The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-11-10
DRAMA ITO.
The "Lancashire Lass. >,


Lass was produced last evening, according to
announcement, both at the Arch and Chestnut
Street Theatres. Mr.. Byron is the author of
eof the best dramatic works of the day. This
is not very high praise it is true, but it is some-
thing to be able TO sincerely commend modern
playwright for something more than the oppor-
tunlties which he offers to the stage carpenter
and machinists to distinguish themselves. Mr..
Byron generally has an Ineligible and interest
ing plot, reasonably well-written dialogue, and
his characters, If not always studied from life,
are drawn with more or less skill, and allow
some scope for the display OF ability on the part
of the actors who may be called upon to fill
them. The Lancashire Lass inclines more to
what is known as the sensational than most of
Mr.. Byron's plays. 1t is we'll spiced with viii
lainy, and murder, forgery, suicide, and other
crimes form the substance of the story. The
rascals, however, all come to grief, and suffer in
one way or other for their ofenses. The vir-
tuous hero and heroine escape the peris that
beset them, and are united aud live happily in
a manner most satisfactory to the feelings of the
audience. The moral, therefore, is excellent,
and the idea impressed upon the minds of all at
the fall of the curtain is, be virtuous and you
will be correspondingy happy. The plot OF the
play may be stated as follows:-
Ruth Kirby" the heroine of the piece, is the
daughter of wealthy farmer, who determines
that she shall enjoy the educational advantages
which have been denied himself. While the
father, therefore, is merely rough old farmer,
the daughter, on arriving at manageable age,
is a refined and accomplished lady. med Clay
ton," young engineer, succeeds In engaging
"Ruths" affections, but an adventurer by the
name of "Robert Redburn" also becomes smit.
ten with her charms, and he sets TO work to cut
"Ned" out by fair means or foul. "Redburnn
who passes himself off for an artist, secures as
an assistant in his schemes "Kate Garstone,"
factory girl, who is in love with Ned Clayton
herself, and therefore embttered in her feelings
against Ruth" and she is also in the power of
"Redburp," who is aware of some nefarous
doing of hers in London. Ruth" is induced
to believe that "Ned' is faithless to her. and at
length "Redburn," with the aid of "Kate Gar
stone," obtains SO much influence over her that
she writes letter consenting to elope with him.
The letter fails into the hands of "Ned Clayton
who opens 1t in the presence of "Ruth's" father.
Just at this moment "Ruth" herself enters the
room, and "Ned," to screen her from the old
mans indignation, reads the letter as if it was
an indignant rejection of "RedbuTn;s" proposal.
After this fnagnanimous act, however he refuses
to give her a place in his affections, and to
drown his sorrow he enters on course OF dis
sipation.
Two years later we find "Redburn" endeavor-
ing to repair his damaged fortunes by marriage
with "Fanny Danville," the daughter of
Liverpool merchant of reputed wealth. 'Mr.
Danville,n however, suspects the character of
his daughters suitor and refuses to listen to
him. "Redburu," )" however, obtains the assist
ance of "a party by the name of Johnson" who
had been transported number of years before
for forgery which was really committed by
"Mr. Danville,n and who now seeks to obtain
revenge by forcing the merchant to marry his
daughter to the adventnrer. Ruth Kirby"
however, who, having left home after her ruCc-
ture with "Ned Clayton" is living in me family
of "Mr. DanVille" in the capacity of governess,
illustrates this scheme and saves the young lady.
"Redburn," bafled at all points, leaves the
country, and 'JObGsohn makes the merchant
pay large sums for his silence about the forgery
business. To escape from his opportunities,
"Danville" takes advantage of an opportunity
which is offered him and pushes johnson"
into the river. "Kate Garstone,n who had visited
| the same spot for the purpose of ending her
course of guilt and misery by suicide, witnesses
| the transaction from behind pier, where she
lay concealed; and when "Ned Clayton" who
having been the last person seen in "Johnson's'
company, is arrested for his murder, she springs
forward to tell all she knows, but falls to the
ground exhausted, and expires before she is
able to tell the truth. "Redburn," who was on
his way to the ship at the time the murder was
committed, succeeds in fastening it upon "Ned, >
and he then proceeds to renew his attentions to
| "'Ruth.n
Ruth" however, rejects his proposals with
contempt and she shows her affection fol