The Washington times., 1908-10-17
GREET PLAY SEEN
BY Mr.. ROOSEVELT
Attends Bareheaded With
Wife and Quentin-Scene
Enchanting.

The performances yesterday after
noon were beautiful in many respects
but the most imposing picture was that
presented by nature. There was no
need for the artists brush 20 surround
the players with an appropriate set
ting. No artist could possibly have put
upon canvas the tInJs Of autumn foliage
IN the trees. JEru-Sl which warm
sun shOle throughout the performance
Property men and stage carpenters
could never hope 10 equal the velvety
green lawn There was no need for
wings or curtains Trees and shrub
berry acted for the one as well as for
the other They constituted the stage
Aside from the artistic touch which
was observed on every hand there was
another feature-tLat Of the President
OF the United States and the ErSt lady
IN the land acting as host and hostess.
. and Joining common cause Tor the
benefit Of the Washington Play grounds
Association There was no suggestion
Of fOTmalty. and the nope was e1-
pressed on every hand that now that
q precedent had been established there
might be more garden parties open 20
all who wished 10 enter FreslGenl
Roosevelt walked down from the White
House with Mrs Roosevelt without q
hat. as did Quentin. who laughed
heartily during the performance There
-
and during the inJermissi0n the Presi-
dent left his box and visited many
diplomatic and official friends IN near
by boxes, and for once he was saved
Secret Service men He seemed 20
enjoy the performances and several
times started the applause which
greeted the players
that the players actually seemed 70 r1Ge
up out OF the ground They ap-
preached by climbing the gentle knoll
at the west side Of the grounds First
the voices were heard in the distance.
then, by peering through the foliage,
the audience could see head which
seemed TO rise up and come forward.
slowly growing into human form
until X burst suddenly upon the stage.
fairy character in q fairy play
One OF the most interesting features
OF the afternoon was the excellent eN
| hibluOn given by the score OF Wash
| ingtOn school children who took part
| IN the performances. Not a break did
they make from the moment they ap-
peared at the beginning Of the after
/ noon until they retired. laughing hap
PLY. at the restoration OF their pretty
Princess MarryEOld from figure
turned 10 gold by the cursed hand OF
made all around her happy.
From HawthOrue's Tales
The two plays are adapted bv Rose
y 90.
children. The first dealt with pan
dora and the Mysterious Box" which
excited her curiosity The child had
been forbidden to peer wIcnin. but as SION
as she was left alone she could not re-
sist The temptation TO find out who WIS
calling her name from within M soon
er had she unfaStened the rome Win
which the box was bound THAN there
leaped out Vice, Greed, Hatred. Malice
Poverty, Hunger. and every form of
trouble which, up 10 that time had
not afflicted the world. These f1ries
Jormented her and her bovish lover
Thee, put deceit in their hearts and
made them generally unhappy until
beautiful Hope emerged from the same
box and restored the peace. which had
relgned before curiosity conquered
lnr the second play was depicted the
unnatural desire OF old King Midas for
gold The monarch had but one
wish in the wOrld-tO turn 70 gold
everything he touched His wish was
granted, but he soon repented, when he
discovered that his food when handled
by him. was transformed into the vel
low metal and the water which he de-
sired 10 drink became molten gold 1rDo,
his slightest touch He gave I'D in de-
spair when. upon embracing his beau-
tiful daughter, Princess Marrvgold he
saw her instantly turn into a vo15a.
figure King Midas then asked the z,o7s
10 remove the curse with which, Ta
was afflicted and Quicksilver granted
the wish after the King rad dacIars5
himself to be truly Denitent