The Scranton tribune. (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, October 19, 1895, Page 11, Image 11
THE SCBANTON TBIBUNESATIJRDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 19, 1895. 11 Of and - Abouit-the Makers of Books. Notices of Recent Interesting Volumes, and Chats Concerning Literary Men and Women. RECENT FICTION. IN DEFIANCE OP THE KINO: a Ko mance of the American Revolution. Hy Chaunoey C. Horehkiss. No. 178 in D. Appleton A Co.'s Town and Country li brary ; 60 cents. This bandy volume Introduce to the public a new writer of Action who has tiad the commendable taste to chooose an American 'theme and a historic en vironment which can never grow old or dull. Another merit which quickly pleads in his favor -is the fact that the author esohewsa prosy Introducukm and Jumps at once In medias res. The very first chapter opens with a kit of lively dialogue, such as the wayfarer might easily have heard In actual life bad he -been privileged, as was the putative narrator of our tale, to visit the coffee room of the Sign of the White 'Horse livn, ltv Cambridge, on 'the momentous night of the 18th of April, 1775-the night of the landing of the British regulars In Boston harbor. This Initial scene Is designed to exhibit something of the tensity of feeling prevalent among the colonists In -the short period Just preced ing the 11 rat open shedding of blood in the war for our Independence, and it does this with a realism which Is de cidedly of educational value. Imme diately following Is a spirited bird's-eye view of the battle of Lexlnirton. of which Mr. Hotchklss makes hla hero a spectator. We quote the scene as It Is narrative by him, omitting irrelevant matter pertaining to the story, but not to the battle; 8ave for a huge tiro thnt had been kindled on the common. arounJ whk-h were grouped a number of men, there was no sign of preparation. Lights burned in every house, and that the townsmen were fully alive to the upproaeh of the Hrlt ih was evident: but no force was then marshaled to oppose them. On our enter ing Beekwlth's tavern, we found It crowd ed with minute men and -there learned that a horseman had boon sent forward to meet the onoomlng force and ride back to give timely waring of its advance. There was little bra. Elderly men mingled with those but whortly past boy hood, and what surprised me most was the lack of arms among them. Diligent effort made by my companion failed to procure me a gun. and to this Is due the fact that I took no part in the right. Time sped un der the suppressed excitement. Suddenly there was a distant shout, followed by several nearer, and upon the green hard by a drum sounded the assembly. Pres ently a horseman pulled up at the door and without dismounting shouted: "Fall In. fall In! they are coming; they are less than three miles back." The room was emptied in an Instant, and what had been confusion a moment before became excited riot for the while. I could not make out who was command ing and the difference between rank and file. If It ever existed, was unrecognisable. After many orders and counter orders, a space was cleared on the green and some seventy men and boys, all armed, fell Into line with a semblance of military form, and soon after marched down the dim road. A crowd followed. I among them, until we arrived at the bridge that crossed the little river, and at once the planks of the structure were torn up and placed In a pile on the side nearest the enemy. This one act showed me how to tally ignorant ol military strategy were the brave men who were to oppose the march of England's veterans The east was a broad field of light when I caught the first glimpse of the red coats, and to my surprise there were not more than 2U0 In ths force. It was evidently a detachment sent ahead to clear the way. The crowd near -the bridge scattered as they csme In sight, and -the few patriots who had determined to oppose Its pasrage ' recrossed the structure and took their stand on ths side toward Lexington. The troops advanced to within fifty yards of the stream, halted and swung into line across the road, and the tragedy opened. I could hear no words from where I was standing, but suddenly there came the flash of a firearm and then a volley from the "regulars." I marked the single mounted officer go down with his hore and then stagger to his fee! as the fire was returned, and for a brief space of time the fusillade was general. Flash fol lowed flash and report followed report at Irreaular Intervals. Soon I saw the llt'le band break and retreat, firing as It went until It melted away, and the "Battle of Islington" was over. It had tasen less than ten minutes. But the most realistic battle scene In the book nearly every chapter of which has some reflection of the stir and excitement of the period occurs near its close, where the author makes his hero enact a part In the defense of Groton Heights. It will be remembered that the assault upon and capture of this patriots' outpost was about the last act played by Ilenedlct Arnold In the drama of the revolution after his trea son. Soon afterward came- Yorktown and peace; but not In time to avert this, probably the most disgraceful Instance of butchery and diablerie In the annals of British warfare. If we remember that the American force, perhaps not more than 300 In all. were entrenched behind the ramparts of an old fort, sit uated upon a hillock, while the two or three regiments of Hrltish and Hes sians, numbering about 1,500 In all, had to march up to the fort and scale Its walls in the face of a hot Are from within, we shall be prepared to under stand' the scene now quoted, which, It occurs to us. Is one of the most vivid bits of descriptive writing In literature: There was a crash that jarred every fibre and a corresponding cry of defiance, and the line rolled up like burning paier. I saw men pitch headlong and lie mill, While others stumbled over them to line and fall, mayhap not to rise again. There was an Indefinable din, and over it, down ths breastworks and through the pall of moke that blew In on us, came the cry of "Load! load!" for others, like myself, had forgotten all but the horrible sight before us. I was Immediately pulled back, and (hose in waiting sprang Into the place of those who had fired. Running to an em brasure I saw through the opening a sin gle spot on the field, where a group of of ficers were gathered around a fallen man, and ever and anon one would drop under the rifle shots from the fort; and I rightly guessed that something high In rsnk had fallen, as he wss picked up snd carried to the rear. I now know It was Colonel Eyre, the commander of the assaulting forces. The smoke, coming down like a curtain, put an end to further sight, snd I loaded - my gun with an eye to correctness, as we had been told of the danger of putting In ths ball before the charge In the excite . men of being under Are. There were cheers now, loud curses, and clinking of ramrods, but through It all was a steady Are from the ramparts. Nothing alive could have withstood the Arst blast of hell that broke from Fort Ortswold that fatal . noon, and when I got my head over the parapet, the red line had fallen away out of range, but Its advance was marked by a fringe of prostrate forms that lay still or rolled about In agony. They had been repulsed. A dealy lull took the place of the pandemonium of a few moments before. It Is to be pre sumed that our Are had been returned from the rear of the ssssuttlng force as well as from the line In front; hut to me the only sign of It was that the Aag on the outhwevt corner of the bastion had been hot away by a cannon ball, for not a man Within the fort had yet fallen. Tears of axeltement were rolling down my cheeks, and I wss trembllne like one with palsy. Nor was I alone In this weak ness; for Jesrs, blessings, handshaking, arid hysterical laughter were on all sides. The enemy had retired behind the shel ter of Avery's Knoll, and for a time I vainly booed that they were entirely de feated. But presently the cry nrose: "They are coming! they are coming!" and It was soon seen that this time they bad divided their forces and would attack us on tnree siaes. Instantly men were called away from the front to strengthen the hitherto un defended aides, and before I had fairly gotten a realising sense of the new move ment, they bore down on -us and tre met by a withering discharge. Unlike the other, however, our first Are wss not re enforced, and the crimson mass came to k . a. A I. mtmAmt II L . . nw uuvn, fiv iiipv. vm in wo" OetM that had been less severely gs.lled. It was Inhuman, tbs desperation that lit the faces below us. It was Inhuman to tire Into the crush of humanity that now made the ditch Us object. Hut Hue vapors .were lost In the riot that took place. aa they gained the foss. A cry near me called my attention aa I tired my rifle for the last time; "Men. men, they are on us!" Casting away my empty gun, I sprang to the rescue, and saw the broad, red faces of several Hea.le.ns appear above the level of the embrasure near which I had been stationed, and from which the cuntion had been drawn to be reloaded. From the shoulders of those be low they must have sprung, eUe tliey had sealing ladders which I had not marked, but I had hardly a glimpse before I as vtolemly Jostled aside by a msn who Jumped from behind me and Into the urach. I'tterlng a wild yell he laid about hlin with a olubbed musket, and the em brasure was cleared In an Instant, the Hwslans cursing In their Jargon as they fell backward, while the gun. again load ed, was run out. Hut cannon hml become of no service agalnrt those In the ditch, though it sent death and dellunce beyond It, and the hero who hail cleared the open ing selsml a ball and hurled It onto the struggling crowd beneath: "To hell with the Dutchman! We have thlm yet! Hui roo!" he turned, and to my astonishment I recognised Matthew, the embodiment of the wild Irishman, fighting with a sest that has made his countrymen a terror In battle when their blood Is up. There wm no attempt at military order now. It was fust becoming a hand io hand encounter. The foss was full of red coats, and the fort was lost It they got a foothold within it. There was no time to reload. Every man was fighting for him self and In his own way. Following the lead of others, I flicked up ball aftor bull, hurling them over the parapet onto the heads of those beneath, while I shouted like one In a frenzy of madness. They seemed to bo clambering through every opening, und a dosen dead bodies of our own side now lay In the thickest of the tight. I had thrown eluht or ten balls and then lost my head. When I regulned con. trol of it I was struggling at an embrasure with the faithful Hod at my side. There were but three or four of us. and the open tng was clogged by fallen men; a mass of yelling Hessians was below, scrambling to get up to us, for something hud been thrown Into the ditch to aid them In scal ing the revetment. For one Instant we would clear the space, but the next would find It again full of face. I saw an officer wlioo gold lues showed him to b- a major, s'ip to the level of the breach, calling on his men to fol low as he snapped his pistol at me. Tho weapon failed to explode, and on tho sec ond. Rod ran him through the throat with his spear. Even In the excitement. I marked the keen blade cotno out the other side of his neck as he threw up his hands and pitched onto those below, but a mad dened throng aprang Into ths place and I was forced or pulled back. Cr1o, groans, and oaths In German and English were mingled with the clashing of steel. With sword In one hand and pistol In the other. 1 was trying to cut my way forward to where Rod was threatened by a man who had crawled to the crest of the embankment, but before I could get a footing to aim or strike, I saw the negro fall. On the Instant, the fellow above had his head nearly severed from his body by a sword stroke. It was horrible, but It did not seem so. The blood got Into my brain again and I laid about me like a madman. It was a rough and tumble fight, and was probably compassed by seconds. In the midst of it, 1 remember firing a pistol In the face of a man who was about to bring his sword down on me. He was lying along and half over the cannon that served to block the way. the muxzle of my weapon being with In six Inches of his eyes as I pulled the trigger. He fell forward dead, but the hvy body bore me with It. carrying me off my feet and backward. Something struck me a violent blow across the eye, a splitting crash on my head turned every thing whirling In a crimson sky, and I knew no more. In addition to this triumphant pic ture of war on terra flrma. there are In Mr. HotcMcWs' book two descriptions itt encounters on the water, one ending In the foundering of both the contest ant vessels, which from a literary point of vlev.' arj wel! worthy of mention. Iack of spate prevents the making of any further citations; but by way of summary ft oan be said- that "In Defl ianoe of the King" Is a rtlrrlng, whole some and Instructive book, for the most part true in its use of literary methods, an! at all times advantageously sur charged with patriotism and the "frpirlt of 1776." The author of t need have no hesttincy in venturing further Into the domain of historical romance to which he has thus achieved so auspicious an Introduction. MISCELLANEOUS. STORIES OF THE WAGNER OPF.RA3. By Miss H. A. Ouerber. Cloth. 12 mo., with portrait of Wagner and eleven full pale Illustrations, 11.60. New York: Dodd, Head & Co.. Fifth ave. and 21st st. Few admirers of the operatic works of the sage of Beyreuth have taken the palms to follow back Into mediaeval times the history of the myths and legends upon which Wagner drew for the substance of his librettos. But Miss Ouerber, the author of the present charming book, has made that fleld of literary inquiry a life study, and Is therefore well prepared to guide the lay reader through Its labyrinths. Tho method pursued by her in the book be fore us Is to describe the legend upon which the particular opera Is based, tracing the origin and rise of the con ception of the play In Wagner's mind, and recounting the subsequent history of Its success or failure n It appeared. Then she carries the reader's Imagina tion through the scenes of the opera os It appears on the stage, quoting at times from the libretto, and telling the story In her own words; but always fol lowing the trend of tho play. The Il lustrations are taken from photograph of various scenes and characters m Wagner's operas, as acted. TUB PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF IYNAMO ELECTRIC MACHINERY, Hy Carl K. McFadden and William I). Ray. Cloth, 16 mo. Chicago: Laird Lee. Although this timely little manual Is designed primarily for the benefit of steam engineers who, as electricity gradually enters their field, feel the need of some book explaining Its use, yet Its simplicity and directness make It a valuable volume for the Informa tion of the average lay reader. . The authors begin at the beginning, with a brief 'but lucid statement of elementary data with reference to tho mysterious fore called electricity; and proceed from this hy natuaral steps to a de scription of the laws of magnetism and Induction, an explanation of the theory of dynamos, also of how the current Is distributed, of alternating currents, and to forth through the various phases of the subject in its commercial bearings. The manual la of pocket site and is chapters are crisp and to the point, but the vast subject Is nevertheless well and clearly comprehended. LITERARY flOSSlP. A correspondent of the Chicago Rec ord, apropos of Edgar Saltus' recent second marriage, recall an Incident of his residence In Ixmdon some years ago which eerves to Illustrate the propo sition that all circles have their shad ows as well as their lights. "I was In vited,' says he, "by the late James B. Osgood to a luncheon which that amia ble publisher was giving to a number of literary people at the Century club. Among other Invited guests were Bret Harte and Edgar Saltus, and as these two did not appear promptly the lunch eon was held In waiting an hour or so. Finally along came a note from Harte expressing regret that a domestic affair of serious aspect prevented his joining the party. A few moments later a tele gram from Saltus wag brought In. 'I all for New Tork from Southampton this afternoon was what the Saltus telegram said. The company sat down to table at once, and as the luncheon proceeded there was quite naturally a discussion of the probable causes of the absent persons' detention. 'Perhaps,' said Isaao Henderson, "I can solve the mystery so far aa Air. Harte Is con cerned. I read In the Timea this morn ing a dispatch from Hew Tork stating that a son of Bret Harte had created a sensation by eloping with the wife of a friend. The dispatch went on to say that this was the second time the young man had run away with a married wo man.' That is. Indeed, remarkable,' said another gentleman at the table. 'And, now that 'Mr. Henderson has ex plained Mr. Harte's absence, let me sub mit a bit of evidence which may serve to explain iMr. Saltus' sudden departure In a snug corner of my Dally Telegram this morning I discovered a brief cable gram from New York announcing that the wife of Edgar Saltus, the well known author, had brought a suit for divorce from her husband, naming two co-respondents in her application. Is It not likely that our friend Kaltus Is hastening homeward- to defend that suit?' I question whether any other luncheon party has ever been regaled with so strange an Incident so re markable a coincidence, if you please." There has recently -been a great ran sacking of old volumes to ascertain, if possible, the first user of the celebrated expression, "A government of the peo ple, by the people and for the people." William K. Nott. a Washington Jour nalist, claims that this famous phrase In Lincoln's Gettysburg speech was not original with Lincoln, but was used by Henry Wilson, once vice president of the United States, In a letter to Bed path and others in Boston, November 27. 1S0O, In the following phrase: "Ours Is a government of constitutions, a gov ernment of the people, by the people and for the people." Hut Andrew A. Wheeler. In a letter to the Syracuse Post, while conceding Mr. Nott's cor rectness In saying that the martyred Lincoln was not the autho of the words, contends t'.ist the sentence was first used by the godlike Daniel Webster In his reply to Hayne, and If Mr. Wilson used them, as alleged, he undoubtedly quoted them from "Webster's reply to Hayne." It Is further claimed that Webster got the phrase from a colonial lawyer, 'but the name and book Mr. Wheeler has never been able to And. Frederick A. Stokes Co., New York, announce for publication Nov. 1 the Arst number of a new monthly periodi cal to be called The Pooket Magazine. This magazine, the prospectus an nounces, "will give Its readers the best literature of the day In compact and attractive form. Each number will con tain a novelette, besldesMihort stories, essays and poems. Each number will be complete In itsi-lf, as no serial or con tinued stories will be used. Kudyard Kipling, Sarah O. Jewett, A. Conan Doyle, Mary E. Wllkins. Stanley J. Weyman, Anna Katherlne Oreen, and Brander Matthews will furnish novel ettes In dts early numbers. There will be ballads by Donald U. Mitchell and others; and miscellaneous matter. Among its contributors will be the best writers in the English language. The magazine will be printed from unusual ly large type, on unglaxed paper of high quality, and with Its wide margins, good press work, thick covers and convenient size, will appeal to those who appreciate mechancial excellence and comfort for eye and hand." The novelette In the first number will be by Conan Doyle, Resume of Events of Interest to Patrons of the Drama OossJp of Footlight Favorites. Joseph Holland, the actor, tells (Me gargee, of the Philadelphia Times, this characteristic anecdote. "Towards the end of the Itankln regime In the Cali fornia theater, business went to smash. 'McKee became Indebted to ev erybody. To relieve the strain a bit I went to Kankln and told him not to worry about my salary; to give me enough to live on, and when he got on his feet again to pay the balance. He expressed much gratitude and accept ed my suggestion. I was living In modest rooms on an obscure side street. Matters gradually grew worse and worse, until he owed me about IS00. I awoke one morning very hungry and penniless. Before rehearsal I ven tured to the box office and, grettlng George Fields, the treasurer, said: 'Say, George, let me have a dollar, will you?' " 'What for?' queried George. "I thought that a little steep, consid ering the office was si greatly In my debt. However, I replied, suppressing my feelings, 'To get my breakfast.' " 'My iod!' shouted Fields, 'you are not going to cat a dollar's worth, are you v " Holland swears he does not recall the basis of compromise on which Fields and he split the difference, but he got some sort of a breakfast, and has a dim sort of notion that Itankln will no doubt "pay the balance when he gets on his feet again." One famous Monday several years ago, Chicago was started by reading In the morning papers that the dny pre vious, one of Its favorite preachers, George C. Milne, had announced from his pulpit his renunciation of the gospel for the stage. The ex-pastor "starred" through "the provinces" with Indiffer ent success, for a time, nnd then cut out for Australia, where fdr years he was lost sight of. Hut he is now with us again. The other day he registered at Willard'a, In Washington, and told the Post Interviewer: "Six years ago I left fc'an Francisco with a large com pany for Australia, and fur nearly two years conducted Her Majesty's theater in Melbourne. My stay was delightful, and the peopls treated me royally. They g.ive a moh't liberal patronage, but I got out In good time, leaving shortly after the commencement of the great depression and financial panic. After ward New Zealand, China, Japan, In dia and Egypt were visited. My com pany was the first that ever presented a complete -Shakespearean performance In Japan, and It was astonishing how quickly the natives seemed to enter Into the spirit of a play rendered In an unknown tongue. I remember once giv ing 'Julius Cnefar' to an audience of 1,600 composed entirely of Japanese. Usually there was quite a number of European and American spectators, but this time not a single Individual understood a word of Knglhh. Now here was a favorable opportunity to study human nature, and I watched our houses closely. To my pleasure and surprise they applauded In nearly every case Just where an Anglo-Saxon audience would have cheered, showing that, after all, words alone are not es sential to an understanding of human emotions and passions. They have a fashion over there of spending nearly a whole day at a play, and so when our curtain fell on the last act and It was understood that there was nothing more to follow several of the men wait ed on me and begged as a special favor that we should go through the whole perfotance again. It was about the greatest compliment ever paid a com pany." Mr. Milne has spent the last year In London and the provinces, play ing "Napoleon" to large audiences. He will spend the coming season In his na';lve land, and will make a starring -:l:- -The report that Henry E. Dlxey of "Adonis" fame will now try hla versa tile and varied talents a monologue entertainer Is confirmed by louls Me gargee, who writes: "Dlxey'a feats of legerdermaln would-do -credit-to a Heller or a Hermann. His so-called mind reading really muscle reading discoveries would challenge the ad miration of Brown, the originator of that deception, or Blsho.t, who died while In-a catleptle condition drought on by hli own effort. Ai a card man It la entitled "Castle Gloom." Kipling will also have a story In this number. II II II M All editor are astonished at the poor English written by many of their would-be contributors, whose spelling and penmaiufolp Indicate that they have had a fair degree of education, says a writer In the Outlook. Usually this stupidity In the use and choice of words seems to arise from a lack in the sense of humor. Kven a university course, as every one knows, cannot make up for this essential quality, which is absolutely necessary to liter ary success. A writer need not be hu morous; but he must have a quick per ception of what is ridiculous In order to avoid making himself so. Thus, only a person deficient In this vital respect could have written of her heroine that she had "deep dark hair;" that she had "that rareness of expression which baf fles the most learned to -understand;" that "Maud had grown weary of sit ting in the porch;" that her lips were "wreathed In a smile that strangely re minded ma of an angel;" and that "her strange nature enchained my fancy." Also, only such a one, or a person phenomenally Ignorant, could conclude a stanza of poetry, as did one young woman, with the line: "May gladness and joy be your doom." This Individual may have been re lated 'to him who chanted: "Oh, put me In no sepulcher. Or dim vault, sad und gloomy; But let my narrow bed be lain Within some meadow roomy." II II II When even native Americans make such havoc with their language it is not slnguar. this writer adds, that for eigners have severe struggles to master It. Translators who consider them selves competent to express In English the literature of their own lands some times prove themselves amusingly un equal to the task. This was the case with the courageous gvntleman who sent to an edhtor a story contuinlng -tho following passages: "He said with an air of a most despising disdain." "His whole attire gave hlin a most dis tinguished ami gentlemanly appearance." "(h, bursted Marguerite, terrllled." "To solicit, In the name of the Uermalne republic, the annexation of his native city to France." "Ho wore velvet trouser, all spotted with Ink." "Ho was beginning to resume himself." "It seemed as though his heart would bound from Its envelope." "She gave hlin by look a most eloquent thank." "The rain, pushed by the wind, beated hla handrome face." A distinguished foreigner, whose works had been successfully Introduced into America by a well-known publish er, wrote him a grateful letter, In which ocourred these sentences: "You built up fame for me whole the world over me, who did not proceed the study of English further than 'yes' and 'no.' Yet this is a strange world and I marvel at the fame 1 have been be stowed upon. Well," he adds, modestly, "the American have plenty money, and they part with it when best humbugged. (P. T. Harnum.) My re gards to all friends whose names I have managed to -forget. tMy special re quests to the old gentleman Who heard loud, and the school teaoher miss." An other wrote under similar circum stances: "Accept my the best thanks for your venerable help In my troubles. As long as I live I will think how I can revenge your kindness." ipulator Dlxey has also few equals. Ills mimicry of public men Is famous tho country over. His old manager, Ed ward K. Kice, Is wonderfully clever In improvisation at the piano. The two together would make a very entertain ing team. If the suggestion which they now have In mutual contemplation Is carried out they will personate two col lege students, one of whom has Just returned from witnessing a perform ance by Henry Irving. Of course, that Is Dlxey. He will then propose that he endeavor to portray Irving as he saw him. and In full view of the audience, to the accompaniment of Rice's music, he will "make up' as the famous Eng lish actor and then give Imitations of his many parts. This will be followed by an exhibition of his card tricks, his mind reading and his prestidigitation, all accompanied by Illce on the piano, and the whole furnishing a very novel entertainment, consuming about one and one-half hours of time. It is not proposed to give this In theaters, but in lecture halls as part of lyceum enter tainments. It will be a radical move for Dlxey, but there Is no reason why it should not prove a big winner." In Locsl Theaters. "Zero," a beautiful new speclacurar production, will be seen at the Acad emy of Music this evening. This pro duction carries a carload of seenere and has fifty people In the cast. Vt happily combines comedy, vaudeville and sectacular, and uhould please all classes. In the first act the reception room of the Manhattan Athletic club Is shown, and It Is there that the .plot "Zero" Is unrolded. It hinges upon ad ventures made by one James Kndlcnt't, who endeavors to reach the north polar region-!. The comedy Is plentiful in 'the production, and Is furnished by Emll cott'si body guards. The "Trans-Atlantic Inspection" Is led by -Miss M. Flor ence Edwards. Tho spectacular effects are said to be very handsome, at., fn the elpolrlcal ballrt in the third act some novel electrical displays are made. At the Frothlnghatn tonight "Kort HI!as," an American drama hy an American actor, will be produced. The author has shown the potuibllity of ere. ntlng a play Intensely Interesting and dramatic, combining all the essential features of a Arst-rlass comedy dram-a, without the usual crompsnlments of exploding llrearrrs and bombastic pa triotism generally found In so-called military plnyi. It Is announced bhat "At Fort Bliss" will be presented by a capital '-wmpany,' and -that In all ways the performance will be above the aver age. Tho Clifton and Mlddlrton company will be at the .Academy of Music the tls-tr four rights of next week with a big double crmpany at popular prices, 10, 20, 30 nnd HO cenU. Mr. Clifton .Is one of a few actual frontiersmen who have the ability to both write and act tht'lr own plays. Horn In New York city he received a flrst-clnse education, and when graduated from school, started fc-r the wild wyst. with all the enthusi asm of youth, and for years passed his life among tho scenes he to granhlealjy poi-rrsy-j upon the stage. He has been an acknowledged actor for yearj, and as a t'tago director Is considered one of the best in America. At Davis' theater next iweek, on Mon day. Tuecday and Wednesday a grand scenic production of "The Midnight Special" will be given by an excep tionally rtiong company. It Is entirely different from any other railroad play ever produced, -and car load of scenery Is required to properly atago 1L DRAMATIC NOTEB: Stuart Robson Is to revive Dion Bouc. cault's "Forbidden Fruit." In It he made his first notablo success as a star. Clyde Flrch, author of. "Beau Drum mell," "His Grace de Grammont," "Mis. tress Hetty." etc., la expected back In New Yerk from London Oct. la The new "Twentieth Century Girl," n which Mollis Fuller essays ths title role Is owned this season by Fred Hallen, late of Hallen Hart. The comedy has been materially changed for the better. Henry Irving and Hermann the Great, met In Canada last woek, and as a conse quence negoUstlons are under way by which the conjurer will appear at Irv ing'! Lyosum theater, in London, In June, Gathered in the World of Melody. Professor T. J. Da vies, of this city, act ed as one of the ad judicators at the re cent Salt Lake City eisteddfod. He cays that he never wit nessed such enthus iasm at an eistedd fod before. There were between twelvo and fifteen thousand people at the evening cession In the great Morman Tabernacle. T. J. DAVIE3. Excursion trains came as far as eight hundred .miles. The eisteddfod was held for the benefit of the Cambrian society and a line sum was netted to tho organization. Professor Davles" co-adjudicators were Professor Haydn Evans and Professor Juhn T. WatktiiB, of this city. In all the awards the best of sat isfaction was given, and the decisions were highly complimented. They were treated right royally, being met at the train by the governor and other dlg natarles. and, headed by a fine brass band, escorted to their hotel. The hon ors were well deserved, for our city could not have been represented by more .worthy, talented, enterprising and progrsslve .musicians than Professors Davles, Evans and Watklns. II II II The hone cf the music of the future lies with the children. Therefore, every person can give hearty support to the work that has been Inaugurated by Tallle Morgan In the organization of children's choruses. Parents will, for Kie reason that It gives the child a thorough muslclal education at a cost that Is next to nothing. Music teach ers approve of his work for the reason that It creates new musical muterlal, for out of these classes will come hun dreds of piano and voice students. Mr. Morgan begins his classes at the very beginning and In order to make cer tain thn ithe pupil undersands the Instruction given, the lessons are to be written by the class. Each lesson sheet Is examined and corrections made. The voices are tested and each one assigned to the part soprano or alto that suits the voice. Nearly one hundred united with the chorus In the Young Men's Christian association building last Sat urday afternoon. The classes today will be as follows. At 9.30. In Nettle ton's building, on Green Itldge street; at 11. In Fenner & Chappel's hall. Prov idence; at 1, private class, In the Young Men's Christian association building, and at 5, the general class in the same place: at 4 In the Washburn Street Pres byterian church, Hyde Park. Other branches will be formed later. The tuition fee will be only ten cents a we.k for the general classes, and one dollar month for the private class. In January a musical festival will be given by the combined classes at the Frothlngham. II II H Miss Elsie A. C. Van Dervoort, the contralto soloist of the Elm Park church, continues to win the highest praise for her sinking. The fact that she sang every day for fourteen months In the Metropolitan meetings in New York ehows that her voice ts one that never tires the hearer. George Sweet, her teacher. Is very proud of her work, and -well he may be. Her singing '.a such that one forgt the singer In the song. That Is the goal that every true artist wants to reac'n. The other members of the quartette, Miss Sulli van. Mr. Wooller and Mr. Thomas are doing splendid work, and with Mr. Pennington as organist, the Elm Park church can well feel satisfied with the music. II II II The formation of the Ladies' chorus Is progressing very encouragingly, and it Is expected that fully 100 will be en rolled In a short time. Members ore already enrolled from Carbondale. 'Mos cow, Seranton. Plttston and Wllkes Tlarre. The chorus will be under the direction of Tallle Morgan, and under the patronage of the leading ladles of the valley. Concerts will be given in three or -four of the larger towns of this and Luzerne county. !! II !l IProfessor Rockwell plays tomorrow In Vermont. He has had a number of flattering offers from large churches since he left the Second Presbyterian church. It Is to be hoped, however, that some of the churches tn this cHy will keep him here, as he is too valu able a man to lose. He Is recognized as one of the finest organists that has ever been In this city, and wherever he has tieen he has given the very best of service. He Is a composor of more than ordinary merit, nnd some of his works have become quite popular. He has now about ready a Sunday school book, which has been pronounced by the editors of some of the lnrgest pub lishing houses In the nation as being the very best that has been published. It would be a real loss to the city to have Professor Rockwell leave. II II II All members of the Young Men's Christian association who desire to en ter the vocal music class are asked to he present t 7 o'clock th.s evening. There will be no extra charge for this class. II II !l The class of Miss Reynolds, at the School of Music and Elocution, .has reached such proportions thnt she has been compelled to give Seranton one m t du) of rju'h wrvk. At the present rate of Increase she will soon have to glvi all her time to her pupils here, ami the musical life of .the city will be the gainer thereby. II II II Two Incidents have recently come un der our observation wliI.Ji sponk vol utins for the progress In musical cul ture wh'eli Pjistnton has mad? In the last few years. .One was tins cane of a young lady who spent last season studying violin In New York c!-;y, and enme to the conclusion thnt n teacher of violin on her native heath, Herr Kopff, tin proved to be as capable as any teacher rhe had met in the me tropolis. In tho other case, -the young lady had studied voice In one of the largest nnd best conservatories In New York olty, and she has slated that 'Miss Reynolds hae achieved more results in me yenr than the aforesaid conserva tory would In two. "Both these young ladles will study rerpectlvely the violin and voice In Seranton this winter. II II II Miss Rroakstnne will meet her class In elocution today at the School of the Lackawanna. A club claea is bring formed from among the students of the Dickinson Liw sohool, and many of the young practicing attorneys are tak ing advantage of the course. An even ing class for young ladles at the Young Women's Christian association rooms Is als-j one of the near possibilities. II II H Among the comparative new earners Into Scranton's musical life, few have met with such solid and permanent suc cess as Hora.-e'M. Eckman, the director of the planaforte department of tho 3 era r.-l on School of Muslo and Elocu tion. Mr. Eokman ccme here two yean go from Boston, the h"me of beam and culture, where he had taken the course at the New England conserva tory of music, studying the piano under Karl Stainy (a pupil of LIsit), organ under Oeorge E. Whiting, and composi tion under Oeorge W. Chadwlck, the eminent composer. Last winter he was called upon to All .the position of or ganist at the Franklin Street Methodist church, of Wllkes-Barre, caused by an accident to the former organist. Mr. Eclunan dUchtrged nil duties to credit Interesting Notes About Famous Musicians at Home and Abroad. ably fhat at the end of the term he was Installed as regular organist. Aa a teacher of piano, Mr. Bclunan has met with no mean success, as evidenced by the large and steadily growing class which has developed under his tuition. II II II About the most noteworthy Incident In tho travels of the old Liberty Bell through the sunny south last week: -was the reception it received ait the pic turesque old town of Bristol, Va., when a hundred or more young ladies from the Southwest Virginia Institute took possession of the car, and, after appro priate exercises, which Included the singing of "America" and the "Star Spangled Hamicr," crowned the old bell with Honors and the black and gold colors of the Institute. The party was In charge of 'Miss I'arry James, of this city, who is the directress of the voice department of the school, and is one of tho many northern tea-chers who nre doing so much in the building up of the "New South." II II II A visit to a rehearsal of the Symphony society Is quite a musical education In Itself. The patient and untiring work and practice .which such a work aa a Heethoven symphony requires Is an un known quantity to the average mortal, even the average musician, and yet the enthusiasm of Mr. Hemberger is so Infectious that the Idea of work Is lost sight of and the beauty and deli cacy of the sublime -composition Is the only theme. As a leader and drlllmas ter Mr. Hemberger Is sharp and decisive in m inner, still his quaint humor is ir resistible, and the sting is a minus quantity In a correction or rebuke. Miss Susie Black, soprano, of Nichol son, and Miss Eliza Garagan, formerly solo sriprano ait the Green Ridge Pres byterian church, pupils of Mrs. Kate Wilcox, have been engaged for the new choir at Second 'Presbyterian church, which Is now under leadership of Pro fessor Chance. II II II Miss Nellie Ketchum. a talented young pianist, of Plttston, and pupil of -Mr. Southworth, will give a recital at Powell's In the near future. II I! II A concert given by a company of musicians from the Railroad Young .Men s Christian association, assisted by Llewellyn Jones, baritone and accom panist, was among the pleasant musical events of the week. II II II Miss Lydla Pichel has been tempor arily engaged as soloist at the Oreen Ridge Presbyterian church, and will sing -with the choir tomorrow. It Is probablu that this accomplished young vocaust win be engaged permanently at the Oreen Ridge church. II II II SHARPS AND FLATS: It Is claimed that the most difficult piano piece, so far as execution goes, is Ralacklreff's Fantasia Orientals Kusae, Islamey. Sybil Sanderson tells her Paris friends that she will never visit America attain. Her reception on her last visit here waa a great disappointment to her. Rlgnold. who was here twenty years ago snd appeared In the only adequate pro duction of "Henry V," will revisit this country. The women raved over him then much as they did over Paderewskl. The production of "Hansel and Gretel" st Daly's theater has been postponed from tet. 7 to Oct. 8. Sir Augustus Harris is to sail for this country tomorrow on the Lu canla. and will arrive in time to attend the last reheursals. Yvette Uullbert will receive a salary of ween wnen sne comes to this coun try to sing her topical songs. Even de Riszke received but $2.0uo. She eaves three-fourths of the enormous sums she makes and will be rich In her old age. Edouard Hemenyl. the noted Hunga rian violinist, although over 60 years of age. has abated none of his youthful eo. thimlusm and Industry. He determinant over a year ago to devote at least four nours uouy. ami irom tnat up to fourteen hours, for ! consecutive days' to special hours, for Siej consecutive davs. to special the violin. Aug. 1 was his four hundred and flfty-elghth day and he had up to that time not let a day pass without doing; at least the amount of work he had set for himself. MR. AND MRS. RISING. From the Times-Herald. "This tnlk about a third term Is non sense," Mr. Rising asserted emphatic ally. "What makes you think so, John?" Mrs. Rising Inquired, as she looked at some rags hanging In a neighbor's back yard. "Well, If two terms are good, a third term ought to bs better. That's the whole thing In a nutshell, Em'ly." "I suppose It's a good deal as they get started." said Mrs. Rising; "If the first term is bad. they all get worse." "If the first term Is bad, Mrs. Rising, there Isn't generally a second term In thee mited States." Mr. Rising re marked with some acerbity. "Why, John! How long has that been so?" "Always, Em'ly; always. You can't point to a second term which wasn't let ter thun 'the first barring, of course, some points." "1 don't believe they're beaten yet." said Mrs. Rising. In reference to the rugs, which still occupied her attention. ''tif course 'ihey're not beaten yet. Em'ly; It Isn't time." replied Mr, Rising, wholly Intent upon matters political. "I think it Is time," said Mrs. Rlslng. de cldedly. ")h! well. If you mean a third term. Em'ly, It's a matter for argument," Mr. Rising returned, determined to elucidate that moot question. "You said yourself It was nonsense. John, to talk about It, and I think It is. of course they always havo a third term All Her Life-Happy Release at Last of Miss Alice Young, Who Re lid:! al 302 Alexander Street, Rochester, N. Y. (From the Rochester Democrat and Chron icle.) Our representative waa received very pleasantly at X2 Alexander street, by Miss Alice Young, who told how since childhood she had been held In tho bondage of pnln from her back, never remembering the t:me that tho had not suffered pain or aches In the region of tho kidneys. Many were the means she used to find relief, but there seemed no remedy for her case and she rema'ned a captive; then along comes these little enemies to backache, Doan's Kidney Pills, and a half box releases the I oonus, as Uiiv vy uiiv uiu acnea ana pains! utsappenr, sne nnns nerseu a slave to pain no nioro, by their cotftlnued uso. She sas: "I was entirely relieved of all my suffering and now I am perfectly strong-, healthy and well." "How did you take this remelyt" Miss Young was aiked by our representative. She replied that she follow d directions explicitly. Miss Young thej told how ths malady affected her, sayli her symptoms were: "Stooping, bendig over, walking or standing any length of time always gave me a pain In lbs small of my back. I had a pain in the kidneys all the time and If I caught cold It would always settle there;' the pain I suffered wss of a very ex hausting nature; at night I could only He flat on my back, any other position caus ing pain and suffering; th nerves passlny up my back were affected and this brought with it severe headaches, but aa I said be fore, Doan's Kidney pills have removed all pnln and suffering entirely and I never felt better and healthier In my lire." Doan's Kldnsy pills are for sale by all dealers, pries M cents, mailed by Fpstor MUbiirn Co., Buffalo, N. Y., Sola agents for the ymted Sums. BONDAGE In the spring. Pretty kind of school 'twould be with only fall and winter terms. They might as well try and change the seasons and be done with It." "Oh!" feebly elaculated Mr. Mains-, and. then rallied to ask: "Then what did you mean by saying 'they ought to be beaten T" "The Johnsons' tugs, John. You oan see for yourself that they're a disgrace to the neighborhood, hanging on the line, where everyone can see." "That's true, Em'ly," said Mr. Rising amiably. "I feel as If it were late In the fall and I'd been beaten myself." "Guess what I've done ylta my watch. Em'ly?" asked Mr. Rising, with an air of great self-possession. "Don't tell me, John, that you've lost It," Mrs. Rising replied with true wifely alarm. "Nothing of the sort, Em'ly. Don't you. worry about me. I've sold It. "What did you get for it, John?" "I got $10 and boot, Mrs. Rising; that's what I got for an old silver timepiece which never kept time," was Mr. Rising's proud response. "I'm glad if you think It was a good bargain, John," Mrs. Rising remarked somewhat timidly. "Who has the watch now?" "Young N'lcoll. But I haven't told you about the boot that's the profit, you know." "It seems queer to me that you wanted It, John." "Well, now, Em'ly, I'd like to know why?" Mr. Rising responded in a long-suffering tone. "No reason, John, only young Nlcoll's so much smaller than you he's just a boy, you know," said Mrs. Rising, half apolo getically. "Now, Em'ly, Nlcoll's old enough to know what ho wants, and a bargain's a bargain. Any man that's a man takes a good -thing when he sees It." "That's just the question, John; was It a good thing? If there'd been a pair it would seem different," Mrs. Rising said ilrmly. "But he didn't have a pair, Em'ly, he only had one it's a dandy and I'm mighty glad to have it," and Mr. Rising's spirits rose again. "When will you wear It, John?" asked Mrs. Rising, returning to the charge. "We're not on the plains, Em'ly, so I'll not wear it I'll usa It nights." "For cats, John?" "Possibly for cats, but It'll be handy on the electric cars." "John Rising, will you tell roe what yen can do with one boot on tbeeleculs cars? Mrs. Rising demanded. Mr. Rising looked at his wife and thea said gently: "Em'ly, the boot Is a revolver.' RETROSPECTION. As I fold the keepsakes of summer away, This one starts a tear, that holds thoughts gay. Home straight to my heart (there's some debts must be paid) Comes the memories of June, ah I where shall they be laid? Here's a time-table! Don't I remember the day; I stole it from some one so be could not get away? "Time and -tide wait for no man," no more does the train. Who cared when the June day held us both with their chain. Here's a pocket-coma drop that! 'twas delusion; alack; For the fellow that owned It had hair that was black. And in spite of my efforts for one trlcM ahead, I found I must play a "lone hand," or be led. Well, lay them all by with a smile and tear They -hold mostly memories with nothing to fear. For one purpose we kept whate'er we did yet. Our summer should hold ne'er a shade of regret. The summer that's coming holds roles and wine For the season's that's gone why should we repine? Ever hopeful or tearful, happy or sad. Bravely go on life's way for the most will be glad. Olive M. Pearl. Moosic. Oot. 18, 1895. AMUSEMENTS. ACADEMY OF MUSIC, SATUR DAY, O CT. 1 3. THE SPECTACULAR PHaHTISY, ZERO OR A TRIP TO THE POLE. Hosts of Pretty Girls. Tent of Special Scenery. Dazzling Electrical Displays. Bale of teats opens Thursday. No advaaoe la prices. ACADEMY OF MUSIC, 4 Nights, Cssmesdss MMdtt. Oct. fV CLIFTON & MIDDLETON'S Drair-atic Company, Brass Band and Orchestra. MONDAY RANCH KINO TUESDAY LIBBY PRISON WEDNESDAY MYRTLE FERNS POPULAR PRICES Gallery . -IOc Entire Balcony 20c Orchestra Circle and Orchestra .30c Parlor Chairs 50o dale of seats opens Friday, THE FROTfllNGflflM, Wagner A Re Is, Lessees and Maasgere. SATURDAY, OCT. (I, The American Drama, AT FORT BLISS By HENRY SIMON. Prodnesd by a Strong Company. Special Heenery and Boallatio Effect. A Blending of Comedy snd Paths A 1'roducUon of Merit. 8ale of stats opens Thursday.Oct,!?, at am. FRIDAY, OCT. 25. MR. HOLAND REED AS THE POLITICIAN. COMING. "THE FOUNDLING," WITH CISSY FITZGERALD. DAVIS THEATRE Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct 21, 22 and 23. The Reigning 8accen of the tssson. The Acme of Stage Realism, THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL The Oreat Soo i The Oreat Scenio Melodrama la 4 Acts. Tht Uslea Dsset. Bstllntt i gumma Teiegra sa oacs. I arsat Wreok ton. Miestglu special, "Mwtyt e TIM." Carload or Elegant Scenery and Me chanical Effects. Afaissb, 10, ft) er 30 Cents. isr-We Do Not Advertise la tie Elalra Telegram. '