The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-02-16
NOTES FROM STAGELAND

One OF the most touching episodes ever
written I'm a drama is the pathetic story
Of the baby stolen from the mother by
the father. for revenge. as told by Dr.
Snyder. I'm his "As Ye Sow" which will
be presented at the Providence Opera
House next week for II has already light
ened one sorrowful heart. thus ~ccom-
plshing part OF the good for which the
author is striving I'm writing this drama.
Dora Leland. the heroine. tells OF her lit
tie girl who was stolen from her arms
by it's selfish and unnatural father while
she is holding the minister's adopted
child sleeping in her arms. She tells how
she is reminded OF her own lost child. In
her grief she says John, she makes me
think of my own baby who maybe is
living I'm rags and wretchedness, and
maybe is dead
She afterwards learns that the very
child ON whom she has layished so much
affection ia her own child, who has al
ways been tenderly cared for.
In one OF the large audiences that char
acterized every performance OF this rural
drama. during its stay in Chicago where
IL was first produced there was quiet.
pale-faced woman who was much Affect
ed by this pathetic story, so realistically
presented, and sought out the author af-
lowing story: "It is like n bit OF my own
story. Five years ago lost a dear, lit
tie girl in almost the same way. for I was
divorced from cruel. drunken husband.
and the Judge decreed that the child
should be mine. My husband was much
enraged at the decision, and watching his
opportunity and came to my home and
stole the baby
"I have been unable to find the slight.
80 hax hax paa1
every children's home | could learn OF.
understand that my husband was married
again. bat | cannot ascertain II the child
is still with him or not. The story, In
your play, OF the little child has brought
back my sorrow fresher than ever. But
IL has also comforted me- for IL is posi-
BILE that my child II still living, may have
found a happy home. where she is as
well taken care OF as though / had her
myself witnessing your play has been a
great comfort to me. You all seem so
real" she said, smiling through her tears.
Unusual interest Is being taken in the
attraction which will occupy the Provi-
dence Opera House the week OF Feb. 26th.
There are thousands here who have seen
the star Benjamin Chaplin, upon the Ly-
ceum stage and who will be extremely
curious 10 see him I'm the broader field OF
the drama This Is especially true because
OF the seriousness OF his purpose in his
new venture.
The character drama of Lincoln is a
distinct innovation i'm style and form OF
modern drama seen upon the American
stage. Imbued with an intense love OF
Lincoln i'm his early youth. Mr.. Chaplin
long before he had any thought OF APP
pearing upon the stage himself marvelled
af ha a "a
of that form OF national drama so popu-
lar In all European countries. which has
for its central figure some one or more OF
the great historical characters
A great admirer of Lincoln. he has
written one OF the strongest plays ever
shown here II is claimed around the
character OF the Great Liberator." with
the scenes in the white House and about
Washington. The play will be given by a
very strong company. IL is announced
80
The bill at Keith's theatre next week
will include Houdini. the handcur king:
the Wilton Brothers. comedy bar perform
ers, the Orpheus Comedy Four, makers
OF mirth and melody: Edmund Day a
Co, In THE Sheriff." Gilroy Haynes and
Montgomery, In nautical travesty: Ca
price, Lynn and Fay. dainty dancing
condolences; w. J. McDermott. monolog-
uist, Fetching Brothers. comedy instrii-
mentalists; Redford and Winchester
comedy juggers the Luciers. Warren
and Lakewood. Lillian Young. the Mol.
mems. and others.
Houdlni the handcuff expert who comes
10 Keith's theatre next week for one
week only. says that locks have always
had q peculiar fascination for him. and
the past FIVE years he has freed hmaeii
from almost every kind OF handcuff In
continental Europe. Naturally. the many
victories In this line that he has scored
have been very pleasing TO him. but ther,
was one that Houdini says filled him with
regret. This was q handcufr made IN
Vienna by an old mechanic named schi
ansky. The Austrian emperor Franz 10
SETS favorite mechanic had tried tn,
handcuff for three years and Il was fount
so excellent that the Kaiser named a
"Neiman kann es offenen"--No one car
open this. While Houdin was playins
In Vienna Schiansky dehed him TO oper
the handcuff he had invented and patent
ed. saying that II Houdin could open ~
" would Fa4R-the inventer-hst " Houdin
was unable 20 free himself from ~, 1
would add TO the laurels OF the handcuff
He gave Howilni the handcuf for
weeks examination. Houdini stayed uI
all night the first night he had the hand
cum, giving II a careful examination. a
5 O'Clock the next morning he had solvet
the problem. He hunted up the mechanic
with the manager OF the theatre as hii
companion, and proceeded - free him
self from the handcun. The mechani,
accused him of cheating, but Houdin