davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun., 1919-03-02
JANET BEECHER ON CAREERS.

HOSSIBLY there is something
tiresome about the prospect Of
being interviewed. At least It
! is certain that actresses are apt 10 be
late for the ordeal. But 1t must be
| said in justice TO Janet Beecher that
/ when she arrived at the Booth Thea
| tire she did not betray any signs Of
irritation or even discard her wraps
| in temperamental manner She did
express a fear that her life was not
sufficiently exciting to interest the
public. She was fond of reading. es-
pecially imaginative things. loved
flowers and had been giving much Of
her time to rehearsaIs Of a play by
| George V. Hobart that the Stage
Women's War Relief was to give at
the Belasco Theatre on Sunday night.
Also Miss Beecher was very happy
to have such a successful play as
THE WOMAN in Room 49," and az for
the rest II trained observer could
deduce anything concerning her per-
soEality from the objects in her dress
ing room he was at liberty to do So.
| On the dressing table were a pair OF
green bottles that might have been
champagne magnums but happened to
! cor tain mineral water, "a china blue
| bird, a silver elephant and a hyacinth
! loved flowers long as we'll as much
but she was speaking.
a Taking a dip into biographical fact
The sun., 1919-03-02

pocket. He got up hungry one morn
ing at $50 intending to hunt up a
restaurant and pretend he was Q
waiter and thus get something to eat
In order not to have any one he might
know see him he picked out restau-
rant at the corner of Thirteenth street
and Third avenue, where he saw o
sign waiter wanted" The proprietor
told him he didn't look like waiter
and ask him where his apron and
jacket was. He replied that he would
sc and get 1t near by. Meanwhile he
interviewed the cook and told him Of
his troubles THE cook, taking pity
on him, provided him a large porter
he Use steak.,.a quantity Of eggs and q
glass of milk. Young Purcell then left
for his Jacket. deciding he didn't want
to be a waiter.
Then he walked to 1854 street,
where he understood there was an in
surance man who needed a clerk.
Through him he was able to secure q
position as entry clerk at Seigel Coop
er's store at Sixth avenue. He worked
there two weeks and one night he
journeyed down to Coney Island. He
discovered they wanted q tenor at one
of the restaurants. He was able to get
a position at $50 a week, which being
better than he was getting in New
York he accepted. Young Purcell had
raincoat and a bathing suit When
he wasn't In the water with the bath
Ing suit he was In the restaurant with
the raincoat on.
One night Gus Sohlke, who Is now .
well known producer in London, hut
who was then stage manager for
Bert Whitney in Detroit, happened
along and heard Purcell sing. He Of
fered him a position in 1.-THE Isle OF
Spice" Mr.. Purcell accepted this po-
sltion and left at once for Detroit,
where he remained for three years
with the various Whitney companies.
He finally secured a part with Grace
Van Studdiford In 1.-THE Golden But
terfiy." and so made his New York
debut In that piece at the Broadway
Theatre some years ago. Since that
time Charles Purcell has been highly
successful in various musical come
dies. One of his most successful roles
before appearing in Monte Cristo.
Jr.," was that of Dick in the original
cast OF "Maytime" at the Sbubert
Theatre
The sun., 1919-03-02
THE DRAMATISTS AsTIR.

The new president OF the Society n,
american Dramatists and Composers
George NJ. Cohan, has with his esso.
ciates task OF cheer in restoring
their body corporate to somewhere IN
clubland, as was the design OF Rronson
Howard when he first gathered all thu
extant American writer's for the stage
IN small room and Toasted them.
That was In 1891. Now the American
playwrights would fill a hall. and they
keep coming. Why should they NOT
know each other. listen to each others
trlumphs. hear each others tale OF
Voc? For there are such taIes-even
now. Bronson Towards rule was sim
pie. No one was admissible unless ba
mad play produced in a regular then
tire by professional cast and before
an audience that paid for admissions
For some years back the American
orainatists' society has been a far
from active body. Women dramatists
had como in, and their gay colors and
high spirits failed to dispel the gather
Ing gloom. The Bronson Howard
theatrical library that he devised TO
the club mounted from floor TO ceiling
in its bookcases, his endowment adding
case after case OF new works To n
year after year. 1t appeared to be the
only growing thing in the society.
Then few months back some OF the
men began stirring and calling for a
change. Others resisted. Something
was evidently living there, and by rood
luck proved on examination to be a
majority. much to it's own surprise. So
directors resigned from the board:
Augustus Thomas stepped out OF the
presidency with a brief Valedictory. 7
/. c. Clarke became president for the
nonce, and those who were left rosa
up and went after the dramatists
who should have been active with the
society all the while.
II was merry chase, but every day
brought in a new man or woman or
aroused veteran. Charming Pollock
and Maurice Samuels had resigned "a
directors, but Edward Locke, George
Rroadhurst, Percival Wild, Arthur
Hopkins Austin Strong. T. shipman.
Victor Herbert. George lie Baron. Roi
Cooper Megrue. Mrs. Rida johnson
Young, Mr., and Mrs Drummer. Mrs
Bradley and George NJ Cohan were
among the old and tie new, all active
dramatists who came flocklns 10 the
rev colors Potent in all this was one
notable force, that of Mrs Ann FIex-
ner-a very Inspiring lady OF the quiet
est methods, So Roi Cooper Megrue
is out amassing a fund for new quar-
tiers, and he1has many bold men with
him,
The sun., 1919-03-02
LEFT TO THE AUDIENCE.

TN recent years there has grown
up a tendency on the part OF the
= playwright to avoid the injection
o: what might DO termed physical OF
mechanical aids to emphasize some
point of the story. or phase of the
plot. A decade ago the stage ran
riot with big effects and often these
were paramount to the play. There
were horse races, realistic rain storms,
train wrecks, mad charges of fire en-
gines and what not. Nowadays the
the modern author strives TO further
the action of the play solely through
the medium Of the dialogue making
the plot 80 obvious that no mechanical
effects are required.
The spoken word. the business and
the characterizations. the author con-
tends, should be sufficient to create
the proper mental picture and apart
from the scenery. they resent the call
ing In of the EFFECT man." Such, at
least, was the attitude OF Rachel
Crothers when she was staging her
letest comedy, "A IAttle Journey"
now at the Vanderbilt Theatre. The
second act Of the play ends with a
The sun., 1919-03-02

MIsH Beecher said she thought her
appearance as an old woman in The
Concert" had set her back in her ca
reer. Most people would probably re-
member the character she referred to
as being hardly middle aged, but she
felt that the public in general. recall
ing her as she was in that play and
taking account of the lapse of time
since then might give her credit for
too many years. Ordinarily speaking
the poor young thing who has to hob
Bile on a stick and mask the peach
bloom Of her checks with painted
wrinkles is entitled to sympathy for
the martyrdom of her youth, and there
is an actual risk that managers will
| felegate her once for all to senile
roles.
The case is different, however, with
Miss Beecher. Although she had her
| first great success in THE Concert"
It was not her first appearance before
large public. That was in THE
Bachelor" as Swedish maid, and
everybody was enthusiastic about her
as a Coincidence. One critic thought
she was as funny as May Irwin.
! The biographical vein took Miss
Beecher back to her acquaintance
with Clyde Fitch. When she was very
young she was introduced to him by
n friend Of her mothers, Mrs. Edward
Dithmars. whose husband was a dra-
/ matte critic and afterward an editor
o! the Times. Mr.. Fitch made much
oil her and with characteristic insight
predicted Il brilliant future for her on
! NhH 90 lnNt L..
mother deserves publication, for in it
| he told of his association with Mans
| field at the time he was working on
| Beau Brummel" This is the play
that first brought Fitch into promin-
cree, and there has been some contro-
versy over the credit due respectively
to him, to Richard Mansfield and to
! William Winter for its inspiration and
development. Mr.. Winter himself
went into the matter at some length
| in his life OF Mansfield.
! If there was any American play
wright to-day capable OF following in
Clyde Fitch's footsteps. Miss Beecher
! thought that man was Avery Hop
wood, and she hoped that he would
write play for her some time. Asked
to name another playwright to whom
she would entrust the same task she
said that would probably be Edward
Chllds Carpenter for Mr.. Carpenters
play. THE Pipes OF Pam" in which
she appeared last year, she thought
adorable, although II was not a great
financial success. But Miss Beecher
de MED that she would bar any aspiring
dramatlst from competition.
The sun., 1919-03-02
CHARLES PURCELL'S MONTE
CRISTO" EXPERIENCES.

Charles Purcell, who impersonates
Edmund Ddntes in the new Winter
Garden extravaganza, Monte Cristo,
il" had, before arriving at tho Win
ter Garden a series OF experiences akin
to those OF Dumass hero. Charles
Purcell halls from Chattanooga. Tenn.
As young man he was able to secure
position with one night stand mu-
steal comedy. This troupe blew up"
as they say in the theatrical business
in Philadelphia, leaving young Purcell
stranded He was able to borrow
enough money 10 reach New York
where he landed with 10 cents in his
The sun., 1919-03-02

railroad wreck. The producers in.
sisted upon placing the set-which is
that of n Pullman car-upon a rock
Ing platform and at the given moment
turning the affair upside down. There
was to be the usual accompaniment
of escaping steam, crashing of glass
and unearthly screams 10 give in
accurate detail the impression of con-
fusion and agony.
But Miss Crothers quietly objected.
She maintained that the cries OF the
people with. the effect OF the lights
suddenly going our and just the sug-
gestion Of a crash would be quite
sufficient She even objected to the
moving panorama employed in the
second act to give the impression OF
the car in motion. She emphasized
the fact that her small comedy was
not intended to become a melodrama,
The sun., 1919-03-02
MINERVA COVERDAlE
in
TAE VELVET LADY,"
OFFERINGS OF THE WEEK.
NW1S
wv

ToNIGHT-Republc Theatre: present
performance only comedy Richard Fletcher
Heart described explosive" because deals with Bolshvm
in satirical If the comedy doesn't blow regular
production is looked for The cast includes Olive Wyndham
Carl Dietz W. Thon John Robb Charles Hanna Douglas
Cohan Harris Theatre: arranged George M
Conan will be given aid Amer
lea Among the celebrities who have offered appear
Fske Joseph Cawto Julia Arthur Ed Wynn Frances Starr,
Elizabeth Murray, Emmett corrigan Caru Chauncey
Olco Mollie King Dorothy Dickson Carl Hyson
MoNDAY-Thatre French company will
the modern Veine" by Alfred
Capus Jacques Copeau and Valentine Tester play
roles.
Punch and Judy Theatre: Stuart Walker will present BILL
with premiere of Dunsany play "The
revival OF the dramatic
Beatrice Maude Mckay the chief parts in the
Dunsany -
The sun., 1919-03-02

and hence, II the play was to be pro-
duced. Miss Crothers alone would de-
termine what mechanical aids would
be utilized In the play. Her conten-
items as to what treatment the wreck
scene should receive have been justi-
Ned by the great popularity the play
Is now enjoying. She has eliminated
the inclusion of the agony involved
but has given the scene just the proper
amount OF suggestion to make her
audience realize what has taken place.
or course. there are times when scenic
effects are liteFtfry the life OF the show.
This is especially true OF the Winter
Garden extravaganzas, where the eye
is amazed at the overwhelming splen-
dor of the various stage settings and
the rapidity of their changing. In con-
nection with this discussion Miss
Crothers reminded that Shakespeare,
The sun., 1919-03-02
BY LAWRENCE REAMER.

Admirers OF
Theans last Sunday had a
Rough Perfect"
play 70 be given
nas tho humor OF the performance
OF laughter 1t
OF
mos have failed Of its effect before
All eccenricies Of
ambitions
with
Selected from the
services for this occasion
her expression confidential
nnernost of
interude
e1o unrestraned
rn
Of Coincidence
she has material worthy Of
spontaneous and
specimen Of a ow
The sun., 1919-03-02

Contemporaneous dramatists do not
seem to find success when they return
Ito material which was long used so
lprosperously by their predecessors.
When Hastings McHugh wrote That
Sort" he set out to show with the
Inodern treatment what might be the
fate Of an erring mother who came
back to the side of her children. We
had all seen that problem worked out
before. 1t was the bone and sinew Of
more than one drama in the past, al
though 1t survived most strongly in all
probability In East Lynne" and its
French derivative Miss Moulton." In
those plays II was as governess that
the mother went back. was able in this
disguise to remain near her children
unsupported. and finally died, II not in
the odor Of sanctity at least in an at
mosphere moist with tears.
Probably the vogue of Ala Nail
nova in those days did not keep THAT
Sort" on view for more than a few
weeks, although the author had de-
,vised picturesque first act in Lon
don hotel. East Lynne" was totter-
ing about the stage Of one OF the
.neighborhood theatres only a week
ago, and is said at least to be going, If
mot going strong, still In the stock
companies. The ravages of time and
the sophistication produced by the
cinema have not succeeded in stopping
the old piece altogether. But "That
Sort" disappeared quickly.
leighton Graves Osmun has writ
ten picturesque first act for 1.-THE
Fortune Teller" in which Marjorie
tRambeau Is acting at the Republic
Theatre. There Is again the repentant
mother and there follows the return to
the society OF the son. But Mr.. Osmun
has not written a play with any moro
ssigns Of vitality than THAT Sort" al
Though he has employed material
(which to this day possesses its value
flor dsasnatic puSSsses. Is the lack OF
lskill In the players or the writer's the
cause OF such little staying power in
pieces built on this formula to-day?
The answer seems to be that the
Journalists who affect the modern
lrnsnner do not possess anything else in
their writing for the stage. If in addi-
ton to being modern they could be
tadroit and skilful there might be some
vitality in their efforts. There Is no
fault to be found with the fiction of
Tho Fortune Teller" It is not unin-
kteresting. the old fable has been agree
sahly varied and the suspense neces
gary to interest might readily be es-
tablighed. But the telling OF the tale
70 against the methods of the best
The sun., 1919-03-02

preston. the power OF communicating
to others a feeling of intense excite
ment. whether it be happiness or grief
this may often lie within the power
Of one actor and not another. So in
spite Of the general inadequacy Of the
plays which to-day call for deep emo
tional expression there may be some
deficiency In the interpreters which
accounts for their failure to impress
the public. Mss Rambeau's emotions
are more or less on the surface. She
strikes no deep note, although exter-
mails may be we'll composed and even
imaginatively planned But of the in
ner vision she gives as little intima-
ton as she does of depth of sentiment.
SO 1t may be that the actresses Of the
period Of the emotional play were,
after all, capable of adding to the au-
thor's work an interest which Is denied
to the silvery sisterhood of the stars
OF the day. At least there was none
OF 1t in the work of ALA Nazimova or
Marjorie Rambeau when they tried to
reincarnate the idea of Miss Null
ton," which a score or moro of ac-
tresses in the past had kept alive for
a generation or more.
There is a general conception as to
what Is capable of making more noise
than a pig under gate. But there is
certainly nothing worse than the rem
iniscence Of Frank Wilstach or Will
| lam Seymour unless II be the COM
b!ned efforts of the two to recall the
past in the theatre. They are at 1t now
but luckily In turns. 1t was Mr..
Wilstach who grew eloquent on the
subject Of "Monte Cristo" 1t was his
inadequacy that aroused Mr. Seymour
The sun., 1919-03-02

who was a great stage director, never
used sets" but small signs, to desig-
nate where the action is supposed to
AXE place.
The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1919-04-24

Rev. ]. J. White filled his regula,
appointment at Mt. Olive church Sun
day.
Mr.. and Mrs. ]. R. Norman and chill
dren, of Castor spent the weekend
with relatives here.
Miss Lille Holdman spent the week
end with her friend, Ollie D. Hucka.
hay.
Miss Leola Hayes visited homcfolks
at Bienville Sunday.
J.F Williams and r. T. Watts were
visitors to Bienyille Wednesday.
Mrs. ". I. Campbell and little son,
rupert, and brother, Linden Smith
were visitors to Bienville Friday.
Inc teachers Of the Mt. Olive school
gave an entertainment Thursday night.
hot chocolate and cake were served,
A large crowd enjoyed the entertain.
ment' On Friday afternoon they en-.
tertalned the little folks with an
Easter egg hunt.
Miss Bu6ic McGraw gave a rock
party Saturday night for few friends,
AL reported a very pleasant time.
The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1919-04-24
WEST MONROE TO BECOME
PART OF OUACHITA'S CAPITAL

During the next GO days, or earle
II possible, after the necessary leya
formalties have been carried out, tn
town Of West Monroe, with approx,
mately 1000 Inhabitants, located JUS
across the Ouachita river from Monroe
will become part of the city of Mon
roe The town of West Monroe, is
very much in favor of becoming a nort
OF Monroe, and within the near future
an election will be held in West Mon.
roe to permit its residents to yote IN
the proposition of becoming a part Of
Monroe. 1t is certain fact that the
election will carry and thus give the
city of Monroe 1000 more Inhabitants
Tor Its population, besides a bank, large
cotton compress, 100 new homes and
many other improvements. The town
Of West Monroe has one bank already
and a movement is now On foot 70
establish a second bank, a new build.
Ing and loan association, Que Of the
largest cotton congresses aud most
modern in the south.
The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1919-04-24
SIMPLE FACTS ABOUT THE
NOTES OF THE VICTORY LOAN

There are two kinds of notes bein
issued. Both mature in three or fou
years, as the Government choose
later.
The first kind bear 3D. per cent In
terest yearly, payable every six months
These are free from State and loca
taxes, and from the normal Fedora
Income taxes.
The second kind bear 8 3.4 per cen
interest and are free from taxation
as others are, but in addition are fret
from super'taxes and every form Of
taxation, except the usual estate and
inheritance taxes,
Notes OF either kind can be changed
FOR those OF the other issue, at the
wish of the buyer.
The notes Of both series will he dat.
ell and bear interest," from May 20,
1919, and will mature on May 20, 1923.
Interest will be payable on December
10, 1919, and after that on June u
and December Is, and at maturity,
Inc dates upon which payments will
be required on the notes are as fol.
lows:
Ten per cent with application on
or before May 10.
Ten per cent on July Is.
twenty per cent on August T..
twenty per cent on September 8.
twenty per cent on October Z.
twenty per cent on November III
with accrued interest on deferred in.
stallments.
Payment In full can be made on
May 70. the ten per cent required with |
having been duly paid on
Dr. before May 10. Payment can also
be completed on any installment date
With accrued interest.
This accrued interest is the money
'oll refund the Government on account
II the fact that 1t pays you interest
m the full amount Of your bond from
lay 20, whereas it does not have the
I'LL use OF your money until you have
aid the last installment. This a. .
MOUNTS to very little. of course. Il
The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1919-04-24
NOTICE

10 the Parish School Board, Parish
superintendent and all persons In
terested. 60
You are hereby notified that on May
9th, at'11:00 d.. M, Mr. L. L. Thomas
Chairman Of the Board Of. State Az.
fairs will meet with the Police Jury Of
Bienyille Parish at their regular meet.
ing, and will discuss matters touch.
Ing upon school matters In Bienyille
Parish In connection with taxation.
The Parish School, the Parish Super.
inteldant and all others are hereby
nm,fad and asked to be present.
]. s.. WILLIAMS,
Secretary of the Bienville Parish
Police Jury.
The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1919-04-24
VICTORY LIBERTY LOAN
DRIVE OPENED MONDAY

AT an early hour Monday morning
April 9lst, the populace Of Arcadia wa.
awakened by the loud ringing Of churcl
bells. Many confessed to having rush
ell out to determine the cause, and tc
learn that it was the signal for the
opening Of the Victory Liberty Loan
campaign, and reminded one Of the
manner in which the morning of Nov,
18th was ushered in.
The quota for Bienville Parish which
was set at SIC, 10000 was announced nv
7. A. Mcclure, parish chairman. at n
meeting held at the Peoples, Hardware
Store at 1000 o'clock Monday morn.
Ing, and upon learning the amount
everyone exclaimed, "Come on! Let's
finish the jot--quick" Mrs. D. +,
Brown, speaking for the Woman's Com.
mittee, gave assurance that the women
were going to do their part In the work
Jos. Dawidoff, chairman Of Ward !,
appointed a committee to assist him
In making a canvass of the town and
by noon practically one.third of the
quota for Bienville Parish had been
subscribed by the business men and
other patriotic citizens Of Arcadia.
Thus far nothing has been heard as
to the progress Of the drive in the other
wards OF the parish, as Ward / alone
was represented at the meeting Mon.
lay morning, notwithstanding the fact
hat the date OF the meeting had been
announced several days ago. Each
ward Of Bienville Parish is going to
10 her part we feel sure, aud it is
expected that before the week closes
he Job will have been finished"
On display iu the show window of
he Peoples Hardware Store are y
lumber of shiny German helmets some
I them brand new. others showing evil
cnce Of much wear. These are TO m
warded to those who have been most
palous In prosecuting the drive. There
re a number Of medals to be distribut- O
i among the workers also. s
The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1919-04-24
Shreveport Journal Changes Hand,

Shreveport Journal Changes Hands
A change in ownership Of the Shreyc
port Journal was announced last Thurs
day, according to press reports. Doug
las Attaway, business manager, and
Thos. 0. Harris, managing editor, re,
ceiving control Of the Journal com.
pany's stock from 0. A. Wright, for.
merly OF that city, but now of Chica.
80. Mr.. Wright, who has been presi.
dent Of the company, retires from all
connection with the paper. Mpssrs.
Attaway and Harris will be in active
management Of the paper.
The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1919-04-24
ESTRAY SALE

state OF Louisiana, Parish of BlcY.
| vile, Third Ward.
Estrayed before me the undersienc |
Justice OF the Peace by Henry Murp)r
one dun heifer yearling about 3 wears
old' marked crop split under half crop
IN RIGHT and swallow fork In left ear.
Appraised by l.. r. Davidson and J.
G. Ham at $1,000. Unless the owner
comes and proves property and pays
cost, this yearling will be sold to tho
last and highest bidder at public SAL
on =
Saturday the l: day Of May, 1919
at a. Henry Murphy residents near
Sparta, La.
This the 18th day of April, 1919.
W, j. HUCKABAY, Up.