Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-02-21
The Play ~ John Browu.

Artemas Ward goes to see the play of "JohI
Brown, or the Hero of Kansas " and what be
thinks of it here follows:
The drama of John Brown, or the Hero oi
Kansas and Harpers Ferry was produced al
the Academy Of Music last evening, TO fam
audience. We don't know who wrote the
play. Let him write one more rs near like II
as possible, and then quietly die. AS the Iate
Gen. J. Cesar observed in regard to Mr.. Cas-
sius, ''such men arc dangerous.
First act opens in North Eiba There is
wedding at John Browns s house. Amelia mar
ries somebody and quadrille is danced. Then
Mr. Brown and his three sons leave for Kansas.
Old Mrs. Brown tells them they are going On a
long Journey, and blesses them to slow music.
They 20 to Kansas. What upon airth" they
went to Kansas for when they were so snug
and comfortable down there in North Elba, we
can't imagine. The sons are next seen in
Kansas in a cavern. Mr.. Blame, who don't ap-
pear to be a very pretty nice man, asks one of
the Browns TO drink. Brown refuses-which
is the first instance on record where Brown
declines such an invitation. Mr.. Blanc, who
is a black bearded, ferocious man, about sew
enteen feet high, then asks him whether he is
pro-slavery or anti! Young Brown says anti
whereupOn Mr. Blame runs long knife into
him and laughs wildly. Another young
Brown here rushes up and says, you have
killed me berruther,' Music Scene changes
The wounded young Brown enters supported
by his two brothers. he seems to be pretty
much PLAYED out. Says he sees his mother
and dies. We looked but couldn't see airy
mother.
Next scene reveals John Browns cabin in
Kansas Brown is seen reading Tribune Al
nanac His two sons come. The married Brown
seems to be glad to see his wife. Pretty soon
he (married Brown goes out and comes in
dead He is shot while out by Border Ruff
fan Then the Border Rufians surround the
fro nj rails
ally. The Browns are about to give them
selves up for gone coOns, when a lucky thought
strikes Katurah; whose dialect would imply
she was from South Readin', that there is
trap door to the cabins. The Browns go down
stairs and come up through the bulkhead.
Their miraculous escape reminds US of that
of Del ones the Sanguinary. For sixteen years
was be confined in lOathsome dungeon, not
tasting of food during all that dreary period,
when one day lucky thought occurred to him.
lie opened the window and got out Then Old
Brown and his remaining son meet and swear
TO have revenge on the shareholders. The
battle at OssawatOmie takes place. Guns are
fired. Gid Brown kills Mr.. Blame, making an
able and eloquent speech to him as he does it,
Mr. Blame tells his comrades to remember the
Importance of one vote, and to be at the polls
early. says lie don't see his mother mHch, and
Dies like the son of a gentleman, wrapped up
IN the bar Strangled spanner. Four or FIVE
other border rufians are killed, but they don't
say anything about seeing their mothers.
1t may be that we have got things mixed a
little, but we hardly think we have, as we paid
particular attention.
The last act shows US Browns farm at Har-
per- Ferry. His daughter Amelia asks him if
he hadn't better give the thing up, and he
says no. 1t must he put through. He then
says they must pray for his success. Cook comes
In disguised. He says the rural districts are
all going in for freedom, and that the thing
had better be done right off. The arsenal il
shown US. United States soldiers come and
hre mt 1t. Brown comes out and permits him
self to be shot. Is carried across the stage on
mattress by several athletic supes Is tried
and sentenced 20 death by the court, which
consists of one man in epsulets and glazed
cap. Is seen standing upon an elevated plat
form, the stage heing illuminated, and the
curtain falls.