything like the audiences the impor
lance and general excellence OF tho pro-
duction deserved. The National wac wcii
filled On several occasions. but there were
times when many mors@couid have been
accommodated with seats. The Washing
ton piece OF the Rogers Brothers proved
10 be one OF the most entertaining OF the
series which commenced with the Wall
Street one. and which VIII end goodness
cnly knows where-perkdps in Oklahoma
or Alaska, or some other spot that hap
pens to strike the fancy OF John J. Me
Nally, the Boston writer who fashioned
these affairs for the frafe-nsl German
comedians. Andrew Mack returned to the
Capital after an absence OF five years.
His play Tom Moore IS q very delight
iul comedy, and gives the star several
chances 20 display his sweet voice. TIE
Chase Stage was occupied by Perry Has
well and her stock company frora Balti-
more. Tho LIARS was we'll played By
the former leading lady Of the Lafayette
stock company. and although the business
was moi what was expected, stiH the &c
tress was given fiattering reception by
her many local admirers. The Lafayette
company revived "An Enemy to the
King" with good deal OF success, and
:iie Academy patrons enjoyed tho visit OF
Across the Pacific The Bijou did well
with a good programme Of burlesque a>i
vaudeville. and KcrEan's with the Big
Sensation show had an excellent Offering
that attracted large audiences.
This weeks change OF bills viii see
James X. HacKett installed at the Ma
tional. where he will present his new
play. Don Caesars Return" which en-
joyed run OF eleven wecks at Wallack's
theatre. New York during the fall. At
the Columbia the L3hans-'our OF them.
father. mother, son, and daughtcr-who
were among the very cleYerest OF vaudc-
Vile entertainers. will present rev
comedy. The Governors Son. which is
expected to prove one Of the real sur
prises OF the year. In those cities in which
the play has already been produced it has
been pronounced one OF ihe best things
Of its type seen for many years. Chasc's
win return tomorrow afternoon TO vaude-
vile, and Hr. Chase males the announce
ment that this form OF entertainment VIII
not be interrupted during the remainder
OF the season. The Lafayette win produce
Hazel Kirlc." and -'On the Stroke of
Twelve will be seen at the Academy OF
Music. Manager Herman VIII present the
Al Reeves burlesque company. said 10 be
exceptionally strong this season. and the
Lafayette show VIII appear IN conjunction
sfth the regular stock burlcsque cGm-
pany at the Bijou.
All Of tie local theatres VIII give spc-
ciaI rnatinccs Christina.
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
TO Conquer Wa shington.

Andrew Mack. in addition to being prac-
ticaIly unknown to Washington theatre
goers-he had not appeared in this city
for FIVE ycars--cGmo to the Capital during
the very worst week in the entire thcatri-
cal calendar. His business was not good
indeed had 1t been otherwise he would
have good cause for astonishment-but he
heroically faced half filled houses last
week at the Columbia and presented ore
OF the brightest and best acted comedies.
Tom Moore" that local audience has
enjoyed for some time. Mack's sweet voice
proved a potent charm. and his songs
we're heartily npplauded, while he dis
played dramatic ability that was quite
unlocked for. even by those who were ia
milar with his previous klstrionic ef
forts.
'Thc people won't fock to see me-
because they find other attractions in tho
Santa Claus show" said Mack the other
night. But" he continued. Il am going
to keep on coming to Washington every
year hereafter. until the people under
stand that they do not have TO be Irish
to enjoy my performances. Tom Moore"
as l play him. Is as entertaining. bright.
Intelligent. and withai as lovable man
as any character in history, and en-
deayor to make him live again in the
flesh.
81 am going to continue playing Irish
characters, but not the sort of Irishmen
that are generally seen on the stage. Not
the kind of a fellow with Galway slug
gers around his chin. with a green vest
and a pipe in his mouth, who stands up
before crowd OF British soldiers and
cries stand back and they all drop on
their knees. None of that kind q Irish
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
Vaudeville at Chase's.

New Years week Will find at Chase's a
bill that includes The B. f. Keith Cy-
Gle Track Sensation" which has reused
the blase Gothamltes as nothing else has
done in vaudeville for season past.
Shean and Warren. well remembered for
their amusing travesty. Quo Yadis Up
sac Down, will offer a new humorous
sketch. Charles Wayne and Anna Caid-
wei will submit the comedietta "A Book
Detective" WOrmwoods monkey circus
will be on view; The Girl of quality
Mayme Gehrue. Scott and Judge. and
other acts will conclude the programme.
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
Attractions .s..4
For Next Week.

The new London Gaiety Theatre hit
"The Toroador." first seen in London
early last summer, will be presented In
this city at the National Theatre next
Monday evening By Nixon & Zimmerman,
who viii give it n most sumptuous Ameri-
can production. Francis Wilson will play
the leading role OF Sammy Gigg. foot
man, sometimes called n tiger" who gets
himself into humorously complicated
fix by answering the advertisement OF an
animal dealer who desires TO secure
tiger to fight a builhghter. Mr.. Wilson
will be surrounded by an excellent cast,
which viii include Melville Ellis. William
BIaisdeli. Joseph Coyne. Robert A. Evans,
Edward Gore. W. Ii. Thompson, William
Broderick. Joseph Fay. Hurry l.. Wal
lace. LeS2 Holman, Adele Richie, Queenle
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
Chase'S

Cl6Ge1 6 his statement OF his
bill OF vaudeville for
this week with the
announcement that il is the finest holiday
programme -cvrr presented by him. He
vouches further tina! il is compound OF
''merriment, iollity. comedy-nething TO
think Of simply to laugh al" Prominent
are Miss May Edouin and Mr. Fred Ed
wards in the comedy sketch "All in the
Family" Miss Edouin is the daughter Of
Willie Edouin and thc late Alice Ather-
ton, who were tho leading members OF
Riee's Surprise PARTY in the 76's. With
her father Miss I;douin came to this
country recently in the original "Floro-
dora" company. She played the leading
comedy role. Angela Gilfain, and achieved
considerable suceezs.
The second feature VIII be supplied by
Prince Sugimot6's Royal japanese troupe
of acrobats inGglers. and cquiiibrists. ac-
companied by that hunan rarity, Japa-
nose -aibTno girl, thc only one ever born
in Japan. IL The pscss agent may be relied
upon. Such acts are always pleasing. be-
NhI&f O tlt ui iilsaht ltdLfl GiiN A4-i iAB 4toL
case With which tacy are accomplished.
The smeliey sketch Club viii furnish tho
third extra attraction. or this clever and
well-l liked organization the most coaspic-
uous are little Ellis and Edwin snedley.
who enjoy the distinction Ct being among
the best child artists in vaudeville. They
aiu present The Little Mother." brief
IL. >
VIII BE- seen IN diycreion which has been
highly commended elsewhere. Florence
Bindiey, once a star in the Legitimate. will
olcr tho choicest things IN her repertoire.
Startling cvolutions IN mid-a3r on novel
apparatus will be the contribution Of
LozelIe. The concluding numbers OF The
bin viii be BpEt Jordan and Rosa Crouch
In a few mirthful miautcs Of novelty and
ncnscaSc. and 5Tafbo' and Dawson Ia bur
lesgue limitations OF Henry irving and
jean Dc Reszzc that arc Eaid to be funny.
There viii be no advance upon the usual
chase Prices On Christmas Lay.
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
Percy Haswell a Star.

The loyalty of Washington theatresoers
to players whc have enrolled themselves
as fayorites here cannot remain a ques-
tiOn. il it cTer were one, after last week.
when Percy Haswcll, the popular. win
some, and dainty actress played an en-
gagement at Chase's Theatre. in Henry
Arthur Jones' play THE Liars"
Miss Haswell was greeted with enthu-
siasm and cordiality at every perform
ance She came hack te this city. which
she calls her home. and where she has a
legion of friends aud ardent admirers. ut
the head of her own company. No matter
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
The ChrIstmas bill OF
BiiOIT rarae~nie aads burlesque
At the f,iiou This week

The Christmas bill oil
Bijou rseassilis aaae surls.aas
promises to eclipse any
thing that has ever been offered at this
house. and the acknowledged excellence
OF tire different acts that viii constitute
the Trogrnninc should be sufficient guar
antee to ~, the bheatgG at every. perform
ancc. Not content with furnishing q new
burlescrc. in which the monitors OF the
regular stock burlesqUe company will ap-
pear in new and handsome costumes AMI
present a variety OF up-to-1ate song
and marches, Manager Schlesinger hes
engaged. at great expense, the Lala.-
cite show. headed by the Great Lafayette
himself. bne or tre -s,ktbwtcuged kings
OF vaudeville, and surrounded by an as-
grcgatfon--oS. lursnsries slnsost eqnallas
him in brilliancy, lafayette can al
ways he depended upon to present som
thing new, and this year his Offering is
-'Aaicste. the Lions Bride" a sensa-
tieHal European novelty that was oriEi-
nall produced at the Casino dc Paris
with great Success
Howard and Bland will be'7eca in Z
very amusing farce entitled "a Strange
Boy" in vhich- II" Howard will display
his cleyerncss rs eaa--courcdy pianist to
good advantage. Sharp and. Flatt. the
vell-known musical duo. will pFesea.
what is said 10 be a cleverly cohcnetc |
speciality. Miss Roberta KeeLe. a Young
contralto Of more than ordinary merit.
.ill offer = repertoire OF neS soaes.
Barry and HalyeTs viii do soma eccen-
tric dancing, and Edward Reynssl. ven
triionuist. will nroyide t%sntF minutes OF
fun with his insnimate figures.
The Bij0u management has arranged
for a special ladies' matinee next EriI9y
afternoon. at which time ths-c &ii be
no smoking permitted. This arrangement
Is made 30 that the SOm n OF NIshii e
ton who care Tor reace5 stu.lsyiile may
have an opportunity OF witnessing the
maryclOet perfornaace-of the Great La
faycttc aud the members OF his c0iGpl y.
The Washington times., 1901-12-22
Lafayette

tb4illeAs a. To-
yicHed aud the notable Successes selected,
Hazel Ririe." which &c announced rs the
atrractf01 II thc lafayette this week. viii
undoubtedly RANK nigh in the list The
play itself has long been popular. 1t is
STRONG and cnProssing in its general
slagy. frm In It's sketches of character,
and possesses that other quality which
Sometimes carries 10 success much less
preten;ious theme and plot-thc quality
OF sparkle and liyeliness in the incidents
as they proceed.
Written by that eccentric aJ.hor, Steele
Msckaye, Hazel Sirke" was first pro-
duced at the Madison Square Theatre in
New York more than twenty years ago. 1t
was first eecn IN this city in 1881 and has
been given here since many times. There
is perhaps no other play OF this genera
ton which had 50 many performances
within tho ten years after It's original pro-
duction. within the past few months #
has been revived by nearly every promi-
nent stock company throughout the coun-
try, and In every instance has drawn i'm
monse audiencos. Manager Berger is CON
iident that Hazel kirke" viii do the
banner weeks business at the Lafayette
this Season.
Miss Lawrence has frequently appeared
in the title role. and her Interpretation or
the part Is looked forward 10 by tho La
fayette patrons with much ple7surable
authorization. The role CT Dunstan Kirke.
made famous by that MAGNIFICENT actor.
the late Charles w. Couldock. will be en-
acted by Francis T. Powers. tho stage
f1aOapS- ~ 4 ha Esllnr-r- prpa nj
The cast. which folIews. is an interest
Ing one Dung.9n Kirke. Francis T. Pow
ers; Lord Trayers. White Whlttlesey:
Aaron Rodney, John T. S1lliyax: Pitticus
Green. Charles Wyngate; Met Meggins,
Frederic Sullivan; Barney, Tony Cum