Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-25

by the accomplished players OF
the Vagabonds, was the kind Of
entertainment provided during the past
week at the Belasco Theater. Had Tire
lawny of the Wells" come to Washington
with a cast of equal merit during the
regular season the house would have
been crowded at the winter rate-about
double that of the summer season-and
folks would have gone away to boast OF
having seen II. Believe me-. remarked
n blase young man after the performance
n few evenings ago. Washington doesn't
realize Just what a valuable lot of good
players those Vagabonds are" And
there was no one to disagree with him.
If the winter season has its triumphs
there are time when the summer season
furnishes sensations that make people
cit UP and take notice. Washington had
two last week. The first was when Sa-
molon. the Russian tenor OF the Aoorn
English Grand Opera Company. e.ectri-
fed his audience Thursday evening with
his rendition OF Caruso's famous role OF
Turridu in Il Pagliaccf' until 1t was
fairly carried away with enthusiasm.
The second was the masterful acting OF
A. II. Van Buren, as young Quixano, IN
Zangwilrs 1.-The Melting Pot" which was
presented by the Columbia Players at
the Columbia Theater. Playgoers VINO
had seen the original production OF the
play, with Mr.. Whiteside in the role
which he made memorable. seemed
forced to institute comparison. and Mr.
Van Buren, did not lose by 1t.
This weeks attractions, perhaps APP
,cl,
birth-"The Merchant OF Venice" by the
Vagabonds at the Belasco and the rnu-
steal tale of merry Robin Hood" by
the Aborns at the New National. Neither
is an experiment Both are delightful
when we'll rendered. and The Vagabonds
are amply guaranteed In the former,
while the merits of the old favorites are
thoroughly we'll known in the latter.
At the Columbia the Columbia Players
will present a new comedy AN Ameri-
can Widow" with which Grace Filkins.
in the title role scored a big success. 1t
has never been seen here before, but
aside from ito reputation elsewhere CO.
lumhia patrons do not need to be as
smred Of an evening of delightful enjoy
ment with II.
theaters are equipped for an all summer
siege. the former with air washing
and refrigeratinS plant TO temper the at
mosphere. and the latter with a bounti-
full supply of electric fans. Both offer
light enjoyable entertainment for stay
at-home folks during the hot weather.
The Cosmos next week announces
man fish, in remarkable features in
tank of water. Glen Echo, Luna Park
and Chevy Chase Lake, with musical
programs and every known feature or
outdoor amusement. are alluring those
who like a car ride and breeZes in the
suburbs Washington has settled down
TO its summer schedule and is determined
TO enjoy itself.
"'TAINT REAL. NUTHER. "-Blanche
Morrison, who needs no Introduction TO
a Washington public, holds the long dis
lance record in the Aborn opera COM
panies grand and comic, for sweet and
obligng disposition and an utter absence
of that bette noir of operate managers
the artistic temperament She has the
reputation for being the main brace
Of the organization for newcomers as
well as for those who are fading away.
She Is keenly sensitive, say her close
anything she does happens TO please
some one. But no matter what befallS
she always has the smile that won't
come off and feathers that won't be
ruffied.''
Recently she had an experience in
Jersey seaside home that came near tax
ing her power Of repression and putting
rift in the lutte of her disposition. With
her cousin she had stolen away to
quiet little village by the sea for rest.
Her modesty alone prevented her from
doing so incognito. But she wanted rest,
real rest. and she wanted 1t badly.
Hardly had she become settled In her
haven by the sea when each incoming
train brought a new candidate for the
position of maid to the young prima
donna. Then a succession OF males of all
ages, sorts and conditions. with pets Of
every variety, which they had been as
sured by her New York friends she was
very anxious to purchase. 1t took nearly
week of her valuable vacation time to
get rid OF these pests which We're turned
upon her b. practical jokers of the pro-
fession, who wanted a laugh at her ex-
pense
But the real joke came. and 1t wasn't
framed up by any one 1t simply dubbed
up out OF nowhere just as the waters Of
sparkling spring leap out of the earth.
The fire department of Punksea, let US
call ii, lest we jar the feelings of some
one. needed las annual benefit" Some of
the village cut-ups circulated a rumor
that a real singing play woman lived
over at the Morrison villa. Accordingly.
Miss Morrison was waited upon by the
.'burgomaster'' OF the village and its
leading citizens with an invite tn per
ticipate." She Is good natured. She need
ed the rest, but she couldn't refuse.
So she and her cousin got up a sketch.
homemade. but fun of pathos and some
singing. According to the plot. Miss Nor
rison as Sister Mary, fell i'll, and her
cousin, as Sister Ruth. made all the sac
rtfces to keep her during her illness.
provide her with medicines and the deli
cacies needed in q sickroom. 1t was a
hard struggle, but il made the tears and
the heartaches for the village lasses.
"Oh, II was just great
True to the grand operate instinct
however the sketch ended tragically.
Sister Mary died. and with her face turn
ed toward the wall Miss Morrison sang
a song Of Illusion 10 represent the angels
welcoming her TO heaven. Sister Ruth
was heartbroken and the lads as we'll
the lasses OF Punksea simply cried their
eyes out as the curtain fell.
Suddenly from the audience the village
constable. Jig Martin, sprang upon the
stage. His eyes were wet and his voice
was husky and Jagged. "Dern It," ne
howled TO the weeping audience. "she
amt dead at all. She amt even been
sick. an II warn't no angel singing. She
done the hull dern thing herself
JEFFERSON's AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Mrs. Nelson Wheatcroft. a member Of
1.-THE Vaaabonds, at the Belasco Thea
ter throws some light on an interesting