Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-14

come the advance announce
ments from many quarters to
indicate that the new theatrical season
is close at hand. In many OF the
theaiers the annual housekeeping, reno
walton and refurnishing have been or
are nearly completed. and all Is In readi-
ness for the coming attractions ana
those who wish to see them.
If announcements are to be relied upon
the new season should be rich in theat-
rical amusements from that purveyed by
the humblest to that provided in the
best playhouses. Experience seems to
demonstrate that competition in the
amusement world. instead of being hurt
fGl. is really helpful to the prudent man
age
In the household the theater and kim
dred forms OF amusement are coming to
be recognized as a necessity and allow
ance is made for them in many homes
just as for the butcher and the baker.
\ hearty laugh is a life Iengthener, and
a good cry for the women over fictitious
sorrow is doubtless quite as helpful in
a way.
The stage is not getting worse, but
better. and the belief is not uncommon
that in many of the plays are pre-
scented lessons as wholesome and as
effective as those from the pulpit. Even
the moving picture now carries sun
light where before only shadow rested,
and good evenings entertainment is
generally recognized as the best antidote
for a hard days work.
Locally the Academy is the first to
open its doors for the season of 1901,
and none too soon, apparently. for it has
been literally packed at every perform
ancc during the past week. Chases is
soon 10 follow. The Columbia will begin
its regular season September 10. The
dates for the reopening of the National
and the Belasco have not yet been an
nounced.
TIE minor houses will all be in full
operation shortly. The Casino, the Gay
ETY. and the New Lyceum all make their
opening announcements to the public to-
day. All of them have tempting bills,
and Washington OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES will
have wide variety to select from.
STAGE MANAGER RITCHIE-One OF
the really modest and at the same time
one of the most valuable members of the
Columbia Players is Arthur Richie, who
recently played enc of the twins in
"Pudd'n Head Wilson," In addition to
the conscientious work Mr.. Richie has
done in various roles during the season.
he is the stage manager of the company
and charged with the responsibility of
seeing that the performance moves
smoothly d1ter the productions are turned
over to him Monday night by Edwin H.
Curtis, the stage director.
Mr.. Curtis builds the productions from
The manuscript to the completed offering,
conducting all rehearsals and icing SUI
premc in everything pertaining to the dis
-ipliHe of the organization, but after the
Monday night performance the play is
turned over to the control of Mr.. Ritchie,
while Mr.. Curtis himself begins work on
The play to follow.
Mr.. Richie is Young. good looking.
steady and strong in principles. Although
his father is man of means and he him.
self has competence, he adopted the
stage as a profession and has as dill
gently applied himself to mastering its
"details as though his livelihood depended
upon il.
His one hobby is his dog Carter.
which IS his constant companion and in
Tariably occupies a prominent chair at
rehearsals. The animal is highly priced
IN that it was personal gift from Mrs.
Leslie Carter, the noted actress.
Mr.. Ritchie has been identified with a
lumber OF prominent travelling companies.
but prefers the exacting stock work in
view Of the training it affords him.
ANIMALS ARE KIND TO ONE AN
oTHER.-Lyman II. Howe. the moving
picture genius. is a great lover of ami
mails. Mr.. Howe has taken pictures
IF animals in nearly all of the impor-
ant geological gardens in the world.
While engaged in this pursuit a the
200 in Stockholm. Sweden. it is said.
lis camera caught the mountain foxes
deliberately throwing pieces of meat
,ut through the bars of their cages to
he gray crows waiting outside.
The weather at the time was bitterly
iard-it was February last-and the
.rows were half starved. Two of the
inimaIs were seen to feed the crows on
TWO different occasions, and it really
ieelned as II the well fed foxes had
some sort of desire to help a hard-up
elbow creature.
on another occasion, while Mr.. Howe
vas taking pictures in Scotland he
came across an old gentleman in
-ural community who had some goats:
also pet monkey. The monkey had
struck up q friendship with one of
ne goats, and the two had become
great chums On the day of Mr.. Howe's
Visit the goat. wandering far afeld in
search OF food. got among a patch of
orickly pears. and when it came out its
lose and coat were full of the needle
Ike spines. The poor beast was in
misery. Mr.. Howe, it is said, soon
itterward saw the goat lying down.
are and patience. pulled out one by
me all the hundreds OF spines. Mr..
Howe lost no time in catching this cpl
lode with his camera.
Not so many years ago the idea of
,ne animal being kind to another Of
quite different sort would have been
augned at. but Mr. Howe claims to
ave discovered indisputable evidence
hat some animals exercise the virtue
IF charity and unselfishness. He hopes
O soon have a full series of pictures
'eady for exhibition illustrative Of the
act.
HOW 1T CAME ABOCT-As George
Barr McCutcheon, author tells the story,
II was his brother John who suggested
TO him the writing of "Brewster's Mil
Hons
They were walking together one day,
when a faring sign upon a billboard
with 100000 lightly offered as a re-
ward for set Of teeth that some par
their attention. Neither George nor John
l. old enough to be interested in a new
set OF teeth as yet, being from Indiana,
but the money proposition appealed 10
them.
WHY don't you write a story about a
man who had million and didn't know
what TO do with it?" queried John
or enc who had to get rid of a mill
uon?' suggested George.
'BrewSters Millions was the result
When he took IL TO a publisher il was
a short story. That wise parsonage adj
vised him TO lengthen 1t, until it would
fill a book Of respectable size. lie did
So and then il was decided that as an
other CT his books was about to be pub
lisued il would not be wise to have
them both appear at once under his
name So ''Brewster's Millions was
hrough; out under a nom de plume Six
months later George Barr McCutcheon