28
THE SUNDAY OBEGOKIAN, gOBTI-AJSD, MARCH 29, 1903.
It Is now about 25 years since Adolpho
d'Ennery's ."The Two Orphans" became
known to the American public through the
genius of Kate Claxton, and her fine pre
sentation of that good, old-fashioned play
at the Marquam during the early part of
last week was as welcome aa ever. In
these days of realism. It is refreshing to
witness such a clean play In which the
principal motif is the tribulations of a
blind girl compelled by professional beg
gars to solicit alms through the streets
of Paris so that her captors can spend
her earnings. As a -blind girl. Miss Clax
ton waa singularly pathetic Blanche
Moulton was sufficiently callous as La
IFrocttard. and Frank McDonald, as
Jacques Frochard, gave a strong portrayal
of as brutal a stage ruffian as has been
D2en in Portland theaters for years. The
attendance was fair, but the play should
havo been far more liberally patronized.
The Allen-Boyer-Bernard-Buckcnmeyer-ZMultnomah
Club production of "The
"Wizard of the Nile," given at the Mar
quam Friday night and twice yesterday,
was well up to the previous artistic ef
forts of that entertaining club, and it Is
a question if it did not -surpass the
former chows. It was quite a society
function. Nobody dreamed that Robert
McCraken had such a fund of genuine
comedy at his command, and his funny
antics and sayings caused 50 per cent of
'the laughter. If "Bob" McCraken had
tho benefit of singing lessons, the great
Frank Daniels would not be in it. Tho
male voice section, in chorjis. was the
best that the Multnomah boys have so far
produced. The "Sadie" girls made the hit
of the engagement they were artistic
The scenery was a work of art, and the
make-ups were sufficiently grotesque.
"Shenandoah" is the greatest epectacu
lar play produced this season at Baker's
'Theater, and it has not only been a great
tarttetlc success, but a money maker. The
it-
WINS AN ENGAGEMENT UNDER FROHMAN IN NEW YORK
FRANK SEKl OF PORTLAND.
Frank Dckum. who left Portland two years a?o to irta far himself a place on
the stage, has already achieved tucees. A rev Cays ago hU friends were gratified
at the new that ho had been given an engagement M leasing Juvenile In ono of
Clyde Pitch's plays, to be r-roduced la the Pall under Prohraaa's management. A
month ago he graduated from the Empire Theater Dramatic School. During the
past "Winter he has been given most of the leading parts la the plays produced at
the school at the Empire Theater, and has -won high pralie. not only from the
faculty of the school, but also from the critics of some of the leading newspapers
of New York City. To be leading Juvenile under the watchful eye of Clyde Fitch,
who Is conceded to be the foremost Americas dramatist of the day. Is tone of the
most coveted positions In the dramatic profession, and that Frank Dekum has won
It shows that he has the ability and talent to succeed la his chosen vocation.
battle scene at "Winchester, when General
Sheridan appears on the stage, mounted
on his black horse, with fire flashing from
every gun, plenty of powder smoke roll
ing overhead, the Stars and Stripes now
down, now up, aa defeat is turned into
victory, made a splendid picture, and re
flects great credit on Carlyle Moore, the
stage manager, who supervised every de
tail. The militia boys from the Third
Regiment, Oregon National Guard, looked
like veterans. "William H. Dills, who
leaves today for New York to fulfill on a
month's engagement in a revival of "Tfct
Starbucks," made a flnrpeneral Haveril
"William Bernard exhibited dellghtfm
humor In his impersonation. George "Alison
was manly and heroic in his presentation
of the part of Colonel "West, and Catherine
Countiss was Satisfactory as a fair South
erner. Elsie Esmond and Lillian Rhoads
had congenial parts, and made the most
of them.
Elspeth Graham MacNell has resigned
from the Baker Stock Company. Ruby
Elaine Miguel will fill' the position Miss
MacNell has vacated. Other new members
of the company will be "W. L. Gleason and
Ethelyn Palmer.
Cordray's Theater, has not been sold.
Today the theater opens under the man
agement of John F. Cordray and "W. M;
Russell, the Seattle theater magnate, more
devoted than ever to the interests of the
theatrical combination of Stair & Havlin.
The theatrical war between that firm and
the Klaw & Erlanger combination is by
no means over, and contracts have been
signed showing that some high-class at
tractions have been backed by Stairx &
Havlin, and will appear at Cordray's be
fore long. Mrs. Flske, Isabelle Irving in
"The Crisis," and others will play at this
popular house. Lincoln J. Carter's play,
"The Darkest Hour." drew good houses
at Cordray's Theater last week, and
Charles A Gardner was as effective and
pleasing as ever with his excellent acting
and singing. Blanche Boyer was amusing
as the Irish domestic, and she Is an un
usually good dancer of the Irish jig. The
scene where a lighted vestibuled train dis
appeared in full view of the audience is
one of the best ever presented at Cor
dray's and was liberally applauded.
NEW PLAY" TO PORTLAND.
Baker Theater Company Will Appear
In "3Xisa Hobbs" This Afternoon.
The Baker Theater Companyjwlll appear
in a comedy entirely new tc the play
goers -of Portland, when "Miss Hobb3"
paya a visit at the usual Sunday afternoon
matinee today. This is a play which prom
ises to attrict the most discriminating
patrons of the drama in this city.
"Miss Hobbs" is a play that has never
been -presented' in Portland, and the honor
of giving Its initial performance in PorU
land falls to the Baker Theater Company.
There Is no doubt that this organization
will more than do the clever comedy full
'Justice
"When Henry Miller, the distinguished
actor, appeared on the Pacific Coast lart
Summer he gave" a production of "Mies
Hcbbs" at San Francisco, and the hit
made by the piece was phenomenal. "With
characteristic enterprise the management
of the Baker Theater has made an espe
cial arrangement with the owners of tho
play to offer it to the patrons of the Baker
during the coming week. To give a play
as famous as "Miss Hobbs" its first per
formance in a city as prominent in the
theatrical world as Portland is something
of which to be proud, and for this rea
son, if for no other, the members of the
company may be relied upon to give a
performance worthy of praise and patron
age. Jerome K. Jerome, the best of the Eng
lish humorists. Is responsible for "Miss
Hobbs." and If Jerome had offered the
amusement-loving world nothing else than
this comedy bis fame would be assured.
Every one has read Jerome's "Idle
Thoughts of an Idle Fellow," and has
laughed at his odd way of telling of com
monplace occurrences, and with Jerome's
known reputation for funmaking there is
no tjuestion but that "Miss Hobbs" will
more than come up to expectations In
every respect.
The plot is more pretentious and con
sistent than is usual in the modem com
edy attractions. The story tells of a fas
cinating young woman who imagines that
she hates all men and that men arc very
useless from every point of view. In order
that she may inculcate her ideas on this
interesting subject to members of the fair
sex Miss Hobbs organizes an association
of man-haters, and- the result may be Im
agined. Among the leading companions
of Miss Hobbs are several young married
women, and they endeavor to introduce
her teachings Into their domestic life, with
the most wonderful results. Estrange
ments are caused, and a number of fam
ily ties are about to be forever severed
when one of the characters decides to
adopt retaliatory measures. Ho summons
to his assistance a very matter-of-fact
youth, a man about town, and urges him
to mite love to Miss Hobbs, and thereby
create dlssentlon in the ranks of the club
members. Thl3 plot Is carried out with
the most approving effects. Miss Hobbs
eventually falls from her high plane of
thought to a contemplation of matrimony,
and this promptly breaks up her associa
tion. There are many amusing situations in
the four acts of the comedy, while the
dialogue teems with bright and snappy
repartee and comments, such as only
Jerome- K. Jerome- knows how to write.
AT CORDRAY'S TODAY.
Sew Comedy-Drama, "The Fatal
"Wedding," Begins Engagement.
Cordray's Theater has a novelty In store
for Its patrons at this afternoon's matinee,
when the new comedy-drama, "The Fatal
Wedding," opens a week's engagement.
The play has never been seen here before,
but met with much praise in New York
City, where it has just concluded a highly
successful run. It Is from tho pen of
one of the most successful playwrlters
known to the public, and he has far ex
ceeded his former efforts In making this
his strongest work. He has chosen origi
nal scenes and real incidents of life in the
great metropolis and woven together one
of the strongest stories that could possi
bly be concocted. He secures the atten
tion of an audience from the very start
of the first act, and holds it throughout
the entire play.
The plot of the play is full of heartfelt
interest and secures as strong a hold on
the audiences as one could wish for.
One of the .most noteworthy charac
ters is Interpreted by a little S-y ear-old
prodigy, little Lillian Rosewood, whose
acting secures a warm spot in the hearts
of all who see her. and retains It there.
Tho comedy characters are Intrusted to
that of a Frenchman and an Irish servant
girl, -who throughout the play cause no
cad of merriment to their patrons. ad
whose eemplicetkms keef their hearers
in m con Usual stream of laughter. The
Ece&Se eCeets serve to iatroduce the In
terior of the renowned Grace Church.
New York City, which is shown in a very
elaborate manner; an interior scene of a
New York coart of Justice Is likewise
truthfully portrayed; the famous pali
sades of the Hudson, showing the Interior
of a counterfeiters den. Is vividly and
realistically shown. This scene represents
a "Winter's night, and a great mechanical
effect is Introduced, showing; one of the
heaviest snow storm scenes ever attempt
ed. The effect is truly wonderful and
brings forth rounds of applause. A spe
cial ladles' end children's matinee Satur
day will be given.
FIFTH SYMPHONY CONCERT.
Close ef the Season, "by the Fine
Local Orchestra.
Everything Is "being done to make the
fifth and last symphony concert Thursday
evening April 2, the best of the season.
Several numbers of the lighter character
which made a favorable Impression at the
time of performance will be repeated by
request. The "Scotch" symphony, by
Mendelssohn, will receive good treatment
at the hands of the orchestra, and is sure
to prove of Interest to all.
Mrs. Sherman D. Brown's many friends
will be glad of this opportunity to hear
erReus season m mew gow
MADISON-SQUARE GARDEN SCENE OF SPECTACULAR PRODUCTION
NEW YORK, March 23. Special cor-1
respondence.-Wh6opla! the aroma:
of sawdust and the fragrance of the
tan bark are in the air, for the circus sea
son of 1908 is on In earnest For the next
six weeks all roads lead to the Madison
Square Garden, where Barnum & Bailey's
show Is making its first appearance after
an absence of five years- Fresh "from
several triumphant seasons abroad, truly
"bigger and better than ever before,"
with a freak department that has excelled
all previous efforts the current season for
the big tent show should be an unusually
profitable one. While all circuses look
more or less alike these days, the Barnum
& Bailey show has one or two features
worthy of especial notice First of all, the
immense spectacle, staged by Bolossy
Kiralfy, and entitled "The Tribute of Bal
kls," Is one of the biggest enterprises yet
undertaken by a circus management. The
spectacle represents the visit of the Queen
oftSheba to King Solomon, and tho pomp
and ceremony of the ancients are worked'
out with lavlshness and great attention
to detail. The ballet contains 00 or SCO
shapely and nimble- dancing girls, and the
costuming presents a beautiful color
scheme. Of the show proper there Is a
great quantity of everything with no par
ticularly novel features. Aerial and
equestrian acts predominate, but with
the exception of the Imperial "Viennese
Troupe of aerialists, the acts do not ap
pear to be out of the common. An un
usually large assortment of clowns are
presented, and this season tho funmakers
are really and honestly funny. In the
freak department, Hugo, the Immense
French giant, and the sole survivor of the
Mount Pelee disaster are attracting the
greatest attention.
Mansfield to Open New Lyric.
When the new Lyric Theater, now being
constructed on West Forty-second street,
adjoining Belasco's, Is completed, it will
be opened by Richard Mansfield. For this
engagement the actor will go back to his
old repertoire, which was more successful
than anything he has tried since. He will
be seen once more in his masterly Imper
sonations in "Beau Brummel," "A Paris
Ian Romance." "Prince Karl." "Arm3 and
the Man," "Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde," etc
This will be a great delight to bis admir
ers, who have deplored the degeneration
of his work In "Beaucaire" and "Julius
Caesar."
The Lyric Is being built under the super
vision of Rpginald de Koven, and la to be
hr with orchetral aaeorapanlsMat. The
"Introduction aad Hondo Caprfceiose ,
Salnt-Saens, which she w& play, 1 a krH
Mant number, and will he a- decided addi
tion to tho programme. Mr, Ifaesinser
will sing a groop of songs, selected from
Brahms, "Franz and Schumann, hie favor
ite composers.
It Is hoped that a -large contingent .of
students will take advantage of this last
opportunity of the season to enjoy the
work of the orchestra.
rarsHed fey Fire.
Herbert Miller, 'son of J. M. Miller, 673
East Burnslde street. Is a young actor
who has pasBed through a hit of bad luck
on account of Area starting in theaters
where he Is engaged. He Is -only IS years
old, and before ie left he played In Cor
dray's Theater and took part la. many
r amateur theatrical entertainments. Two
years ago. while he was acting in Crescent
City, the theater there bumed down, and
he lost his wardrobe. A short time agohe
accepted an engagement as leading man
with the Noble Iramatic Company, play
ing In the Metropolitan Theater, Roches
ter, Minn., and one night after he and the
company iiad given a succesafuF perform
ance of "Michael Strogoff,"" a defectively
insulated electric light wire started a $10,
000 lire, and most of the actors lost all
the wardrobes they carried. The loss on
the building Is covered by Insurance, but
managed by the Shubert brothers. Some
surprise Is expressed that it will not be
inaugurated by a comic opera written by
De Koven. He Is writing one for Grace
"Van Studlford, in which she will begin
her starring tour under the direction of
Florenz Slegfeld, Jr., and the original
plan was for her to open the theater.
Later It wa3 thought better to have the
prestige of such a name as Mansfield's at
tho dedication. Five new theaters will be
opened In the Fall the Lyric Klaw &
Erlanger's New Amsterdam, Daniel Froh
man's New Lyceum. Henry B. Harris
Hudson and the Sire Bros. Royal, and
possibly a new one, which is" contemplated
for Charles B. Dillingham.
End of Grand Opera. Season.
The grand opera season of 17 weeks Is
finished, and with Its close came to an
end tho career of Maurice Grau as im
presario at the Metropolitan. His health
has given way, and he will retire to pri
vate life, being succeeded by Heinrich
Conried. Mr. Grau is the only man who
ever made grand opera pay in New York
year after year. His financial success
here was larger each successive season.
The net profits on the 00 performances
given this Winter were over $150,000. Mr.
Grau helped arouse a widespread and sin
cere love of opera in this city, which in
Itself Is almost a surety of success to his
successor.
Mr. Conried purposes producing Wag
ner's "Parsifal" next season, and great
protests are coming from Baireuth, where
'lives the widow of the great German com
poser This" music drama has never been
given anywhere, except In the theater
built by Wagner at Baireuth. Under
terms of his will It cannot be produced
anywhere else, save against his wishes,
until 1913. In Germany this is tantamount
to a copyright, and it has been respected
as such elsewhere. Mr. Conried says there
Is no legal obstacle to his producing the
great work here, and he says he will do
it, despite all opposition. "Parsifal" was
Wagner's last and greatest work.
Erlanger Receiver for Lederer Com
pany. Abraham L. Erlanger, head of the the
atrical syndicate, has had added to hi3
other duties the direction of the compan
ies under the management of George W.
Lederer. These include "The Jewel of
Asia," with James T. Powers and Blanche
Ring, now at the Criterion Theater, and
'Sally in Our Alley." which is on tour.
Tbia came .about through, his appointment
Herbert Miller lost ?8Q this time on the
etotMnr. costume,, etc.. he carried. With
the exception of the losses he has sus
tained by fires. Herbert Miller likes his
profession and ej some day to return
hoeae a star. His work so far is highly
spoken of by his associates.
"R capias the Hardest."
Resplendent with beautiful scenery, pre
sented by a strong cast. In which the au
thor appears at the head, comes that
popular play, "Reaping the Harvest," at
Cordray's, for theweek commencing Sun
day, April 5. "While this Is the second
season of this play. It will be its first visit
to tho Coast, and in view of its coming
with such, splendid Indorsements, it is
safe to soy the engagement will be a
profitable one. "Reaping the Harvest". Is
a grand, powerful story of 'human emo
tions which finds itsr atmosphere in Louis
ville. Ky., on Elmwood Heights, with the
historical Elmwood drive In the distance.
Act 3 Introduces you to quaint old
Clarksvllle, O.. in Its beautiful Autumn
dress. The historic Kronfc Tavern in this
act will be readily recognized by any one
who has ever visited the quaint old town
of Clarksvllle, O. With act 1 the scene
goes back to Louisville, showing the new
home of the Larkins in Poverty Row, the
.beautiful St. John's Cathedral, and the
Illuminated snow scene of Christmas eve.
A matinee Saturday will be given.
as receiver for the Pan-American Amuse
ment Company, of which Lederer is the
president.
A peculiar situation is behind this state
of affairs. Although Herman Oppenheim
er, one of the stockholders, was the man
who asked for the receiver, tho real in
stigator of the action was Lederer him
self, who took that means of getting rid
of Joseph V. Jordan, who had occupied
toward him that not always enviable po
sition or "angel." Jordan is a hotelkeep
er, who turned his eyes toward the stage,
and a year ago, when Lederer needed
money with which to finance a production
of "The Wild Rose," Jordan agreed- to
furnish the cash on condition that he
would be initiated into the gladsome mys
teries of management.
The Pan-American Company was
formed, with Lederer . as president and
managing director, and Jordan as treas
urer The latter immediately became the
most active man of the concern. He had
some grand ideas all his own, and he
started in, as he expressed it, to "revolu
tionize the show business." He soon con
stituted himself boss, and, although
George W. Lederer was nominally the di
recting head, he could not successfully
run counter to Jordan, because the latter
wa3 furnishing the money.
James L. Lederer, who had been asso
ciated with his brother for years, and Op
penheimer, who is their brother-in-law,
would not stand the "hotel methods"
Jordan tried to use on musical comedy.
Two months ago they moved their office
across the street. George W. Lederer
wished he could follow but that was Im
possible. The only solution of the ques
tion was a receiver, and Oppenheimer ap
plied for one on the ground that Jordan's
course was ruining tho business of the
company. Jordan fought the case, but
lost.
Erlanger Han Other Troubles.
This is not the only way Erlanger has
come intd public notice recently. He had
a wordy personal encounter with Joseph
Weber, of Weber & Fields, shortly before
the latter cast their professional lot with
the Independent Booking Agency, and
"Yours Merrily" John R. Rogers has be
gun active prosecution of a suit against
him for $200,000 damages.
Rogers, who was managing attractions
of world-wide repute while Erlanger still
was advance agent for an ordinary road
company, was arrested at the Instance of
the latter, a year ago. under a peculiar
New York law, by which one man can
have another Incarcerated to have his
mentality tested on the simple announce
ment of belief that he Is Insane. Erlang
er did this after receipt of a letter from
Rogers, which he construed as a threat
against his life. This was an epistle in
which Rogers accused the syndicate, as
headed by Erlanger, of freezing him and
other unaffiliated managers out of the
business.
At the end of a week Rogers was dis
charged as perfectly scund of mind. Last
November he brought suit for damages,
alleging that seven different enterprises
he had afoot were spoiled by the doubt
cast upon hi3 sanity by the action of Er
langer. "Up to the present time isrianger
has not even put In an answer to the ac
tion. His attorneys keep asking for more
time. Rogers' lawyers granted, postpone
ment several times. Last week,. however,
Rogers swore out an amended complaint,
and gave notice that if Erlanger's answer
is not in within 20 days, as required by
law, he will demand judgment for the, full
amount through default.
Weber and Erlanger have had. a feud of
long standing. It dates from the time
that Klaw & Erlanger Began -managing
the Rogers Bros., who do a similar line
of Rtrnrc work to that of Weber & Fields.
Weber and Erlanger apparently became
friends again a few months ago, but the
good feeling did not last. Before formally
going over to the rivals of the syndicate
recently, Weber called at Erlanger's office
and expressed his opinion of him in no
measured terms, jnanger nus u. ici-u-tion
as a boxer. No blood was spilled.
Famous Sextet In Vaudeville.
That famous "Florodora" sextette,
which will be as near the original sex
tette as possible, is soon to be capering
about the country In vaudeville. .While
"TTinrrrfnra" hasn't outlived its usefulness
us a money-making attraction by several
seasons, the management believes that
during the hot months the sextette can
ninrft than nav its way in the continuous
houses, and accordingly a tour of 16 wees
has just bren arranged. Of course, few
of the real "originals" will be In this
group, for they have scattered to-the four
corners of the earth, DUt several very
I pretty girls for a long time connectea wim
the musical comedy win oe seen in ma
number. Of the ortelnals two at least are
married, one has retired with a fortune of
JToO.COO made In Wall street through tips
furnished her by one of J. Pierpont Mor
gan's lieutenants, while a fourth Is just
at' present engaged -in circling the globe
with a stable o horses and a large retinue
of servants as her companions.
Lulu Glaser Mutinies.
On tho most reliable authority it is
stated that Miss Lulu Glaser has. figura
tively speaking, kicked over the mana
gerial traces of Fred C. Whitney, and
that next season she will fly the colors of
another management. This merely Indi
cates the difficulties with which the man
agers of big stars have to contend. When
Mr. Whitney took Miss Glaser under his
management she was a doubtful quantity
as a star. With "Dolly Varden" he made
ner at once one of the most conspicuous
female stars, and the piece seemed good
for several seasons yet. As long ago as
last Fall there was an open mutiny In the'
ranks of her company by reason of alleged
hieh-handedness on her part. This oc
curred in Philadelphia, and Miss Glaser
slipped quietly into New York, leaving
only when the reporters discovered her
presence. She pleaded illness, and started
for Hot Springs, "Va. It is a certain fact
that she ' has been negotiating for
a new piece, and unless all signs fail.
the will be under a new management next
season. John H. Springer, the manager
of the Grand Opera House, is freely men
tioned as her new impressario.
Ethel Barrraore to Cook for Senator
Hanaa.
This past !week Miss Ethel Barrymore
has been enjoying the unique distinction
of serving as chef for United States Sena
tor Marcus Hanna. Of course, this gifted
star of "A Country Mouse" hasn't pre
sided exclusively over the culinary depart
ment of. Mr. And Mrs. Hanna, but she has
superintended the brewing of several spe
cial dtshe of which Senator-Hanna Is par
ticularly fond and which he avers no one.
can make quite like pretty Miss Barry-
mote. When Mrs. Dan Hanna was Miss
Gordon, she and Miss Barrymore were
great chums, andnow every time that
Charles Fro man books Miss Barrymore
for Cleveland she is the guest at the Han
na mansion. Long ago she established
her reputation In the Senator's family as
a chafing-dish expert, and from Boston
a fortnight ago she sent to New York for
her favorite chafing dish and several
cook's Ingredients with which to make the
edibles that are Intended to tickle the
Senatorial palate.
Two Plays New to New York.
Two plays which had already earned
their .spurs on the road havo just reached
New York and foujid some degree of fa
vor. Miss Grace George's arrival in
"Pretty Peggy"' has long been awaited,
for she is a great personal favorite in the
metropolis,, although she hasn't been seen
to the best advantage in several seasons.
Accordingly when she made her bow in
the new play at the Herald Square The
ater on Monday night she faced one of
the largest and most cordial audiences of
the entire season. Of course, the themo
of the play Is an old one, but as treated
by Frances Aymar Mathews, the author
ess, it was most diverting, and Miss
George appears to have scored' quite a
substantial success.
The second novelty so far as this city Is
concerned was "The Suburban," which
also had a reputation earned in the West
to point to. It proved to "be a melodrama,
with big effects and interesting scenes,
somewhat after T"he Sporting Duchess"
order. It is exactly suitable to a house
like the Academy of Music, and should
be in for a long run.
Much merriment has been caused over
the printed statement that District At
torney William Travers Jerome, the pros
ecuting officer who has superintended so
many raids against the local gamblers,
had made. an. effort tc stop the perform
ance on the grounds that real roulette
wheels were used in the gambling scene
of the play. Of course, the sole founda
tion for this report lay within the' inven
tive mind of the ingenious press agent.
Stage Notes.
Grace Cameron, whose starring tour In
"A Normandy Wedding" proved rather
disastrous early in the season, has resign
ed from the "Nancy Brown" company and'
purchased tho rights to "Sergeant Kitty."
a new musical comedy. In which she will
try starring again next season.
Maurice Barrymore is reported to be
very low In the sanitarium on Long Island-,
where he has been confined sinca his
first attack of paresis.
Mme. Janauscheck is 111 and destitute
again, and another benefit Is being ar
ranged for her. It will be given in Phil
adelphia. A rousing testimonial was ten
dered her a year and half ago at Wal
lack's, in New York. She lately suffered a
stroke of paralysis.
Annie Russell was taken suddenly 111
last week and could not play from Tues
day night on. She has been appearing in
"Mice and Men" at the Garrick. She had
lumbago.
Charles B. Dillingham has purchased the
stage rights to Henry Harland's popular
novel, "Lady Paramount." It is to be
dramatized by Madame Lucette Ryley.
He will produce It next season with a
special cast and not by one of his stars.
"The Runaway" is the title of the musi
cal comedy which will follow the long
run of "A Chinese Honeymoon" at the
Casino. The last-named piece, will go
to the Illinois Theater, Chicago, for the
summer. . A No. 2 company wllf spend
the hot months at the Columbia Theater,
Boston.
SAVE THE SHADE TREES
Feature That Makes Portland Much
Admired by Visitors.
The following letter ' was received by
Thomas' McCusker, president of the Civic
Improvement Association: ,
Portland. March 2a To the Chairman of the
Civic Improvement League, ot Portland: Are
you aware of the great change ior the worse
that la taking place in the beauty of our city
by the destruction on all sides o our graceful
shade trees? In many Instances where a ce
ment walk Is laid, the owners thrnk It neces
sary to destroy the shade trees. Can you not
do something to stop this slaughter or trees?
No amount of roses could nil the place of
trees cut down In mistaken belief that It la
necessary to do so for the protection ot cement
walks.
If this practice continues at the rate of the
past year do you know that not one shade tree
will be left standing in 1005? Not one tree to
add to the beauty- of handsome dwellings or
soften the unpleaslng sight of plain houses.
Why Is the Civic Improvement League or
ganized If not to add to the beauty ot our
streets? But we are steadily losing ground In
the direction of beauty by allowing our shade
trees to be sacrificed to a whim.
Please do something la this matter."
Yours sincerely in grief.
A TAXPAYER.
Commenting on this, Mr. McCusker said:
"I agree with Taxpayer that the wanton
slaughter ot the shade trees is a shame,
but think that he or she could make the
protest more effective by coming out open
ly, as there is nothing to be ashamed of
in championing a cause of this nature,
and by so doing others might be induced to
join in a protest that would lead to legis
lation effectually preventing the further
destruction of the trees.
"Portland stands alone-among the cities
of,the Pacific Coast for its beautiful shade
trees: a fact commented upon by visitors
from the East, who express admiration for
the beautiful foliage when compared to
the barrenness of other cities. It has
taken years to produce this beauty, and in
a. stride dav the man with the ax. who
has no sentiment in his soul, despoils it
all.
"I do not say that in the business part I
of the city tho trees should not fie re
moved, but I do not believe that the roots.
whose tendency Is downwards will inter
fere with the construction of cement side
walks. It is possible that a lew minor
roots might have to be cut off, but the
destruction of the tree is unnecessary- I
think this will hold good also with the
sewer question. Some there are who say
that -the trees shed their leaves, raus ut
tering the sidewalks and streets, but I find
that In this respect numan Deings ara
more culpable.
In my judgment, a vigorous protest
should be made against the destruction of
shade trees, and property-owners who
have them in front of their property
should not permit them to be maimed byj
men stringing wires. They should assert
their rights. A francnise to erect poles
and string wires does not carry with itl
the right to destroy property. Neither j
has a housemover any more right to dam
age your trees than he has to tear down!
your fences. I think that the citizens I
cenerally should join with Taxpayer and!
endeavor to keep Intact tho beauty of our J
city."
Her New Vocabulary.
?3oston Budget.
She possessed a mind' discerning.
That was- stored and crammed with learning
And her thoughts, forever burning.
Sho could suitably express.
All her sentences were rounded.
Aid her words Imposing sounded;
X was really quite astounded,
As 1 listened, X confess. '
It was rather an Infliction.
All this verbal unrcstrlction; .
But her elegance of diction.
Each precise and polished phrase.
And the beautiful selection
Of the words and their connection
And the most correct inflection
They were quite beyond all praise.
But I saw her very lately.
And she did not talk ornately;
All that language suave and stately
She no longer kept on tap.
She was saying. "Bessums dlddums!
"Where de bad bid. pin got hiddums.
In his muzzer's precious kiddums,"
To the baby in her lap.
One-third of the physicians of Berlin
lew than 65 a month.