The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1902-05-02
NJ. Beaucaire.

1t was toward the close of Mr.. Mans
fields engagement. The Grand opera
house presented an appearance of gaiety
and warmth in striking contrast to the
cherries gloom of the April evening.
The deep red walls rose to the lofty cell
ing. The whole interior was ablaze with
light. The curtain, a magnificent paint
ing of the Grand Canon of the Colorado,
framed by the silver prescenium, is a
work of exceptional merit. One may
easily imagine, as he gazes upon it, that
he is looking into the gorge itself, and
from it may gain some conception of the
c%anon's majesty and grandeur. Not the
least interesting feature of the scene
were the people who thronged the audi
forum from orchestra to roof. Beauti-
full women, splendidly costumed, adorned
with jewels that represented fortunes,
and wearing laces that were priceless,
filled the boxes and overlooked onto the
main floor. Men prominent in the city's
affairs, occupying seats by their sides,
were all. but overlooked in the preemi-
hence of feminine finery.
The strains of an overture 1oated up
from beneath the stage. The hum of
conversation rose in a rumbling mont
tone. A bell tangled a signal. The Or
chestra ceased playing. The bell
upon the first act.
of George II. A number of gentlemen,
attired in the brocades, the knee breeches,
the silk stockings, the low, buckled
shoes affected by the members of the
fashionable world of that day, were
seated and standing about, talking and
drinking the waters. Present.. they
were joined by a large company of gen
tlemen and ladies. One of them retailed
to the crowd, eager for a sensation, the
latest bit of gossip from Paris. ltseemed
that the Due of Orleans, who had
been cast into prison for refusing to
marry the woman whom his cousin,
Louis XIV had chosen for his wife, had
escaped, and was at that time fleeing to
England, disguised as a servant in the
train of the French ambassador. While
they were still digesting the latest scan
dial there appeared among them aman at
tired in sombre black. His eyes fell upon
the Lady Mary Clifford, the most beau
tiful and naughty woman in England.
The stranger, fascinated by her charms,
addressed himself to her. He was rec
ognized by some of her companions as
one who was known as a French hair
dresser, and, for his presumption and
impertinence was forthwith expelled
from the society of these superior folk.
Before they could put him out, however,
he told them he was M. B%eaucaire, and
that any who wished to play would at
all times find him ready for a game.
Among those who availed themselves of
his invitation was the Duke of Winter
set, the greatest noble of the realm, whom
he caught cheating n day. M. Beau
caire demanded as consideration for
silence, an introduction at the Lady
Mary's ball to be- given that night. The
Duke at first Indignantly refused, but
was coerced. When he and the unbid-
den guest, the latter disguised as a
French nobleman, appeared at the ball.
the hostess to the CONSERVATION of the
Duke, showed the stranger every mark
of her favor. The Duke. himself an
ardent admirer of the Lady Mary,
aroused the ire of his friends by telling
them the supposed nobleman was an
impostor. They determined upon a
course calculated to rid themselves of
the interloper. Captain Badger, the
best sword in all England, insulted the
Frenchman. The captain and the
stranger retired to the garden, where, in
the duel that was fought, the captain
was quickly and easily overcome.
The Frenchman was not permitted to
enjoy the fruits of his victory. While
he and the Lady Mary were walking in
the garden by moonlight, he was set
upon by a pack of the Dukes ruffianly
followers, and although he was one to
their six, he put them all to rout. The
Duke appeared OPPORTUNITY, and de-
nounced the supposed nobleman as an
adventurer. The Lady Mary, convinced
that she had been deceived, left him in
the garden and rode away with the Duke.
Finally, however, the disguise of NJ.
Beaucaire..being penetrated, he was found
to be the Due of Orleans himself. He
and the Lady Mary, who protested that
she had loved him for himself alone,
were happily reconciled.
Beaucaire is a comedy from life, in
which nearly overy one, at some time,
takes a part. Perhaps this is the rea-
son crowds flock to see it's presentation.
They would rather hear the old story
than to hear a new one. Indeed
there are no new stories to be told.
There is only this same old old tale that
has descended from generation to gener-
alton since men came upon earth. The
the stage scenery, is different
each time, but the story is always the
same. We are content with it because
do not even dream of anything else.
We do not tire of it because its interest
is intensely human. The only wonder
is that when we can see so much that is
genuine, we take such keen enjoyment
is the fictitious, the spurious, knowing
that it is such,-that privileged to
handle the coin current, we accept the
counterfeit. The actors in the drama of
life make love in reality, feel the sensa-
tons they profess to have. The people
of the stage are moved not by passion,
but by considerations the most sordid,