Evening Star Newspaper, February 6, 1897, Page 24

THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY “6, 1897-94 PAGES How many of the thousands of matinee girls, who used to worshtp “Chevaller Adonis” Dixey, knew that there was a Mrs. Chevalier Adonis Dixey—and some little Adonises, too? But there was. And there is. And Mrs. Dixey will be in Washington all of next week, while her husband is amusing Lafayette Square audiences in the leading comedy role in Charles Frohman’s production of the London and New York success, “Thoroughbred.” Mrs. Dixey was at one time the prima donna of “‘Tommasst's Juvenile Opera Com- pany.” Later she played a principal part in “Evangeline,” and it was through this engagement that Miss Ida Glover became Mrs. Dixey. “Mr. Dixey always takes me with him bn all of his travels,” she says. “He has done so ever since we were married—even before he played ‘Adonis’ and began to draw a stellar salary.” ‘The little lady tells some very interesting experiences of her life as a constant trav- eler. than the time she and Mr. Dixey and their ten-months-old baby had to make a jump in a locomotive engine in the middle of the night. This is the way Mrs. Dixey tells it: “We were with E. E. Rice's ‘Surprise Party.’ The night we played in Waco, ‘Texas, we had to take a midnight train to get to the next stand—Galveston, I think it was. The train was due to arrive at Galveston at noon the next day. After the performance we went to a restaurant for a little luncheon. Before we realized it, it Was 12 o'clock. We rushed to the depot— Mr. Dixey had to carry the baby, so could not go very fast—and found that the train and the company had gone. The depot was dark and locked up, s0 Henry found acab and we went to the station master’s house, woke him up, and were told that there was no other train that would land us in Gal- veston im time for the performance next ht. “But there's no use in talking,’ said Henry, who was furious, ‘I've simply got to get there! Can't we get a spectal train? It's a case of Mfe and death! Can't you hook up an engine and caboose? Isn't there an extra train? By Jove, old m got to get us there some way, iy way. Tl pay you well for your trouble,’ and he kept on talking to the man that way, you know, until he finally got Then the station master get to the junction, ten miles from here, by 4 o'clock this morning, you can catch the monthly pay train, I guess. “All right, all right! said Henry. ‘Now tell me how we can get to the junction.’ “Well, the only thing in the yards {s an engine being repaired. May be that will get you there. Go to So-and-So street and wake up the engineer.’ ‘We found the engineer, and Henry gave him $5 to fire up the engine and take the | jump. “There's no fireman,’ said the engineer. “That's all right,’ said Henry, ‘I'll shovel the coal.” “And so they fixed baby and me as com- fortably as possible in the dirty little cab. and the creaky old engine wheezed away. 1 had to lavgh at Henry making a fireman of imself. The ergineer kept shouting, ‘More coal! More coal there, quick! Poor Henry hed to keep shoveling and sweating al the way. But he laughed, too. He said he did not care—any way to get there. And he told the engineer funny stories to keep him in a good humor. “Well we reached the junction at 3 o'clock and had to stand around out doors until 4, when the pay train came. And you should have seen it. I was really frightened. There wes only one car—an eld caboose with wcodén benches along the sides. In the middle of the floor was a pile of money in’ sacks and the benches were full of fierce, cowboy looking men, all armed to the teeth. I mever saw so much money and so many guns in my life. But they were very nice to me and baby. They took off their coats and made*a sort of for us on one of the benclies and kept their guns out of sight because 1 was @ lady. ‘The pay train had to stop at every sta- tion, of course, and was nearly time for the performance when we reached Gal- veston, tired but happy. We drove quickly to the theater and there we found Mr. Rice with his mustache shaved off and all made up to play Henry's part.” When N. C. Goodwin and company left for Australia it was urderstoed that they should play one night in Honolulu, but owing to sorre little difficulty the date was canceled. When the steamer bringing them back to America touched at Honolulu the company went on shore to spend a day of sightseeing and pleasure. In the meantime arrangement) had been made with a Call- fornia dramatic compary to open the new Royal Hawafian Onera House. and they were then on their way to Honolulu. Great efforts had been made to have the opening night a scciety event the like of which had er been seen on the islands before. The bews soon spread that Goodwin and his company had arrived on the steamer and would spend the day on shore. A few of the most prominent citizens called upon the manager of the theater to see if he could rot arrange with the great American come- dian to give e performance that night, re being plenty of time, as the steamer i not leave until midnight. The manager turn hunted up Mr. Goodwin and made this request. It is said that Goodwin did net ake kindly to the proposition, nm that the company had not n billed and no preparation had been for the event. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon, however, he was won over, after great persuasion, and by 6 o'clock, after at difficulty and the dispatching of nu- rous meesengers, all the members of the company were notified. Now, Honolulu has the most complete telephone system of any city in the world. The home of every white resident is reached by telephone, and this service was utilized to advertise the com- pany’s appearance in lieu of bills and pos- ters. The actors hurried aboard ship vane had their baggage overhauled in the hold of the vessel for the necessary costumes, nud at §:30 o'clock that evening the curtain in the new Royal Hawaiian Opera House tolled up on the first act of “The Gilded Fool.” The house, it is said, was packed to suffoe and the receipis reached It would net be far wrong to a@ theatrical performance had nev- been given cn such short notice d under such futeresting circumstances. t what the feelings were of the manager ed to open the new house has not been tained. It is probable, however, that did not entirely appreciate the joke. ‘There is not a more enthusiastic cyclist in the country than Nat Goodwin. It has become his sole hobby. Whether in the lobby, cafe, parlor, bar room, bed room or dining room, his friends say he talks of nothing else. He owns a bicycle, and car- ries it around the country with him. If he were not an actor he would like to be # bicycle racer, train down and enter contests for all sorts of prizes and lots of fame. He can give a manufacturer on incidentals pertaining to a fortable wheel. er before he points, too, good, com- He knows a good saddle when he sees it, even before he has tried it, and is an authority on handle bars, Ures, sprockets, chains and other accesso- Ties. “There is a great differénc: Henry, the advance agent of walks of New York,’ “between the old-time melodrama and the up-to-date, spectacu- jar and sensational comedy drama. While both are built on the same lines, the public would not patronize the former in these progressive days. They demand car loads of scenery, amazing mechanical effects and thrilling sensations, such, for instance, the daring dive for a life, made by Kea indie Speedy in ‘The. of New ork.” “The other day,” he continued, “I drop- bed Into a cheap theater in New York, and Saw an old melodrama, one of the sort Wherein the hero, a virtuous ‘The Side- Perhaps none of them is more so} there was the heroine's Nfe. And then ually mother, an old lady who was putting her foot in it and saying, our poor child,’ and the heroine's father, a white-whiskered old person, who was very, very brutal In the first act, and a broken- down, forgiving man in the last act. The villain's chum was there, too. He was the usual tovgh-looking fellow, who aids the villain materially in the first three acts, but who gave the whole thing away before the final curtain fell. The ‘super” were the same old supporting company who are put on the stage to fill up. And the prin- cipal scene was the old home, a piece of stock scenery shown in the first and last’ t to soft music accompaniment, and at sight of which the hero always brushed aw: tear. laye of this character,” said Mr. Henry, “were once satisfactory, but to- day sensational features are a necessity in the melodrama, or, more correctly, the comedy-drama, which has practically taken its place. This is not better shown than by the remarkable success which has fol- lowed the presentation of all of Messrs. Davis and Keogh’s productions.” National Theater._At the National next Monday Mr. Nat C. Gocdwin will play his annual engagement in Washington, open- ing ir his successful new play, “An Amer- ican Citizen.” In Chicago, where Mr. Good- win has just completed a four weeks’ en- gement, the comedy mede a unusual fie "Tne theme of the story of “An Amer- ican Citizen” is the hatred of a rich Eng- Kishman toward Americans in general. He disinherits hie only daughter because, con- trary to his wishes, she has been accepting the attentions of a young American suitor. When the Englishman dies his fortune goes to a distant relative, who turns out an American lawyer. This is the part played by Mr. Goodwin. The money is left to him upon condition that he marry an English woman before hie thirtieth birthday end change his name to that of the testator. To return the fortune to the disinherited daughter he marries her with the under- standing that they separate immediately. During the working out of this plan sever- al interesting and amusing incidents occur. The first act takes place in a New York office and the subsequent ones at London and Nice. Saturday night Mr. Goodwin will play Bob Acres in ‘The Rivals.” This will be the first time that the comedian has produced Sheridan's great comedy in Wash- ington. The leading woman of Mr. Good- win’s company is Maxine Elliott, a hand- scme and talented actress, who has re- ceived much praise for her clever work with this company. The advance sale of seats for this attraction is the largest known in Washington for some time and a brilliant engagement is anticipated. Lafayette Square Opera House.—“Thor- oughbred,” a new Charles Frohman com- edy success, said to be a worthy successor to “Charley's Aunt,” “Jane” and “Too , | Much Johnson,” will be the bill at the La- fayette Square next week, with a “bar- gain” matinee on Wednesday and the usual Saturday matinee. The fact that Henry E. Dixey will be seen in the leading comedy role will no doubt assure a liberal patron- age of local theatergoers. The original company, which carried the play through its magnificent run in New York, has been retained. “Thoroughbred” is the work of | Ralph Lumley, who wrote “Aunt Jack,” and it was first performed in London by Toole, who is said to have made an excel- lent impression as old Mr. Rimple. Mr. Frohman bought the piece, and it was re- written to suit American audiences. The play is not a farce, though the situations are somewhat on that order, and the intro- duction of the Christy minstrel feature leads in that direction. It 1s a novel idea and goes far to make the play a success. There are several genuine comedy scenes, and the love incidents are naive and orig- inal. The situation at the end of the sec- ond act, where the warm-hearted Ameri- can, imagining his affections unappreciat- | ed, turns to his native beverage, the cock- | tail, mixing it with his own hands, as only an American can, while the girl, recon- sidering her hasty decision, stands in the window behind him watching the vroceed- ing, is not only original, but a clever blending of sentiment and humor. Another and though broader, none the less interest- ing, scene is where the youthful lover, blacked up as a minstrel, finds his affec- tions returned and embraces the girl of his heart on the top of the tally-ho, much to the consternation of those standing by. Besides Mr. Dixey there are in the cast Edgar L. Davenport, Isabelle Evesson, H. M. Pitt, William Norris, Maggie Holloway Fisher, Frances Stevens, Maud White and Charles W. Butler. Margaret Mather.—After three months of preparation, Margaret Mather will place befcre the public for its judgment at the Columbia Theater for the week beginning Febrvary 16 her production of Shake- speare’s ‘“‘Cymbeline.” Miss Mather has done all that a human being could do in the way of hard work and lavish expendi- | ture to make the production an artistic and a popular success, and can assure the- ater-geers a scenic and histrionic spectacle such as has never been seen in this city. More than $40,000 has been expended on the production, an? when the curtain rises “Cymbeline” will prove a pleasant surprise for the amusement-seeking public. Miss Mether has not sacrificed anything for the | spectacular, for the company which will | support her is the best that bas ever surrounded a legitimate star. Miss Math- er’s Juliet has always been considered ex- cellent by critics, and as the role she will esesy in “Cymbeline” (Imogen) is Jullet's protctype, she should give as finished and as interesting a reading of this part. “Cyrrkeline” is one of Shakespeare’s best pleys, but has not been produced very | often, owing to the great expense entailed for the scenery and costumes needed. It is a play of buman interest—-there is love end | hate, joy and sorrow; in fact, every human emotion is portrayed as only Shakespeare can portray it. There is a battle scene | which will make the constructors of mod- ern war dramas sigh with envy, whilst the beautiful dances will delight play goers whose interest can be aroused by grace of form ard of movement. “Cymbeline” will enherce the reputation of Miss Mather, } both as an artist and as a producer of plays. Among those who will support Miss Mather are E. J. Henley, William Red- | mund, Albert Bruning, William Courtleigh, | Willizm McVay, H. A. Weaver, Joseph Kil- gour, Mrs. Thomas Barry and Florence Wallack. Grand Opera House.—Much interest will no doubt be attached to the revival next week at the Grand Opera House of a play which has been a great favorite for the past fifteen years. It is Bartley Camp- bell’s powerful drama of Russian life, “Si- beria.” It will be revived with a full sense of its susceptibility to scenic embellish- ment. Messrs. MacDonough and Kennedy have bestowed upon it an equipment which is not only new, but notable. In the matter of scenery ample aid to the imagination is furnished, while the costumes are correct, and, where permissible, rich in color. Al- though the Interest in Russia and nihilism may not be as keen as when the drama was first presented, there is quite sufficient dramatic sequence in the story of the play to make its interest independent of its theme. And as it is row presented it pleases the eye as well as the mind. In the first act a picturesque view of Moscow introduces the observer to the action at the beginning. It is a handsome picture, calculated to transport the observer in imagination to the land of the czar. A second scene gives a night view, when the long bridge und the city twinkle with lghts.Next there ig a wide and deep view of the Interior of the governor general's pal- ace. The arrival of the jacks here form a lively and striking scene. The fourth act represents the mines of Siberia and is in keeping in excellence with the other scenes. It fs really a fine spectacular show, as well as a stirring mel The company is a strong one. There are twenty-one players in the cast, besides the ladies of the court, mob, soldiers and aux- iliaries that crowd the stage. “Siberia” should prove an attraction sufficient to crowd the Grand all week to the doors. Academy of Music.—To people who like exciting and amusing comedy drama, “The Sidewalks of New York,” the attraction at the Academy next week, will be @ highiy ac- ceptable entertainment. The thrilling plot is enhanced by being laid in picturesque localities. It depicts the machinations of two villains to throw the guilt of a defal- youth, Baa of Liszt, PYetired to his Italian woman, however, in comes Pember- rayal, throws her through a trap into the river. A last gitmpse of her reveals his fatal mistake. Infuriated he now falls upon the real Ellen Sarto, when she appears a moment later, and demands her life. The two villains toss coins to see whether she lives or dies. Young Pember- ton wins, and drags her shrieking to the shot tower, at the foot of the dock. Mean- while the hero from an upper window of the shot tower sees her struggling in the water. He leaps head foremost from the tower to her rescue. This exciting climax is effected by the champion high diver of the world, Kearney P. Speedy, who ex- changes places with the real hero for the moment for that purpose. The closing act illustrates the Italian quarter of New York called “Little Italy," where the final de- nouement is brought about by the two comedy characters of the cast, whose ef- forts as amateur detectives furnish up- roarious laughter. There are many strong and sudcen contrasts of the ridiculous and thrilling throughout the piece.- The Stoddard Lectures —John L. Stoddard has been delighting audiences all this week Hmited only by the capacity of the Colum- bia Theater to hold them. This evening will occur the first public opportunity to hear the famous Yellowstone Park lecture. So great has been the demand to hear this that it is already evident that the two oc- casions arranged for this and Mon evenings will be insufficient. On Sdturday next Mr. Stoddard will deliver this lecture both at a matinee and in the evening. Tuesday and Wednesday evenings will be devoted to the lecture on “Old and New Russia,” through which, with its fine illus- trations, St. Petersburg and Moscow will be revealed not only from the standpoint of the tourist, but in the light of the unique Personality of Peter the Great, the founder of Russia’s present glory. The lecture of Thursday evening, which will be repeated on Friday evening, has, in theatrical parlance, a “double bill,’ treat- ing two cities whose widely contrasting character and history can but give pleasant variety to the lecture—Athens and Venice. The scholar and the tourist are equally ‘in- terested in the subjects of this Jecture, which has everywhere been recagniged’ as one of the most charming in the lecturer's repertoire. * Bijou Theater.—The Brand of Cain” is a@ romantic drama in every sense of the word. While the scenes are laid in the mountains of Spain and the home of roy- alty. in England, it is an American play, by an American author. In Placing the Scenes in that far-off country better scope is given for the scenic effects, and makes the story all the more interesting. The whole play is built on novel ideas, and originality 1s claimed for every ‘scene shown, namely, Diablo chasm, the stone quarry, the power house, ete. The electri- cal effects are something new in stage- craft. “The Brand of Cain” will be seen at the Bijou Family Theater next week, with four matinees, on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Kernan’s Lyceum Theater.—Robie's Bo- hemian Burlesquers will entertain the pa- trons of the Lyceum next week. This seems from press reports to be the only burlesque show that has had a successful continuation of engagements in New York city this season, extending over a period of eleven weeks in the various theaters of that city, and this being its first season on the road, it certainly speaks well for a new enterprise. Yet when the average theater- goer looks over the names of such well- known artists as Harry Bryant, Mae Low- ery, Billy Van, Phil and Hattie Mills, Vevi Norbriga, Jere Mahony and the Hill Sis- ters, there is no reason to wonder at its success. The play opens with a musical skit, entitled “Life in Bohemia,” picturing real Bohemian life. Then the olio 1s a show in itself, and a good one, too. The concluding burlesque, “A Turkish Bath,” is one of the most amusing ever introduced on the American stage. The evolution of the X ray 1s one of the most interesting and leughable things imaginable. The stage setting, as well as the electrical ef- fect, are entirely new and attractive, and the costumes are rich and artistic. There will be an extra matinee Friday, Lincoln's birthday. . “The Sporting Duchess.”—“The Sporting Duchess” is booked for one week at the Layfayette Square Opera House, begin- ning Monday, the 15th instant. The cast which will present this play is the greatest that has ever traveled in this country. It contains the names of.no legs-than seven Prominent stars. The following are some of the principals: Rose Coghlan, J. H. Stoddart, Cora Tanner, Elita Proctor Otis, Harry Lacy, Louis Massen, R. A. Roberts, William Bernard, Junius B. Booth, Dorothy Rossmore, Harry Gibbs, Sara ‘Converse, Beresford Webb and Margaret Robinson. The complete original production will be given, including the fourteen “mammoth ecenes which made the play famous for its pictorial splendor. Twenty thoroughbred horses will participate in the great Derby race, the most realistic horse race that has ever been seen upon the mimic stage. Two of the scenes which attract much atten- tion are the $30,000 military ball and the famous Tattersall’s horse exchange. The Biographe.—Society has affixed its stamp of approval upon the biograph ex- hibitions at Willard Hall, and this charm- ing, entertaining and educational diversion bid8 fair to become quite as much of a fashionable fad in the capital as it is in the metropolis of the country. At New ‘York the biographe is in great demand for private entertainments, at clubs and resi- dences. In the audience at Willard Hall yesterday afternoon was a representative gathering of Washington elite. One party included Mrs. Cleveland and her guests at the White House, Mr. and Mrs. Dimick of New York, Mrs. Fuller, wife of the chief justice, and Secretary and Mrs. Lamont. They all seemed delighted, and fairly led the applause which greeted every scene. At the conclueion of the entertainment this party remained for some time to secure a more explicit explanation of the manner in which the marvelous effects are secured than Manager Whiting Allen takes time to give in his descriptive talks. Mr. Allen was highly complimented for the entertain- ment. Several new views were added to the program, among them an especially fine one showing a company of soldiers scaling @ wall at Governor's Island. Charlotte Perkins Stetson.—One of -the most eloquent women on the lecture plat- form, Charlotte Perkins Stetson, will de- lver a lecture at the Church of Our Father, the 16th instant, on the subject “Our Braing and What Alls Them.” This is for the benefit of the Washington Woman Suffrage Association, and the ladies of that organi- zation are actively engaged in selling tick- ets, so that Mrs. Stetson shall .be greeted by large audience. Mrs. Stetson 1s one bf the most prominent reformers in the coun- try, and has met with great success both in her own land and in England, ‘Bhe is a’ woman of brilliant attainments, a profound thinker, a forcible writer and a graceful and eloquent speaker. She is an exempliti- cation of the highest type of woman's in- tellectual devolopment, and her lecture wili be a splendid Iiterary effort. A Sacred Opera.—‘Christoph, or the Power of the Cross,” a sacred opera, by Emile Christiani, will be produced for the first time next Monday evening at the Uni- versalist Church, under the direction of the author. The production will doubtless at- tract attention as a novelty, for to give an opera with full action, costumes, etc., in a church, is something out of the ordinary. The story of “Christoph,” the moral and the sacred character of the music will, however, reconcile the severest critic with the idea. The title part, Christoph (tenor), is in the hands of Mr. Harry Murdock: Samuel (bass), a character not unlike Me- phisto in “Faust,” will be sung by Mr. Gustave Escher. The parts of Margurite (soprano) and Martha (alto), are taken by Mrs. Withelmina Christiani and Miss Ida Wilhelmy. Two little girls, Edith Page and Laura Brereton, complete the cast. A children’s orchestra will prove an addi- tional attraction. Third Metropolitan _Concert—When a@ great artist retires from public life, in the very height of his career, his return to ublic- work, after many-years_of silence, gladly welcomed. This aptly applies to Rafael. Joseffy, for just at the moment when the critics were speaking of his fabu- lously brilliant technique, remarkable ex- Preasion, and helled him ‘as the successor and ‘Rubenstein, Josefty is Tarrytown home, and no in- ducements could bring him to play before any but his ‘When reproached for his hermit life he would reply, “I am quite tisfied, for am I not the greatest pianist Tarrytown?” His first reappearance int Saeed Prove a del vers of Piano playing. it ie Jeeture on that subject on Sunday February. 14. The lecture will deal spe- cially with the ancient religions of that strange land, and his explanations will -assistan have the dant stereopti- con views. ee Soldiers’ Home _Dramatio-Company.—The Soldiers’ Heme Dramatic Company has in rehearsal one of. the cleverest ‘pl Written, “A Rival by Request,” by B. L. C. Grimth. e difficulties “into which the leading character is thrown and the neat way in which he from one after the other makes it a play of the keenest interest and amusement. Since the last Production there has been quite a number of changes in the compdny, caused by resignations. The vacanoies, Rowever, have been well filled, and the present company is as strong as ever. The first of the two February productions will occur next Thursday evening, and it is the desire of the company to invite the general public, as well as the large circle of friends of the company, to ‘witmess a performance in the new Soldiers’ HomecTheater. The present Feat Toe Se ma, Harry ‘est, W. M. Shuster: B. ins, Harry English and Wiiliam §. Hutchinson, and Misses Grace Ross; Nettie Paige, Laura Eichelberger, Jennie Young and Bianche Shafer. Goldwin Patten’s :Benefit—Mr. Goldwin Patten will be tendered a benefit at Gon- xaga College Hall onthe last day of March, when some of the best known and most popular talent.‘will support him in a Bhi rian musical and variety pro- gram. James Gathel, the popular singer; Mrs. Mary Manly Haywood, the versatile actress; Miss Marie Howe, dramatic recita- tionist; Mrs. Hernamdez, the Cuban night- ingale; Mr. D. €. Haywood, under whose management the entertainment is going forward; Mr. J..€. Haydon; Col. John A. Joyce, Miss Mattie Wade, Little Lollie Belle Ray, and a number of other artists, have signified their willingness to assist. For the past five years Mr. Patten has given his services gratuitously to society, church, military and charitable entertainments. Last June he produced “The Bells” and played the part of “Mathias” at the La- fayette Square Opera House for the Fire- men's benefit, realizing, after paying ex- penses, $400 for the widows and orphans of those who lost their lives in the Louisiana avenue fire. It is believed that his gener- osity will be remembered by the fire laddies and their friends. Eugenie BlairEugenie Blair returns to the Academy of Music Monday night, Feb- ruary 15, and will be seen in another re- vival. “Jane Eyre” is the play, and it will be given with all of the careful attention which characterized Miss Blair's production of “East Lynne” at the same theater some weeks ago. Eugenie Blair's creation of the part of “Jane Eyre” has been as success- ful and highly spoken of as her rendition of “Lady Isabel,” and perhaps in the lat- ter character Miss Blair has no equal to- day. “Jane Eyre’ ts a beautiful story, and is in many respects more satisfying than “East Lynne,” as its ending is happier, and the heroine finally overcomes her sur- roundings and 1s united to the right man, and all goes merrily as the usual wedding bell. The Field Reading.—Miss Mary French Field wil give a reading from the works of her father, Eugene Field, at Universalist Church on Wednesday evening next. Miss Field inherits in generous measure the charm of persorality and the intense indi- viduality which made her father a dom- inating spirit in whatever company he illu- mined with his cordial presence. She was her father’s “chum” and boon companion. He dedicated many of his poems to her, and used to say that she was his severest critic as well as his best friend. It was he who nicknamed her “‘Trotty’’—a name that has clung to her among her intimates. ever since her childhood days. She is a very natural, unaffected readers, inheriting her father’s power of producing effects by sim- pheity of method, and has made a great success of her work, being in constant de- mand at Chicago “‘at homes.” Tickets for the reading may be procured at Metzerott’s. res ee ee A MECHANICAL PITCHER. Gun to Shoot Balls to Base Ball Players. From the Baltimore Sun. A machine, or rather a gun, which is in- tendéd to take the place of the pitcher in base ball batting practice has been in- vented by- Mr C. H. Hinton, an English- man, instructor of mathematics at Prince- ton University. ai It is claimed for the Hinton mechanical pitcher that it can be made to shoot a base ball so as to make @t curve in or out or drop, and at almost any speed required. It was only after constructing a number of catapults, cannems and guns, all proving unsuccessful, that Mr. Hinton finally suc- ceeded in making: a gun that did not propel the ball with death-dealing velocity, but which could be @epemded upon to send the ball moderate speed, with reasonaple accuracy, and at the same time curve it. The gun consists, first, of a eylinder in which the ball ts placed. Behind the ball is placed a movable breech, and to this is attached a tube. At the other end of the tube is a rifle, minus the barrel, the tube taking the place of the barrel. A blank cartridge is placed» in the gun, which, when fired, generates enough gas in the tube to propel the ball. The powder thus acts indirectly upon fhe base ball and not directly as it does oma bullet in a gun bar- rel. It thus has more the effect of com- pressed air, Shot straight out of the cylinder thus the base ball would, of course, go straight, ex- cept as affected by the attraction of gravi- tation. To produce the curve Mr. Hinton made some iron fingers, padded on the in- side with rubber, the fingers being attach- ed to a false muzzle, which fits on the muzzle and can be turned at will. The base ball, when shot, strikes these fingers on one side and receives a rapid rotary mo- tion. The ball is made thus to curve to- ward the side on which the fingers are. This gun is warranted not to kick, for higher salary, stay out late at night, drink too much beer—though, of course, it will get loaded—nor sue the base ball league. It would have its disadvantages, how- ever. If the game was lost, the other players could not lay the blame on “rotten pitching,” nor could it be fined $200 for ios- ing a game. It would be a regular “soft snap” for the fellows who bunt, for it couldn't field the bunt. It might be well, too, to invent a mechan- ical catcher, if it ever gets into a regular game, and there ought to be some rule Passed to show who is out if the me- chanical pitcher fires the ball clean through the catcher and scatters itself, with bits of his insides, over the crowd in the grand stand, But, seriously, be of very great as batters would easily learn to hit any merely mechanical curve or drop. It is a well-known fact that every pitcher has his own individuality about even an ordinary curve. One man’s curve is unlike anoth- er’s, hardly any two pitchers’ curves or drops “break” alike; some pitchers’ suc- cess is in the “Jump” on the ball, and so on. It is this individuality that puzzles batters. such ‘a gun could hardly’ ———ees—______ The Digestion of Staple Edibles. Mrs. Rorer in Ladies’ Home Journal, Boiled rice will digest in one hour; if boiled in milk, however, it requires two hours; if eaten with unboiled milk two hours and fifteen minutes. Raw eggs will | digest in about one hour and a=half; fried, three hours and a half; soft-poiled, three hours; hard-boiled, three hour’ and:a half. The white and yeHow should be served to- gether, as.one assists in the digestion of the other. Salt beef fequires four hours and fifteen minutes. Beefsteak, “broiled, three heurs. Stewed oysters, three hours and a half. Oysters require a longer time to digest than broiled meat. Roast veal re- quires five Roun ee: pee digestion. Pork same. et pudding is supposed to e five hours and a half. oe ee Rhode Island's Flag. < From the Providence Journal. tn ‘The body-of the flagof the state of Rhode Island je a rich Blue, @vith an anchor in the center, the effectiof all being heightened by & display of thitteer gilt: stars, Peprésent- ing the service even in practize,;[. DEPARTMENT STORES OF PARIS. System by Which the Employes Are Organized, Lodged and Fed. From ‘the Philadelphia Record. _ The great department stores in Paris, such as the Bcn Marche, the Louvre and the Printemps, carry the organization of their employes to a point not dreamed of here, and have in operation extensive and costly plans for stimulating the interest and energy of the help in the business to the highest degree. The new employe re- celves at the start a salary of 400 francs, or gbout $80 a year, besides being lodged and fed, and in addition a commisston of from 2 to 5 per cent upon his sales, so that the lowest salesman rarely makes less than $160 a year. A head of department, or buy- er, as he is known here, may easily make from $2,500 to $3,000 9 year, and some of them exceed $5,000. While these figures are low com with the $10,000 and $20,000 salaries paid in New York, they seem high when measured by the scale of salaries that prevails in France. Thus the best fa among the higher employes receive larger salaries than the presidents of sec- tions in the council of state and generals of divisions. The average pay of an ex- rienced salesman is about 4,000 francs, or $00 @ year. ‘The total number of employes at the Bon Marche and the Louvre is about 8,000 each, among whom are only about 400 woren. In the Bon Marche and the Louvre lodging in the bulldings provided by the’establish- ment is optional for employes of both sexes less than twenty-one years old; in the Prin- temps it is obligatory. The Louvre has on the Avenue Rapp a great building accommodating 250 male em- Ployes, and not far from it another, where 100 young girls are lodged. The Bon Marche furnishes similar accommodations. All these establishments are conducted under pe- culiarly stringent rules. The girls have a parlor where entertainments are organized on Sundays and certain evenings of the week, but from which the other sex is ex- eluded utterly. Not even a father or a brother may be received there. ;,All the employes receive their meals in the stores, except the highest, and these are permitted to eat outside, and receive an allowance of $00 francs a year in the way of commutation of rations. Furthermore, trarrié®<employes are allowed to dine at ‘home,pand receive a commutation of one frant a day. The average cost of food is fromt'cktt0'40'cents a day for each employe. The: fare’ consists, at the Louvre, of one Relping to meat, all the vegetables and bread that can be eaten, dessert and a pint of claret. For dinner soup is added. At the Bon Marche the employes may ask for two helpings of meat. The average daily quantity of food consumed in one of these establishments includes 2,500 quarts of scup, 3,000 pounds of bread, 2,500 pounds of meat, 1,200 pounds of fish, 500 pounds of butter and ten barrels of wine. At the Louvre the kitchen force includes 15 cooks and 80 waiters. The cost of the food ex- ceeds 2,000,000 francs a year. e great stores have a medical service for their employes, which includes an in- firmary and outings in the country or at the seashore. In addition when a man or @ woman completes seven years of service at the Louvre a sum of 1,000 francs is credited to him in the pension fund, and afterward 200 francs a year up to his fiftieth year of service. The savings fund of the Bon Marche amounts now to 2,000,- 000 francs, and 200,000 francs is added an- nually, and in addition there is a pension fund founded by Mme. Boucicault, who built up this immense business, which now amounts to 6,000,000 francs. a ee Much Cause for Gratitude. From London Answers. Of a certain bishop the following anec- dote is told: While presiding over a con- ference a speaker began a tirade against the universities and education, expressing thankfulness that he had never been cor- rupted by contact with a college. After proceeding for a few minutes the bishop in- terrupted with the question: “Do I under- stand that Mr. X. is thankful for his ig- norance?” was the answer; “you can put it that way if you like. “Well, all I have to say,” said the prelate, in sweet and musical tones; “all I have to say is that Mr. X has much to be thankful for.” ~ AMUSEMENTS. Universalist Church, ere ea a 8:15 PLM. ‘Mary’ French Field, In Readings from the Works of Eugene Field, Assisted by . NELLIE WILSON SHIR-CLIFFE AND THB WASHINGTON LADY QUARTET. Under the Patronage of Fuller, Miss Morton, . Stevenson, Mme. Patenotre, . Olnes, Mrs. Brice, . Carlisle, Mrs. Hearst, Lamont, Mrs. Leiter, Harmon, Mrs. Mi Wilson, Mrs. Page. Radcliffe, st., 75e. and $1. “Our Brains, and What Ails Them,”’ Will be the subject discoursed upon by Charlotte Perkins Stetson, at 8 p.m. FEBRUARY 16, at Mrs. “THE CHURCH OF OUR FATH Tickets on sale at Metzerott’s Music Store. feb-t TONIGHT. COLUMBIA THEATER. STODDARD LECTURES TONIGHT AT 8 AND MONDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 8, ‘The Famous Lecture on the YELLOWSTONE PARK. Reserved seats, 50c., 75e., $1, on sale for all lectures. fe3-4t BURDITT & NORTH, Managers. OLUMBIA THEATER. WEEK BEGIN The Ex’ G FEBRUARY 15— Margaret Mather 0m eer $40,000 production of Shakespeare's gue #6: Masterplece— CYMBELINE. Sale of seats commences Thursday morning. 1t BIJOU, “ome Feb. 8. ing Monday, meay, 4 Matinees 4 ,,Frass. ARNOLD WOLFORD’S PRODUCTION OF THE ROMANTIC DRAMA, Tale BRAND” CAIN. Introducing Magnificent Scenic and Mechanical Effects. Diablo Chasm, Spain, by Moonlight. The Spanish Inn. ‘|. The Rock Quarry. _ The Explosion of the Quarry Powder House. it = AMUSEMENTS. Opera House. WEEK - - - Commencing Bartley Campbell’s SIBERIA Greatest Success, THE NEW New Scenery. New Effects. New Costumes. Powerful Playing Cast. THE JEWS' QUARTERS NEAR MOSCOW. POPULAR PRICES MAINTAINED, THE GOVERNOR'S PALACE. THE SIBERIAN MINES. 15, 25, 50 & 75c. NOTE.—A good seat on first floor for 25 CENTS. Seats in Box, $1.00. Net it Attrection— “Trilby,” WITH A. M. PALMER'S GREAT COMPANY. First time at popular prices, The Lafayette. In His Greatest Personal and Professtonal Triumph, BY LOUIS N. PARKER AND MURRAY CARSON, it Last Appearance Here of MR. JOHN DREW And His American Company. MANAGEMENT CHAS. FROHMAN. ROSEMARY. LFserie SQUARE OPERA HOUSE. WEEK BEGINNING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8. Jj H OMABWZACOAS Orehestra, Parquet, Mezantne Boxes, WEEK THE THE 100 The ¢ tos! NER, Louis Regular Saturday Matinee. BARGAIN MATINEE WEDNESDAY. First Appearance in Washington of THE RATTLING COMEDY, Thoroughbred, | Henry E. Dixey And the Great Cast from the Garrick Theater, New York. Management CHARLES FROHMAN. Dixey’s Songs, REGULAR EVENING PRICES. SPECIAL BARGAIN MATINEE WEDNESDAY, PRICES: 50c 25c SOUNCEMENT. “Keep the Baby Warm, Mother.’” “Our *Appy Little idson River ‘Ome."’ No higher. Reserved. No higher. Reserved. EXTRA A’ COMMENCING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15. Matinees Wednesday and Saturday. GREAT $70,000 SPECTACULAR DRAMA, SPORTING ‘DUCHESS. Direction of FRANK L. DIRKCT FROM A RUN Ps Nights at Academy of Music, New York. ts in Boston, ‘Nights in Philadelpbia. eat All-star Cast includes: COGHLAN, J. H. x R.A. . 200 PEOPLE ON THE STAGE. THE GREAT DERBY RACE. 20—HORSES—20 REGULAR PRICES. 1t_SALE OF SEATS OPENS THURSDAY. FEB.S8. WEDNESDAY -——- MATINEES ——— SATURDAY Tonight. CONC! charity- Re. ¢ ING, cor. 1th and E sts. n.w., TUESD, iT AND it CONFEDERATE Vill Feb. 9, 1897. Admission, 25 cents. It ENTERTAINMENT—OBJECT RANS' HALL, AY EVEN- CADEMY--PRICES, 25, 50, 75c. AND $1.00. ‘Wed. and Sat. Matinees—25 and 50c., reserved. TONIGHT AT $—LAST TIME OF THE NANCY HANKS. THE SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK NEXT WEEK— EW Pr Every Evening, Wed. and NATIONAL THEATER. Matinees. imrose TONIGHT —AND— AT 8 Wi , est’s LAST TIME. Big Minstrels. SEATS For the Engagement of Mr. NAT. C. GOODW Supported by Miss MAXINE ELLIOTT and Com- SALE ARE NOW ON I pany, Presenting for the First Time Here, An American Citizen. ENGAGEMENT BEGINS NEXT MONDAY. It GP59 overs HovsE. WEEK wosttn"| Atlas Line RANKIN. KER} MMENCIN McKEE In_ His New Play. TRUE TO LiFE. A STORY OF INTENSE HUMAN INTEREST. ‘The Cast Includes: IMSS NANCE O’NEIL, The Young Actress Who Leaped Into Popularity in ‘a Single Night. Popular Prices | 15, 25, 50 & 75c. NOFE.—A suid ct oo first floor for 25 CENTS. Bee ttracttoa Bartley Campbell's “SIBERIA.” fel-6t Ri ALL THIS BIJOU. waa MONDAY, MATINEES. SaTUaBay, ‘THE .FUNNY COMEDY, Side Tracked. Nest Week—THE BRAND OF CAIN. fel-t ait: | Ice Palace, Goavention Hall, corner Sth and L sts: nw. AMUSEMENTS. ———— ACADEMY PRICES: 25, 50, "75c., $1. ESDAY AND GATURDAY MATINEES, 25 and 50c. ALL NEXT WEEK. | A SUPREMELY BRITAAANT AND IMPORTANT - EVENT. _ Davis & Keogh’s Great Success, . THE PICTURESQUE AND SENSATIONAL COMEDY DRAMA, The Sidewalks Of New York. Speedy’s Terrific Dive From Top of Stage, Headlong. Fifty Feet into a Tank of Water only ‘Three Feet Deep. The Great Herald Square Scene. A Triumph of Art and Creative Genius. 3ExT ox EUGENIE BLAIR A Course of Lectures on SHAKESPEARE AND LITERATURE, BY ‘The Distinguished Author and Ealitor, William J. Rolfe, OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY. Dr. Rolfe ts recognized on both continents as the leading authority on Shakespeare, and the most scholarly of investigators on Shskespearian sube cts. February 15, “Shakespeare, the Man.” February 17, “Homes and Haunts of Shakespeare.” February 19, “‘Shakespeare, the Poet and Dramatist.”’ February 22, “The Baconian Lunacy.” Feb. 24, “‘The Great Poets.” Bach Lecture will begin at 8 o'clock im the evening, iu the Atheneum of Martyn College of Oratory, 123 TO 1231 G STREET N.W. All seats reserved. the course, $5.00, Now on sale at the ition ‘to the Lectures Dr. Rolfe will give & series of lessons on Shakespeare tn tie afternounm — days. Aunouncement sent on appl - tion. t ~~ McKinley & Hobart _ Carnival, Under the auspices of the WOMAN'S: see EPUBLICAN ASSOOlay ’ AT MASO TEMPLE, Cor. 9th and F sts. . FEBRUARY 2 TO 12, INCLA SIVE. Dancing at 10:30. "Special Attractions each evening. 030-11 - eae _Admisston, 10 cents. 3 Th Universalist Church, ™ ye" MONDAY EVENING, FEB. 8, First Production of the Sacred Opera, CHRISTOPH, Or the Power of the Cross, By £MILE CHRISTIANT, UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF THE ROYAL Dani SISTER, AN r TICKETS, 23 AND Sic., AT DROOP'S. fe8-5t* DANCING, cavowauws acaveny, Cor. Sth and H ow., To nd Friday event jesday Private lessous given daily by appointment. J RNAN'S LYCEUM THEATER, All This Week. Matinees Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. —THE BiG CIry SHOW— ——THE—— NEW YORK STARS, ged — be 9 NOVEL SPECIALTY ACTS —9 Wea. Robie’s Bohemian Butlesquers, fel-6t = —— = A FREE LECTURE Metropolitan M. Qu the Mock ‘Trial Murderers, Through the Prophy trated on canvas. All invited. ING, February %, i807, cnerr. : ~~ EXCURSIONS, ETC. Steamer [acalester MOUNT VERNON, reach the city at 2:30 p.m. ROUND TRIP, to grounds, ELEGANT CAFE ON THE STE. 3 Tickets, with Mount Vernon admission coupon, for sale at wharf and at hotels. WIM also make river landings as far ax Glymont, stopping for freight and passengers both ways, For charters, etc., apply at office of steamer Macal- est it _ 1. L. BLA Capt Arlington--Fort Myer-- Ballston--Falls Church. Arlington. Largest ational Cemevery. Fort Myer—U. S. Cavalry Drilis, Falls Church—Wasbiugton's Best Electiic cars from Aqueduct bri fe5-10t W., A. AND F.C. QUICK SERVICE BY RAT. Mount Vernon Arlington. ~ Station, Pa. ave. and 18% st. Schedule see Ral road colama in this paper. Jav-tt N/A Trip to Jamaica, THE QUEEN OF WEST INDIAN ISLANDS, BY THR advantages to persons of Mmited doration, ter ‘Send for Pim, Forward & Kellock, 921 Pennsylvania ave., Warhingtoa. 1028-1u,tb,e,52t Norfolk & Washington Steamboat Co. Bi 1