davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1904-03-13
Past and Future.

The grand opera did not monopolize
the attention of our theatergoers last
week by any meaps. EvSn on the three
momentous evenings at the National
there were large audiences elsewhere.
The conclusion seems fair, then. that
the city is large enough TO support q
season Of grand opera without infiicting
the punishment Of neglect on other the
atrical entertainments.
As for the grand opera, It grew in
value as the season" wore on. Faust"
was performed only moderately we'll
The scenery was but fair, TO view it
charitably; the costumes looked as
though they had been transplanted from
other operas. and the ensemble numbers
were sadly uneven. Plancon and Nine.
Ackte did their best. but no two vocal
lists in the world could have redeemed
that evening from mediocrity. The
Barber seemed better to the eye and
sounded better TO the ear. Campanari
made the evening almost as much his as
Nine. Sembrichs. But Carmen" was
the most notable performance Of all, ar
tisticaIly as well as popularity. 1t was a
fine sight that house, with every seat
filed and the brightest tOiiestss visible
everywhere. AS for Nine Calve. her
Carmen is exactly what II has always
been-a bending OF the part TO her per-
sonality and the product launched with
the most irresistible personal magnet
ism We shall look forward to next sea
sons engagement OF the Conried forces
Il seems to be the understanding that
another engagement will folloW-in the
hope that then we may hear some opera
really worth while. This year most Of
the great artists were singing simulta-
neously in Philadelphia
Golfers new farce merited the praise
put upon it in other cities. The Die
tator'' is the best play Richard Harding
Davis has written Mr.. Hackett played
q satire which everyone took seriously.
He Is a good actor; indeed, he is the best
MercutiO 10 be seen on our stage. but he
has not lately undertaken any play
worthy OF his talents. The Crisis" was
a series Of pictures; John Erminie' did
not succeed. and THE Crown Prince
has missed the mark Mr.. Hackett is a
manager. Why do not he and Miss
Irving produce one Of Shakespeare s
comedies?
The offerings for next week include
Mrs. Langtry in a new comedy, Mr..
Crane also IN a new comedy. character
istic vaudeville at Chase's, George Sid
ney at the Lafayette, and other bills as
usual The Jersey Lily is said to have
found a good play. Mr.. Cranes THE
Spenders'' is much commended.
Lent has not affected Washington's in
terest in the theeter.
The Washington times., 1904-03-13
Mrs. Langtru's Epigrams.
An Actress Who Might Well Have
Written a Play.

Her long experience in affairs social
coupled with natural wit and alertness
have made Mrs. Langtry a brilliant con-
versationalist To hear her converse
one might well believe her to be an
American rather than an English wo-
man. so keen is her sense of humor and
so readily do epigrams fall from her
tongue.
you can lead Americans. but you can.
not drive them, is one OF Mrs. Lang
try's latest Another. AN American
audience understands all kinds Of hr-
NOR; an English audience only the Eng
lish kind
The English actress loves American
audiences for many reasons. One of
them is that they do not boo" Boo
ing on a first night is a most sepulchraI
sound" Ehe says.
Regarding critics. Mrs. Langtry thinks
& is largely a matter of liver-whether
they are pleased with a play or not
"a good liver makes a good critic" "A
The Washington times., 1904-03-13
Tbs Author of "Anona. "
Mabel Mckinley Sincere Hard Worker
of Tireless Energy.

of Tireless Energy.
The accident Of good birth and assured
social position has not deferred Mabel
Mckinley. who will appear at Chase's
this week from the hard work necessary
to accomplish Individual success in these
busy days
Moreover. it is her religion that labor
is the panacea fog most human Ills. and
she demonstrates the truth OF her theory
in every hour OF her life. Miss AIcKin-
ley might, if she chose. give herself up
to the frivoHties OF fashion and the In
dolence Of afTiuence, but she prefers to
employ herself in the development and
Use Of rare musical gifts bestowed upon
hen
At the tire in her life when most
young women are bent upon the pursuit
OF gayety. Miss Mckinley was persist
entity and arduously cultivating a natu-
raj soprano voice and at the same time
studying the theory Of composition ana
harmony in order that she might mate
riaiize the melodies seeking utterance by
means Of her
Fighting Bad Health.
Even this season her purpose has
manifested itself upon more than one &C
oasion, and she has battled against at
tacks of frequent III health with cour-
age and purpose little short OF heroic.
Twice this season, when compelled to lay
aside her professional duties il has been
stated with some show OF authority that
she would be forced to retire from the
musical career she has set for herself.
But each time she has rallied for an
other contest with fortuna and now it is
pleasing TO state she finds herself Sc
10 ~ --A.~
headed with new strength and hope to-
ward the long cherished goal
The composition OF her popular. Indian
serenade. 'Anona,' was undertaken at
& time when she was scarcely in 1T
physical condition for anything but an
entire abandonment TO the care OF a
ply sician. When the song was first
published the name of The author was
given as Vivian Gray"
Who Was Vivian Gray7
Its Immediate success started specula-
ton as to the identity Of the composer
No one in the musical world among
either publishers or critics. had heard
of q composer by that name. and
"-anona" presented every evidence of the
hand OF matured and experienced COM
POSITION.
It was long time before speculation
was set at rest by the authoritative
statement that Miss Mckinley. the
niece OF the late President, was
Vivian Gray Thereafter publications
of the song bore her real name. as well
az the pseudonym- Having won recog-
milton with this work. Miss Mckinley
followed il with number of otksr
songs. and her latest. Ma lii Sweet
sunbeam" is said TO be in a fair way
TO enjoy an equal vogue. She sings
both of these songs herself in vaude-
vile and the remainder OF her roper
toire is made up Of songs by Ardiu and
King, the latter OF whom she prefers
above all other modern composers.
The Washington times., 1904-03-13
HoTa NoVissima. y
Information Concerning This Work
Which Gives it Great Interest.

Information Concerning This Work
Which Gives it Great Interest.
The performance this evening by the
Choral Society of the oratorio of ''Hora
Novissima.'' composed by Prof. Horatio
Parker. of Yale University. and the
presence in this city OF Prof. Parker in
order to conduct it. make information
concerning the work and the composer
OF Interest at this time.
The words are taken from a long me-
dieval poem OF Monk Bernard dc Nor
laix In the year 1145, while In the Abb
hey OF Cluny, he wrote a Latin work
OF 5000 lines on Contempt for the
World" This poem treated Of cOrTup-
tons of the age, both Of the world and
the church. in many parts most bit
terly. IN the midst Of the poets de-
nunciation Of the wickedness Of his DAY.
the bright vision breaks upon him Of the
Joys of the blessings of the Celestial
country.
The lines upon this subject were Sc
lected by Prof Parker for composition,
and inspired him to a noble effort. The
poem is the foundation of some Of the
best-known hymns of the Christian
church today. among them being "Jeru-
salem. the Golden" and 20 Sweet and
Blessed Country"
Composed by a Young Man.
Prof. Parker was but twenty-three
years OF age when he wrote this work
but he had been well founded in music
through study both in this country and
in Munich. under Rheinberger. He de-
voted himself early to composition, and
has written orchestral works for chorus,
chamber music, and many compositions
for church use.
.'FIora Novissima' was first given in
Trinity Church in New York, on May B.
1888 It made a-deep impression imme-
diately, and was followed by perform
ances by most OF the well-known choral
organizations of the country. including
the New York Oratorio Society. the
Handel and Haydn Society Of Boston.
and the Worcester Festival Associa-
ton The work is difficult, but its beau
ty repays the careful study necessary on
the part of any chorus undertaking it.
Particularly interesting is the unaccom-
panied chorus occurring near the close.
Notable Soloists and Support.
Prof. Parker viii have under his baton
$50 members of the Choral Society. fifty
seven members of the washington Sym
phony Orchestra, besides Nine. Rossini.
solo harpist. specially engaged from New
York, and an America quartet well call
cuIated 70 give the solo parts of the
work good effect. The quartet includes
Nine Lillian Blauvelt, the celebrated
soprano, known over two continents;
May Walters. a young eontralto, who Is
taking a front rank In New York city
Edward p. Johnson, who has sung at
nearly every important OratOriO concert
in New York this season. as tenor; and
the well-known favorite, David Pispham,
as bass.
The occasion promises TO be one OF
the most interesting for many years on
the part Of the Choral Society. "Hora
Novissima" will be followed by Rosini's
"Sta5at Mater" an old and favorite
work.
The Washington times., 1904-03-13
An American Actor.
William H. Crane and His Distinctive
American Career

AALCA4CaA OaACCA-
The oldest actor in point OF service
upon the American stage is Joseph JEFF
ferson Next TO him comes William H
Crane, who made his first appearance
before the footlights about forty years
ago. Mr. Crane was well known to
the public when several OF the stars
OF the present day were in swaddling
clothes.
OF the prominent stars now before the
public Mr.. Crane has been almost alone
this season in encouraging the native
playwright. Mr.. Mansfield has been
using an adaptation from the German,
Mr.. Sothern's play is by an English
man, Mr.. Gillette is winning laurels in
a comedyNpy Barrie. Mr.. Drew is ap-
pearing in a work from n English
pen, and Mr. Goodwin has only just
given up Shakespeare for Henry Guy
Carleton.
For seventeen years Afr. Crane has
been producing plays BY American
authors. Some Of the plays, which num-
Der seventeen like the years, were not
great or glittering successes. but all Of
them were carefully and conscientiously
produced. Not few were very popular.
notably THE Senator" Brother john"
a Virginian Courtship." and David
Harum." The latter play remained
longer in the actors possession than
did THE Senator" which was consider
ed a marvellous success in its day.
Mr.. Cranes versatility is well known,
for he has given many evidences of 1t.
When he began his professional career
1t was as an apprentice to a woman.
Mrs. Holman. who managed a small
company which gave operas, farces,
comedies. and pantomimes. 1t presented
& little Of everything and didn't hesitate
at Shakespeare. Frequently four pieces
would be given in one night and not
only would young Crane appear in all
Of them. but he would come before the
curtain while scenes were being set
and do a song and dance. From this
kind Of work he drifted into opera
bouffe. for he could sing, and became
the comedian OF the Alice Oates COM
pany He was the original lie Blanc
in "Evangeline," a burlesque, which
later brought out Goodwin. Dixie, and
Richard Golden.
Paid for His Judgment.
Cranes parents were New England peo-
pie, and from them he undoubtedly in
herited n lot of shrewd Yankee sense.
He came to the conclusion that there
was no great future for a man as a
comedian in burlesque or in the musical
things of that time. so he determined
to go into the legitimate. He gave IN
salary OF s125 week to accept one Of
$40 a week in a stock company. Suisse
quenI events proved that the move was
wise.
Up TO the period when he became an
Individual star the comedian had run me
gamut of stage character. playing every
thing from grand opera to burlesque,
and from ShalSespearean comedy to
broad farce. There are few people who
see the actor nowadays who imagine he
had ever been a Shakespearean come
dian. And yet he has appeared in many
OF the Bard's great works
He played the First Grave Digger to
the Hamlet of Barry Sullivan, and also
to the Hamlet of James Z. Murdoch. He
made a lavish production some years
The Washington times., 1904-03-13

I'm give it up she said. but Mr..
Crane, if all young woman anxious for
stage career were TO follow your ad-
Vsse where would the theater get its
actresses fronn?'
"She had me there, for I couldn't
arEvrer her"
The Washington times., 1904-03-13
A Troublesome Slipper.
Carries Discord Into the Family of a
Grave Mayor.

Carrie Weber, the vivacious soubrette
of the Busy Izzy' company, losses a
tiny white slipper into the audience. 1T
every performance OF Busy Izzy 3"
The idea came through an accident. -
said Miss Weber. when asked about it.
AT performance one evening, while
doing my dance with Mr. Sidney. my
slipper came off and landed in the au-
dience The person into whose lap it
fell considered It a souvenir and refused
TO return it to the usher who demanded
it, The next evening I repeated the
slipper act. this time by design, how
ever. and the little trick went so well
that Mr.. Sidney suggested that 1 use ii
at each performance. In one city where
we were playing the slipper came near
causing a scandal in high society. The
mayor OF the city happened 70 occupy n
seat down in front, and the slipper
landed In his lap. He Immediately put it
The Washington times., 1904-03-13
At the Theaters,
Columbia-Mrs. Langtry.

Columbia-mrs. Langtry.
hrs. Langtry will be the attraction
this week at the Columbia Theater,
when she will present for the first tine
in Washington a play by Percy Fendall
entitled Mrs. behring's Divorce" In
the course Of the play Mrs. Langtry
will wear a set OF charming gowns, and
so maintain her reputation for attrac-
tive costuuaing. She Is to be supported
by her company from the Imperial The
alter, London, which includes Frederick
Truesdell, Harold Mead. Thomas
Thorne, Harold Woolf. Stephen B.
French. John Doubleday. Percy Elan
ders, Katherine Stewart. Ina Goldsmith,
Helen Amory, Leila Repton, Nellie Nal
colin. Emily James, MolIie Griffin, and
Eunice Wilson.
The play in which Mrs. Langtryis to ap-
pear is said 20 be a social COMEDY drama
of English life. and tells an interesting
story OF how a fashionable woman d.
vorces her husband for no apparent
reason, learns that she really loves
him, and Of their reconciliation.
The Washington times., 1904-03-13

it over for the stage, is said to have ac-
comDlished mis- task felicitously.
There is a subsidiary love story De
tween a granddaughter of old Peter
Bines and a prospective English lord
that adds much interest to the play. The
comedy is clean and wholesome. Many
OF the lines are exceedingly bright, and
the characters are capitally contrasted.
E1r. Cranes portrait Of old Bines is de-
scribed az being one of the best pieces
OF straight character delineation that
has been seen on the stage IN some
time
The Washington times., 1904-03-13
National-Wlliam H. Crane in "The
Spenders"

William II. Crane In 1.-THE Spendeys
will begin a weeks enga cement at the
National Theater tomorrow night
Mr.. Crane stands so high on the
American stage, and is so conscientious
an artist. that HIS visits are always
something to be looked forward to
with pleasure. When Mr. Cranes
appearance is announced there are sew
eTal things which the theatereoing
public Is ready TO take for granted. He
IS sure to present a good, honest Amer
lean play; it is a certainty that Il will
have an adequate production. and. fur
thermOre. there can be no doubt as to
his being surrounded by a capable com
pany. Many years OF service have en-
dared the actor 10 the public. and his
popularity Is OF great volume.
Mr.. Crane is especially welcome at
his time. for the play. 1.-The Spenders, %
IS credited with being a really avert
ing and entertaining work. The comedy
Is an aGaption OF Harry Leon Wilson $
roYel, and E. f. Rose. who fashiS ned
The Washington times., 1904-03-13
Saengerbund Concert.
Notable Forces Engaged for Soeiety's
Second Entertainment

The second public concert Of the sea
son OF the Washington Saengerbund viii
be given at the New National Theater
on the night of Sunday, March 90 un-
der the direction OF Henry Xander.
The leading vocal soloist will be Anita
Rio. OF New York. a soprano OF ma
The Washington times., 1904-03-13
Lafayette-Busy Izzy."

Lafayette-"Busy Izzy."
Busy Izzy'' viii DG seen at the La
fayette this week. Busy Izzy" is
musical melange. and the plot, If plot
il has. consists in Ivy selling his de-
partment store for a summer hotel. The
company surrounding George Sidney
tho star. is about the same as last
years organization. and includes Fred
Wyckoff. Eddie Clark. Maud Campbell.
and Carrie Weber.
The Washington times., 1904-03-13
Academy-"why Women SIM"

why Women Sim comes TO the
Academy for one week commencing to-
morrow night The play will be found
to be pure in tone and clean in ut
terance Among the scenes may be
mentioned the Millionaires' Club on
ladies night. the struggle on the stairs.
the thwarted kidnapping. duel in the
dark the gambling house scene. and the
climax in front OF Holy Trinity Church
on a stormy winter night. In the COM
pany are Pearl c. Seward, Frank Hol-
land. Paul Burns. Florence Ashbrook,
George Belts, Carrie Eckert, Ambrose
Rood. Mart r. Stevens, Harry Hearn,
Little Minerva, and Robert Morton.
The Washington times., 1904-03-13
Empire-@The MOOnshiners Daughter

Empire-~Ihe MoonShlneTs Daughter.
THE Moonshiner's Daughter" Is the
title Of the latest melOdramatic produce
ton which viii be seen at the Empire
the coming week.
There Is a pretty love story woven
throughout this play. and the adven-
lures Of the moonshfner are depicted in
a most thrilling manner. There are
four acts and each is environed with q
handsome scenic dressing. Incident
from the famous Hatfeld-Taylor feuG
OF Kentucky and Tennessee are shown
in a realistic manner. A raid on the
moOnshiner's Illicit still by Government
officers and the Iynching of a negro are
other notIible features.
The Washington times., 1904-03-13

Al Reeves Company.
The attraction announced for the Ly-
ceum this week IS Al Reeves company.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-27

Father" she called loudly to him, "Father!'
Why, its Constance, isn't it, he said his faded
blue eyes frightening and his voice cordial Well
little girl. 50 you've come home Welcome home
dear
Speech and ntonations refined, the manner
that of a gentleman born though hard work
out of the man. and the polish Not only the rough
he had to hoe, but something else had married
this and a glance Constance the deteriora-
ton and her heart sank
Worse, she thought, worse, God help him and u.s.,
The whole dropping figure of Donald Meredith was
eloquent of failure In former days he had been
clean though fraycd 1t fraycd gontity
that marked him now, but the absolute lack of care
the dirt of Encouragement that showed in face
hands and garments. Between the bars and the
house, Constance read pitiful story of down-hi
slipping, while all the while her father talked he
looked on her with strange, excited admiration.
His little girl, This fine Young creature, He was
conscious of a thrill.
Martina and the childrenn be glad to see YOU ."
he said, the two, father and daughter up the
rose-bordered path to the unpainted tumbe-down
stoop, and he threw open the house door
Martha. here's Connie, Put another plate. "
called the master of the house
\ frowzy-looking in a colarlcss gown. with
a torn checked apron turned from her task OF getting
supper She stirring something the range.
Il can't leave this. for fear it II burn. Goodness
Constance how you've grown And filled out! Boys,
here's your sister. Children. don't hide away It's
Connie. babes-you've heard tell of her. "
The boys tall fellows nineteen and seventeen
years old Between them and their little yellow
haired sisters there of small graves in the
cemetery. and Martha Meredith had the dispirited
air of the woman who had borne many children amid
the hardships OF poverty, and become used to losing
them, with sad philosophy.
Though slattcrn, she had the remains of beauty
in the large, brown eyes that had the mute fidelity
in their depths of patient domestic animal
She ALWAYS had been fond of Constance, Now she
said:
Your rooms ready but l expected a letter.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-27

in shrcds 1t accentuated the emptiness of the rest
as 1t was the only attempt at ornament. The two
chairs tOttering affairs with dropping
into holes and everything appeared decayed. The
msmatched ever and basin cracked the towels
small and coarse. but in the soap-dsh there
a cake of delicate toilet soap Martha had done
what she could.
Constance looked at the soap, and her eyes grew
misty So her mother had remembered how she
liked dainty soap and denied herself something
full to procure it, 1t was the touch in her home-con-
ing that broke her all up
Two days ago she had been a guest in a big beaut-
full and sumptuous home in Ohio. In her chamber
every appointment had been luxurious her dressing
fitted out with ivory and silver if suit
a princess. The was simply a dream At
college there had been comfort the comfort of
and solidlty.
She had worked unrernittingly there, but around
her had been the usual belongings of lady.
But this 1t was all unspeakabe in squalor nd
dnginess and meanness, and 1t home.
And to this she had invited Hugh COlhoon
a week hence She lifted her head proudly. If Hugh
Colhoon wanted her, he must take her from her own
people. from her own soil! There was no alternative
Come, Constance" called her father.
She went supper. The soied table-coth. the
Clipped and ncked plates, the absence of ordinary
table furniture struck her painfully Flies Trick
the ceiling The cold evening had driven them
indoors. Constance fanced them fighting for crumbs
they flew around the table in the morning, falling
into the coffee and the milk; not one window had
the vcstigc of wire She did not know it,
but the verdict of the village about her family had
passed into proverb As shiftess as the Merediths
people said, and other people heard and nodded
sagclv
She could not eat her supper. Martha in her col
larcss print, ovcrclcan the children with their
tumbcd hair and their tendency continual s,iuabbleS
and scraps, the poor food the rough chatting of
the older boys, and the sumpng. put it mildly,
of the whole establishment got upon her nerves
The boys with their knives and the children noisily
gulped their food "GOups! thought their disguised
sister who felt faint and nauseated
To this she had invited her lover, Hugh Colhoon
elegant, fastdious of Yet she was
firm in her conviction of right If he married her.
there must be concealment of her people 1t
her drearily, that it might be her duty
to marry.
Hugh and she had been fellow Students and had
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-27

here must look on.
Joe and | will tote
your trunk up soon s
supper's over. Ma
says you're to rocst
in the old place. She's
fixed it up some.
Fixed it up! Con-
stance surveyed it
doubtfully. She had
picked her way up
stairs over the rag
ged carpet, mentally
determining to do
away with it before
another week. Her
room was clean, and
smelled of soap-suds.
Martha had done
her best and spared
no trouble. but the
baroness of it fairly
shouted at the girl,
and the rickctincs3
appalled, her.
The old window
shades were stained
and torn. y lace
canopy over the
broken bureau was
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-27

Not one thing has been altered. " she said she
drew near the house. Only everything looks older
and fOrlorn. "
She loitered little while at the bars. An elderly
man, bald. stoop-shoudered and stumbling in
gait, walking slowly from the barn the house.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-27

pressed kiss the dark, hollow check of the older
woman. The stepmother had been kind as the father
had been Neither of the two understood the girl
and both i'll at ease in her company
My! but you're a sumner, Sister Constance -
exclaimed her eldest brother. THE girls around