The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-12-06
NOTES FROM SThGELsND

During Thomas Jeffersons engagement
at the Providence Opera House the hrst
three nights of next Week. matinee We'd
nesday he will appear iu RIP Van WIN
kle." the delightful and parrnnlally popu-
lar play in which he won renown over
eight years ago. and which he has been
presenting since. Theatregoers wonder
why they never lose interest IN this plny
or I'm the iovial and bibulous vagabond
whom Mr. jefferson ipterprcts. IL Is not
only hecause the actor invests the part
with a consummate art that both inn
presses and wins not because Mr.. Jefrer-
sons characterization breathes a warmth
and humanity, a geniality and real flesh
and-hlood-ness which are rarely found In
modern stage creations but because
every time the part is played Mr.. Jeffer-
son adds some little touch here and there
that gives it fresh novelty and that keeps
tie sweetness and fragrance forever new
and forever attractive The comedian has
apepared in this character thousands or
times and before perhaps millions Of peo-
pie still he never fails 10 attack II with
an eagerness and an enthusiasm that
make each new performance az interest
ing and as surprisingly delightful as IL 1t
were a premiere.
It must be due 10 be as popular an
actor as Gardner Crane rs, At Keith's
this week he and his clever wife are
being received with positive ova atoms and
IL is evident that no stock company fav-
orite ever retained so many staunch
friends The Cranes have a capital little
play. "A Yankees Love for Dixie" which
Is a. Christmas eve romance In Civil war
times The southern atmosphere Is de-
lightful and particularly appealing at this
season OF the year is the story OF the
spirited young southern lassie who pluck
IN la har In 70
the house, held by northern officers. In
order that he may spend part OF Christ
mas eve at home. Her loyalty TO the
south her coquetry when the young
northern officer trieste make lepete AeF,
and her womanly sacrifice at the finish,
when the man she loves bears disgrace
silently for her sake. are all charmingly
told. and IL keeps the audience interested
or appauding every minute
Mr.. Cranes excellent legitimate train
ing is very evident in the manner I'm
which this little play Is staged and
played One OF the features of IL is tho
tiny little darkey, who brings the note
TO the girl from her brother, and departs
bearing Christmas bundles larger than
his tiny self This little chap, by the bye,
is a product OF the plantation in New or
leans. where MrS. Cranes parents live
and where she was born He Ia barely
three years old but is as mischievious
little elf az a boy his size can be when
he wants to. keeping Mr. and Mrs Crane,
as well as his grandmother, who was Mrs.
Cranes old nanny when she was "a little
girl and who now travels with the child,
with a watchful eye on him every minute.
His grandmother's name is Parhena.
so Mr. and Mrs. Crane have niokuamed
the boy "Ingomar." fngomar has n mind
OF his own and frequently prefers to play
soldiers" or marbles" TO acting. and
he has 90 be Coaxcd with all kinds OF In
ducemcnts. the most appealing of which
is q generous piece OF pie one after
noon recently. Parthenia was sick with n
headache. and Mr.. Crane brought the boy
20 the theatre, but In attending to tho
stage setting for his act which he always
gives his personal attention. he lost sight
OF lngomar FOR a few minutes When
within n few minutes ~ the time for Mr.
and Mrs. Cranes act Ingomar was not
10 be found
4 child was absolutely necessary for tho
act and n black child. too Mr. Crane.
nearly distracted hustled the property
man out 20 find a small child. black or
white. The property man returned IN n
few minutes brcathless but triumphantly
dragging a boy about four years old by
the hand Good. but why. oh, why
aren't you black" murmured Mr.. Crane
Never mind IN make YOU black In \
few minutes n skillful application OF
burn-cOrk transformed the little white
child so that even his own mother
wouldn't have known him He was hur-
riodly told what 90 do. and the novelty
OF being on the stage So appealed 60 him
that he grasped the idea capitally and
gave p really good performance OF his
little but important role. In the midst
OF the act lngomar. Who had gone visit
ing o. the files" over tho stage, had re-
turned and stood staring jealously az his
rival. That evening Ingomar was on