davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1904-02-21

occasional, indeed rare, action. which
comes TO trial. They are Usually de-
feated or withdrawn. On the Jther hand
It is boast with Mansfield that he has
never sued an actor or another for
breach Of contract, and many a time
he has been left in the iurch
Many libelous fabrications IN our ac-
tor have found their way into print, and
he has treated them with the contempt
they deserve. II seems. however. that
his forbearance has reached n limit. for
II IS rumored that his lawyers are at
last commissioned 70 bring suit for libel
against a particularly offensive agency
Of publicity.
OF Mansfleld's position as an artist
there Is no question; but as a man. no
one has beer more generally misreprc-
sented Those who are nearest hil.i and
know him say ne is the most devoted OF
fathers and husbands. generous Of
friends. cOngenial Of companions boun-
teous of hosts. and charitable OF men
He is retiring and reticent. and ignores
the prying eye Of gossip. because he
cherishes the security of his private life
and appeals 70 the suffrage of his great
public only as an artist.
A factor which has contributed much
10 MansAeld's fictitious reputation il
the range OF parts he has played and the
conviction with which he has played
some remarkably cyDie@l and sinister
characters. In "OId Heidelberg he
plays a German student. Karl Heinrich
II may turn out that this new human
aspect which he vitalizes his new role
will create new impression Of the man
Mansfield Such is reputation. The pub
lie believes what il secs
The Washington times., 1904-02-21
The Real Mrs. Wigs.

Concerning her own unique creation
OF Mrs Wigs, Mrs. Rice has been
obliged upon a number OF occasions to
disavow that she selected or had In
mind any particular one person as her
specific model. Mrs. Wigs is COM
posite photograph. so TO speak, of all
the peculiar idIosyncrasies and whim-
sicalities of humor which this young
Kentucky authoress-still impressing
one as a mere young maiden herself
has observed throughout years OF in
innate intercourse among the residents
OF these poor neighborhoods of Louis
willie. In an interesting letter which
she wrote only a little while ago to the
firm of Liebler & Co.. Mrs. Rice gave
the following explanation of her crea-
ton. an explanation that deserves quo
tation as being about as definite erys-
taliZatIon OF the whole significance OF
The Washington times., 1904-02-21
Vaudeville Fishing.
Miss De Witt Comes Home With a Fine
y Basketful.

Where there's a viii there's a way
for the managerial woman. at least.
This is the conviction of II. winni-
fred De Witt, the general manager OF
the Chase enterprise. and manager also
Of the Washington theater. She form
ed it after her recent experience in
bringing about the engagement OF Dan
Daily last week and Of Eddie Foy this
week at Chase's here.
on the other hand, both DAILY and
Foy say it was luck on her part and
that probably at no other time than
the actual moment of engaging them
could she have found the conditions
propitious
DAILY had refused all offers to go into
vaudeville and all the suasion Of the
Vaudeville Managers Association, and
OF its president. Mr.. Chase. person.
ally. could not make him bulge an
iOta. AT that time the thought of Foy
had not crossed the horizon of Mr..
Chase's expectation.
Miss De Witt resolved upon the con-
quest of Daily and she FASTENED 20 New
York before the resolution should lose
it's persuasive ardor. DAILY and Foy
are great confederation and they
were together when a note arrived for
DAILY from Miss De Witt asking him
TO call upon her at the Imperial Hotel.
DAILY at first was too indOlent 20 con-
slider even the courtesy due the lady.
but finally. urged by FOy, he went and
not long later he emerged crestfallen.
The Washington times., 1904-02-21

native swamps. set upright. and re-
enforced by real reeds. trees, grass and
stoness
For two or three minutes perfect ST.
lence prevails. Then a frog croaks in
the distance and another answers from
another place in the marsh. This is re-
peated several times with a wonderful
imitation of reality. The leaves Of the
trees on the horizon rustic as IL shaken
by the wind. The nearer rushes sway
before II. Afar off is heard the cry of
the bird whose note betokens rain. Near
and nearer comes the sound. The birds,
flying swiftly, cross the stage like a
flash-low. almost among the reeds a
slow darkening. few puffs OF wind. a
rustic Of the reeds and leaves. and pat
pat-pat come the rstindrops. pouring and
splashing over the whole marsh
4 woman enters with dripping UNI
brella and high-tucked kimono. An in
terval of beating rain. Then "A man fol-
lows with drawn knife There is an
attack. a struggle, and both disappear
in the swamp. Down among the rushes'
their position indicated only by the
swaying stalks and the occasional sight
of the nans'yellow hat. the awful death
hunt OF the two takes place. fight for
lie hidden from the audience in every
way save for the thud of blow, the
terrible gurgles Of death, the splash.
splash OF an artery as it GIBBS away life.
One who has seen it says the scene is
'awfui-awful.Y
Perhaps after all we are not such adj
vanced realists as we seem. What would
the Englishman and "Annalist" 8,
&c tragedy like that in the Shintomiza
7 heater? A.D. a.
The Washington times., 1904-02-21

Mrs Wigs as could be written. "As
to Mrs. Wigs herself" states Mrs.
Rice in this letter, IT can tell you no
more than you can find in the two
books. I suppose nobody ever lived who
was quite so cheerful as the little lady.
but / wanted her to represent the very
spirit OF optimism" Mrs. Madge Carr
Cook, who would seem TO have scored
such hit in the footlight incarnation
OF Mrs. Wigs, adds to this definition
her remark, recently made to an in
terviewer. that to her Mrs. Wigs rep
resents the spirit of absolute woman
hood. 4"
The Washington times., 1904-02-21
Season of Grand Opera.
Three Popular Works to Be Given Here
Early in March.

The announcement that Washington is
to have grand opera season at the New
National Theater March I. s. and 9 has
aroused great interest in musical and
society circles. Up to a few weeks ago
Mr.. ConreId had not included Washing
ton in his plans for this year, but 1t
having been decided to give season Of
Ring" performances in Philadelphia
and, New York the week Of March 7. in
connection with the local orchestra, it
left the Italian and French contingent
and the entire chorus Of the orchestra
of the Metropolitan Opera House Com
pany with that time on. their hands.
Consequently Manager Rapley arranged
for three performances here on the even
ings mentioned
1t has been decided to give on Monday
evening. March Z. Faust" with Nine
Ackte as Marguerite, NJ. Naval as Faust,
and Mines Bauermeister and Jacoby,
NM. Dufriche and Scott, and Pol Plan
con In the cast.
Tuesday evening the ever popular
Barber of Seville is scheduled, with
Nine. Sembrich as Rosina, Nine. Bauer
meister, NM Dippel Campanari, Jour
net, Rossi. Begue. and Messiero in the
other characters.
Wednesday evening Nine. Calve again
comes before n Washington audience as
brilliant and captivating as ever In her
favorite role OF Carmen. The others in
the cast are Mines. Norelli. Bauermeis-
ter. Jacob, also NM. Naval, Campanari,
Begue, Guardabassi, Dufriche, and Mes
siero As the German works do not need
a chorus. Washington viii have the full
strength of the New York company's
chorus and complete orchestra under the
direction of Gustav Hinrichs.
In order TO assume the public that the
plans are 10 be carried out as near as
possible to what is above scheduled, the
The Washington times., 1904-02-21
Past and Future

Washington is both rising from a feast
and sitting down to one dramatically
spealdng) today. The bills for the past
week were all Inviting Everywhere
large audiences were apparently salts
fed with the fare as wen as charmed by
the invitation. But the announcements
foI the ensuing six days are not less
noteworthy.
Ada Rehan and Otis Skinner give way
TO Mrs Wigs OF the Cabbage Patcn, 20
q play greeted elsewhere as a fine para
phrase OF q mighty good story. The
Office Boy scampeSe out OF Richard
Mansfield way. and Mr. Mansfield is
presenting this year one OF the most ex-
traordinary successes in the history OF
the European stage. "Old Heidelberg -
although few theatergoers seem 10 real
lie it's continuously performed these
days IN half a dozen German cities.
The changes at the other theaters are
quite as agreeable. Dan Daily was not
an artistic success in vaudeville-not-
withstanding the wide public interest in
his appearance here for ''one week
only" Eddie Foy should be more at
home and will be. Ward and Vokes have
at last 2 good skit and their engagement
WAS a proportiOnate success. They make
way, however. for one Of the most truly
perennial moneymakers on thesstage-
The Sign OF the Cross.
The Academy has a new bill 10 offer.
''The, Queen Of the Highway" The En-
pire VIII present THE Eleventh Hour
AT the Lyceum THE Rose Hill Folly
Company" Will supplant THE Runaway
Girls"
Not long after these en~agennents
come two OF extraordinary interest
Forbes Robertsons performance Of
Hamlet and three operas by the Con-
reid Grand Opera Company Washing
ton cannot call this dull season
The Washington times., 1904-02-21
AT the TheateIS.
Columbia-Richard Mansfield.

Mr.. Mansfield, happily for himself and
his admirers, has a new play for this
season. II is "Old Heidelberg" and the
praise Of this new romantic dramatic
work. and Of the munihcent manner In
which il has been produced. have rung
across the country since the first night
OF its production. Again II reveals Mans
field a great and versatile actor, a mas
ter OF pictorial representation. without
an equal in drilling a surging crowd OF
people or tutoring A player in the de-
tails of an Individual Characterization.
with hts numerous encourage Of more
than 100 people he will present "Old
Heidelberg at the Columbia Theater
this week.
Today Mansfield is speeding hither-
ward by special train of seven cars on
the last $50 miles Of 2,3oO-mile tour OF
the South during the past week The
trip was altogether the biggest thing OF
its kind ever attempted, not alone in the
The Washington times., 1904-02-21
Emnirs-aThe Eleventh Hour"

In 1.-THE Eleventh Hour. which comes
10 the Empire tomorrow Tor stay Oh
one week. the first act is LAID IN an
oId mill where the heavy Villain starts
the machinery of the plot In motion.
The other four acts will deal with Chi
caro ufe. The company is said to be
thoroughly adequate for the presenta-
ton Of the play.
The Washington times., 1904-02-21
Schumann-Heink Recital.

Nine. Schumann-Heink will give her
only song recital I'm Washington this
season at the Columbia Theater. Tues
day afternoon. February %. at 4:SO. This
is announced as her only and last APP
pearance in concert for three years in
this city. Her program will include
Rossini. Schubert. Hugo Wolf. Riedl,
Schumann, Liszt. Meyerbeer. and Ar
diti. with a complete set OF words.
The Washington times., 1904-02-21
National-"Mrs. Wiggs.n

Everybody who has fallen in love with
dear old Mrs. Wigs of the Cabbage
Patch-and she is now a universal fav-
orite from one end Of the nation to the
other-will be delighted TO see her IA
miliar figure make her footlight bow.
in all her amusing. cheerful and deeply
human charm. on the stage of the New
National this week commencing with
a Washington Birthday matinee. Mrs.
Madge Carr Cook, who is impersonat-
ing the lovable old lady, with her
quaint sayings and her homely wisdom.
in this forthcoming Liebler & Co pro-
ductiOn OF Mrs. Wigs Of the Cabbage
Patch seems to have scored a decided
triumph il the role and is said TO be
an ideal Incarnation Of this motherly
character. Mrs. Anne Crawford Flex-
ner's dramatization is, according to all
reports from the Southern cities where
IL has already been seen. a thoroughly
sympathetic reproduction of Mrs Alice
Hogan Rice's two stories. Mrs. Wigs
and 'f.ovey Mary"
OF course. the central episodes of
those two stories run through the play.
In spite of all it's dramatic novelty. The
fight Of Lovey Mary from the orphan
age with her beloved baby-boy, Tommy.
III i4SiAtS part Oh the plot, ner arrival
on the Cabbage Patch occurring in the
opening act. While Mrs. Wigs, herself.
Is full of heart interest, the love in
terest and romantic element centers in
Lovey Mary. This unhappy runaway
orphan waif. with her sharp tongue and
rebellious spirit. is said 10 have a thor
oughly sympathetic stage depletion by
Mabel Taliaferro.
The chief comedy interest of the piece
concerns the curious courtship,> hasty
wedding. and abrupt separation of Mis-
Hazy and her strangely found spiritual
pardner." Mr.. Stubbins. In the play
Mr.. Stubbins casts much larger
shadow in the limelight, and as he is
impersonated by William T. Hodge. who
won such praise for his work as Free
man Whitmarsh, the loYelorn village
painter in Sag Harbor," we may be-
lieve the reports that he has developed
into>a strikingly inimitabie creation of
eccentric comedy.
Little Mis- Hay should find a thor
oughly sympathetic portrayer in Miss
Helen Rowell, who is an expert depicter
o. old maids.
The Washington times., 1904-02-21
Prospective Vaudeville.

Chases has designed a comic bill for
next week. commencing at the matinee
Monday. February .. which will be the
means of introducing James Thornton.
in polite vaudeville. The second feature
viii be the Gilmore sisters IN 1.-The Ad-
ventures of Bedelia." the Great Full
CORA" Ameta. the Spanish mirror
dancer; Artie Hall. the genuine Georgia
girl" All Holt with limitations, the
Flood brothers. Acrobats and pantonnim-
lists. and motion pictures Of THE Life
of Marie Antoinette.'
The Washington times., 1904-02-21
Academy-"oueen of the Highway"

THE Queen Of the Highway, the
next attraction at the Academy. is an
nounced as a genuine treat for theater-
goers who wish to see realism. grand
scenic effects, combined with thriIhng
sensational story of Western life. II IS
built upon the fascination In those
davs of old, days of gold. those days
Of fortv-nine." The story is told by
Charles a. Taylor. who was reared
among the picturesque characters and
scenes concerned in II.
The Washington times., 1904-02-21

vast number of miles covered while
playing six different cities In six days.
but in the unprecedented number OF peo-
pie and massive production carried.
After this week at the Columbia Mr..
Mansfield returns to New York to re-
sumo his run. Nothing else which New
York has seen this year has ELECTED the
enthusiasm given Manshelds ''Old
Heidelberg"
The Washington times., 1904-02-21
"The Denver Express

THE Denver Express" is announced
for the week Of February % at the En-
pire Theater. An Indian attack on a par
~ OF emigrants and the flight of Col
orado limited express train are special
features.
The Washington times., 1904-02-21
The LincOlns' "Travelogue."

1.-THE Iincolns'' will present TINS
evening at tbs. Lafayette their new
nIctorial "traveIogue" entitled "Ameri-
can Land of the Midnight Sun" The
variety and scope offered in this attrac-
ton are expected to prove OF intense in
terest to all patrons.
The Washington times., 1904-02-21
Lafayette-@The Sign of the Cross

The production at the Lafayette
Opera House, week comm encing matt
zee Monday, February p. OF The Sign
OF the Cross" Wilson Bar-etts graphic
story Of the persecution OF the carly
Christians under the Emperor Nero in
Rome, calls attention. 20 the fact That
this was the first ef so-caIied "reli-
gious" dramas, which for the past few
years have been multiplying in number
and growing in popular favor. 1t was
at first thought n bold experiment on
the part Of Wilson Barrett, to name his
religious and historical drama after the
sacred symbol Of Christianity. But Il
was found that the story of the perse-
cution OF the Christians was so beauti-
fully told, and the subject of Chris
tianity handled with such true rever-
ence, albeit with powerful dramatic eff
feet that far from being prejudiced
against the production. those who hold
the Cross in alteration and reverence
were soon tbs champions OF The Sign
Of the CrossV as a play of moral ele-
walton and ennobling purpose. All the
nnise-en-scene from the Lyric Theater.
London, has been purchased by Messrs.
Berger and Craerin, and the scenery
has this summer been repainted by
Matt Morgan. Ben S. Mears, az Mar
Gus Superbas, heads cast Of over forty
English ana American players. and
members Of William Greet's London
Company have been secured by Messrs.
Berger and Craerin for some OF the
leading roles with which their names
have been so long and so successfully
associated. A special matinee will be
given Monday, Washington's Birthday.
The Washington times., 1904-02-21
Lvceum-ROse Hill Folly Company.

The attraction at the Lyceum IheateT
this week will be Rice q Barton iN0Se
Hin English Folly Company
The Washington times., 1904-02-21
'eIn Old Kentucky

In Old Kentucky" whose popularity
seems to increase with each succeeding
year, win be the attraction at the
Academy commencing February -
The Washington times., 1904-02-21
~Shore Acres"

The continued success of shore
Acres lends interest TO the announce
nsent that a complete scenic production
OF this work will be given at the La
fayette Opera House the week beginning
February %
The Washington times., 1904-02-21
Sunday Evening Concerts.

This evening, at Chase's Theater. the
Washington Symphony Orchestra, I'M
der Mr.. De Koven, viii give another OF
It's Sunday concerts of popular music.
and, taking advantage OF Washingtons
Birthday, VIII play fantasy on Ameri-
can airs by Victor Herbert, which COM
bines a number of patriotic melodies,
and thus viii usher In the anniversary
Of the birthday of the greatest Ameri-
can. with appropriate music Eta
Noah. the brilliant soprano. whose
father was well known In the newspaper
world Of Washington. will iappear for
the first time at these concerts. in two
attractive numbers. The rest Of the
program is Of nature to win popular
suffrage and consists Of the following
music:
Overture, ''Cheval de Bronze ............A uber
Aria for Soprano-Waltz, Romeo and Ju-
let" ---.-.-...--......----- -Gounod
Miss Moan.
(a) Melody in F.....-.-.......-.-.... Rubinstein
(b) Anaryllis. ..-..-.-----Air du roi Louis XIII
(a) The Dance
(b) MinuettO.
(cl Taren-ella.
With Famous Composers PotPourrQ,
Aria for Soprano. BEL Raggio'' Csemira-
mide) ..-...............-...--.. .RossiIi
(a) Albumhlatt. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Wagner
Waltz. Beautiful Blue Danube Strauss
Fantasy on American Airs. ......Yictor Herbert
On honor Of Washington's Birthday
A novel. and. it is hoped. popular fea-
ture Of these concerts will be the re-
quest coupon on the program. il is
hoped that all who desire to hear some
favorite piece will make known its name
to the management by means of this
The Washington times., 1904-02-21
Coming Attractions.
Forbes Robertson in Hamlet"

Forbes Robertson in Hamlet"
Conspicuous in the list Of coming at
fractions at the Columbia Theater. a
number Of distinguished stars and brill
liant successes stand out prominently
Perhaps the most alluring OF these viii
be the engagement Of the eminent Eng
lish actor. Forbes Robertson. and Ger
trude Elliott, in Hamlet. and dram
atization of Kipling's psychological ro-
nance, The Light That Failed" The
latter play has proven TO be not only
the greatest success during the artistic
partnership OF Mr.. Robertson and Miss
Elliott, out Forbes Robertson himself,
IN the character Of Dick Helder. has
struck a key which all England and. Up
to date. fair portion OF America. have
pronounced his greatest conception and
achievement.
His impersonation of Hamlet Will
also lend special interest to the engage
ment During his recent assumption OF
Hamlet in Baltimore and Philadelphia
the critics of these cities paid the high
est tribute to his characterize ton Of
1.-The melancholy Dane" and in some
instances they went so far as to say
that his was the greatest performance
OF Hamlet since the days OF Edwin
Booth. The ons-act tragedy. The
Sacrament of Judas" will be given IN
conjunction with The Light That
Failed as an afterpiece. The order OF
the repertoire will be duly announced
The Washington times., 1904-02-21
EDDIE Foy and Vaudeville.

Eddie Foy. recently the comedian-star
OF the Mr.. Blue Beard" company. has
been secured as the chief magnet for
the Chase bill which opens at the matt
nee tomorrow. Washington's birthday.
The supporting features comprise the
The Washington times., 1904-02-21
~The Wizard of o."

The Wizard Of o. the musical ex-
travaganza which has run all the past
season at the Majestic Theater, New
York. is not only one OF the seasons
most noteworthy successes. but IL IS
said TO DC the finest spectacle ever
mounted upon a stage The chief fun
makers are Montgomery and Stone.
Two pantonimists. Arthur Hill and
Joseph Schrode. work together
The cast OF The Wizard Of o. m
eludes. also. fully a hundred people
These musical raiders viii appear at
the New National Theater the week OF
February %. with matinees Wednesday
and Saturday.
The Washington times., 1904-02-21
The Real Mansfield.
Neither Bully Nor Tyrart, But Gentle
man and Artist.

When it comes TO the public discussion
Of his private affairs. Richard Mansfield
is "a prison for secrets" The great
public knows nothing of Mansfield ex-
cept what he discIoses to them in the
frame Of the proscenium. They fancy
they know much, believing much that is
distilled from unprincipled pens IN pub
lie prints
Mansfield always denies himself to in
terviews. He makes few acquaintances.
Personal gossip about the great actor Is.
therefore. reduced TO the yellow fancies
of space writer's and to the eager gossip
OF inefficient employees eSsiled from his
company.
The distinguished artist is not a para
gon OF amiability; he was not set up 20
be. He is a strict disciplinarian, and
nature gave him the temperament
which frequently characterizes genius.
He has tremendous responsibility in his
position of employer of nearly one hun
bred people who depend for their likeli-
hood on his judgment and success as an
actor and a manager But away from
the theater the sternness Of the general
ard the nervous temperament Of the ar
fist dissolve, and Richard Mansfield is
to all within the exclusive circumfer-
ePce Of his acquaintance a charming.
admired and cherished friend
The Washington times., 1904-02-21
Suing and Being Sued.

How often do you suppose Mansfield
his been suedP" was a question asked
the other DAY.
No matter The real question is this
How often are suits decided against
him.
Can anyone recall one?
A great deal of voice is made about
suits which are threatened and about an