L IF E O F

DENMAN THO MP S O N

O S H U W H I T ( J A C O M B ! .

A M E A Y BRA DY j S j .

E F R N D EX COMS TOCK P UB A MC A A A . LIS . . HERS L L , ,

E O F M S C NEW RK . ACAD MY U I , YO vv m ' 8 Co c m , 1 88,

BY M R L D K cFA A N COMS TOC . CO N T E N T S .

o o Intr ducti n,

ew En l an d H o m es and Characte r N g ,

C ild ood and Youth o f Uncle os ua h h j h ,

M anhoo d and P ro fes s io nal S tru les C a te r I gg , h p

an o o d and P ro fe s s i o nal S tru le s C a te r II M h gg , h p

o s ua Whitco m b J h ,

he O l ea T d H o m est d ,

T rib ute s ,

The O ld H o m e s te ad a M o ral A e n t g ,

ro ram m e o f Firs t P re s entati o n at the A cad e m P g y ,

IN T O DUCTIO N R .

N G L E JO S HUA need s no intro d uction to the American

public . At every firesid e his name is prized and his

virtues known . He is, in truth , a fond relative to us d and all , ten erly considerate, sweetly honest helpful , a nd as cheering by his presence and simple story to - day as when in other times we sat in childish delight to hear a dear old uncle d had tell of the goo and kindly heroes who gone before. f Who will try to estimate the good this a fectionate , homely , m a n ly man has done for his fellow brother ? What a giving o u t there is o f the graces of humanity in his simple d ramatic n s t o ry The embroideries of art have o place in the narrative . i s l d d It fu l of the perfume of country fiel s , freshene by the dew , d t n a n beaming wi h a delicate , exhilarati g life from the morning d and d n . s u The har ships, trials isappointments of a driving

o d d w rld are forgotten in the chastened ream of chil hood , home o f a n d the heart ties the family altar . What sweet music these i m p ressions make in the soul of all of us Uncle Joshua is the n d S d s k i ly pirit that waves them into ten er being, as the dew m w d fro the skies vivify the s eetest flowers that a orn the earth . He must be a queer manner of man who will say that he is t n o t the be ter for these hallowed emotions , and would spurn d . d t h e ir spell He must be a lonesome person , indeed , at o s with n t h e glorious beauties of the fields , the skies , and the refineme ts ’ m —a o f an s social and spiritual nature poor, miserable unit , d and d r a wn up and woun round , like a silk worm in his cocoon , l l and s h u tting out all sun ight, day ight , every joy of expanding

d l e a re s D o ld n a ture . It is har to be ieve ther many uch . ear

LIFE O F D EN M A N T H O M P S N O . 9

Un t r cle Joshua says here are none . He says human natu e at b and ase is all right . We only look at it wrongly , as it were , d d n take a shunte gleam or reflecte surface for the intri sic metal . Wherever he goes there is livi ng testimony of the verity of this t n heory . His big, ge erous, unselfish nature begets an atmos ere d ph of confidence , purity and rest , and stirs up the eeper,

rddia nt truer nature of every one , just as the sunlight wakes

m the into life and bloo loveliest buds that grow . d d All hail to such an one ! His gracious influence is nee e . d ’ The stage, like every epartment of life s labor, has plenty that W n is depressing and baneful . The holesome amo g players , as e among plants, we wish to cherish . It is doubtful if th re is any

more reaching place for general good . Recreation is a natural d want . Let us have it pure and hearty . It is like a soun sleep . “ d In the Old Homestead the soothing con itions are perfect .

We may rest secure within its comforting arms , with the stars l l shining brightly without , and balmy breezes b owing gent y in at the wi ndows laden with good cheer from the surrounding and beautiful hilltops, and all within calm , trustful and happy, far away from the bartering and wearing spirit of the metropolis and its controlling pulse . l hilanthm i s ts Ta k about your missionaries , p p and other ! d noble friends of humanity in this age of savage rush , hardene n d d co science and unen ing toil , who is there that a ministers to the tired and d rooping spirit with the same delicious sense and buoyant effec t that our homely and loving friend s at The O ld Homestead d o ? S W uch types, such associations , are to honest life hat salt is

r to an egg . They give flavor to our better feelings , and tempe

r n the light with which we regard mi sfo tu e and uncharity . d d Again let us say welcome to our goo frien s , Uncle Joshua, S Aunt Matilda, Cy Prime , eth Perkins , Rickety Ann , and the other lovable characters that are b r ought to our notice in this d O ld ramatic poem of simple country life , and the precious ” H d and omestea , and secretly pray that they their kind may be h always wit us . ’ DENM AN TH O M S O N S F TH E A N D M O TH E P A R R .

S ti iv in and en o in exce ent ea t ll l g j y g ll h l h . NEWENGLAND HOMES AND CHARACTER.

H ER E is a certain dig nity attaching to the name of New Eng l d ue and , which is as much to the element of home life as to any d other consi eration . It has nourished principle and strength in its young which have led to d ecent f and power ul manhood . Brought up to feel the virtue of right livi ng and right doing at a formative i i ha per od of l fe, the c nces for mature graces and honors are mo r e than

promising . They are taught early

self denial , self reliance, the d uty of a conscientious regard for the S abbath ’ hi day , and the function of study in raising man s lot among s s fellow . The fruit of this home training and association has been m ad e evident in characters that have graced the most beautiful works in our national literature , that have lifted men upward an d d onward in spiritual and intellectual study, that have inspire I 2 FE O F DEN M N H O M S O N LI A T P .

b e n a writings to charm and better the world , and that have e leaven of common sense and moral rec titud e to balance and chasten every community .

Thus it is that so many places , humble in themselves , with no bigger concern of commerce than a crumbling flour mill or

fi tful . a shoe factory , are familiar names to the general reader ffi They have produced what is higher than the wares of tra c . They have marked ind ividuals with traits and habits that have and stood them well in the halting and struggling ways of life, blossomed characters instilled with the juices of a manly

nature . Men with a plan of life . Men with an honest faith in a D w ho ivine Ruler over all things . Men sought the right and ff just in every place and in every a air, and had the moral cour w age to stand by a fair conviction . Men who orked as well as

prayed , and hated the idle and profane as they would a thief in who the night . Men prized a home , cherished it, and imbued its

young with thoughts of learning and Christian experience . 15 there not honor enough in this for the restful hamlets V ? high up in the New Hampshire and ermont hills The soil ,

hard , rocky and ungrateful , is chary enough of its favors, and

bread is truly to be won by the sweat of the brow . Its greatest b e glory is greater than the products of the ground . It is to d . G o read in character The daily life of these brave, honest, n i n feari g men , who tilled the soil in summer and split rocks n wi ter, would appear tame if written out .

- o f- - s But the plain village farmer of those out the way town , t w e esteemed for his uprightness, thrift and in elligence, ill giv — good blood and an honest bent to some famous man a m a n

th e who will be proud of his ancestor, whom the bad feared and good honored a man whose nobility of nature gave breadth t o S the narrowness of his calling . ome woman of more than ordi nary distinction as a beauty may owe it to some old man w h o matric u lated into a handsome and hardy man in this school o f

t u r na ure, and whose features were hardened by care and expos e

into an expression of honest and heroic simplicity . Many an Uncle Joshua has gone forth into a larger an d

1 LIFE or DEN M A N H N 4 T OM PS O .

the more selfish world , touched for good by germs of truth , piety and industry which had flowed into his nature from these heroes of the farm . S wanzey is one of these garden spots for the holier virtues — of humanity just far enough away from Keene to prese rve its ' ’ homely integrity ; a place where S unday is the Lord s day i n t n are ruth , a day when the window blinds of the cor er store s n h e t e . hut in ear st, and the clatter of old mill is stopped e e Outside the Old Homest ad app ars Uncle Joshua, his ruddy off face set by a broad collar, and dressed for meeting, waiting for Aunt Matilda to plaster her water curls and arrange he r ” - . e best gown Not a worker is to be s en to day . The instinct of pure devotion pervades the people . All workday pursuits u s are given up in fact and spirit . If the tho ght of any run in worldly channels , there is no outward sign . The stillness is almost o f oppressive . The fields are given over to the silent processes t a nature . Wives and daugh ers are bringing out their cle n

- i n frocks , and with folded kerchief and hymn book will soon be

- e da procession for the meeting hous . One y in seven , that which e s G od to is set asid for spiritual duty, is a acred trust from

- e these simple people, and as such they keep it . To morrow th y n will have to begin a patient struggle with a sti gy soil . e Their gains come slowly and must be used wisely . Th y n will hold to the pennies tightly, but give you any perso al a service ungrudgingly . They will plan and work for you in r e to ha vest pinch without a thought of reward . Nothing go s

waste with them . The winter nights are given to sober discussion at th e o h country store or seri us reading at home . The oldest or brig t — T b e a . h e est boy is at college , or sure to comforting thought b h t h e other children are bending over the kitchen ta le, busy wit

- r lessons for to mor ow . ff o f the t t t o They are up in the a airs township , s a e and na i n , and sift the questions of politics wi th remarkable scent a nd

wisdom .

- and Wn A much tried race , it has been said , with the sun i d L F E O F D E N M N T H O M S O N 1 I A P . 5

as S often working them ill as good . evere in mien and manner, th e perhaps , but softened within by graces of truth and piety not cultivated , yet wise ; nursed by nature and led by bible ; by precepts men who . pleased you their simple faith and the d d healthy content with which they accepte their con ition .

DH D AND Y UH OF UN E J U CHIL OO O T CL OSH A.

ENMAN THOMPS ON was born i n a hamlet cal led Beech G E Wood , about three miles from irard , rie County ,

1 1 8 Penn . , October 5, 33 . His father and grandfather

were natives of New Hampshire, and in a direct line of descent from one of the original sixty to whom the Township of S wanzey was deeded by the Massachusetts authorities in May,

1 - t 7 35. A survey was made of sixty three house lots of hree or

i n - four acres each . The scheme, surveying sixty three lots , was

to have sixty proprietors, each entitled to one share, and then

to have one share for school lot, one for the first settled minister,

and one for the cause of the ministry . The terms by which a person cou ld become a proprieto r were as follows : He should pay five pounds at the time of admission to such privileges he should be located upon his d lan within three years from the date thereof, and should con nn d ti e to reside thereon for at least two years . The fun s raised by these requirements were to be used in defraying the expenses

of . the survey , and in building a public house of worship Among the persons who became the original proprietors of “ th e t lo t ownship under these conditions was John Thompson ,

4 3 , and from this Christian pioneer dates the Thompson family

i n S w 1 6 anzey . In the original records , lot No . was inscribed to

h 8 . t e s . chool right , No 4 to the first settled minister, and No 47 t h e o t cause of the ministry .

ar e From that primitive date to this , Thompson , p , has had ffi s o m e o cial place in the governing board of the town . C D aptain Rufus Thompson , the father of enman , and now a h al e o ld s 1 8 1 man of over four score of years, in the pring of 3 d e c id e e d to go W st, as a field of greater promise for himself

w . n a n d ife He e tered the wilderness of Pennsylvania, and at a 1 8 L F E D E N M N T H M N I O F A O PS O .

d n G . distance of about three miles from what is now irar , Pen , where were clustered the houses O f a dozen or more hardy pioneers like himself, he made a clearing and began the erec tion of a log house . The settlement was called Beech Wood .

At this primitive place , and in the humble cabin which his D father had put up with his own strong arms , enman Thompson D was born . The family remained here until enman was four

t 1 8 ld . e O o S . te n years , and then returned wanzey This was in 47 d Mr. Thompson , senior, had a good eal of mechanical genius , and when anything of a building order was needed he was the neighbor in demand . There was not much pay in these jobs , but there was a world O f friendly satisfaction in serving one far d another at that early day , remove from the grudging spirit of our time . ’ h i s The farmer s life was a stern and hard one, the same as ’ d the l En d father s before him , ami rocky hi ls of his New glan home . It was a warfare with the elements and unyielding nature . d But he was a serene , ignified , resolute man , who had no thought of parleying with Providence or the stern necessities of h i s vocation .

The love of home , however, that dwelling spot the associa the E a nd tion of which clings eternally to New nglander, born ’ bred burned in the rugged farmer s heart and memory li ke “ delicw us v l hi m O ld incense , and e entua ly led back to the no w Homestead and the scenes of early manhood . He is there , O f b u t o s frosted and worn with the weight years and toil , as p i

- and tive, self assertive and clear of judgment as ever, am p l y able to hold his own against the wo rldly wisd om and skill e d O f logic his popular son , Uncle Joshua .

S 1 8 1 8 0 u n After the return to wanzey, in 47 , until 5 , yo g

a r n n e Denman was sent to Mt . C esar S eminary du i g the wi t r

O f d t h e months , and the rest the year worke with his father at ’ d O f o r s carpenters trade . He was a sturdy boy, more fon sp t ar O f t h e than books , and kept the feminine p t the household on f verge O dreadful expectancy by his daring pranks . The most stirring event O f the year in the village was t h e

A N H M S O N 2 0 LI FE O F DEN M T O P .

v d ad ent of a circus, and young Thompson always led the rove O f boys who went far out the country road to meet the incoming vans , and for weeks after the show had gone, to quote his father, D ” enman was walking upside down .

n - i He was a fra k , open , big hearted boy , full of an mal life, e r ady to share anything with his mates , and join any sport , and a therefore liked to an unusu l degree . There are many home

ih - n of spun, hearty men the village to day who are fo d telling O f D the likeable traits of young enman Thompson , and of the many jolly times they had together as boys .

- 5 This whole hearted , unselfish disposition of the boy has O f as become one of the most pronounced traits the man , we will see later on , and has lifted the spirit and won the esteem of many a comrade actor and business acquaintance .

. a S S Three winter terms at Mt C esar eminary, wanzey, represents all the time he spent in acquiring a higher education h m th t rough school ediums . His father was anxious at he should O btain a useful knowledge in this respect, and made sacrifices to ’ The that end , but the youth s bent was not toward letters . charms of an out - door and romping life were nearer to his si r thoughts and de res , and kept all his energies in the t ain of a sound and wholesome physical growth . — ad He longed for travel , excitement something out of the de E s drift of remote country life . Like most New ngland youth , s u n he had heard a great deal about Boston . It was to him the s of another and bigger world , from which went forth the ray and t o that enlivened enlightened every place else . He longed o f see it , and know more of its wonderful life . He had heard its great people and doings from the elders who were fond o f o n lingering around the church porch , and felt that the Bost ’ paper which found its way into his father s hand was freigh te d with special interest and power .

S O 1 8 0 h a d , a bright morning in the spring of 5 , when he nec e s just turned seventeen , he gathered together a few simple

s - b m e sitie , and bade a tearful good y to the now famous Old Ho at stead S wanzey . IFE O F DENM N T H MP S O N 2 1 L A O .

The journey was made the subject of private and even “ public prayer . Neighbors came in to talk it over . Mother was sad , but trustful . Father resolutely said , Thy will and not

O . mine be done, Lord s D Tho m Plainly dressed , hopeful and trong, young enman p O f son , the envy the other village boys , started upon his slow paced journey to Boston . Any country - reared person will know what that was to — him how grand and mysterious the town seemed to him , with n its confusion of streets , crowds of people, stra ge noises , myriad lights and numberless wares ; how it impressed and oppressed the stranger, and made him for the first time feel painfully lonely and out of tune . But this N ew England lad was made of sterner stuff than ’ ' the u nfami li r lamb s wool . He did not take fright at a signs of strange living. His keen senses and naturally bright mind were as f quickened never before . There was a taste O life in this whirling scene which made him long for the magic O f mind i which made all these things seem natural and w se .

He had begun life with practical tools and no favors . 2 ars of a e DENMAN T HO MPS O N ( 5 ye g ! . MANH D AND PR FE I NA RU OO O SS O L ST GGLES .

CH A ER I PT . T was not long after his arrival in Boston before Tryon ’s the circus was announced , in flaming posters and with all w tinkling cymbal of language to hich such shows are given . It b l his started the oyish fever for circus ife , and led to seeking for and O btaining a place as property boy with this n circus . He remained with it to the end of the seaso , during which time he took a more importan t part i n the bill than n handling banners and poles . He rode in the openi g pageant, and developed an ability as an acrob at that made him an effi cient

leaper among some thirty or more performers .

1 8 0 he It was in the winter of this year, 5 , that made his first Athe appearance upon the professional stage , at the Howard n m aeu . , Boston It was simply as a supernumerary, but it brought t him his firs earned money on the stage . Charlotte Cushman “ ” p y Lady M acbet/z h o was la ing at the Howard on t is ccasion , N eafi e and Mr . A . J . , a capable and conscientious actor, M amet/1 appeared as .

S é i n 1 8 1 hortly after this nondescript d but, January, 5 , he men went to New York . At that time two , whose names are n forgotten , were exhibiting a collectio of paintings of famous G wer Indian chiefs by eorge Catlin , on lo Broadway , nearly

- Duseldorf Y opposite to the then well known art gallery . oung

Thompson sought work with them , and was made doorkeeper,

e . l cturer and general factotum Quick witted , confident and industrious, he gathered enough facts from the catalogue , added I n to what he had read of ndia life, to make a good story, and

became a valuable adjunct to the exhibition . That restive spirit so characteristic of the young N ew England er was still uppermost in the character growth of ou t 2 L FE O F DEN M A N H M S N 4 I T O P O .

H e s n young friend . oon tired of this positio and went to M s e D D xte f Lowell , as , wh re his uncle, . . Ba r, had of ered him a place in his dry goods store . M 1 8 2 It was in the old Lowell useum , Lowell , in 5 , that D S enman Thompson had his first peaking part in a play . He re Grasman S appea d as in the military drama, The French py, e O f n e and did a numb r fancy da ces between the piec s . His suc ’ cess in this respect did not help matters at his uncle s store , h the w ere he served in ornate capacity of a ribbon clerk, and S s r soon led to his quitting the town of looms , pindle and facto y n girls for Worcester, Mass . , where he remained one seaso , dancing f his way into the a fection of the towns people . Then for another 1 8 e b e season , and until about 54, he became an itin rant player, longing at different times to wandering companies managed by G K James Lingard , eorge ames and William Henderson , the n O f the s latter now ma ager Academy of Music, Jer ey City . 1 8 the In January, 54, he went West at invitation of the man ae u C e ager of the Athen m , lev land , and played low comedy in the u A M ouett reg lar stock of this theatre , appearing with nna Cora , E s i dmon S . Connor and star of equal dramatic mportance . 1 8 e the N i ckin In May , 54, he was ngaged by veteran John son as a member of the stock company of the Royal Lyceum e I s s Theatr , Toronto, playing small ri h and negro character part n flin s I b tw n and da cing hornpipes, Highland g and rish reels e ee s - S the pieces . The e variety tid bits of dancing and inging between e e th the plays of the ev ning wer very popular at this date , and e actor who was able to satisfy the taste O f the time with even

moderate success had an advantage with the public , which

pleased the managerial heart and helped the player . Thompson b ecame a great favorite with the O ld managers

- n and local theatre goers in Toronto , and with the exceptio of e one whole th atrical season , which was spent professionally i n N ew Y S and Chicago and ork tate , a few months abroad, he

e 1 868 continued to mak the Canadian city his home until . It and e e h m i w i h , o n was here e arr ed her h s t ree childr n n w livi g,

were born . FE or DEN MAN TH M S N 2 LI O P O . 5

u d 1 1 8 A c rious old play bill, under ate of March 9 , 55, in Mr which . Thompson appears in a small Irish part, gives an interesting glance at a popular style O f entertainment at that O f time, and may revive , among many , pleasant recollections the day when there were lots of good honest amusement and less of and the art of stage dressing lackadaisical play building . “ ” “ ’ ” D z m Cr ow add y Rice, the original j , was singularly

successful in his delineations of the aged negro, and supplied an evening of humorous entertainment which none of the delli

- tanti minstrels of to day can approach . It had the rugged lines

- and quaint charms of homely nature, than which , drawing room

models are a barren substitute . “ ” the rOle d a It was in of a fancy rkey , in the play of E R i chi n s xtremes , during the engagement of Peter g and his R ichi n s daughter Carolina g , the latter afterward famous as an M r Operatic singer , that . Thompson made his first marked hit e at the Royal Lyceum Theatr .

1 8 In August, 55, Mr . Thompson went to Chicago under an

engagement to John Rice . manager of the Chicago Theatre, to m o ne play second low co edy . The season was a prosperous , and e O f d G l du mainly to the success the sensational rama, A ance ” Y the Chanfrau at New ork , in which popular Frank appeared M az e M me as ; and . Albertine , a widely celebrated and bril n lia t danseuse . Mme . Albertine is now a resident of New d s Bedfor , Mas , and totally blind . Her case has been peculiarly u b nfortunate . A more eautiful, graceful and accomplished e pr mier danseuse than she it would be hard to name , indeed , if t h e h b f u t in g not impossi le . The a fliction came to her s ddenly a nd t h he m at a ime of superlative success and healt . S is al ost fo rg o tten now by the admiring world that in other d ays was o u d p r to worship at the shrine of her professional triumphs .

A m o r l st alone, unable to follow her p ofession , and deprived of t h e m g reatest personal blessing in hu an life, her days would h a v e u f been bitterly, cr elly dreary but for a few noble riends , of w h o m D enman Thompson is glad to be considered one . A t the the close of Chicago season , for a short time during US T IN D R Y . IN T EL L IG E N CE . J O HN N IO K INS O N LES S EE A N D M A NAG E R M O R E N O V E L T Y I

J . N ICK IN S O N , in his mbold ened by the success attend efi orts to amuse the public of To ronto during the las t Tw o Years and bein determin to erit a a ro a e s to announce . g m continuance of p t n ge , b g that he has (at great expense and w ith considerable difficulty! effected an EngagomantforSlxl lglts Gnly -Positlvolyl l ndIloIlaEngagement! W ‘‘ " i th the Distinguished Artists well known throu hout Europe and America as the First in the ir pecul iar and w on erful performances I T H E O R I G I N A L J I M C R O W ,

M R . T . D. R IO E !

A n d . t h e C r n c e l e b a t e d . T i g h t R o p e D a e r K E R R CL I N E ! Wh o w l a e w t u a a l i l pp ar i h the reg l r comp ny of the Roya Lyceum .

M R . T . D . R I C E m 0ml " and N BL l s GI GER or, Tho Virginia l ummy !

TH IS E V E N IN G M N DA Y M A R CH 19 111 18 5 , O , , 5 . T he e f an es wi m en e with for the fi st ti e i n ana a the Lau ha e e etta w itten P r orm c ll co m c r m C d ! bl Com di . r D x e forgd T . . th ori row e i n L n n e ssl . E e mal im nt t e o do pr y R RIC ( g J ! , i l d J U M B O J U M !

M R . T . D . R I CE S olo mon S ligo Mr G ru . b a in S e our Mrs Bri nk C pta ym .

FTE WH H TH E ELEB TE!! T S T A R IC C RA AR I , H E R B O L I N E , WI LL APPEAR AND 111110theHIGHLANDPLING111Costumeon1111111111111 01 comeBlast na Together with hi s night wi th dec ded marks of

V I R G I N I A M U M M Y 2 G I N G E R BL UE M R T R I CE

S erv ant Mr . Johnson orter M r Bark P . er

2 8 LIFE O F D E N MA N T H OMP S O N .

constitution , is sure to attract the worthy wherever his lot may be cast . “ O ff Uncle Joshua is such a character, the stage as well s as on, and in the changing scenes of the dramatic tory , e the homely manner, honest deeds and kindly natur of the S man wanzey farmer are the natural expressions of the actual ,

“

stirred into a vivid S howing by the circumstances of stage . “ He was cast for a variety O f low and eccentric comedy O f parts in the range managerial changes , and became enor m u l o s y popular with the local patrons and newspapers . His ’ ' “ S alem S eaaaer favorite characters were in The Octoroon , “ M les na Co aleen Ba r ne y pp in the Colleen Bawn , y in the ’ “ ’ ” “ O Da Uncle Tom n Falconers drama, Peep y, and in U cle ’ ” Tom s Cabin . O f u 6 A programme the Royal Lyceum Theatre , Febr ary , “ ” 1 8 r 57 , in which Mr. Thompson appears in an Irish characte ’ and O f part, as the hero Mrs . S towe s famous story , is here as printed , as a likely matter of interest to the casual as well

special reader . ua He was eq lly good and infectious as a rollicking Irishman ,

Y D - E the homespun ankee, with an unctuous own ast air and dia l ect, or the ignorant negro . It is a curious fact that he never could be induced to make

much serious preparation for a performance . He had a good

memory and a rare genius for emergency , but no application . Time and again when the text O f the piece had gone from him O f because a superficial study, and it looked as if he might

flounder and ruin a situation , a ready wit and perfect ease saved

him , and provoked the audience into the heartiest good humor .

He was always borrowing articles of stage dress , and it was a frequent remark that Thompson never owned a pair of “ sand ” n b e shoes , which he required for fancy dancing, the popular ’ tween the pieces . When the performance came, if he couldn t O f O f get them one , he got them another in the company , and so hi s S O h great was good nature and well was he liked , t at it always

created merriment, and never annoyance . The manager, John N CE D T R Y IN T E L L IG E . IN US . J O H N N IO K INS O N LES S EE A N D M A NAG E R N O T I C E “ T H E DR A A O F D R ED av in een receiv e w it r t ratifi cation a W M , h g b d h g ea g by nd F as iona e Aud ience in uces the Mana er to announce or re etitio n t is ev enin Full a h bl , d g f h g, ’ ’ o T a or s ce e rate Lon on Vers ion of Mrs B cpger S tow e 5 w ork Le n an om . ee Mar k m d T yl l b d d , UN LE TO M ’S CABIN C ,

O R S L A V E L I F E . rod u ce wit due re ar to effect1v e S cener ro ert ies Dresses Decoratio ns N e ro P d h g d y , P p , , , g

Me o ies Etc . Etc l d , , .

IS S N I K IN N A S M C. C S O E L IZ A , m r H k as h ll i s as h a M . . Ge H a s M ss P i as M r . D . T s n s n e T o M r . P e tr e Le cc o U e i , ; omp . cl ; Coo . org rri ; i p ,

ass M iss . Niclt inson as To se . Al l the an and N e s A x a es N e M nst e s Etc . C y ; , p y Comp y um rou u ili ri . gro i r l . a w Th . Pe rform nce ill commence wi th the L aughable F arce o f " IR IS H AS S URAN CE O R , YAN KEE M O DES TY .

o n Miss I i son. Mr D. son. Na c N ick n . Th mp ' y , E B h I V I ID A Y F . 6 t 1 T H S E E N N G , F R , , 8 5 7 . The e f r n e w l mmen e w th the La ha e e etta ent t e P r o ma c il co c i ug bl Com di . i l d BY NKEE M DE IRIS H AS S URANCE; O A O S TY. M o nson r Clift on . r . J . h r etri an M 1ss I Nickinson M . P e N Mr Hi iss . ll M u . i L on S san M ss S . y ’ D A N C E , BY M A D L L E E L I S E

To n e w1th a e a w th all i ts O n inal s en e ffe ts a h ne etc. ent tl e Co clud R viv l , i g c ic c , m c i ry , , i d ’ LE M ABIN r l UNC TO S C o S ave Life. ; , —t e a k 1 e to M R T O WZ and x anat of the es T E I sh b e stat e n sti S . S m e n e t taken w th N O IC ould d , li j u c , pl io lib r i i m ab e sto i n th s Dra a that i t oes not fess to b e a e e S ta e e s n of the ta e b ut a a in h e r ad ir l i m , d pro m r g v r io l , Pl y f ee use has en ad e of an o fher h ef rso na es and st st ki n incrdents ! The nte est of w h ich r m m y c i g mo ri g i r M RS . ‘ O WE S st ns in th ee sti n t hanne s . f w n succes ull the f rt nes of E i z a and Ge e of Un e S T ory ru r di c c l ol o i g y o u l org , cl nd E v a o f Emmeh ne and ass . F or D a at e ffe t it is ne essa that these th ea s sh be nt T o m a , C y r m ic c c ry r d ould i er w o v e n and that what ann t b e nne te sh be a an ned . Th s 15 what has b een atte te “ I th s D a a . c o co c d ould b do i mp d i r m , w h and ff t ese e the wh h b ea ' w h c h w h e the e has been th the s e t o s iI t thes th h M rs . S t we s i n i . il r bo i or pr rv ri ic r roug o ha t nd th e of n ents p‘ v n te w t a es the e at ns of a e s a e s en e a e ee a e th t ese e . pa t h e ic p g . r l io c r c r q u c i cid b l r d i ou r rv r h i Dir ction of M N I o uce un e t e e ate e R . CK IN S N Pr d d d Imm d . J O S olomon S picer N otter S kunk Mr Jo nso n . h S a o i M r . mb . H ll ui o Mr oo k Qmb . C e am M ose e N u ro x i i A o S Rosa et etc. a e us Au ar F orce d lph , , , , P , , by m l y .

E L I Z A C. N I CK IN S O N Miss i i s To se i N kin Ca s s y Ph ll p p M ss V . ic so n M ss L on M r b e t Ct e i s . Miss A u n y lby S . Lyon n t h e se f the e e the A NAD AN ETH O N S E E N A DE S wi l l erfo rm the f w n e es I cour o pi c C I I PIA R R ollo i g m lodi . 1 h Masse S n S e e Ban O n n s . e n d . i . e n . p a e e t c , O c S L tt e M e e p i g C oru r ou d l pi g Ri g jo Poor l v i l or Cid r .

VIVE L’EHP EUBEUBDES FRANCAIS ! 0 F E or DEN M A N H M S N 3 LI T O P O .

Nickinso n r n , was continually rebuking him for this pe so al a neglect , but never changed him from the habit , and had many hearty laugh over the blundering success of the popular play er. e w h S trong limbed , full cheek d and chested , with a thick gro t of red hair, brushed straight up from a full forehead , and large,

- E he good natured eyes, he was a handsome man . quipped as was physically, and the pick for a soldier, he could never carry out the part with becoming stage gravity . l a Upon the first occasion that he was cast for a soldier y p rt, he innocently created a scene of mirth that upset the spirit of the d e n o play entirely, and turne scenes of serious sentim nt i t o the liveliest sort of comedy . He was dressed in the regulati n a ffi c suit of scarlet , with gilt braids and all the sm ll insignia of o e,

his - r d and meant the best in the world . But round , good natu e

th e face , with roguish eyes and shifting manners , did not fit

e r sanguinary clothes nor situation , and the more he tried to app a ha ughty and seren e the more he reddened and the more h e r u d shifted , until the uproa became so great that the play co l hardly proceed .

' e w c rfiles and From that night forward he sche ed all su h , d m abandoned serious leanings toward the tragic side of the ra a . MANHOOD AND PROFESSIONAL STRUGGLES.

A E R II CH PT .

1 86 2 E N the spring of he went to ngland , with the avowed ’ “ hope of getting a chance to play S alem S cudd er in The ” D Octoroon , then playing at the rury Lane Theatre, London ,

and . with remarkable success, also in the provinces He n r failed in this object, much to his chagri , as he had t usted to r61e o make a fine impression in this . He secured a positi n , how “ as ever, low comedian in the stock company of the City of d i nd Lon on Theatre, remained there under circumstances of d n mo erate favor until the fall of the same year, when he retur ed to Toronto . There was a remarkable show of friendly feeling for the actor upon his return to the Royal Lyceum at Toronto, and for several weeks after the opening night the house was thronged

' with boisterous admirers , for they had a habit then and there of t no showing their preference for a player, which lef room for

was e . conjecture, and especially sweet to the favor d one From this time until 1 868 he remained at Toronto under the

s . C. uccessive managements of Henry Linden , J Myers and

G eorge Holman . s n An admirable and ver atile fancy dancer, he was in consta t d emand for this popular feature between the pieces of the even

i n . m g, and by his quaint and humorous manner as well as a iable d e an isposition , becam object of lavish favor from the local

- t heatre goers . a n as was Upon one occ sio , a lively bit between the plays, it

a nno t the n . unced tha manager, Henry Linde , and Mr Thompson , R i m! [ I! D uke o w o u ld appear respectively as c/m . and the f 2 L F E O F DEN M A N H O M N 3 I T PS O .

' Ifzc/zmond and l histo ri , settle with boxing g oves, once for all , the d E was cal family feu . ach to attire himself in the most ludicrous

‘ and o f the costume he could devise, without the knowledge and o other, then at the proper cue they were to march b ldly

- fi eld forth upon the mimic battle , and set to pounding each other with all the skill and vigor at their command . Thompson was arrayed in a glaring grenadier coat , dragoon high fur hat, black i “ " h S . kin t ghts , blue garter and essence shoes Linden came fort

- fi ttin S o in a short linen jacket, a tight g bathing hirt of a d zen lurid colors , striped linen trousers as wide as a sail , straw hat, “ u a and generally light and airy costume . Their grotesq e p

' earance R zc/zmona p provoked the heartiest good humor, and when

R ickar d m had been hit hard by the enraged , smuggled a s all rubber ball into his mouth , and turned toward the audience with aw his j swollen to an enormous size , the audience rose in an ' ' u R zc/zmoaa e d proar , and was mad the hero of the night, espite

di scomfi tu re his boxing . The honest face and S imple manner of the actor invested ev ery incident of a humorous character with a double charm and winning expression peculiarly his own . And as indicated before , ’ this sincerity of countenance is a natural reflex of the actor s — true nature a character quality which has made his word as good as gold with business acquaintances , and the special pride and happiness of the family name . How far this trait has become a governing principle of con

e duct was practically illustrated several years ago . S alaries wer not large for professional services during his long term of resi

- fi v e dence at Toronto . Twenty dollars a week was a large sum , and they were few and far between and of singular success who ’

. d received that amount Mr . Thompson s salary was consi erably S G to less than this a good deal of the time he pent there . enerous of a fault , with a family to support, and an unbroken habit “ ” n e rememberi g the old folks at home , it may be expected ther were financial “ ups and downs in the Thompson household of f an those days , and some a fairs of trade were entered upon “ ” account of faith and hope . A N H N LI FE O F D EN M T O M PS O . 3 3

When Uncle Joshua was born into the dramatic world , and touched the secret springs of human nature as had never been

done by any kindred creation of the Yankee type, it was like a

find of the richest ore , and paid out almost unendingly . It was en O ff his first thought th to look up and pay any and all claims , d and of whatever ate, with interest simple and compound , he

advertised in important Canadian papers for that purpose . Upon his first visit to Toronto after this fortunate turn in o f ff n the tide his a airs , he had messe gers scouring the city for a d an week , looking up old acquaintances and cre itors who had sw ered his advertisement . He paid out in all during this d d engagement . This unusual procee ing caused a great eal of t local comment, and brough into strong relief the seamy side of d human nature as well as the goo . All of the claims were out n lawed and most of them forgotte Finally, Mr . Thompson said d to one oubtful claimant Now, tell me, did I ever owe you anything “

: . He replied Well , to s peak the truth , you did not But I — was hard u p dreadfully so ; and a friend of mine prompted me l to try this dodge . He kept the money and left a good dea better in heart .

Another party followed him to the theatre, and sent in a bill a s t imm o d for c nnon . At the sigh of this odd item , he laughed “ eratel e y for sev ral minutes, and finally said Well , boys , I may b e b ut responsible for a good many funny purchases in my day , ’ I ll swear I never bought cannons . No , sir ; I am not blood d thirsty enough for that . I raw the line on cannons . This incident has often been referred to by those who

r o ld witnessed it , and provoked much mirth . P obably some firm h ad an ancient charge on their books of this sort , and thought t h e occasion a good one to cancel it . It was a common practice among the players of the Toronto

S o , t ck Company in those early days , as it is in a measure now “ ” u nd d S S r er the hea of ummer naps , to organize in the summe m o and nths upon a commonwealth plan , arrange a tour through

h e m iscel t Ontario and Quebec provinces . A programme of a FE O F DEN M N HO M S N 3 4 LI A T P O . laneou s was l n d order generally given , with a strong eani g towar m minstrelsy . There was the usual first part , with the co pany

- to blacked and arranged in a semi circle, sing ballads, comic e ditties, say funny things and list n to popular music . Then “ E V a or a r a followed thiopian arieties, Yankee farce, o ring “ ” S aw - D ers all burlesque upon circus life, like the ust Broth , in of which our hero took an active and popular part .

He could never learn to play the bones , however, suitably

n H e e ough for a solo number or in passable time with the band . w ea could talk , sing and dance ell , but with the bones he was w k , “ ” e hopelessly weak . As he was desirable on the end , it was devis d to have a screen back of him in the first part of the enter tai n

b ehl nd e n M r ment , and this was plac d a imble bone player . . Thompson went through all the motions of an ecstatic bon e

. u p y o h . la er, and the dummy back f t e screen produced the so nd 1 868 e Mr . Thompson retired from the stage in , and follow d 1 8 1 commercial pursuits until 9 . He then returned to the stag e an d and played successively in Toronto, Montreal , Rochester “ S rOle k yracuse , acting the principal in small pieces like Py e ’ " “ ” “ O Calla han C C e Y e t c g , himney orn r, Troublesome ankee , . He followed the variety theatres at this time because they off ere d l arger salary . In 1 87 4 he went to New York and obtained an engagem e n t

a d e s with a pantomime and comedy comp ny to go to the West In i . When they arrived at Kingston they found the place scou rge d

- Baran u ella n e with small pox , and immediately set sail for q , U it d

f - S tates O Columbia . He escaped the small pox by this change o f m h . i s course, but incurred the yellow fever He was isolated fro

a s friends and fellows , therefor, and kept in a rude tent on the co t hi m for ten or twelve days . His naturally robust constitution stood i well in this crisis, as did his naturally good temper and w ll .

i e fo r But for these adm nistering virtues , he would have been don f nd early in the sickness , so dreadful were his su ferings and surrou c ings ; that is , so far as we can estimate results from a physi al l . s standpoint He a ways looked on the bright side of thing . T rials and misfortune did not sink his soul into despair an d

J HUA WHI CMB OS T O .

O S H UA WHITCOMB is a dramatic evergreen , and will De continue to be so as long as nman Thompson lives , n said a Bosto critic, after the rural Yankee had been

coming and going for nine successive seasons, always a m w r ly welcome, and as freshening to the spirit and body as the i O f chang ng landscape the early spring . Theatre - goers had been sated with the artificial in plays and f the and players . A fairs and people of stage were adjusted regu lated with a mechanical nicety about as infectious as a read ser n w mon or an alma ac cover . The elocution and diction ere good ,

O pportunities many, sentiments lofty and pure , intention , situa tions and climaxes all right—but the moving principle of natu

ral ness was wanting . That quality of truth which galvanizes the b earer into an active personal interest and overcomes the mimic character of the scen e until the curtain falls and dispels the e S illusion, was a rare attribut . tage heroes of the Yankee type that had been O ffered from time to time were of the Brother u Jonathan pattern , and about as much like the gen ine character of the soil as gilt is like gold . The average specimen was lank , weazened and selfish , with a certain low cunning in trade, and c u an eccentri bent that invariably run to v lgarity . He was a n gross burlesque of the atural man , whose lovable traits, humor ous enough in their homely lines and expression , never degen c rated into irreverence and coarseness, and were as true to honest E manhood as the needle to its pole . John . Owens came near O f Y e est to the natural presentment a anke with a humor, dialect

and personal manner that partook of the green hills, scented D E s meadows and youthful memories of own a t farm life, until Uncle Josh came down from S wanzey with the simple charms L F E O F D E N M A N H M S N 38 I T O P O . and serene dignity of the New Englander as he had been o r G od dained by both nature and , and who was as much and sweet a feature of the soil as the buttercups, dandelions and daisies . O f had The friend our childhood come a long way to see us .

O ld - fi tti n - His straw hat, ill g clothes , cow hide boots and beaming spectacles were more beautiful to our eyes than the most grace ful and expensive adornments of current fashions . Our hearts warmed and our eyes softened as we went back to the old farm e en house kitchen with its big rafters , high dresser and larg op

fi - t re . e a place What a place of cheer at night, brigh en d by roar ! to ing log fire The true heart of the house , where we loved lounge and linger. A mellow , brown old kitchen , full of homely O f — things, the vital centre a pure and pious home life how many costly rooms simulate in their expensive furnishings your sombre colors The room and its simple furnishings were enriched by

fi re - shadows from the dancing light , or the few sunbeams that and came in the small windows , every simple feature of the home like place was mellowed into a tone of cheerfulness which reached the heart and satisfied the day of yearning as we have

never felt again . What visions of skies and woods and water and far- off hi lls in were let through the windows of memory by the bright , beautiful home light of the old homestead We could hear the

crackling back log, eloquent with fiery tongues , as it sizzled , sputtered and fought against the fates that would ex haust i ts l O f d ife blood for the higher comfort and cheer the human kin .

We and e were boys again , buoyant , wholesome happy , and Uncl Joshua was the inspiring guide who carried u s back to th e s e

the reco ll ecti o n h precious scenes of heaven on earth , . of whic exerts a greater moral influence upon our lives than all the after

thought and study of a maturer age . The doors of every heart were throw n wide O pen and beat a

h e hearty welcome for the honest New Hampshire farmer , and f has been the cherished guest of our a fections since . f Until his Pittsburg engagement Mr . Thompson had a fected a l e w s h Irish comedy, with consider b success , and a convinced t at L F E O F D E N M A N H M S N I T O P O . 3 9

e th rein lay his best hopes for enduring success . He traveled about n from city to city doing an Irish piece , in which his clever danci g w as rOle and a distinctive feature . He went to Pittsburg in this w as stricken down in the midst of his engagement by a severe nd t a a a e . tt ck of rheumatism , obliged to giv up playing for a ime A s he depended in a large measure for popular success upon his t e rpsichorean indulgences , this malady was a serious blow to his prospects . It looked as if he must abandon his profession or s l e ubmit to a low y place in the ranks . As salaries in thos days w re one- e about third what they are now , he could not have s b aved much for a possi le contingency like this, even if he was and of frugal habits (which he was not!, the outlook was far from promising of aught but pain and care . It was clear that if he were to remain an active and honored

figure of the stage, it would be by the work of his brains to the n f exclusion of his heels, and not a divisio al a fair as heretofore , in which both extremities partook of more or less credit .

It was under these circumstances , and while confined to his bed , racked with rheumatic pain , that he conceived the idea of playing a Yankee character of the quiet , homely — ki nd o ne that depended for its effects more upon dialogue a than dr matic business . “ u The result was Josh a Whitcomb .

At first it was the merest sketch , not taking more than

- fi v e and twenty or twenty minutes for its representation , only the vaguest suggestion of the character in its present perfect d n evelopment . It was produced in this embryo ic form for the ’ V first time at Harry Martin s arieties, Pittsburg, in February ,

1 8 and e 7 5, remained two weeks with conspicuous success . Ther w — e n ere two scenes the street sc ne, in which Uncle Joshua upo h i s first visit to Boston had a number of exciting and laughable a d ventures with low types of city life and the birthday party a t which he made the liveliest sort of merriment by his rustic m anners and homely talk . “ 1 8 At Rochester, in the spring of 7 5, Roundy , the boot

d . black , and Tot , the crossing sweeper, were a ded to the sketch 0 L F E O F D EN M N T H O M S N 4 I A P O .

d h They were familiar figures in the metropolis, wise beyon t eir w h years , roughened by the hard knocks of fate, but ingrained it qualities of nature that only need ed a little ripening time and a e sun to develop into stro ng and lovable character . They g v ’ h e added zest to Uncle Joshua s city trip , and photographed a p as of lowly city life that intensified the S imple charms of the qu iet

country home and its rustic king .

From Rochester he went to the Coliseum at Chicago , man

aged by Hamblin Brothers . Here it was , and during this en

m nt 1 8 Mr a e e . g g in the summer of 7 5, that . Thompson met Mr

J . M . Hill , a Chicago merchant , who afterward became his manager and evinced a managerial talent that commanded the and admiration respect of the whole theatrical business . He

was a Yankee himself, remarkably energetic and shrewd , and rose to a pitch of enthusiasm over the homely merits of the

- S n l e i ti piece, still an after ketch , which led to his givi g up his g mate business i n Chicago the following year and joining fortu n es d with Mr . Thompson . He continue in the relation of manager e S ix m and partn r with Mr . Thompson years, during which ti e d there was not a single marring incident , and there never existe

a writing of any sort between them in business dealings . i n e This original sketch was as happily natural its charact r, woof and humorous incident as the four - act play into which it

d ne d finally developed . The homely han iwork of the piece , seaso

with the true flavor of simple rustic life , and the real Jonathan

d - a of the farm , uncouth in dress and ialect, but honest, self reli nt

and kind , touched the golden keys of memory and awoke a an d sweet response in every heart , full of tender recollections

soothing emotions . m a u The public wanted ore of it . The sp ce, quiet, s nshine, verdure and homely characters of remote co u ntry life as reflected t d hrough Uncle Josh and his ramatic etching, inoculated the audiences with a taste for the pure pleasures and woodland E odors of extreme New ngland , and they longed for more of its

companionship . A seco nd and a third act were add ed at Chic ago during the

O F D EN M A N T H M S N 4 2 LI F E O P O .

1 8 6 1 8 i n years of 7 and 7 7 , and the spring of the latter year it was presented in the dignified proportions of a three - act play at ’ ’

H av erl s . e y , now Hooley s, Theatre The venture did not prov

immediately successful in the new form , and the management was considerably out of pocket at the close of the Haverly

Theatre engagement .

1 8 m d In the summer of 7 7 Mr. Tho pson organize a company E and determined u pon a tour of the New ngland towns, beginning 8 S 1 . at Bridgeport in eptember, 7 7 It was thought that in this

section , above all , Uncle Joshua would be appreciated at his true

value, and bring honors and profits to all concerned . It proved

an illusive hope , at least on this occasion , and after seven weeks

of hope deferred the season was closed . The company then went to Buffalo and began a Western tour l d . un er the persona direction of Mr J . M . Hill . Mr . Hill remained constantly with the com pany f ro m this time for the next five

. d years . When he and Mr Thompson separated they had divide ”

over in profits from the play Joshua Whitcomb . Not until Denver was reached in the winter of 1 87 8 was

r there any radical change in the fo tunes of the play and players .

The bitter was taken with the sweet , and all remained buoy n a tly confident of the result . The fact of the star having been previously identified with variety theatres no doubt militated

against his early success in many places , and saddled the pre

possession of many newspaper writers . But at Denver the local critics were taxed for fine word s to w b sho their admiration for the eautiful stage character, and the business of the engagement resolved itself simply into a question

of space . ’ a 1 8 8 E In M rch , 7 , merson s Opera House , afterward called ’ S n the tandard Theatre , was rented for Uncle Joshua s S a Fran é u cisco d b t . This was not the house for a good local effect with and E a new attraction , one praised for its New ngland atmos here p , but preferred theatres were not available or the presiding

geniuses were averse to the experiment . Acres of advertising

r space were covered with picto ial and descriptive paper . The

FE O F D EN M A N H M S N LI T O P O .

enjoy the abundant feast of all that is best in human nature . It was a long thanksgiving serv ice i n which eve rybody seemed to join . The retu rn from S an Francisco to the East was a journey th ff marked by e same demonstrations of a ectionate welcome. It was then concluded to go into New York and present “ Joshua

Whitcomb for a long period . The Lyceum Theatre, now the A S . Fourteenth treet , was secured from the lessee, Mr . . M Palmer, for six months upon a liberal rental basis . S 1 8 8 a In eptember, 7 , Joshua Whitcomb was introduced to r It r men New Yo k public at the Lyceum Theatre . was f eely tioned the e that ngagement was to be for six months. This play e een a s hous had b conspicuou failure up to this time . These s e e the e s fact w r juicy items for theatrical wiseacres, imp cuniou

e Y - and obtrusiv , of which New ork is a sort of hot bed . Besides, ’ t e m Hill , the manager, hadn rubb d the dust of commerce fro ofi e A e to his coat sle ve yet . capital centre lik New York is not b t A ! e S . . won so easily as Bangor, Joe and Ogden rrogant folly 0 e T be frank, these enemies of thought had a laughing tim ’ a d n n merry talk for several weeks . They didn t calculate upo that touch of human nature which makes the world of kin , about e s which po t have sung and prophets have written . The advertising methods of the management again attracted n e N the en general otic . ewspaper space was bought up with ter of a e prise dry goods merchant . Bill posters chuckled and wer Y t an us . e d c happy back of it all there was something to sell , t m r o e s s n . oo found it out It was wholesome amusement, delight n S ful companio ship, a gracious joy that stirred up the prings of ’ one s spiritual nature . New York soon followed the world and was happily e x er “ “ cised over Joshua Whitcomb as it is now over The O ld

Hom estead . From this time until The Old Hom estead was pre se nted ” “ w as as a continuation of Joshua Whitcomb, the latter play aff e c held in ectionate regard everywher , and succeeded finan ially

as well beyond all precedent . FE O F DEN M A N TH M S N LI O P O . 45

A n old Philadelphia lady summed it up correctly when she m n n n r e . os arked after she had see Mr Thompso as U cle J hua, T m an —he a n te And hat is not acting portrays livi g charac r. a s a m inister out West said to his congr egation after w itnessing t h e play If all plays put u pon the stage were as good as this

o n e o s , I should recommend you to become regular patr n of the

h e can e s a t atre, for no sensible person object to harml s muse ” m e nt .

They were both right .

H E sum of human happiness was added to con ” sid erab ly everywhere Joshu a Whitcomb and h its noble c aracters were seen . Its homely

charms warmed into life precious memories .

r Every heart responded to its natu al life . The a ld r hardened lines of formal , selfish wor we e

melted in their places , and faces made to beam with softening thoughts of other days and and their best joys . It was a glad experience It d d . di the soul good . It spread goo cheer wherever it went w as d a sort of ramatic landscape, fragrant and glowing with d u d r healthy life, with Uncle Joshua lifte p and stan ing out f om d and it all , an evi ent king, the greatest glory . d and d It was a goo thing for the world , , as with a goo book , E d there was room for more . very natural heart longe for more

the r of pure country life and its invigo ating spell . The hope w a s c n o tinually expressed that Mr . Thompson might create o an ther play with the same refreshing power. Joshua Whit ” m l and co b had become a familiar story . Its rura characters o o w dland flavors were as sweet to the senses as ever, but that restl ess law of nature which seeketh after newer and higher b ea u uties, whatever the acq irement , thirsted for more of the am e s delightful companionship . These influences resulted in the writing of the Old Home ” “ ” s tead . h In Joshua Whitcomb the son Reuben , who is t e rt s v i uou pride of the old people , is charged with robbing the h e C shire Bank , and the disgrace of such an accusation against i h s boy, the soul of honor and honesty, as he thought almost , 8 FE O F DEN M N H O M S N 4 LI A T P O .

’ cr u shed the o ld farmer s spirit and d blighte their home . The piece ended ’ i n the boy s exoneration and a thanksgiv “ ” ing at the Old Homestead , in which t all fel a glowing personal interest . But the odium of having been arrested for so u serious a crime , which was s re to cling more or less to his name among the simple country people familiar with the

fact, was the germinal idea for a new R l l play . euben was to eave the o d farm for New York to build up a good name l and fortune among strangers, and Unc e Joshua ’s trip to the metropolis to look up the absent boy , from whom he had not and heard for a long time, the humorous y b incidents such a journe made possi le, furnished the lines of work which have been so ad mi rably followed in the now O ld d ” famous play , The Homestea . In the first scheme of the piece it was intended that Uncle Joshua should make the trip from Boston by a E EN W T O MB R UB H I C . d a S oun ste mer, and his experience on “ ” o ne of these floating palaces was to furnish much humorous

e amusement . But several farcical sketches came into the th at

r ical d w as l d field before this i ea formu ated into ramatic shape, and the plan was abandoned . l G . f r Fina ly Mr . eorge W Ryer, a business acquaintance o h ‘d d w . a hom Mr Thompson evince a strong liking, was asked to give his attention to the construction of a play to succeed Joshua ” w Whitcomb , as a continuation of the same theme , and ith the d sam e principal characters . Mr . Ryer un ertook to write the play

r d himself, but in a sho t time confesse that his knowledge of ” Josh Whitcomb and New England life was too S light to admit

r . s of satisfactory esults without the aid of Mr Thomp on himself . FE O F D EN M A N H O M S O N LI T P . 49

Th f R e e fect of this was that Mr . yer joined Mr. Thompson at D 1 88 L k . oc Haven , Penn . , about ecember, 5 Joshua Whitcomb was t n he being played through Pennsylvania, changing the place

er e . of p formance ach night They began the work at once, and e the n a despit inconve ience of daily travel , finished the pl y in D ” en . . fifte days uring the progress of the work, said Mr Ryer m ov erflow ed d afterward, Mr . Tho pson with humorous anec ote

and - m pleasant reminiscence, one half of which if I could reme l ber, wou d adorn and prosper several plays . The Old Homestead was presented to the public for the

h A 1 886 t at . first ime the Boston T eatre, pril , Uncle Joshua was a e i n lways a welcom guest Boston , and the receipts of the

fi s 1 r t week in the new play were $ 5 . S everal minor charac

Eb G anz e t - ters like . y Whistling the carro y headed Irish “ man i n the and The last act , Hoboken Tough , which have n e the S si c fitted so pleasurably to pirit and scheme of the play , w r no t e e in the original production .

‘ It who may be interesting to know that Joshua Whitcomb, has given so much good cheer into the world , is a reproduction in H tw o a s S . . of actual person ge wanzey, N , known there as nd Captain Otis Whitcomb a Joshua Holbrook . Captain Otis fu r nished the comedy and Joshua the more se rious elements of

- s u e . thi uniq e and life lik combination They are both dead now , alth ough the former lived long enough to see Joshua Whitcomb e a i becom favorite type with the publ c . Aunt Matilda and Cy Prime are also translated from ac tual h e e . t e lif in New Hampshir We recognize in patient, kindly m b eforé w o an us, weaving, knitting and stitching her life into

th e a E fabrics in hand , magnetic type of New ngland spinster

o d and h o , whose largeness of heart sweetness of instinct was

’ l ss a b e ing and pride to many neighborhoods . The original of A h n a was t M tilda a sister of Joshua Holbrook , and known to all th e e S A t — a p ople of wanzey as un Rhody tender, honest , i h a an fa t ful , respectful unit who tr nsmuted the joys d sorrows of e r ho e and the om e h m ly life h e into pur gold . Y ME AND S ETH E K NS C P RI P R I .

2 L F E O F DE N M N T H M S O N 5 I A O P .

save what nature gives them , unset tled s end , untamed thing to the , but full of rugged s trength and warm

color . These characters are all brought the act the forward in first of play, which takes place on the Old H ome S The stead Farm , at wanzey , N . H . l is scene is idyl ic and domestic . It l e The a singularly rea istic pictur . odor of sweet - briar and honeysuckle n is in the air . The deep gree lane, old the brown kitchen , the bench and t n basin beside the door, the ki che

the - n garden , bee hive close by, gri d stone under the maple and old Well b ox r and oaken bucket, are familia ‘ sights that make one believe the good The old days have come back again . a personages before us are not ctors, m with parts to speak , but our old far

H Y K s APP JAC , friends, living as they have alway of e lived , and turning back upon our thoughts the sunshine arly days What a b eau tifu l lesson Uncle Josh teaches when he gives the and fl s tramp money enough to take him to his home , re ect , as he sits outside the cottage door My boy is away from h o m e ’ - e d to night perhaps he s in trouble, and if he is , I hope som kin ” a hand will be stretched out to help him . He then sinks into r th e gentle slumber and dreams of his boy , and voices f om cot tage s well out an accompaniment to the dream with th e o ld “ - h ? o m a song, Where is My Wandering Boy To nig t It f r s ff h n touching picture, and has had an e ect for good in more t a one life .

: man a o s Here is an instance A young living in Minne p li ,

ose o e w ear Ba Me. had b en out est fo r se e al wh h m as n ngor, , e W v r F S N LI E O F DEN M A N T H OM P O . 53

“ 41 5 : 113 11 17 8 [ 2 fa 11. c

l old d years , and his etters to the folks began to get wi er and w h ider apart , until six or seven months had gone wit out a word

passing between them . His own words to Mr . Thompson can best express his feelings : When I saw the great anxiety Of the e fo r d ream I a child fath r the son , and the , cried like , and I

a re or DEN M N H M S N A T O P O . 55

’ went straight to the hotel and wrote home , and I m going to e You the write every week of my lif . know I was raised in ” u r O ld co nt y, and the play took me back to my homestead .

The one shadow that fell upon his simple, pious, strong life was on this account . His boy , Reuben , had gone far away to a ” e h gr at city and e had not heard from him for nigh onto a year.

He determines to seek him , and as he does he leaves all the qu aintness and quietness of the New England scenes behind him and comes to New York . The second act reveals Uncle Joshua in the house of a mil li n ire o a . Henry Hopkins, his host , is an old New Hampshire

and - the boy play fellow . They sat on the same bench in country

. and w school The city man has grown rich formal , and his ife afi ect o and daughter fashion . His footman , whose name is F ’ art and d G g y, is called Francois ressed gorgeously . osh , I tho t ” w as he some foreign lord , said Joshua , after their first meeting and the novelty of knee breeches brings forth the homely cri ti cis m G o t u O u t row ed , his trowsers gall sed up pretty high . g m the a leetle might , I guess . Joshua is amusi ngly out of sorts with his luxuriant sur ‘ f b e n roundings . His best e forts to polite are bungli gly funny, h to t ough sincere . The proud Mrs . Hopkins is obliged take ref u e h g from his well intentioned compliments . What an onest

ring and glow there is to this short dialogue at their introduction , u r u u M rs tho gh ather confusing to the sumpt o s . Hopkins before a numerous company : — me Joshua Let see, you ‘ ’ ’ was a R ichardson , wa n t you s— Mrs . Hopkin Yes, Mr .

Whitcomb . Joshua—Betsey Richard so n ? —E Mrs . Hopkins lizab eth n Ri chardso . — I e Joshua Yes, r member, we used to call you Betts for M R AN D M R S H O K N S . . . P I FE O F DEN M N H S N LI A T OMP O . 57

can l l s hort . I remember the first time I ever see you , just as we a s e if it was y sterday . — Mrs . Hopkins Indeed — d e r Joshua Yes , you drove own to the stor with your fathe o n I u a load of wood . never will forget how p rty you looked caliker su n e r that day, in your new frock and bonn t, and you

F N O S FO G TY . M S S NELL E TTE S O N RA C I AR I I PA R .

’ b l u e yarn stockings hangin down over the side o n the load of a m ple . ’ he t No wonder the daughter said , Ma, didn look half so ” u n f ny in the country . ud e And after he said to g Patterson , a friend of the family , ’ o ld s You ain t no relation to John Patter on , that used to keep 8 FE O F D E N M N H M S O N 5 LI A T O P .

y e d the soap factor at Chesterfi l , ? w be you Mrs . Hopkins as

r for compelled to say, Hen y, goodness sake take him away o r ” I shall go frantic . Innocent mirth begins to bubble like a mountain S pring as soon as Joshua returns from th e ’ G so t stables . osh , I tho t I

“ u th e r! r c on a cat, as he j mps from ‘ r Th e m fi st chair he touches . far ’ y 1eld is not so good as it used to b e Then we ve had a ’ ’ e good deal to contend with . The season s been dry, and we v ’ w restli n had two circuses and a balloon ascension and a match , n d and one thing and another, and old Abe Hill always co tende ” s uch things hurt crops wuss than grasshoppers . “ ? And to the query , Are the Peterson boys all living All h ’d ’ m e e . living but Bill , and I guess a bin if he d staid to ho l d n Bi l always was of a roving turn of min , and he took a fa cy e — M o ntan w as and w nt out West somewhere out to y, I guess it — and he got tangled u p with politics and whiskey and a piec e ’ ” n 0 d of rope, and it ki d iscouraged him a leetle might. — And when he comes suddenly upon the nude statue t h e “ ’ V — e If u t enus de Medici the merrim nt swells to a roar. I d p ” “ ’ ’ d I d o e that up in my cornfiel , he says , I ll bet be arrested af r / h a d nig t . And he wants to know if that was a New York l y " “ d o m i n afore she died , and what you do with her when the i ster comes

v n As Joshua is a leetle might skittish about fire, he is gi e ' ‘ ofli ce o m his host s private on the first floor for a sleeping ro .

S a e r ays he before going, You might as well leave a s sser of tall alongsid e the fireplace ; I may want to grease my boots befo re ” you get up in the morning . The homely vi rtues and phrase of Uncle Joshua shine a l l

d and ff d e through the splen id setting of this act , a ord rare and lightful entertainment .

mm: o r DEN M N T H M S N A O P O . 6 1

S he fro m her eye . is thinking of

e l Reub n , and Joshua tel s her that the boy will be

- h o m e to night . ’ H e didn t want to come home hev with me, and ne i hb ers the g say, His old father b ed to bring him home again he ’s ' f' r o u ve. o 1 f s e et em! : too proud p y q ? ed fer that l ’ It is New Year s night . A sleighing party has gone over S n K from wa zey to eene to meet Reuben and escort him back .

Th e fire is burning brightly in the old fireplace . The old clock ’ t ticks regularly there in the corner, New Year s nigh and cold at How S that . the hickory logs pit and how the sparks go whirling up the broad flue and out into the sharp clear night ! As a domestic picture of real life this has probably never been equaled on our stage its quiet realism is ad S C mirable . eth and y are still

quarreling and making up , and Aunt Tilda remains a

S pinster. There is probably no t a line in the act that is not a literal transcription from New England customs and

conversation . When Joshua “ says he will go down into the cellar and set my mouse ” trap , we have a touch of the c at no r m ti t on a tual , th d a a s FE O F D EN M N H M S N LI A T O P O .

en earth could have furnished out of his imagination . And wh she asks Joshua to go in the front room and turn the damper ’ ’ ” the in stovepipe, coz all the heat s a goin up the chimbly, the absolute fidelity of the thing that every New England man has heard a thousand times is proof that the material of the play is genuine .

BO EN TER N E O F T H E F NES T TH E H O K O O . R R . I

This fidelity is seen in the contrast of home character and in t M ur the perfect truthfulness of the realistic de ails . Anna Maria d i n b e ock , the best nurse the hull county, and who comes in c w e ause she got a little lonesome, is kno n from Boston to Bridg and l d as to port , is as fami iar to us as Aunt Til a herself . Then th e detail s It lacks not o ne essential of the N ew England L F E O F D EN M N H M S N I A T O P O . 6 3

n kitchen bunches of cor , strings of dried

apples , and slices of pumpkin festoon the

fli n - kitchen walls . The old t lock hangs

- over the doorway . The old warming pan ,

b , mm the ellows tongs and shovel , ha ered

into form over a century ago , in the, little S H y , . . historic village of wanze N , where ’ Mr . Thompson s forefathers were born and

raised . What an eloquent part that old

1 ! Did ‘ red cradle plays it ever strike you before that the New England cradle and barn were nearly always painted red There is subtle cleverness in introducing this crad le at the end of so perfect a home story . It is the Alpha of domestic life , set in the Omega of the domestic drama .

After long years of forgetfulness , it was a pleasure to chase d the memories back to the Old Homestea . It was so distinctively

Yankee . There seemed to be an odor of the pine woods running ’ ’ - d thro it . The soft blowing breezes that rocked the song bir s cradle came creeping across the tangled grasses , and my heart se m d as a e e to feel the ground must, of an April day, when th t 6 L F E O F D EN M N T H M S O N 4 I A O P .

O - ars . E RIN 13 ld ”fi HA M S km ? r ,j

e l k s w strang ife is wor ing upward , until every bush and twig ho s w o u a s some twinkling gem of leaf or flo er, that smiles upon y it kisses the sunlight . But hark ! There are the sleigh - b ells jingling ! The d o o r is — burst open you can almost feel the cold air blowing in you r face . Reuben is home again

" ll our t1i fu f L FE o r DEN M N T H M S N 6 I A O P O . 5

And so, with the song of The Old Red Cradle in our ears, " and S nc the recollections of the Auld Lang y , with its homely to e a beauty to carry away in our hearts, we seem have gon b ck w o for an hour to the granite hills and arm hearts of ur boyhood , and to have lived once more among the scenes that will alwav s be the brightest and holiest in our memories .

A N M S N 68 LI F E or D EN M T H O P O .

w E the the ra And if N e ngland is land of homesteads , c dle

m - u o f the a e of co monwealths, the school ho se patriots , ac d my of e er's statesmen , it was after all in the Homestead that our W bst , E L e es i n our Adams , our veretts , our ongfellows got th ir earli t spiration and imbibed the principles that made them known to th e world . That old hom estead stand s there yet on the stony hills and wa a e s s . in the sh dy vall ys, ju t as it stood when Bunker Hill fit It has sent out generation after generation of brave men and women who have made the valleys of the Ohio and the Missis the l sippi to blossom like the rose . They fought battle of ife

- with a hymn book in one hand and a musket in the other . They the e the ax e drove savage before th m , and wherever they swung

- s t th s meetin they e up e g house and the district school . They

-ran i n over Ohio, they converted the prairies of Illino s i to a u a me s reless g rdens that fed the world , and their sons and daughters to - day are types of the hardihood and indomitable pluck that snatched states from barbarism all along the great

domain of the West . These men and women come the N ew England Home “ from e stead . They had sterling piety, simple hon sty and unconquer wa m able thrift . With them shiftlessness s a cri e . e They w re made of granite and sunshine , and they w e nt ’ n e s and over this co tinent with the ke nness of the winter s bla t, ’ e the e s ra n som thing of nourishing gentleness of the summ r i . ak e n Of course it is the Home that m es men and wom . S omebody has said tlzat tlzc lzarzd tlzat rocks the cradl e i s tlzc kand ’ tlzat r u e e or a the l s w w l . E And New ngland Home, with i ts u e s the H r gged simplicity, its quaintn ss and sternnes , is om e that a n Joshua Whitcomb puts before our eyes with its living, bre thi g E New ngland people . No one even of the third or fourth generation will fail to feel its charm and recognize its idyllic truth if he has one dro p n n of New Engla d blood i him . All that is sweetest and kindlies t as e in the boyhood p t com s back with the suggestions of. thi s, s ea play of The Old Home t d . HO P so N 6 LI FE o r DEN MA N T M . 9

E IN NOCENT AMUS EM NT .

R EV EN RY IELD i n the N ew York E van elist. . H M . F , g

a es t A few d ys since a r ident of his city , who was born in S t s e e ockbridge , Mas , and whom we hav known for the trifl of ’ s a l e it fifty year (it is re l y nearer sixty , but don t m ntion ! , but the who for last thirty years has lived in New York , and is an ’ Dr honored member of Rev . . Crosby s church , came to us with a H e face beaming with happiness . e had be n to see a performance “ ” ' m the e O i of The Old Ho estead at Acad my Music, which had brought back such memories of his childhood as made him a had boy again . He had laughed and he cried but to hear him w h he as t e . tell of it, about as happy in one as other The whole afli rmed impression was , he , not only innocent and pure , but positively good he had found at last a diversion which he thought healthful to body and mind , and which he insisted that

Chr istians ou ht to atroni z e e g p , if it were only to show that they w re not e oppos d to innocent pleasures, but only to such as were con nected with bad associations . Believing thus , he urged us strongly to go and see for ourselves . u Th s persuaded , we went , and we must say that we think our old ri f end was not far out of the way . The Old Homestead is a r pictu e of country life in New England half a century ago . You

’ ma y call it a play, but it is a play such as might have been e E act d in the old times in any New ngland Academy, by the w e boys and girls, who ished to get up som thing for their own u e am s ment, or perchance to raise a little money to furnish new

s o - ffere cu hi ns for the meetinghouse . The only di nce is that here r re eve ything is got up far more perfectly . Our readers will m ember the Old Folks Concerts , which were so popular a few e d y ars ago, in which a number of goo singers were dressed up s n o in costumes uch as our grandfathers and gra dm thers wore , and sung the songs that the dear old grandfathers and grand

m e a e oth rs , who had fallen asleep , had sung generation befor . The O ld The Homestead is a similar revival of the ancient days .

ne - sce ry is rural and domestic an old fashioned kitchen , with

F DEN M N H M S N 1 LI FE O A T O P O . 7

’ the farmer s family and his neighbors talking in the old Yankee n r a d . a e ialect A load of hay, dr wn by oxe , lumb s cross the stage

n a n - n an e a d enters the b r . The hay makers gather rou d old w ll

sw eep, and after drinking the pure water, sing

- ke that han i th w The moss co vered b uc t gs n e ell . ne e Then the sce chang s to the city, to which the farmer

comes . to visit an old acquaintance whom he had known when they were boys together and his surprise at the splendor of the u e a m i . i w o G C city mansion is very a s ng Th re is v e f race hurch , from within which are heard voices singing as sweetly as any city c e hoir. In front of this the old man tak s his place to watch the

- a son who ever passing crowd , to see if he can discover , , wander s ing away from the old home, took to bad way , and was lost in

e . the the gr at city At last the prodigal appears, and father falls

u . pon his neck The return home is celebrated with rejoicings . The sleigh - bells jingle merrily as they bring the wand erer back , and the fire blazes brightly on the hearth , the family gather and a t round it with happy gr teful hear s .

S h an e r uc is outline of this simple p rformance, the imp e ssion of which is as pure and wholesome as the most scrupulous could The m . an desire . moral is good The old talks temperance to the prodigal as tenderly and yet as earnestly as any temperance c u le t rer, to which the audience heartily responded . Indeed it was a very sober audience, not at all a fashionable or theatre n u goi g one , that seemed to be made p of descendants of New E an m ngl d , who ca e to have their memories revived of the old s and our day the old folks at home . If providers of places of am u s e ment were careful to give us such simple entertainments t h i s to as , parents would not need be so constantly on their gu ar d against the mischievous tendency of popular amusements

upo n t heir children .

“ H URCH the A uthor o R O M S . Thanks ivi n S ix t Years A o F C ILL, f g g y g . E D E N MA N H M S N S . T O P O , Q, Academy of Music, N . Y . City i r — D ear S After witnessing the exhibitions you are giving at t h e Academy of Music in d elineating the farm scenes of the 2 FE O F DENM A N H M S N 7 LI T O P O .

en s t s c n old time , I am not surprised to see the hrong rowdi g

around the ticket ofli ce in the morning for seats for the evening. The character of the whole play is filling a vacuum of long existence in our want of a proper amusement and evening en o ment e e j y , where a gentleman of refinement and cultur can tak his wife and daughters and be entertained without having their finer sensibilities disturbed by scenes that are seen and heard on

the stage . You have successfully introduced a play that furnishes in on nocent amusement, cheerful recreation and a pleasant diversi ,

enlivened by hilarious enjoyment . To those more advanced in life it recalls the scenes and ex erien e To in p c of their early days at the Old Homestead . those middle age the novelties furnish ample occasion for joyous s amusement . To the young it gives a rare insight into old mode

and manners , full of instruction . To those who have their ner s x vous system taxed by excessive cares and burden ome an iety,

‘ - h it gives a pleasant relaxation . To the full fed and agile, wit of buoyant hopes, it arouses their temperament to a high pitch who . e mental enjoyment Ladies of culture and pure s nsibilities , are disgusted with innuendos or double entendres in words or e acts that blink toward lasciviousness, are the first to enjoy pur

a e . n tiv wit or innocent humor, and laugh the loudest The man who can meet and supply these wants in the ex i enc h and d g y, occupies a hig and honorable position , shoul ’ guard against any temptation to lower the high standard of moral excellency that has so highly elevated the fame of Joshua URCH S . H . Whitcomb in the esteem of your patrons . C ILL

’ ’ E N F N r A H S A R T UGE E IE LD S OPI N IO o DEN M N T OM PS O N . The play of The Old Homestead is one which can be en joyed over and over again each time some new and del icate me beauty appears, or some pleasant memory is awakened , or so b e sweet fancy is suggested . Certain it is that no other play fore us at the present time abounds i n such wholesome mate rial as we find in the homely pictures and the genial humor and the tender pathos presented by Denman T hompson in his latest

work . Amid all the changes and fluctuations to which our stage ne m a has been subjected , there has obtai d a strong de and for FE O F DENM A N H M S N LI T O P O . 73 — purely American dram a a play which should truthfully illus t e rate a type of our humanity . This demand is fully answ red , ” we The e e e i n think , in Old Hom stead, a production so compl t its naturalness that it seems to b e not a play b ut actual bits o f Yankeedom and of Yankee flesh and blood plucked from the

- Down East and spread before us for our delectation and benefit . Denman Thompson himself is unquestionably the only delineator of he act—h is Yankee character the stage has had does not e . Un e e the w as til he gav us Uncl Josh , the Yankee of playhouse s m b ufi oonish n e i ply a freak , to be ranked with the co v ntional he e n negro minstrel and t typical stag Irishma . ” “ ld t n The O Homestead, so ruthful of illustratio and so u te e p re and kindly of motive, may be accep d as altog ther the b et e est American play y produc d . We who live in the West feel under peculiar obligations to Denman Thompson for the good he brings to us in this rare work ’ of us are the the his . Many of unable to get back to home, in e . people and the scen s of our youth Hills, plains and rivers terv ene the distance is great and this busy Western life of ours

x a . S e is e acting in its dem nds ometimes busin ss, sometimes ill h old ealth , and sometimes poverty keeps us from revisiting the h the us e omestead and old folks , but none of ever loses his lov and veneration for the dear scenes and the kindly spirits abou t a wWhich the tendrils of memory cling so tenderly . In Uncle Joshu hitcomb we recognize an old friend we knew him in Maine , V — i n Y a S . ermont, New H mpshire yes , and ork tate too His n e he am was not Joshua Whitcomb in the old days, but was then th a - e e s me lovable character as he is to day, his h art as tender, his n a u charity as u ivers l , his h mor as quaint, his pathos as ten I . S o der , while you and and others may disagree as to who he w e a was when we were boys, do agree th t each of us knew him i all e . n then , and that we lov him now He is an old fr e d come a and from among the hills that once did girt us round bout, he has transplanted out here among the prairies patches of our old New England ; and we seem to breathe once more the atmos F E O F DEN M A N H O M N 7 4 LI T PS O .

o w e b e e ph re of those hills, and seem to hear the humming of s and W n to scent the fragrance of lilacs and intergree . u a n We la gh riotously, for it is fun to be boys and girls ag i a c o f but we cry, too, for in all we see and he r there is so mu h m o r suggestion . We see more than our eyes behold , and hear e no w than that which falls upon our ears ; faces that are dust , — voices which were hushed long ago these are the sights an d ’ these the sounds recalled by the magic of Denman Thompso n s

—E u ene F ie d i n the Chi o ws M ar h 1 888 art l ca N e c . g , g , ,

T E LD E E D H O HOM S T A .

’ ’ Jest as atween the awk ard lines a hand we love has pe nn d ’ Appears a meanin hid from other eyes ; o ar t S , in your simple, homespun , old honest Yankee friend , ’ i 0 e e u . A power t arful , swe t s ggest on lies — ’ ’ We see i t all the pictu r that your mem ri es hold so dear The homestead in New England far away ; ’ And the vision is so nat ral - like w e almost seem to hear v 10es h shed The 0 that were e but yesterday .

’ ’ Ah ! wh o d ha thought the music of that distant childhood time e h Would sl ep t rough all the changeful , bitter years ’ To waken I nto melodies like Chris m as bells a-chime ’ An to claim the ready tribute of our tears !

’ ’ n Why , the robins in the maplesan the blackbirds rou the pond , ’ The crickets an the locusts in the leaves, The brook that chased the trout adown the hillside jest beyond ’ An the swallers in their nests beneath the eaves ’ all troo in n o - They come p back with you , dear U cle J sh , to day , ’ An they seem to sing with all the joyo us zest ’ at Of the days when we were Yankee boys an Yankee girls play, ’ With nary thought of livi n way o ut West !

6 FE O F DEN M A N HO M S N 7 LI T P O .

ed critical in artistic matters, there is apt to be a sort of puzzl a feeling in the community regarding it . It is not often that good play is made with so little apparent regard for the el e w are one J mentary rules of play righting, and people apt to forget w d before another is produced . The ordinary play right still plo s d along endeavoring to a apt what he sees and feels in life, or what somebody else has seen and felt and expressed in narrative c h th e form , to the onventional forms and devices t at prevail on “ d and stage . But the lesson that The Old Homestea teaches, that might have been learned by heart years ago from other sources , is that the faithful portrayal of human nature, slightly idealized , will always win the admiration of the masses and com i nS ec pel the praise of the critics . As a matter of fact , on close p tion it will be found that The Old Homestead is constructed with more regard for the dramatist ’s rules than appears at first sight . The disregard of the canons is more seeming than actual . the The desultory character of Act II . , a shrewd submission to and popular taste for pure farce, is apt to mislead the spectator

make him lose sight of the coherence and symmetry of the scheme . e b e The second act contains one delightful passage, the dialogu tween the two old men who were barefooted boys together fl umm er among the New Hampshire hills . The rest is y and horse ’ Buckstone s n play farce, the fun of which is older than Cousi ’ “ - - f o as . Joe , older even than Royal Tyler s much talked Contr t “ ” Without this The Old Homestead would be a perfect play . E th e t ven with farce it is a good play, moving the sympa hies by o f d an exposition the goo ness and purity in humanity , touching w the heart ith general pathos , bubbling with humor, sparkling

with homely wit . The first, third and fourth acts would make d the play , with the one good bit of writing in Act II . transferre

to the street scene . Then there would be set before the spectator,

r more harmoniously than at present , a simple study of characte h involved in incidents whic , if not thrilling, are essentially dra

matic . The force of opposing influences is exerted in the play, though it contains neither a formidable villain nor a melodram atic nd . a hero The climaxes are striking logical . The plot i s not FE O F DEN M A N T H M S O N LI O P . 7 7

co b u t i s su fli cie nt the mplex , t i , and interest is maintained by th e revelations of human character and not , as some people

se m w u nob t e to think , by the interpolated music, hich is quite

jectionab le but not at all necessary . The central figure is a true f d o . type American character idealize Cyrus Prime , Aunt Ma

tilda, and the other New Hampshire folks are real personages . The last act is a marvelously lifelike picture of home in N ew ’ E n ngla d , a farmer s home in its most cheerful aspect . The

poetry of the hills and fields is in the piece . Whoever wrote and a d the text of this play, there must h ve been a trained han

and s a poetic brain employed in the work , deserves the thank

- of theatre goers . It is a good thing to be reminded once in a while that the word “ dramatic does not necessarily convey an It idea of rapine and assassination and marital infelicity . is a good thing to be able to prove that a sympathetic chord can be struck in the public heart by a stage picture of homely and goodness and piety faith in human kind . To be sure, there “ ” is no love interest in the play . It resembles Macbeth in

that one particular . But the spirit of happy youth and maiden

h e ood is preserved in it, and it is not essential always to hav

a wedding in prospect when the curtain falls . S o that The O ld ” Homestead , if not a model for playwrights , is a distinct ’ iv el D y good play, apart from enman Thompson s impersona

tio n of the farmer . Let us acknowledge the fact and wonder n o longer why we all like it .

G D DS TH E E G OO WOR FROM CL R Y .

I am glad the day has come when a clergyman can go to a fir s t - c lass play without b eing hauled over the coals by fanatical R EV r s . H N C h . S UDDE . R C i tians JO L , s Fir t Congregational Church , Jersey City . F E O F D EN M A N H M S N 7 8 LI T O P O .

I would b e only too glad that such plays could be enco u r r w rk You a e . S . aged . doing a good o uccess attend you R EV G E R GE VA N DE A ER . O R . W T , ’ Y S t. urc o k Andrew s Ch h , New r .

I b eg to add my recommendation of that most excell e n moral play . I have seen it twice , and have advised my more particularly the young men ’s guild and the older

t he to a dozen sermons, bringing home as it does so forcibly od o u lesson of the Fifth Commandment . G bless and prosper y in the good work you are doing through your play among the young men and boys of New York . R EV BD WD A L A CE E . . W L N IL,

- - S t . art r Church of Andrew the M y . TEE OLD HO MES TEAD A MORAL AGENT.

There has always been more or less antagonism between and the church theatre. The latter has been charged , with a l good dea of force and more passion , with being a nurturing ’ f r m place o an s lower nature . The natural man gravitates to

if t . evil lef to himself, and the theatre favors this native abandon S O ue n arg they , or ma y of them who are appointed to speak for fo r the former, which represents a system of life more powerful

good than all the agencies of men . But there are personal defects

- —in aye, lots of them those who stand forth with prominence to

present its virtues . That does not detract from the merit of the f system of religion , though to some minds it has a bad e fect ” “ and leads them into wild declarations of nonsense, folly

an d - - other empty missiles of the quick feeling and light headed . The theatre has had to stand father for a good many off e nces against sound morals that bear the same relation to ju s t ice that the antics of a S alvation bugler do to revealed reli

gi o n . Its mantle has been adopted by brazen types of forbidden

m e n r and women, who have dragged its good name and pu pose w n d o as they had their own flesh and soul . But every noble t has i ns titu ion had some such experience . The theatre is not

al o n e in this respect . It fulfills a natural want and ought to be d o o . g and do good , and shall, to endure Its power for reaching e m t h asses is almost unequaled . Its misuse by the clumsy r d r S o egraded does not constitute an inherent w ong. acred

r u s t th have been proclaimed by foul mouths . Religious services a v e S h been mocked by Charlatans in vestments . The pirit of the

a e n t b u t g t was corrup , not the cause he desecrated . The t h e a tre in its right use affects man With refreshment and kno wl 80 FE O F DE N M A N H M S O N LI T O P .

It v iv ifi es u edge . tr th to the appreciation as a magnifying gl a s s ’ It the n does a mineral object . softens hard lines of care in o e s

as It t h e face with humorous ide in the lives of others . acts on

n o Its e i s spirit as a good dinner upo a hungry b dy . influenc

A te b e quickening and lingering. po nt moral agent it may , a f u l d cheering e fect it generally has, and a personal friend it sho a alw ys be when found in a pure estate . “ The Old Homestead is an example of the theatre in i t s I . t a n d best expression is as full of wholesome life as the sun ,

e e warms the heart and mind into activities of health and ch r .

e x n e What sermonizer, how ver able he might be in te t and man r , could reach the tendrils of so many natures and infuse a n e w and warm sense of feeling for the graces of an honest ch ar act e r ? b u m b l The old rustic king, Joshua Whitcom , embodies in his h e ’ life the gracious outcome of a simple Observ ance of God s la w s as written in the Holy S criptures and the changing form s o f

u e nature around him . It is an object lesson in homely virt s

t o f o u r without any token of study . It is extracting the streng h cathechi sm and t h e under blue skies, with the air soft and sweet a n d birds singing. Ministers of the gospel, noble men in mind u b mission , have recognized this truth and gone so far as to p licl i a d h ers t o y pra se the beautiful pl y, and a vise their paris ion co m go and enjoy its delightful atmosphere . This is evangelical f and i e u mon sense . It is separating the wheat from the cha f n l atin a m an d e g desire for the best among plays as a ong books , exhibiting a broad ness and fairness of mind which comm an d s d n o f respect and enlists followers . It is hol ing out the ha d fellowship to an agency that helps to brighten and bet ter a troublous world which the church seeks to draw toward sobe re r i s thoughts of heaven . It is a practical sort of Christianity that ready to believe in forces for good withou t the ken of a nar r ow The O ld theological set . It sees the illustrative value of

' a e a nd Hom estead and its rugged ch racters in a moral sens , d a nd hails the portraiture in flesh and bloo of a pious, strong ow n d a honest type of manhood , which comes near to our y and nature and makes u s yearn for hi s t rus tful companion sh ip -t F E O F D EN M N H M S O N 8 1 LI A T O P .

Th e actor and minister should work together in harmony o f se a e spirit, though p rate in manner, harboring no res ntment, and the o e the world will be gainer. This sympathy will impr v the feeling and work of both and retard the nox ious growth which the spreads over fields soil of which is good, but husbandry bad . ” e o ne The S om has likened a visit to Old Homestead , at the the t the the r Academy, to rip of a waif of city to count y in the

rn n . r bu i g hot days of summer The wide, open country , clea ue bl sky, sparkling pure water, scented fields, wholesome food nd x e s a e rcise and miling friends, blow into blazing and healthy energy the fires of youth which had be e n banked and hushed e r are b y the grit of ntailed pove ty and ignorance. They pos

es . s sed with a strange feeling of strength , gladness and hope The n e su shine of heaven, pur and untrammeled , has poured n e a i to th ir shadowed lives , and brought glow and vigor which blossomed into smiles and words like the purple cr own of a lilac e e e A bush , long r pressed by dens foliag and shade . noble char ity is this fund which gives to the little wanderers of a big city an e s annual tast of sky and woods , and stirs their cheek and eyes with an emotion of pleasure which sits so well on child

hood . a h r h d n F t e s and mothers, brothers and sisters , c il re of an O d are Th l er growth , taken by e Old Homestead upon a spir i n h f s t of tu al ex cursio with much t e same joyous e fect. The piri t e x e a h w orld is ve atious at best . The lif of large city is driving We d and selfish . are unmercifully knocke about and trampled ’ M b e upon by ammon s worshippers, and must well supplied , h ’ indeed , wit Nature s gifts to take root and grow with any spe Th cial t and . e s profi bloom tired eye, dull skin, nervou man

' ne r ‘ unsettle d ee the tax se u m e d , f lings, es Nature impo s pon tro “ ” o a are The ' ld b th p lit n thrift, banished at O Homestead y e h e l n ro e m e ed of a i g p p rties of precious emories, ren w cheer e t and a c l m . a t e w e art h ar , , con nted life, of hich we se m to p ake wi t a u c n n as new s l h q i ke i g a de icious .

“ ‘ Are . he h can o wa ro The O ld - me t re any w o g a y f m . Ho " ~ t a th an no e e o . . : s a . Aca e t e e e d t e d my d t f l better f r . h tim they A H O M S N 8: LI F E O F D E N M N T P O .

spent in its delightful association ? I cannot think so . It ’ d n b a to o . espeaks depravity , assume this, that I t think exists e e d The pure, unselfish , divin lov of father and mother for a chil

e m how a u will always r ach the heart, no atter low the moral st t s and of the person may be, if exhibited in natural tones of flesh ’ e blood . The stronger lement of a mother s devotion is wanting “ ” b u t in The Old Homestead , there is a paternal honesty and simplicity of affection which reaches the tendrils of feeling and s m e inculcate a good lesson . It is an unadorned fact that a nu b r of young men have been reclaimed from the habit of drink by ff n a the powerful e ect of situations a d scenes in this pl y . And also that many a wayward son who had left his loving home to

roam , and gave it little thought and no words of remembrance w d after ard , was induced to turn longingly toward that sanctifie a spot , and give unto it and himself a cheerand strength that c nnot th ff b e measured . This is e di erence between theory and demon ratio n DO st . you think pictorial language could accomplish

? h th e this It is more t an doubtful . S eeing is believing with The e average of the multitude . volution of sin in a character e an aff focused clearly befor us, and without y ectation of science ,

art or theology, is pretty sure to impress soundly . Is this a e ? e contrary cours to the church Could any text be mor pure , simple and sign ificant of virtu e and truth than the lin e s of homely Joshua Whitcomb and his neighbors ? And it has the a h d n dded merit of umor, grateful and abun ant, and changi g and all characters scenes of good grain and natural color, of the ff which attract eye and heart, and impress the a ections with

wholesome interest as few plays are capable . efi ect m n Another good of this pure, do estic play has bee that it has d rawn to the theatre a host of people who had never I d been to a public place of amusement before . have observe

lots of them with curious interest . You may know them by the e r as as r s timid way they nter the ticket doo , like not cu t ey ” - O ld e c u nt ing to the ticket taker, after the good fashion d o ry o s n t ha cust m on meeting a tranger. I have seen them retur o t t a e and s n the ns c th g t , blushing he itati g, with coupo whi h

P R O G R A M M E

O F TH E

F IR S T PR ES ENT AT IO N

T H E L D H O M E S T E D O A ,

A T T H E

D E N E W O R K ACA MY, Y .

E G . G ILM O R E , P r op r i et or s and M anager s E UG E N E TO M P K IN S , i A EXANDER COM S TOCK BUS INES S MANAGER L ,

Thurs da A u us t 1 y, g 3 0, 8 8 8 . UNTIL FURTH ER ANNO UNCEMENT .

E a c h E v e n i n g . S a t u r d a y M a t i n e e .

— IN THE

WRITTEN BY DENMAN TH WB OMPSON and GEO . . YEB.

cas t of c h aracte rs and S yno ps is of S ce ne s

F IR S T A CT .

o D ma T om so J shua Whitcomb . en n h p n Ba O r . Geo . A . B E N E . Cy P ime . e ne Ha a k Wa t r Ga ppy J c . l e le

k o s . C a O ott “OIESTE‘BFl a. Fran H pkin . h uncey lc Mor Eb Ganz e . L. a or Tan . y J g n Fra WR I T O B John Freeman . nk Thompson C M S , A Mat lda W t om Mrs Lo sa Mors W un t i hi c b . ui e S ANZ EY , N . H . Rickety Ann Mi ss A nnie Thomps o n H o M ss A i s . . M ss V rm !! By i nn e pkin . i enie Thompson P u m M ss N Fr ma M ss L a S to p p o m ux . i ellie ee n i illi n ne ' Maggie O Flaherty Miss Minnie Luckstone THE O LD HO MES TEAD DO UBLE QUA RTETTE Is composed of the following

M ss rs . O ott Ear A r Ba r M rs Kr r Kammerlee Law e lc , le , ke ley , ke , ye , uge , , . CO S E N D A CT.

os ua W t o m D a T o Q O E N E . J h hi c b enm n homps n

H r Ho s W e a t r L nox S r. en y pkin l e , NTER R I IO d P att r o s O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O Gus K Ju ge e n O O O O ammerlee

O F TH E Fra o k s 0 0 nk H p in 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Chauncey O lcott

HOPKIIS Il l Slfll Francois Fogarty Frank Mara ,

Mrs . r o s M ss Rosa Cook NEW T Hen y H pkin i YORK CI Y . Miss Annie H o pkins Mi ss Venie Thompso n

P att rso P AINTE D BY Miss Nellie e n M IS S Annie Thompso n

M ss Cora P att rso M ss Ir n Comsto k G O A TCH E R . i e n i e e c

TH IR D A CT.

Jo shua Whitcomb Denman Tho mpson

H r o s Wa t r o r x S . en y H pkin l e Len ,

“ All! Illllll llll AT Jack H az z ard Walte r Gale

mm Reuben Whitco mb Harry Earle ,

‘ Ho or o o o o o a o o o o o o o o M o r o T rr o . L b ken e o . g n BR 0 A D W Y J A , The Dude Frank Tho mpso n NEW RK T YO CI Y , One of the Finest To m Law

L tt r Carr r C M R h a U S . r s o . d P AINTED BY . . e e ie ic n

a u r M ss Ros a Co o G O A T H E Mrs . M C R . g i e i k

" T H E P A L -M g ,

R nd r d b Cha O ott and The O ld Ho m st ad C oi r e e e y uncey lc e e h . F 0 UR TH A CT.

an o os a W t om . Denm T om s n J hu hi c b . h p B C P r m . Geo. A . a y i e . e ne

. Wa t r L ox S r r . S eth P e kin s . l e en .

E O E N E ' a Haz d J ck z ar . Re uben Whitcomb Harry Earle KITIBIIEI . Mo r a J L. g n l " T "! M R ar Len H olbrook C. . ich dson LDHOMESTAD Frank Mara O E . A a a Mrs Lo a r unt M tild . uis Mo se Mrs rdo M ss r . M . Ma K m a l “ mu n m. u ck i ie i b l

-a R k t A O A l ic e y I“ ! Miss Annie Thompson G cu na . Miss Minnie Lucksto ne The Three Miss Lillian S to ne S tratto n Gals Miss Bak e r

E X E C U T I V E D E P A R T M E N T G .

ACADEM Y . THE O LD HO M ES T EAD. DEN AN G . G L RE ° . and t E . I O p g M f and M " M M NE T MP K N ” 3 E UG E O I S . P Man er A MCFAR LAND B n R CO MS TO K Bus . a E . . us . a a er A L EX . C g M g 'IUCK I R . S II AT . “ m um VAN DUS EN WIL L IAM NEWM AN i J. H E N R Y Agent

In co njuncti on w ith the Elab orate Prod uction of

T HE O LD HO M ES T EAD

S pecial P raise i s d ue those w h o h av e been prominently identifi ed with the w ork h v arious

ways , to

AUL N —i I I ON S . P L P P O TEAUX M F“ m su n" R H L G AT H ? M . P I IP O C ER i EC R A . . K M . J P DW HA LE S ER E A D R C S . S RD S E LE and M . M R . I B HERTS M ES S RS . M E R S E REAU c HE NEWESTSHAPES IN SEAL SKIN SARMENTS ALL T .

Th t les Qualit and P rices cannot be beaten b an e S y , y y y .

ALS O A CH O ICE AND EXTEN S IV E AS S O RTM ENT O F UF BAS SCARFS AND TRIMMINGS M FS , O , . E T ’ S EAL S KI AND FUR LI ED OAT G N S N N C S ,

C G l o v e s G a u n t l e t s B a b e s a n d 3 1 1 8 a p s , , , 3

IN G REA T VA R T IE Y . ENBYSIEDE HE14thS SERIES , .

1 4 W e s t 1 4 t h . S t r e e t ,

Bet F ft and S x t Av es . . N EWY i h i h , O R K,

S END F O R CATAL GUE EAR S . ES TA BLIS HED OVER 3 8 Y O .

O P T ICIA N S ,

2 ! UN IO N S QUARE N. Y. , , OPERA GLAS SES

F r o m u p w ar d .

GEO RGE EHRET’S

H O U S E

I4 t h S t re e t ,

Corner Broadwa UnionS a y qure.

T w o H UN D R E D R O O M S 92d to 93d STREETS . A T P P U A R P R ICES O L , VENUES BETWEEN 2d AND 8d A , O N E D L LA R UP WAR D O S .

N EW Y OR K . MEBOP ll OS PBIN

P H I IP DI O N R BER T F G I IN . . O . L LL LL P RO P RIETO R S z AT IM OT H Y H A Y E S O E H T OOK ER . . J S P H .

MARBLE FRO NT BUILDINGS

8 4 0 e s e t r e e t N e w Y o r N o s . 3 a n d V y S , k .

T H E S HO WP R IN T ING HO US E O F A M E R ICA !

Extraordinary Facilities for the Rapid Satisfaction of ord er-a fl either for T m ressions Wood M etal or S on F - I p , , t e. irst clas i 28 P TG S S G S . Artists on ictoria Work ri es Consis e l . P c t nt w ith Qual ity ! THE METRO PO LITAN IMP RINT Is o n P o s te rs all o v er the w o rld and atrons d is la i t as a uaran . p p y g tee of the high charac te r 0 the i r ent e ri se w hether of Theatri al S teamboat R ailroad Ex ress , c , , p , o lItIcal Commer ial or other Busine Ventur , c ss es .

ES TABLIS HED 1844

B James Gordon ennett and formerl known as th e He l y B , y ra d Job Pri nt .

' 0? “ block west o tlze A stor H om e and o t W f old S . P aul s and as a mi li a r to t f , f ! ' eneral uolze as tfie Brookl n Br id e or Central P ar k g p y g . BROADWAY and 29th STREET.

WS 8x P I E R N r r i e r s . M A T T H E S O , P o p t o

l n to American P a , per day.

a l a a European Pl n, $ . oo per d y and upw rds .

central ocat o the c t co v i e t to all t atr s and ac s l i n in i y , n en n he e pl e

b k r m E R R f am s t ne oc f o . o O . . u emen . l RI H DIAM N D EWE L R Y C O J .

UAlll I B (l T AND FAS H O NA LE ossuens.

G A T T L E

BR O A D W A Y ,

Corner Tw e t -S v t S tr t d r the Co ma o s n y e en h ee , un e le n H u e .

H O R L E R M CG R A T H ,

4 0 A S T 19 T H T E S T R E E ,

N E W Y O R K

FURNITURE MAK ERS H E RT BR , S O T H E R S , N TERIO R Dacou Tons , 394 89 6 Broadway ARCH ITECTURAL and 16 East Tw entieth S t WO O D Wonxs ns . N E W Y O R K .

’ L u n d b o r g s P e r f u m ‘ - - ormm m as n“ . m l . nosrz ALP INE n orm non LILY. n . o . .

' LUN DBO RG S R H EN IS H CO LO G N E .

e ume n A rti l s Th s e P erf s are for sale b y almost all Druge iS i s and Dealers i To ilet c e , b ut fo r an reaso n the annot b ob a se nd fo r e Lis to y , y c e so t ined , r a P i c t w Prori rs aufac rr 4 BARCLAYST cor. ChurchSt Ne Yor LADD FFI eto andMn tues 2 k. CO N , p , ,