d so rapidly that the house was
sold out before the day was over.

The following criticism of the performance is taken from the Santa
Cruz Sentinel: "The object of the entertainment being appreciated, the
hall, with a seating capacity of 250, was crowded, and promptly at the
hour the curtain was raised, displaying a little family coquettishness
between Madam Deschappells and her daughter, Pauline. As a matter of
course a bouquet of roses was found, and it was queried in all
innocence of unsophisticated girlhood as to who could have sent it.
This act, Pauline by Mrs. Elmira Baldwin and Madam Deschappells by
Mrs. Fannie Baldwin, was well played and at once centered the
attention of the audience. Colonel Dumas by I.C. Wilson was far in
advance of his former attempts, and Beauseant by Thomas Beck added
laurels to his already established reputation as a first-class
amateur. Glavis by Master Asa Rawson was rendered in his usual
facetious style, creating a universal twitter all around the hall.
Mons. Deschappells by Albert Brown was laughable in the extreme,
partly from the age of so young a father, as seen through the scarcity
of his be-floured locks, and partly from its surroundings. The
landlord by B.F. Tucker was up to the mark. Captain Gervais was played
by C.W.S. Waldron with dignity and soldierly bearing. Widow Melnotte
by Mrs. Margaret Blake was grand and inspiring, and when she displayed
the character of a devoted mother many eyes glistened with a tear and
many hearts reverted to the days, gone forever, when a mother bent
over them with cheeks radiant with smiles of delight. Claude Melnotte
by I.B. Binney was excellent and deserving of the greatest praise.
Mrs. Elmira Baldwin, in her preference for the supposed prince, in her
rage and disappointment when she discovered his true character, and in
her determination in the final act to cling to him as the wife of an
humble gardener's son, acquitted herself splendidly. Mrs. Fannie
Baldwin acted well the part of the haughty and vindictive mother. When
Melnotte had returned as military chieftain and was happily united,
the curtain fell and the audience slowly dispersed."

Our audience was select and we had many fine comments upon our work,
individually. Several professionals were in the audience. It was
difficult to make them believe I had never acted before, and they said
I could carry that character anywhere and make a success of it. When
all expenses were paid we had $