The Dalles daily chronicle. (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, December 16, 1891, Image 4

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    TO
v.
AN OLD TIME THEATER.
VT "THE GRAND DUKE", MANY
BRIGHT ACTORS GOT A START.
Siewsboy u4 Bootblack Vaaderllles Who
Once Made a New Sight for New York
ore Most -of Them Have Prospered and
Some Are Famous In a Way.'
Two decades ago the Grand Duke
theater, or newsboys' playhouse, was one
of the most famous institutions of this
metropolis. - Today the projector and
thief manager of this unique resort runs
an express team from a stand in the New
Bowery. His name is Richard Burke.
Dick Burke is not large man phys
. icaUy, but he is a person of acute mental-development.
He is, as were all the
leading newsboy players connected with
.the original Grand Duke theater, a typ
ical New Yorker. He was born in the
Fourt" ward, and he knows about every
inch of Manhattan island. ' He sold news
papers as early as he was able to walk,
.and there never was a thing in or about
New York that Dick didn't know. .
Now that all the boys of that time are
grown to manhood, and many of them
are firmly fixed in the real theatrical
world, the story that Richard Burke can
tell of the old days in the cellar at 21
Baxter street has a peculiar interest,
,That cellar was a spacious affair, as cel
lars go nowadays, it was entered by a
flat door, which opened from the street.
One dived down into this thespian home
instead of climbing upward. The fur
nishings were primitive in the extreme.
- There was not even a raised stage. The
boy actors played their parts on the same
floor from which the spectators ap-
' plauded.
About the only accessory that the cel
lar boasted was a curtain of bedticking,
which hid the players from the people.
There were about seven boys in the
. original Grand Duke company, headed
by Teddy Sullivan and Dick Burke.
They had no paid tutors. Schools of act
ing did not flourish then. As Burke ex
plains, "They went to the real theaters
and caught onto their pieces. "
w H ff-Rig THEY PLAYED.
They played mainly negro sketches in
' that old cellar at the corner of Baxter
and Worth streets, and .many, of the
"kids" played better than they knew,
for nearly all of them have since distin
guished themselves before the public on
the professional stage. It was a .time
ripe for such an innovation. There was
a chivalric spirit abroad in the breasts
of the youth of-the land which made
deeds of heroic strength and valor rank
high. Ned Buntline was recounting
the deeds of Buffalo Bill in the New
York Weekly. Leon Lewis was writing
of the adventures of daring youths in
The Ledger. Everywhere bravery Bhow
. ed its front. It was not unnatural, there
fore, that these New York newsboys
should strive to do and dare for them
selves, and, adopting the buskin, cleave
their own career in the face of many dif
ficulties. They were strong, healthy, sensible
boys, and they knew that in minstrelsy
they had their forte. That they did not
aspire to the higher distinction of play
ing Shakespearean parts only emphasizes
their good sense. So they played in
black faces, and those famous old time
sketches, "Beasley's Dog" and "The
Coming Man," figured conspicuously in
their repertory. The elite as well as the
ragtag and bobtail of the town dived
' down into the dingy cellar to witness
the antics of the merry lads. The Grand
Duke Alexis, on his memorable visit to
America, was a distinguished auditor
one night. In fact, the theater afterward
had its best known title from this august
potentate, who smiled and paid for his
fun at the newsboys' theater.
There was one typical episode in the
career of this juvenile lyceum to which
Mr. Burke still refers with pleasure.
About the time that the boys' theater
was in progress James Gordon Bennett
was organizing souphouses throughout
the city. One night a swell party en
tered the cellar. Among the visitors
was Tony Pastor. Each person put
down a dollar for his entrance fee.
, ACTING FOB CHARITY.
The souphouse business was upper
most in everybody's mind, and Pastor
had recently created a fund for its sup
port. J. J. McCloskey, the playwright
and then actr, was one of the party.
What did he , do but spring up in the
middle of the performance and make a
ringing speech, calling upon those . pres
ent to contribute to the soup fund. .
Dave Conroy, one of the boy players,
. leaped to his feet and declared that the
Grand Duke company would give an en
tertainment to help the cause. Others
' of the boys seconded the motion, and it
was carried amid enthusiasm.
On a later night a special programme
was arranged, the souphouse benefit
was given and $156 was realized, which
was handed over fo Mr. Bennett. This
was succeeded by other entertainments
of a charitable "nature, heartily entered
into by the Grand Duke boys, until their
theater gained a wide reputation, not
only for its uniqueness, but for the prac
tical good it was doing. But all this
couldn't last. The boys grew to man
hood and the things of the old time were
swept away. Teddy Sullivan was
drowned at the Fulton street ferry three
jar four years ago. Two others of the
Grand Duke actors are now robust and
popular policemen. Sam Bernard is a
variety agent, and has made money and
' reputation also- as a Dutch comedian.
Jack Conway i of the vaudeville firm of
Conway and Dc mpsey. Michael Coyne
is a partner in the "teams" of Sheehan
and Coyne, and the two seldom work
for less than $200 a week. Dave Conroy
and Jack Dailey are of the funny Four
Shamrocks, who are also very well paid.
Frank Bush, one of the brightest of the
Grand Duke lights, is known everywhere
for his quaint mimicry of Hebrews. He
. is rich too. and the manager Who hires
him has to pay $200 a week. -
The old cellar is now used for Other
purposes. Its walla never again will
echo the merry jests of the gay young
spirits whose noise once shook the rafters.
New York Son. ' .
! . Opening Letters by lw. .
'"I noticed a short time ago," said a
Washington official, "that some objec
tion was made by a Mr. Pell, of the San
Domingo Shore Line road, to the open
ing of a private letter by the chief of the
secret service bureau, ltjs not generally
known Jhat - the rules of the postoffice
department empower inspectors to open
suspicious letters at discretion. The
public appear to be very much astonished
at this proceeding mentioned, Out 1 assure
you that it is carried to a greater extent
than even .those who know all about it
suppose. In fact, under the rules of the
postofnee department almost any private
letter can be opened ana read. Tnis wui
surprise some people, I presume, but it
is nevertheless true, and a reference to
the private instructions to postoffice in
spectors,, which are in printed form, will
convince anybody of it. whether such
secret privileges are ever used illegiti
mately would be difficult to find out. ; It
is a good deal like arresting a'man on sus
picion. As a matter of fact, therefore.
you will see the United States mails are
no more sacred than the mails in Russia
or any other country so far as govern
ment espionage
York Herald.
is concerned." New
Men's Clothes.
"Men are becoming as bad as women
for the adoption of strange and uncom
fortable fashions in clothing, said a
Fifth avenue custom tailor, "and they
need dress reform preached to them al
most as much as the feminine sex. Take
the high collars that are in vogue, and
which are worn higher than ever this
fall. They almost strangle one and chafe
the skin until it is sore. Between the
heavy, hot beaver hat and the tight col
lar, baldness is becoming rampant in our
cities. . The high, tight collar has as
much to do with causing baldness as any
other one thing. Then the modern style
of fitting the clothes forces us to make
them tight and snug all around, and this
prevents one from really enjoying life.
"Tight patent leather shoes sweat and
pinch the feet until walking is a painful
exercise. Every time I see a dude with
all of the latest style of modern clothes
I pity him, and wonder that he submits
to such voluntary torture. I can assure
you that if his clothes fit him he is mis
erable. The old adage that 'if a man's
clothes don't fit him he is uncomfort
able' has been reversed." New York
Times.
-
Senator Stanford Wanted to Expel 200.
Stories are already beginning to come
from Leland Stanford, Jr., -university,
at Palo Alto. Last week about 200 stu
dents let off the brakes of a flat car
which was standing near the university,
and many of them got aboard and start-,
ed down grade toward the station. - In a
short time the car was spinning along at
a lively rate, and the lads did not stop it
until it had reached Palo Alto. The car
was missing the following morning, and
a special engine had to be sent from San
Jose to haul it back. .
Senator Stanford was wrathy when lie
heard of the incident, and proposed to
expel the ringleaders. It was discovered
that there were fully 200 boys engaged
in the affair, and the senator gave orders
that they should all be required to leave.
The order would probably have been en
forced but for Mrs. Stanford. She in
terceded for the youngsters, and excused
them by saying that it was only a boyish
prank. She finally succeeded in inducing
Stanford to change his resolution. Cor.
Chicago Inter-Ocean. .
Yellow Flowers Bring III Lack.
Actors have a queer superstition about
yellow flowers, and will not wear them.
While at Dr. Todd's booth at the fair
grounds Miss Marie Greenwood saw
some yellow flowers, and after admiring
them asked for them. ; Mr. Guibertson,
her leading man, was present and begged
her not to take them, saying they would
surely bring her ill luck. A laugh was
indulged in at his expense and she took
the yellow flowers. In an hour the opera
house was in 'ashes, and -Miss -Greenwood's
ill luck had cost her $7,500. The
flowers got in their work. -Owensboro
(Ky.) Register.
A Sea Xsland Nine Feet Across.
Captain John Richards, of the British
ship Cambrian Monarch, reports -having
passed within half a mile of a pinnacle
rock, showing about seven feet above the
water, in latitude 29 degs. 2 sees, north,
longitude 137 degs. 59 sees. west. No
soundings were taken and no discolored
water was seen except close to' the rock.
The sea was smooth, and from the top
sail yard the rock appeared to be about
nine feet in diameter at the water's edge,
bnt much larger under the water. Cap
tain Richards says he is sure that it was
not a floating object. Philadelphia
Record.
' Flayed Cards During; the Service. ' .
There is great excitement at Wingate,
Ind. , over the arrest of a young man and
a young woman for playing "seven up"
at a meeting in the Christian' church on
Sunday evening. Adolphus Ochletree
and Miss Mary Prudy are lovers, and
went to church together that evening.
Not enjoying the prayers and songs,
Adolphus tore the backs off a number of
singing books and manufactured a deck
of cards on the spot. The young people
then played "seven up." They were ar
rested and fined, both pleading guilty.
Cor. Chicago News. -
A man at Quebec, who received a fear
ful and almost fatal shock by touching
an electric light wire, and suffered very
keenly afterward, says that he was at
once relieved by taking off his shoes and
stockings and walking barefoot over the
damp earth.
The great railroads running from the
northwestern part of our country to the
Gulf of Mexico have determined to es
tablish steamship lines to Central and
South American porta from New Or
leans. A project has been started in' Pueblo,
Colo., for the' erection of an electric
smelting plant to cost $500,000, for the
reduction by electricity of dry and re
fractory ores.
: How He Beat .the Bafiber.;
A spruce looking young man- entered
down town barber shop and, seating
himself in the barber's chair, was speed
ily enjoying the luxury " of - a hair .cut
and shave. " After .his mustache 'had '
been curled to the young man's satisfac-'
tiou, he got out of the chair, put on his
hat and coat, and taking from his pocket
what the barber supposed was a twenty-
five .cent ' piece, turned around' to the
barber and insisted that he should go
out and have a drink with him, as he
wished in that way to show his appre
ciation of the-artistic manner in which
the tonsorjal artist had manipulated
him. The barber firmly but courteous
ly declined the invitation, saying he
never drank during business hours.
"But," said the young man, "you have
given me the best hair cut and shave I
have enjoyed in a good while, and I in
sist upon your going out -and having a
drink with me for friendship's sake, as I
cannot think of leaving without express
ing in this manner my esteem for your
excellent workmanship. .' ' , -
The barber was a little nettled by this
time and replied brusquely:
"I told you I never drank with any
one during business hours, through
friendship or for any other reason. Don't
you. see the gentleman who is waiting?
Next!"- i .
"Well, 1 call this a downright insult,"
said the spruce looking young man, "and
I shall . never patronize you again.
There's your money," and throwing the
coin over in the corner of the room, he
hastily left the 'shop and disappeared
around the corner. The barber, not sus
pecting anything, wrong, finished shav
ing the next man, and then, going over
to the corner for the money, found a
cent. New York Tribune.
Trains Ahead of Time..
A gentleman from the vicinity of the
Blarney stone tramped into the depot
for the seventh time a day or two ago,
and, depositing a careworn satchel on
the seat, waltzed up to the ticket office
with blood in his eye and anger in his
heart. He . was so mad that at first he
Could not express himself except by ut
tering a Donnybrook "begorra." '
"What is it?" queried the ticket agent.
"It's the siventh time."
"What's the seventh time?"
"The siventh time pive losht me
thrain."? . .
"How so?"
"That's what yell plaze explain, ye
dude. I began losin thrains at sivin
o'clock thish marnin and I've been losh
in thim ivcr since." '
. "Have you a watch?"
"None of your business."
"I only asked you, sir, to see if I could
explain how you lost your train."
The Irishman pulled out a watch with
a fryingpan case and shoved it in a win
dow with a "It's the best chronomater
in town."
"That's the reason why you lost your
train." .
"What dy'e say?"
"Why, your watch is seventeen min
utes slow."
."Not by a good dale, begorra. Your
trains are seyenteen minutes too fast,"
and the man grabbed his watch, bolted
for his grip and left Ihe station, shaking
his head vigorously. Albany Argus.
Killed by Kindness.
A lady was walking along the crowd
ed streets of a city when she saw a small
green bird flying wearily above the roar
and , din of traffic. It was so tired it
gradually lessened its flight and soon
fell at her feet at the curbstone.
It was some one's pet canary, escaped
from its cage. The lady picked it up
tenderly . and carried it struggling and
exhausted into a drug store, where she
inquired if its owners were known. The
drug store people did not know, and she
borrowed a paper bag into which she
carefully placed the bird. Then leaving
her name and address she took the bird
with her and went on her way.
She walked some distance to call on
some friendst and when' she arrived at
the bouse set the paper bag on a table
and did not think of it until greetings
were over. Then she called attention to
her find, but the little, bright plumaged
thing lay dead, she having never once
thought of the necessity of giving it air.
The -closed paper bag had proved air
tight, and the bird was literally killed
by kindness. Detroit Free Press.
Americans Abroad.
"One scarcely feels nowadays a stran
ger in a strange -land abroad," says a
woman who "goes over" every year.. Via
western Europe, at least, Americans are
everywhere,. London, Paris; Rome, Nice,
Berlin, Hamburg 511 these places swarm
with them, as well as the so called less
frequented places. At a little town on
the Danube, where the boat stopped for
awhile, I started out to walk. -A short
distance from the wharf I saw, about to
enter a house, a large, fair woman' whom
I thought looked very foreign, and sum
moning up my best German, I accosted
her as to directions. She stared at me
blankly a moment, then shook her head.
"Nein, nein," she said, "I no comprehend;
out from New York yesterday." New
York Times.
A pes in Borneo.
"My acquaintance with apes has been
chiefly made in Borneo," said Professor
Henry A. Ward, the - famous natural
science collector of Rochester. "That
great island is the home of the orang,
which is the. most arboreal of all mon
keys. The animals live in trees alto
gether, rarely, . if ever, visiting : the
ground. It takes two good marksmen
to shoot one, because they dodge around
the trunks. They do all' their fighting
aloft, and it is great fun to see them
drop the armfuls of fruit they have
gathered in contests for its possession.
They are plentiful in the lowlands near
the coast. Washington Star. .
.An Advantage in Location.
"The privileges you enjoy, my son,
from being an American," said the proud
father, "are simply inestimable. You
may some day become president of the
United States, while in England no lit
tle boy, hpwever brilliant or good, can
ever become queen." Harper's Bazar.
THERE ARE.
Beautiful words never spoken.
Whispers of cheer that might Bare
Hearts drifting, weary and broken,
v - Down to the night of the grave.
' ' Bilence more deadly than passion, '
- Glance's that slander can send,
. - Fram'd in the world's devilish fashion,
' To murder the heart of a friend. .
. " Looks, spotless virtue impeaching;,
. Souls lying crush'd on the plain,
. 1 With tear frozen eyelids beseeching;
. The touch of love's sunlight again.
' .' Burdens to bear for the weaker, ..
" . Jewels to dig from God's mine; .
- And gems, fairer still, to the seeker
In the angels' tiara that shine.
' Within us the soul's silent treasure ':
Waiting the kiss of the light;
Sweet scented blossoms of pleasure
Our fingers may -cull from the night.
Fruit shining ripe on toil's mountains.
Pearls that sleep under life's sea;
. , Music in God's laughing fountains - - -Undream'd
of by you or by me.
Larks singing down in love's meadow,
-. Throstles that pipe by the hill;
Out of time's darkness and shadow,
Whispefs that comfort and thrill.
. Voices within ever singing,
. ; : Melody soften'd by tears.
The phoenix of hope at last springing
Serene from the ashes of years.
J. R. Parke in Detroit Free Press.
Quieting Superstition. .
When Edward III fell and made his
nose bleed on the seashore at La Hague a '
cry of consternation was raised, which
he quieted with the remark, "This is a
good token for me, for the land desireth
to have me; at which answer, says
Froisart, "his men were quite joyful."
All the Year Round.
All in His Favor. '
' "Do you ever expect to succeed in busi
ness, writing such an illegible hand as
you do?"
"Certainly. My contracts are always
in my handwriting and they can never
be read except as I want 'em to go."
New York Epoch.
Qld People.
3. V. 8. is tho only Sarsapiirllla UiaS old or
feeble people should tixke, os Mis ihi::cra! rotash
Trhich is iu every other liaraai".; il'a I . nt tyoknow
of, is under certain coudUiyiis known to be
emaciating. .J. V. S. on tbe contiaiy is purely
TCgetablo and stimulates CiKOsilou and creates
new blood, the very tiling ii:r old, uclicate or
broken down people. It bui!!: thcta lip aud
prolongs their lives. A case i'.i tlut:
Mrs. Bcldcn an estimable and elderly lady of
610 Mason St., 8. F. was for 'months declining so
rapidly cs to seriously alarm Ler family, ft got
so bad that she was finally afuietcd with fainting
spells. She writes: "While in that dangerous
condition I saw some uf the testimonials con
cerning J.V. 8. and sent for a bottle. That marked
the turning point. I regained my lost flesh and
strength and have not felt to well in years."
That was two years ago and Mrs. Belden is well
and hearty to-day, and still toting J. V. B.
If you are old or feeble and want to be built up.
Ask for' '
W.atr,hlfi
& Sarsaoarilla
- Most modern, most effective, largest bottle,
barac price, $1.(10, six for J5.00. .
For Sale by SNIPES & KINERSLY
THE DALLES. OREGON.
REAL ME It IT
PEOPLE
Say the S. B. Cough Cure is the best
thine; thev ever saw. We are not
flattered for we known Real Merit will
Win. All we ask is an honest tnal.
For sale by all druggists,
S. B. Medicike Mfg. Co.,
Dufur, Oregon.
A Revelation.
Tew people know Qiat tea
bright bluish-green color of -the
ordinary teas exposed in
the windows is not the nat
, oral color.' Unpleasant as tbe
fact may be, it is nevertheless
artificial; mineral coloring
matter being fused, for this
purpose. Tbe effect. Is two
fold. It not only makes the
tea a bright, shiny green, but also permits tbe
use of off-color "and worthless teas, wh'-u,
once under tho green cloak, are readily
worked off as a good quality of tea.
i An eminent, authority writes on tbls sub
ject: "The manipulation of poor teas, to give
them a'flner appearance, is carried on exten
sively. Green teas, being in this country
especially popular, are produced to meet the
demand by coloring cbca: cr black kteds by
glazing or facing with Prussian blue, tu marie,
gypsum, and indigo. TM method it gen
eral that very Utile gtnuine uncolored tnten tea
is offered for sale."
- It was the knowledge 'of this condition cf
affairs that prompted the plac.ng of Beech's
Tea before the public. It is absolutely pure
and without color. Did you ever sgo any
genuine uncolored Japan tea? Ark Tour
grocer to open a package of Beech's, ti yen
will see it, and prnbaliiy for the very first
time. It will be fou'.d ia color to be Jnst be
tween tho artificial green lea that you have
been accustomed to and the black U n.
It draw a delightful ranary color, aud is so
fragrant that it will be a levelu-.ion .to toa
drinker. Its purity makes it also mors
economical than the artificial teas, for le
- of it is required per cup. Sold only in pound
packageTbearing this trade-mark:
Tore'As Childhood:
If your grocer does not have it, be will got
it for you. Plies 600 pet pound. For sale at
Iieslle ZOTj.-tloir's-
THB DALLES, ORFGON.
Joy
- SUM
Still on Deek.
PhoBnix Like lias Arisen
. From the Ashes!
JAMES WHITE,
The Restauranteur Has Opened the
Baldwin - Hestawatit
ON MAIN STREET
Where he will be glad to see any and
all
. . of his old patrons, . '
Open day and Night. First class meals
twenty-five cents. -
YOUR ATTEflTIOIl
Is called to the fact that
Dealer in Glass, Lime, Plaster, Cement
and Building Material of all kinds'.
- Carries the Finest tine of
To be found in the City.
72 LUashington Street.
ANEW
UndertaMns Establishment !
DEALEB8 Df
Furniture and Carpets.
We have added to our business a
complete Undertaking Establishment,
ana as -we are in no way connected with
the Undertakers' Trust our prices will
be low accordingly. '
Kemem ber our place on becond street.
next to Moody's bank.
ton Glenn,
Picture
mouiaiDgs
: DEALERS IN:-
Staple and Fancy
Hay, Grain
Masonic Block, Corner Third and
flew 4- Columbia .o. J-Iotel,
a-
THE DALLES, OREGON.
Best Dollar a Day
First-Class Meals, 25 Cents.
First Class Hotel in Every Respect.
florfh
Wa shington
SITUATED AT THE
! Destined to be the Best
Manufacturing Center in
the Inland Empire.
For Further Information Call at the Office of
Interstate Investment Go.,
0. D.lTAYLOR,'THE DALLES.
JOHN PASHEK,
t - Tailor,
Next door to 'Wasoo San.
Madison's Latest System used in cutting
garments, and a fit guaranteed
. each time.
tepaifing and Cleaning
. Neatly and Quickly Done.
R. B. HOOD,
Livery, Feed and Sale
Horses Bought and Sold on
Commission and Money
Advanced on Horses
Left for Sale.
OFFICE OF
The Dalles and Goldendale Stage Line.
Stage Leaves The Dalles Every Morning '
at 7:30 and Goldendale at 7:30. All
freight must be left atR. B.
- Hood's office the eve- .
ning before.
R. B. HOOD, Proprietor.
Opposite old Stand. The Dalles, Or.
THE
Dalles, Portland & Astoria
NAVIGATION C0MPAFTS
Elegant Steamer
HEGUkATOK
Will leave the foot of Court Street
every morning at 7 A. M.
for . "
Portland and Way Points
Connections Will be Made with the
Fast Steamer
MMtES GITY,
At the Foot of the Cascade Locks,
For Passenger or Freight Kates, Apply
to Agent, or Purser on Board.
Office northeast corner of Court and Main street
NOTICE.
S. E. French has for sale a number of
improved ranches and unimproved
lands in the Grass Valley neighborhood
in Sherman county. They will be sold.
very cheap and on reasonable terms'.
Mr. French can locate settlers on 86 me
good unsettled claims in the same neigh
borhood. His address is Grass Valley,
Sherman county, Oregon.
and Feed.
Court Streets, The Dalles.Oregon
House on the Coast!
rnercnan
Giocenes,
None but the Best of White Help Employed.
T. T. Nicholas, Prop.
Dalles,
Washington
HEAD OF NAVIGATION.
Best Selling Property of
the Season In the North
west. .
72 WASHINGTON ST., PORTLAND.
-v.
v S