Evening Star Newspaper, December 19, 1896, Page 28

28 the popular comedy play- | wright, was born in New Hampshire, and has always made the “granite state” his ve. From among his neighbors up me these rock-ribbed hills he has i character who has added ame and bank account. But few of <s New Hampshire neighbors have seen Hoyt’s plays, but they read all that is | in the Eeston papers about him. And they send him to the legislature right along, though M>. Hoyt is a democrat, while a pajerity of his neighbors are of the ing political faith. Here's a disserta- e of them delivered on Mr. Hoyt ng ago: Hoyt's so he be. ettin’ quite a bunch o° 1 read in the Boston t Hoyt’s “Texas Steer.’ That be ‘bout five year old now 1 see somethin’ in the papers ¥ Black Sheep,” and now I ben that he’s got “A Runaway Colt.’ ton earth a man wants with ‘A Texas “A Black Sheep’ and ‘A Runaway Colt’ I swow if I kin make out, but they do say he makes money out of ‘em. Why, up here in New Hampshire you couldn't give ‘A Texas Steer’ a No one would give “A Black Sheep’ pastur’ room, and if ‘twas found out a colt was ‘A Runaway’ y’ couldn't sell it for mor’n what its hide and heofs ud bring in Boston. But Charley Heyt's a shifty little man. He made money. so I'm told, with “A Rag Baby’ and ‘A Tin dier’ and “A Brass Monkey,’ and then he took “A Trip to Chinatown,’ and made money on the trip. Why, Bill Jones, when wm back from Californy, told me ye'd stan’ a better chance to make a banana farm pay on top of the Green mountains than to make money out of them heathen Chi I vum ef it don't beat my time how he does it, but it's not any more won- erful than how he gets xetes to elect him to the New Hampshire legislature in a strong republican district. The only real downright sensible thing I have heard of him havin’ is ‘A Contented Stee Woman.’ Now, there's something s practical s toro and ef he can supply the demand ‘or tha article he’s liable to get st a Vanderbilt.” Soe Lee Harrison is a prolific soure stories. He has been in his ti mapeser. backer and actor. A few sea- sons ago be was in the south as man of “The Wicklow Postman.” Business had gone from worse to worse and the com- pany found itself stranded at Fort Smith. How to get home was the question that e of good ime agent, | was being discussed, when a telegram came to Mr. Harrison. It was prepaid, so of course he accepted it. It was from the Springtield, Mo., manager, who, on the Ss of a big advance sale, said, “Will gt ou $2) for your night here.” Har- rison, buayant with visions of wealth, sent a sh” telegram, collect, accepting a Cas By combining the total assets of thi members of the company, money for the railroad fares was raised and the proceeded company Arrived at Spring- nbed into the omnibus mn, Who occupied the seat on driv Cheered by the certainty,” Harrison chatted prospect of a with the Jehu Nice city, Springfield, eh?” “Yep,” la- cally assented the Missouri Hank | Monk ely sunset glow, that,” said | Harrison, pointing to a Ted’ reflection in | the distance. “Sunset, h—ll,” said the driver: “that haint no’ sunse “What fs it?” queried Harrison. “That's the Op'ry House on fire.” Harrison fell off the omnibus. David Warfield and Harrison are both inveterate story tellers, and each one makes the other the hero of numerous good anec- dotes. At last accounts Harrison was one ahead. He tells an incident that befell eld when that comedian made his} t appearance in the garb of an actor. Warfield w h Street Theater in San Francisco and s formerly an usher in the developed such success as a mimic that his friends urged him to go on the stage. He was always the “hit” at amateur per- | formances and at last the opportunity was offered him to become a full-fledged pro- fessional. A company was organized to | go cp to Eureka, Humboldt county, to play during fair week. Dave was en- waged and made great preparations for his specialty. On the opening night his ner- vousness and lack of knowledge as to the proper pitch for his voice made his spe- clalty go badly and a faint suggestion of a niss floated acros: the footlights toward him. He walked down to the “apron” of the stage and yelled at the top of his voice, “Til give $25 to the man that hissed if he will stand up and show himself.” stant, In an in- Harrison adés, every man in the was on his feet to take a chance at > twenty-five. “1 alwa) like to go south,” said Bert lle, “and that reminds me of a little versation I heard at the Kimball House in Atlanta last season, where I was with | Donnelly and Girard in ‘The Rainmaker: It was In the ¢inirg room, and sittting op- posite me were two gentlemen whose ac- cent amd appearance stamped them the real southern article. They had been through the bill of fare from blue points to coff when the older gentleman asked the waiter if there was anything going on at the theater ‘wuth see The darkey d over at me, and wishing to send my alorg, the censideration being two | ery seats presented to him—for se’f | lady fren’ '"—rep! "Yes, akers t de tneater tonight. inmakers!’ exclaimed the colonel in jost the same dialect; ‘Rainmakers, the il; Ah don't want no mo’ rainmaking in mine. They’se two chaps runnin’ it, ain't y What’ th matter with rainmaking, ; ked friend. nuthin’,’ said the colonel; ‘only | three years ago a couple of chaps come own in Alabama where I live and exhib- 1 a rainmaking machine and claimed that) y could produce rain. Of co’se Ah was uilly Int’rested, as mah craps, owin’ @ scarcisity of rain, wuz in a mos’ de- ly and hepped them chaps to of mah inflooence, which, as abl of " know, !s pootty tol’able cons they demanded some money in ad- natchilly 1 they take in any? dublously asked his friend ‘Ah should say they did, suh,’ said the colonel; ‘they took in ferty-fo’ doliahs, an’ every farmer in the country. “Didn't they imake no rain?” again ilt They made a big hole ¢ cote house an’ it ain't been They jus’ added a few mo’ led up yit hames to that list of blamed fools, of which Ah don't mi tellin’ yo, Ah was the cap- fuh, as I was natchilly interested, Ah ped them rainmakers to bunco mah forty-fo" dollahs. Ah was in a = position. But the mos’ 2 of it all wuz that two days aftah it set iman’ rained the biggest rain Ah ever seen in that part o’ the country. All them branches that run into the rivah just backed up an’ overflowed an’ washed all our craps outen the groun’.’ “So, what with a insufficiency and an production of watah, the lower section Alabama wuz n neah rutmed. No, 0 rainmaking !n mine. s,” 1 the waiter, “these two gem- t the theater on’y make fun.’ men That's just what they done to me,’ said the mel; ‘ma fun. Why, the boys down mah Way call me Noah yit. An’, say, if it th 4 state.’ jere these worthies left the dining room and I lost the rest of their troubles.” ained a day longer I'd a flooded . “No one knows how much quiet fun is indulged in by actors and singers on the stege when they feel so disposed,” said an old man who had played many parts, and had also had some experience in comic opera. “I remember,” he continued, “an incident right in this city. Many years ago Casauran brought an excellent company he headed by Frederick Robinson, ta do @ summer season of comedy. The patron- age was slight. and as Casauran didn’t have any money the prospect of no sal- aries stared us in the face. We believed that Cas. could get the money if we put the screws on, and so Saturday night when the first act of the ‘Bachelor of Arts’ was over we all refused to continue until we got our salaries. Cas. came back and pald us a portion, and agreed to give us the bal- ance when we got to New York. All this negotiation consumed time, and I think the curtain was down about twenty min- utes. The audience got impatient, and of course got on to the fact that there was trouble about money. Finally when the curtain went up Fred. Robinson, who ‘was seated at a table, rang a bell, and I, as the | servant, responded. He commenced to gag | the part in this way: You vespond more premptly than you id in the last act, don’t you? You think cu are soing to get your money, but you don't get a cent.’ The audience caught on | at once. and the gag made a hit. | “ft remember once, when I was with an ly cpera company, the manager had skipped to New York, and during a duet I had with the tenor that night, instead of using the | text he commenced singing to me ‘We are j all left in the lurch. The manager has jumped away to New York and left us without a cent of money,’ and all this in the mellifluous tones of Ralph Rackstraw, while the leader of the orchestra. was wav- ing his baten and caliing to him over the footlights, ‘You devilish fool, why do you give the thing away: don’t you know that itll break up the company, and we won't be able to play the week out?’ This little episode) neariy upset the people on the stage, but we pulled through all right. . “Another time, when I was with a higher class opera company, for you must know that I had a very good baritone voice, and have been with some good organizations, we were playing the ‘Cavalleria Rusticana’ and we had in the early part of the season been doing good business, but .we had struck a streak of bad weather, and then there had been some bad booking, and we had got into pretty tight lines. There was a rumor of difficulty between the manage- ment and the prima donna, and, in fact, ®here was quite a lively scrap, which, while it amused those who were not in it, did not conduce to harmony. On the night af- ter the scrap, when Lola comes out of the church and is repulsed by Alfio, she says, in astonishment, ‘What does all this mean? and Alfio, instead of replying as he should, said, ‘I don't think we'll get any salary this week.’ Poor Lola, it nearly broke her up, for she was a young girl, who was thoroughly“devoted to her art and had snade a big success in the part, so much so that the favorable notices she received in the newspapers was one cause of the prima donna’s anger. “I could mention many other instances, but these are enough for the present.” National Theater.-The comedy event for eral weeks, and even months, to come, will be the appearance at the National Theater, for one week, beginning Monday evening, of Hoyt's latest, and, from what has been said, greatest comedy success, entitled “A Contented Woman.” The piece, like its predecessors, which have achieved a far- reaching popularity, is a satire, and in this case woman suffrage and the boodling characteristics of certain elements in the political organizations are made the main themes. “A Contented Woman” has not been fashioned after the usual style of the author, as it has much less of the broad farcical tendencies of the other Hoyt plays. It is more on the order of “A Texas Steer,” and comes near that class of entertainment styled straight comedy. There are, of course, some excellent specialty features, but they are introduced legitimately, and in no way interfere with the action of tne play proper. The leading role will be played by Mrs. Caroline Miskel Hoyt, who ts not only one of the handsomest women on the stage at the present time, but who also is an actress of unusual ability. Mr. Hoyt has provided an excellent supporting com- pany, which includes W. H. Currie, Frank Lane, Will H. Bray, Sallie Scales, Rose Snyder, Miss Amy Ames, Max Freeman, Miss Madeliene Bouton and others. The production entails the use of large quanti- ties of special scenery, which ws painted by Voegtlin, and has an abundance of spirited and catchy music by Stahl. Lafayette Square Opera House.—‘‘In Gay New York,” which will be the Christ- mas week attraction at the Lafayette Square @pera House, the engagement be- ginning next Monday night, is, as its title indicates, a stage replica of sights, scenes and characters of the metropolis. The claim is also made for it that it is one of the brightest, Mvellest and most divert- ing of modern show pieces. It is essen- tially an extravaganza, and as such it of- fers in quick succession a series of multi- colored, kaleidoscope pictures of gay life in New York, combined with an array of the best offerings of comedy, farce, opera, ballet, spectacle and vaudeville. Klaw and Erlanger are sponsors for the production, and prornise that the piece will be given here with all the strength of cast and completeness of equipment that character- ized its long run at the New York Casino. The book is by Hugh Morton, and the music by Gustave Kerker. The scenes are in Huckleberry Center, Maine, New York city and Coney Island. The story is in brief the chonicles of a modern sentimen- tal journey. It parrates the adventures of Johrny Brown, a newly wedded rustic, who with his bride Sally, and a thousand dol- lars, visits gay Gotham on a honeymoon trip For their diversion, burlesques on poprlar plays are given; lavishly costumed ballets sre shown in strikingly beautiful dance arrangements; notable personages are introduced in caricature and the en- tire gamut of a big city’s midsummer mad- ness and gayety is run. The presentation enlists the services of quite seventy people, and the long list reveals the presence of numerous popular players. Walter Jones, Lucy Daly, David Warfield, Lee Harrison, Jeanette Bageard, La Liska, Gertrude Zel- la, Josephine Stanton, Wm. E. Richie, Ar- thur B. Gitson and Gilbert Gregory have prominence. Columbia Theater.—A royal welcome will undoubtedly be extended Neil Burgess by the laugh-loving public of Washington next week at the Columbia, when he opens Mon- day might in his latest laugh-producing suc- cess by Miss Alice E. Ives, entitled “Odd Miss Podd.” His name is endeared in the memory of theater-goers through his cele- brated impersonation of that bustling, warm-hearted spinster, Aunt Abby, in “The County Fair.” Penelope Podd, in which he will be seen next week, follows closely upon the same line and affords him every opportunity wherein he can more than du- plicate the laughing propensities indulged in by his audiences. In it he portrays one of those old fashioned and delightful home bodies whose good intentions are always to do the right thing for everybody through a moral sense of duty, which results in creat- ing trouble for them instead, thus compli- cating matters in a humorous manner and producing continuous roars of laughter. Even his every appearance on the stage is said to be a signal for the outbursts of mer- riment ere he has uttered a word. Through- out the action of the play he has introduced several startling mechanical inventions patented by himself, promiment among which 1s a road’ race between a bicycle and running horses, which is said to eclipse his famous jockey race in “The County Fair.” Among those engaged in the pro- duction we note such well-known artists of metropolitan reputation as Bartley MeCul- tum, Chas. R. Gilbert, Frederick Perry, Ed- ward Holland, Forrest Seabury, Harry Wickett, Miss’ Genevieve Reynolds, Miss Hannah Thompson, Miss Lucille Warren, Miss May Taylor, Miss Helen Fargo, Miss Jennie Williams, ‘and others. Commencing h Thursday afternoon, matinees will be of daily occurrence, and wiil include Thure, day, Christmas day (riday) and Saturday, Grand Opera House.—One would hardly believe, after witnessing the performance ot “The Great Northwest,” which comes to the Grand Opera House next week, that Miss Jessie Bonestelle, the leading’ lady, was reared in a convent. Such, however, is the case. Mr. Will R. Wilson, one of the authors of “The Great Northwest,” went to Dakota to secure material for his new play, and after an absence of several months returned to his home at Montreal, Canada, where Miss Bonestelle happened to be in a convent. The ladies of a soctety Gecided to hold a fair, and it was while Miss Bonestelle was soliciting donations for the fair that she first met Mr. Wilson and fell in love with him at first sight. ‘The fact of her being in a convent placed the two lovers in a predicament, that lov- ers find themselves every day, unable to see each other only a moment at a time. A correspondence was opened up, carried on with the aid of secret messengers, and finally the lovers decided to élope. At the appointed time Mr. Wilson was under Miss Bonestelle’s window, but in his excitement had forgotten to procure a ladder. It was. while thinking of a plan to get his sweet- heart down that the arms of an old wind- mill, which stood very near her window, attracted Mr. Wilson’s attention, and no sooner seen than a plan was decided upon. Mr. Wilson instructed Bonestelle- te- catch one of the arms of the windmill and swing down, when he would catch and stop her. A moment later found the lovers to- ee on the ground in each other's em- race. It was this escapade that furnished Mr. Wilson material for one of the strong- est features of his new play and which he immediately introduced in the fourth act of “The Great Northwest.” To get a lady to play such a part and to attempt such a daring feat was his next task, and, after exhausting every endeavor, finally conclud- ed that his first love, the originator of the effect, should play the part, and today finds Miss Bonestelle in the Ing role of “The Great Northwest,” making her swing for fe nightly. ° Academy of Music.—Eugenie Blair begins her Christmas engagement at the Academy of Music next Monday night. She appears at the regular matinees Wednesday and Saturday, and also gives a special popular- priced matinee on Christmas day. As has been before stated, Eugenie Blair will pre- sent her own creation of the heroine in Mrs. Wood's beautiful story of ‘East Lynne,” and she is in every way endowed for the exacting role of Lady Isabel. Miss Blair's experience and ability, together with her beauty and grace, qualify her thoroughly, and she has the power to por- tray the emotions and almost tragic s!tua- tions of the part. The experience of this lady has caused her to select a competent and evenly balanced company to assist her. She will have the aid of Edwin Ferry, a talented and accomplished actor: Wm. Bramwell, another-clever artist; Miss Ed- na Downing, sweet and womanly, and Mrs. Ella Wren, Eugenie Blair's mother, will ap- pear for this coming week only. Miss Lee, Miss Wells and Mr. Verhoff are all clever, and in every way suitable for the presenta- tion of “East Lynne.” The Gay Parisians.—The patrons of the Lafayette Square Opera House will have an opportunity to start the year aright; that is, with a hearty laugh. The attrac- tion for the week of December 28 will be that funny farce from the French, “The Gay Parisians.” As will be remembered by those who saw it last year, this comedy is @ whirlwind of fun. There is not an in- stant when the action or the dialogue lags, and the audience is kept in a fever of iaughter and expectancy as to what amus- ing complication will next arise, and how the tangle will ever be solved in a satis- factory manner. Sadie Martinot was es- pecially engaged this season for the role of the flirtatious and charming Mrs. Pail- lard. Otherwise Charles Frohman sends the same splendid company seen here last season, including W. J. Ferguson, the great character actor; James O. Barrows, Chas. B. Wells, Louis Hendricks, W. R. Shirley, Tully Marshall, Frank A. Connor, Percy 8. Sharpe, Mrs. E. J. Phillips, Margaret Gor- don, Vergie Graves, Marion Fairfax, Ge- raldine de Robine, Vivia Ogden and Perle Dudley. Kernan’s Lyceum Theater.—Isham’s “‘Oc- toroon” Company will hold the boards at Kernan’s Lyceum Theater next week. The compeny has been materially strengthened since last season's run, which even then eclipsed anything of its kind, and today offers a splendid attraction for an even- ing’s amusement. The costuming of the company ts especially rich and artistic and at times so in eccordance with eastern countries that one can almost imagine he is witnessing some far-away tropicul scene. Especially is this true of the Span- ish ballet or “Strollers of Old Madrid.” The rrogram opens with an original absurdity, which abounds in mirth and merriment and introduces the entire company. The “Four Little Tea Venders” is something new and absurdly funny. A pretty ballet is intro- duced in the ensemble gavotte called “The Milk id's Flirtatio1 The Mallory Broth- ers have a good act and musical turn; Shorty May and Edward Furber have a clever dancing and acrobatic sketch: Tom Brown 1s a good character impersonator, and recites one of Kelly's famous poems, “The Drunkard’s Dream,” supplementing it with lightning changes in make-up. Madah Hyer, a soprano, proves by the soft, sweet clearness of her voice that she well de- serves the name of “California Songbird.” This interesting program concludes with “Thirty Minutes Around the Operas,” which is cast to the full strength of the company, and includes the “Bronze Melba,” Madam Flower, and the phenomera) baritone, Fred J. Piper. The scene from “Pinafore” is popular with every audience, and in the airs from “Cavalleria Rusticana,” “Il ‘Trov- atore’’ and “Robin Hood” the singing is excellent and shows careful training. There will be matinees daily except Monday. Sousa’s Tenth Tour.—Sousa, the peerless conductor, and his matchless men will make their initial appearances for 1807 at the Lafayette Square Opera House January 3. Sousa's visits to Washington mean the assembling of the musical and social forces of the capital. The giorious “bon voyage”’ex- tended to their fellow member by the Grid- iron Club last January at the opening of his transcontinental tour at this house is one of the pleasantest memories of Sousa’s career. The “march king” and his superb organization will inaugurate an un- precedented tour of 21,000 miles, extending from ocean to ocean and gulf to gulf, em- bracing the entire United States, Canaca and the maritime vinces, on December 27, at Carnegie Hall’ New York, and their concerts here will be a part of the series. The announcement of his coming carries assurance of rare pleasure. Sousa’s music, Sousa’s marches, Sousa’s band, and, above all, Sousa himself, are a grand combina- tion. The organization is playing in superb form, and Sousa himself, after a triumphal European tour, is in magnificent fettle. The soloists will be Elizabeth Northrop, so- prano; Martina Johnstone, violinist; Arthur Pryor, trombone, and Franz Heil, horn virtuoso. Miss Ellen Vockey of this city is making quite a success in New York city. She will «ive an entertainment next Monday even- ing for the benefit of the Evening World's ristmas tree fund, at which she will give the potion scene from “Romeo and Juliet,” the curse scene from “Leah” and several moz.clogues. She will probably repeat this program in this city Jater in the season. Miss Lucy Morrow, who is playing the leading role with Mr, Herne in ‘Shore Acres,” 1s one of the few women who are on the stage for the love of the profession. She 1s from Birmingham, Ala., where her father is a wealthy and influential citizen, and where she had every social advantage. She believed she had dramatic talent, how- ever, and irduced her parents to allow her to go to New York and study. The part she has in “Shore Acres” is understood to be her first professional venture, but she plays it with an intelligence and effect that justifies her choice of life work. Miss Mor- row besides possessing talent is a beautiful ard attractive young woman, and will -un- doubtedly succeed. The Choral Society.—There is always one feature connected with Christmas joys that is especially enjoyable to all lovers of music. This is the annual concert of the Cheral Society when the oratorio of the “Messiah” is given. There is ro oratorio that has ever been Written that has so much affinity with a particular season of the year as this work, -and the Choral So- clety should be given the heartiest kind of encouragement in its effort to present this beautiful composition. The soloists who have been engaged for the presentation of the oratorio are capable of interpreting the work in the best manner possible. Mr. Ericsson Bushnell, the greatest oratorio basso that the musical world has ever heard, will sing that part. Mr. Bushnell has been heard here before, and needs no. introduction as a soloist of the very high- est rank. Miss Grace Hall of Baltimore will be the contralto; Mrs. Nellie Wilson Shir-Cliff, soprano, and Mr. W. D. Mac- Farland, tenor. Miss Hall possesses a well- trained voice, and is capable of carrying the contralto part with intelligence and skill. The other two soloists are well known to Washington. The “Messiah” will be given two nights, the 29th and 30th in- stants, at the Congregational Church, the two concerts being made necessary by the small size of the auditorium engaged. Princeton Glee Club.—The Princeton Glee, Banjo and Mandolin Clubs give their annual concert in this city at National Rifles’ Ar- mory next Tuesday evening. The Prince- ton boys have always been noted for the excellence of their musical organizations, and this year it may be said that the clubs gre unsurpassed by any college organiza- tion. The program to be given includes a tumber of the most popular selections that are counted as good music, and the train- irg which the members of the clubs have gone through has demonstrated their entire fitness to present the very best kind of work that has been written for their in- struments. Among the members of the giee club are some exceptionally fine voices, even for college boys, and the soloists are all that could be desired. It is expected, of ecurse, that all Princeton graduates in this city will give the clubs a hearty re- ception, bui the concert, as a mere musical event, deserves the patronage of all. The Bourchiers.—Mr. Arthur Bourchier, Miss Violet Vanbrugh and their London Royalty Theater Company are announced to appear at the Columbia Theater, begin- ning Monday, January 4, in “one of their greatest successes,” “The Chilt Widow,” which had a phenqmena) run of 300: nights at the London Royalty Theater. The gen- eral comment of the New York — is that it hae been many a long since ba oe has sent us such @ fine company, which began its American tour in New York a few weeks sinte, to audiences that filled every seat, night after night. It was with genuine regret to New Yorkers that thelr engagement terminated #0 soon; it could have easily run out the season. Kellar, the-Magician—Changing men Into Women and women into men, materializing living human teings out of the air, project- ing- young ladies from the-stage to the re= mote corners of the theater, causing orange trees to grow from the seed to the mature tree laden with ripe fruit, growing natural roses. by the. hi , all in plain sight of the audience, in full glare of electric lights and upon an open stage, without traps, screens, hangings or coverings of any sort. € some of the almost supernatural things Magician Kellar entertains his patrons with this season. His work is so far in ad- vance of anything hitherto seen in the field of magic as to create a new epoch in that ciass -of entertainmient. A-series of full stage Mlusions will fd place on his pro- gram in this city when he comes to the Columbia Theater. The Ice Palace.—Although the Christmas helidays may be unattended by the weather which brings in its wake the joys of sleigh- ing and skating, there is no reason why every one who is at all fond of the good old sport of ice skating should not enjoy this healthful and invigorating exercise. Washington rarely does have enough ice furnished by nature to allow skating for mcre than a couple of days at the most, but at the Ice Palace at Convention H this pastime may be enjoyed from Novem- ber to April at any and at all times of the day and evening. ‘There is every reason to believe that the attendance at the rink will be multiplied many times by the holiday season. Added to- the general impetus given to such sport about this time, there will be an attraction at the rink during the most of the holidays which will prove the greatest drawing card that Manager Towers has ever provided for his patrons. This will be the great six-day race, in which the crack bicycle riders of the world will enter to try to gain new laurels and more prize money. The races will begin Monday, the 28th instant, and will continue all that week. The men who will engage in the meet are among the most noted riders in the world. and include all of those who raced at Madison Square in New York u short time ago. Sacred Ccncert—The sacred concert to be given at the Bijou Family Theater tomor- tow night by Howson’s Twentieth Century Band and Orchestra, assisted by the Ideals, Promises tc be one of the most entertaining affairs ever given here. The program has been prepared with great care, and pre- sents many features that will be amusing without being out of the order of the day. Many of the best selections given by the orchestra during the week will be repeated, together with a dozen new selecticns. The Performance has been in rehearsal ail last Week, and a smooth production is assured. The cencert includes a number of popular songs by Baby Johns»n, whose work has won ccnsiderable praise during the week; &@ monologue by M. B. Streeter, three new songs by Miss Earle and Mr. Streeter, and selections by the American Quartet. The orchestra, under the personal direction of Mr. Howson, will render “Lady Slavey,” ‘Down the Mississippi,” a medley of fa- miliar airs, Offenbach’s “Overture Or- pheus,”” “Waltz Espana” and “Kansas Two-Step.” A feature of the entertainment will be a clarionet solo by Mr. E. E. Sey- mour, whose playing has been declared by many critics to be far above the average. Popular prices will be maintained. The box office will be open all day, in order to ac- commodate those who wish to purchase seats in advance, Special Wednesday Matinee Prices.—Spe- clal bargain prices will rule for the Wed- nesday matinee performance of “In Gay New York” at the Lafayette Square Opera House next week. The orchestra, parquette and mezzanine box:seats will be 50 cents and balco.y feats 2 ‘cents. All seats may be reserved at these prices, and the entire company will appéar.in the complete per- formance. Mr. Fox's Readings:—A large and appre- clative audience that was notable for the number of well-known society people it contained assembled at the Columbia The- ater yesterday afternoon to hear Mr. John Fox, jr., give readings from his own works. Although the audience was a large one a misunderstanding as to the hour set for the entertainment doubtless kept’ many ir. Fox was introduced by Ison Page. Mr, Fox dis- played a good deal of elocutionary talent in his readings, and began by describing the Kentucky mouftaineers. He said that both the people and the country of that region were not s0 bad/as the newspapers and certain lines of stories lead people to believe. The pride; hospitality and kind- ness to strangers in*that part of the coun- try, he said, are proverbial and should be taken as the true indication of the condi- tions which exist there. Mr. Fox told many anecdotes to illustrate the’ guod traits of these people and followed this talk with a monologue ‘“Courtin’ on Cutchin,” which was delightful. “The Kentuckians,” a se- rial, which is to be published in Harper's Monthly next spring, was next given, the subject dealing with the scenes and char- acters of the blue grass region. Mt. Fox spoke in a clear, strong tone and every one of his readings as enjoyable to a super- lative degree. He was accorded a hearty reception and bursts of approval followed every one of his efforts. Trinity Parish Hall.—The Sweet Christ- mas Story; As Told in Poetry, Art and Song,” will be given by Rev. A. G. Rogers, D. D., at Trinity Parish Hall, 3d street and Indiana avenue northwest, Monday even- ing next at 8 o'clock. Views of the famous paintings of the old masters relating to Holy Nativity will be given to illustrate art; music from the sacred classics will il- lustrate the song, while Dr. Rogers will ex- plain each feature in his own interesting way. A sacred art loan exhibition will be open in the hall below, and light refresh- ments wili be sold. Lecture for a Relief Fund.—On Monday, December 21, Rev. A. G. Rogers, D.D., will lecture in the Church of Our Father, cor- ner of 13th and L streets, in ald of the relief fund of Burnside Woman's Relief Corps, No. 4._ The lecture, “The Romance of Northern England,” will be replete with scenes from the picturesque Cheviots to Fountains Abbey, and with recitals from Scott's “Marmion” will he eloquently told the story of northern England, with its in- structive, entertaining and romantic his- tory. HELD UP IN ALABAMA. A Southern Railway Train Boarded by Two Masked Men. Train No. 35, west bound, on the Southern railway, which left Birmingham, Ala., Thursday afternoon at 4 o'clock, was stop- ped at 7 o'clock that night in Fayette coun- ty, sixty-five miles from there, by two masked men, who flagged the train on a bridge. One of the express safes was broken {ato. The robbers got very little for their trouble. General Superintendent Greene of the Scuthern railway received a dispatch from Division Superintendent A. J. Frazer stat- ing that the hold-up-oeccurred between Berry and Bankston, Ala. The loss of the express company amounted to $504.50., The only damage to the train was caused by the smashing jn of the door of the express car by the robbers. The dispateh further stat- ed that bloodhounds had been secured, and Wrpuld at once be put on the trail of the miscreants. AMUSEMENTS. TRINITY PARISH HALL, Sd and Indiooh ave. n.w., MONDAY, DECEMLER 28, aT Px, THE SWEEP GIRISTMAS ‘stony, re Art a i Deetferttat bys REV. A. G: RUGERS, D.D. Stereopticon “Views: from the’ old. ‘masters. ‘Tickets. -.25 cents 5. Tieketsat the door. de19,23,26 BY REV. A. (G. ROGERS, D. “THE ROMANCE OF NORTHERN ENGLAND,” f fund of Burnside Woman's Reliet Corps, Ror drat Church of Our Pather, corner ict Cops, its. " MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1896, 8 P.M. Single admission, 35 cents. “Reserved sents at Metierutt’s,, without extra charges" delist COURSE OF EIGHT LECTURES AT THE FIRST BAESTEE CHORE, 16th and O sts, Heredity. Dr. D. Kerfoot Shute. MONDAY, DEC. 21, AT 7:30 P.M. Course Tickets, # Single Tickets, 25 cents, Special rates: fo: OF paseaiges choice of Facto freight Toutes; private cars to rent; 3 ® ‘apd : RS. Sot, Saar cea“ a > FOR Laity ae ‘Hopkins AMUSEMENTS. New National Theater. Xmas Attraction Monday, December 21. ONLY MATINEES XMAS DAY AND SATURDAY. FIRST PRESENTATION IN THIS CITY OF HGYT’S SATIRE-SOCIETY IN POLITICS, CONTENTED WOMAN. Produced under the personal direction of the author, Mr. CHARLES HOYT, With a competent cast of Players, including CAROLINE MISKEL HOYT. New Year's Attraction— The Famous Bostonians it Lafayette Square ??="4 HOUSE. J. W. ALBAUGH y Manager NIXON & ZIMMERMA: Directors Christmas Week 3 MATINEES--| SBS" CHRISTMAS, SATURDAY, KLAW AND ERLANGER PRESENT CANARY AND LEDERER'S N.Y. CASINO SUCCESS, EQUIPM S WALTER JONES, DAVID WARFIE! LEE HARRISC LUCY DALY, JEANETTE BAGEARD, LA LISKA, iy OTHERS. REGULAR NIGHT PRICES. CHRISTMAS WAT, PRICES: SATURDAY Orchestra, $1.00. Parquet, T5c. Balcony, 50c ARCAIN MATINEE WED DAY. NEXT—THE GAY PARISIANS. LAYAYETTH SQUARE OPERA HOUSE. SPECIAL PRICES FOR THE Performance of the Casino's Greatest Success, IN GAY NEW YORK, THE BRIGHTEST, BEST AND MOST, ENTER- TAINING OF BURLESQUES. COMEDY—F ARCE—OPERA—BALLET—VAUDE- VILLE-SPECTACLE ALL IN ONE. ‘A CHRISTMAS TREAT FOR CHILDREN. A CHRISTMAS TREAT FOR EVERYBODY. SPECIAL WEDNESDAY MATINEE PRICES: DRCHESTRA, | RESERVED. PARQUETTE, 5 Gales Mezzanine Boxes, ° | NO HIGHER. | RESERVED. BALCONY ! 25c. | Reine. A BARGAIN MATINEE. Family ~—pnos | Theater,_™ _; TOMORROW TOMORROW EVE. AT 8:15. EVE. AT 8:15. Grand Sacred Concert debs HOWSON'S Con § Century BAND AND ORCHESTRA ASSISTED BY THE MEMBERS, OF The Ideal Co. . i BABY JOHNSON. Gar ORCHESTI MISS EARLE AND MR. STREETER, DOORS OPEN 7:30. Bijou THE AMERICAN QUARTET. HOWSC 20TH CENTURY BAND. $ 20TH CENTURY CONCERT AT 8:15. BOX OFFICE OPEN FROM Bijou. [?m Week com. Dec. Monday, ) | MATINEES DAILY. THE PEERLESS IRISH COMEDIENNE, MAY SMITH ROBBINS, SUPPORTED BY A SUPERB COMPANY OF COMEDIANS AND SOUBRETTES, IN THE MUSICAL COMEDY, LIL TRIE (THE ROMP HEIRESS.) IGHT MUSIC! PRETTY GIRLS! BRIGHT NTO-DATE SPECIALTIES! GRACEFUL DANCERS! — ELEGANT COSTUMES! A WHIRLWIND OF FUN AND MUSIC! Ice Palace. CONVENTION HALL, 5TH AND L STS. N.W. Real Ice Skating. Instruction Free! fal supply of skates, compotout corps ef karte eae Every Afternoon at 2. very Evening at 7:30. \ACAGEMY =a epee nists, Chaat BRITTAIN, Books containing 10 ial morning classes, 10: 28 P streew. AMTS. AM MUSEM ENTS. Embia Thea | XMAS WEEK. MATINEES THURSDA FRIDAY | SATURDAY, A MUST LAUGH. Y0 CAN'T HELP IT. BICYCLES AND R' ter, “| A MERRY APPEARANCE i | THE EVER-POPULAR) | BOCORATRIC COM: EDIAN, EVERYBO THE EXCITING RACE Between Metzerott .@ Tackett, Managers, Nixon & Zimmerman, Directors, or CURISTMAS ATTRACTION. Ss new play by Alice E. Iv descriptive of New England life. DY Dd UNNING HORSES. Ni Vy D, . _ GRAND OPERA HOUSE. KERNAN & RIFE. -MANAGERS, WEDNESDAY MA'FINEES — SATURDAY WEEK COMMENCING DECEMBER 21. Special Christmas Matinee. The Latest and Greatest of American Productions. The Most Picturesque Dramatic Spectacle Upon the American Stage. The Great Northwest Three Wonderful Trained Horses, FIREFLY, CHARGER AND QUEEN BESS, And a_ Selected Cast of Forty People. The Beautiful Grain;The Game for a Man's Palace. Life. The Prairie Schooner. The Perilous Swing on The Giant Locomotive. the Windmill. The Firemen’s Tourna-|The Trained Horses, ment. The Daring Rescue on The Wonderful Electrical the Burning Prairie. Blizzard. The Boom City Brass The Wheat Farn Band. The Realisti Prairie &e., & & Fire. Popular Prices Mpinaina, 15, 25, 50 and 75c. AIL Seats Couponed. Box Office open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. NOTE.--A Good Seat on First Floor for... 25c. $1.00 Seats in Box... Next Attraction—ON THE MISSISSIPPI, it ‘THe Laraverre. TONIGHT. LASY PERFORMANCE OF George Fdwardes’ Japanese Musical Comedy, THE “GEISHA.” THE ORIGINAL COMPANY! THE ORIGINAL PRODUCTION! THE ORIGINAL ORCHESTR. Cast includes such favorites as DOROTHY MORTON VIOLET LLOYD, VAN RANSELLER WHEELER, MARK SMITH, CHARLES SWAIN, &c. The entire production under the direction of Au- PRINCETON. UNIVERSITY GLEE, BANJO MANDOLIN GLUB*S CONCERT, National Rifles’ Armory, Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 8:15. ts on sale at Metzerott’s, T5e, nud $1. e17-5t,28 KEES LD M THEATE! ALL THIS WEEK. Matinees Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, THE XMAS WEEK—JOHN W. ISHAM'S OCTOROONS de14-6t,15 MOU FAMILY THEATER, MATINEES DAILY, THE IDEALS, Presenting Two Great Pla Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Ma’ TE IDNIGHT FLOOD, Thursday, Friday : “GRIT: Christmas Week—L ~ Grand Mounted Broadsword Contest and Night, Between DUNCAN C. ROSS,Champion of the World, AND rp-NELSON K. HIGH, Troop A, 6:b US. Cavalry, CENTER MARKET HAL SATURDAY EVE'G, DBC. 19, 1506, Aluission, 25 and 50 cts, _EXCURSIONS, ETC. ARLINGTON, FORT MYER, BALLSTON, FALLS CHURCH ELECTRIC CARS FROM AQUEDUCT BRIDGE. Cavalry drills a Fo daily _____ 4182 sy Rail Route to Mount Vernon or Arlington. Leave Penna. and 1 for Mt. ve m at 10:05 a. 12% and pm, Time exch way, 50 ininute at Alexandria. hourly ‘20 cents, WASHINGTON, po priv Fare, round trip, 50 from 9 a.m. allowed to S pan, Pare, LEXANDRIA AND MT. tin Daly. ty Regular Night Prices. del7-tf VERNON B.R. CD. Academy. PRICES, 25, 50, T5e., $1.90. Christmas Week. MATINEES, 25 AND 50c. RESERVED. Matinees Wednesday and Saturday. EXTRA MATINEE CHRISTMAS DAY. Evgagement of EUGENIE BLAIR, Assist, ed And her own company, in a production of LYNNE. Miss BLAIR as Lady Isabel and Madam Vine. XEW YEAR'S "The Flying Jordans ATTRACTION It CADEMY—Prices, 25c., 50c., 75c. and $1.00. Wed. and Sat. Mats., 25c., 50c., reserved. “Dick, I do this for you. THE NANCY HANKS. Presenied by the Famous MARTINETTI-TANNEHILL COMPAN NEXT WEEK, EUGENIE BLAIR ‘East Lynne.” del7-3t GRAND OPERA HOUSE. KERNAN & RIE, Managers. Wedne-day—MATINEES—Saturday. Week commencing DECEMBER 14. e Greatest of All Musical Farce Comedies, FITZ and WEBSTER “A Breezy Time.” sical Ni New Songs. __ Pretty Girls, = ieeceet anit Best Show Extant. Forutar Prices | 15, 25, 50 & 75c. ‘All seats couponed. Box office open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. NOTE.—A god seat on frst for for 25 CENTS. in = “Sexe ‘Atuictloe-THE GREAT NORTHWEST. IN HIS BEAUTIFUL PLAY, SHORE AGRES. “A Contented Woman,” A Trip to Jamaica, ‘THE QUEEN OF WEST INDIAN ISLANDS, BY TH Atlas Line health and rest The trip from w York to Jamaica and return can be made in 17 days. Send for illustrated booklet. Pim, Forward & Kellock, New York. Person Conduc Jamaica Jndependent. And ihe Tours. Indian eNSES NCLUDED, BL. dei0-co-39t Steamer Macalester MOUNT VERNON, Tomb of Washington, Daily (except Sunday), = At 10 a.m. returning reach the city at 2:30 pam FARK, KOUND TKIP, boc. Admission ty grounds, 25 cute. ELEGANT CAFE ON THE STEAMER, Tickets, with Mouut Vernon aduinsion coupon, for sale at wharf aud ac hotels. Will also make river landings a» far as Glymont, stopping for tceight both waya, For charters ete., apply at dice of steamer Maal: Norfolk & Wyashington Steamboat Co. Eve day im the year for Portvess Me Norfolk, ‘Newport News Bid, all, points sou eriea the following schedule: s III yet ih TUTTE TVET Te th i