This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897 Excerpt: ...letter from her mother. There was a synopsis inclosed about "Fedora." She went to Paris, saw the play and purchased it. "Fedora" ran in this country for four years, then came "LaTosca"and "Cleopatra," and later, "Gismonda." The latter two productions are generally conceded to be the most elaborately staged scenically known to the stage. Miss Davenport has paid to Sardou during the twelve years she has presented his plays the sum of 8360,000. Melbourne MacDowell, who is Miss Davenport's leading support, started his theatrical career at the Boston Museum, in 1877. He afterward appeared in the stock companies of Montreal and Minneapolis, after which lie was engaged for Squire Rodney in "Hazel Kirke," and then played in several of the Frohman plays, after which he appeared in the leading part in "Held by the Enemy." Miss Davenport, witnessing his performance, saw that he was exactly suited for the leading roles in the various Sardou plays, and engaged him for the following season. This was in 1884, and Mr. MacDowell has been playing the leading rdles ever since. He has a WII.I.IAM AUTHOK OF AND PRINCIPAL CH PHOTO BY PACK BROS. good stage presence, and is well-fitted for filling heroic roles. "TWO LITTLE VAGRANTS." "The Two Little Vagrants," a melodrama by Pierre Decourcelle, and adapted by Charles Klein for the American stage, met a cordial reception at the Academy of Music, New YorkCity, where it was first presented November 23d. The story, a very improbable one, is intensely melodramatic. George D1 Armont, believing his wife Helen unfaithful, in a jealous rage casts her off and gives her child to Renard, a notorious thief, to lie raised as a criminal. Seven years pass, a...