The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-10-21

Truth is Still Stranger Than
Fiction

. FICuOn /. . +.

garb and talked in low, solemn tones
while the orchestra played slow mu.
sic.
Two chairs were placed in the GEN.
ter and rear of the stage. and the
back of the platform was covered
with dark cloth. Three electric bulbs
in the wings above the chairs provid-
ed the necessary light The archdea-
con professed to be haunted by an evil
spirit. DR.. Monck spoke some reas-
suring words, and then, sitting in a
deacon occupying the other chair.
Presently little smoke appeared
issuing from DR.. Monck's side, and
gradually it increased in volume. A
moment later the smoke died away,
and to the left of DR.. Monck light
was seen, This light slowly changed
into the head and shoulders of wo-
man. then her bust was outlined. and
very soon her complete form was dis
closed. Finally, while the stage arch
deacon gaZed in amazement, the
spirit tripped daintily 20 the foot
lights and revealed itself as most
attractive young ldOy.
Maskelyne will forthwith call upon
Archdeacon Colley for $4,000 and sew
eral persons who saw to-day's per
Torrance tell me his claim is valid
and ndisputable.-New York Times.
Plays That Earn Millions.
Good old Rip Van Winkle," said
stage manager holds the record
as a money-maker among modern
plays. RIP has earned, down to date
something over $5,C00,000.
When 'Erminie' was first produced
in London it was a total failure. But
Rudolph Aronson saw the possibili-
ties of the pretty and graceful opera,
He secured the American rights. he
engaged Francis Wilson, Marie JAM
sen and Pauline Hall for the leading
roles and he produced 'Erminie' SUI
perbly. The result was that this
opera, which had been pronounced
worthless. was acted 1880 times and
earned $3,O00,0O
Kate Claxton played The Two Or
phans' $500 times, making $2,OOO,OOO
out of the play.
'Denman Thompson, when he wrote
The Old Homestead little thought
that his wholesome drama would earn
81 1000 900 in twelve years. Yet those
are the authenticated figures.
de Koven's Robin Hood and
Jones' Silver King has each earned
$4,000, 900 and still bring in royalties
to their happy authors.
Among recent successes the great
est in Pinero's House in Order This
play was put on at the st. James The
alter last February, and ran steadily
through the summer It earned at
the st. James $1,100 1000. and its pro-
vincial and Americans runs are still
to be heard OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Journal.
Weird Tale Of irving's Funeral.
The weird suggestion Is made by
Robert Ross that another person was
buried with Sir Henry Irving in West
minister Abbey. Ross writes:
I "a young actor of my acquaintance
! who bore the honored named OF Sid
dops. was invited to take part in the
Irving funeral services. His stepfath'
or was connected by marriage with
the great actress. Miss Siddons. and
he was very proud Of his physical re
semblance to her as shown in her
portrait by Reynolds. Since the bur
ial of Irving he has never been seen
though I saw him in the funeral cor
tere- All his friends remember a
curious exaltation In his manner foI
a few DAYS before the ceremony, and
cannot help thinking that. in a mo
ment OF enthusiasm, realizing thai
that would be his only chance FOL
burial In the Abbey. he took advan
tage of the bowed and unobservani
heads during the prayer of commit
tai and crept beneath the pail into
the great actors tomb. / have beer
assured BY the vergers that myster
ious sounds were heard for some
days after this great historical occa