The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-12-17

THE SECOND UNIvERsALIsT FAIR.-There
was very good audience assembled at City
Hall last evening to witness the amateur the
atrical performances gotten up in aid of the
Second Universalist Society. Around the sides
of the hall were tables stocked with all kinds
of elegant needle and fancy work, while there
were also booths devoted to the fish pond, post
Office and sale of Christmas gifts.
The play represented was the domestic dra-
ma of "The Hard Struggle" in two acts. The
plot of the drama is as follows: Mr.. Trevor, a
rich farmer, is endeavoring to lay aside all re-
collections of his former condition by assum-
ing the language and manners of fine society,
which effort particularly in language) is not a
success. Like Mrs. Partington, she is quite
an epicac in literature" He has ward, Reu-
ben Holt, who is a fine young fellow, deeply in
love with his guardians daughter, Lillian, to
whom he has been engaged for a long while,
and who was brought up as playmate with
him in the same house. Lillian Trevor, on the
contrary, while she loves Reuben as a brother
has been away from home for long time past,
and during that time has fallen in love with
Fergos Graham, young surgeon, who pas
sionately returns her love, but as Lillian is en-
gagged to Reuben she does not acknowledge her
love for Graham until, in the course of events,
Reuben suspects the new attachment, and re-
leases Lillian, who marries the object of her
choice. 1t costs Reuben, however, "hard
struggle" to give her up, but he takes consoa-
ton in the love of the second sister, Amy,
young miss just blooming Into womanhood.
Then there are also introduced the incidental
characters of the landlady of the ''Swan Inn,"
and Lilian's maid, Susan.
The play was acted throughout with natu-
ralness and freedom from staginess rarely seen
among amateurs. The part of Reuben Holt,
which is the character of the piece, was admit
rably delineated. The scene between Reuben
and Li.ian, when he ascertaps her affection
for Graham was performed in manner that
was so true to nature that we could not see
how it could have been bettered by either,
while the wonderful abandon of Amy evinced
perfection of acting that could hardly lead
one to believe that the young lady was an am
ateur. As for Lillian, we all are so well ac-
quainted in the city with her abilities that the
only criticism we have to offer is, that last
night she added another to her many laurels.
Mr.. Trevor was capitally represented by the
gentleman who assumed the part, who showed
forth in strong colors the affectionate, ignorant
old farmer-gentleman. Fergus Graham also
comes in for his share of praise, while the 9TH
er characters did the little they had to do with
spirit. The familiar after-piece of the "Morn-
ing Calr' was only a recaptulation of the same
spirited and admirable rendering of few
weeks ago before the st. Paurs Society. We
are glad to see such an excellent amateur COM
pany added to the other well known amateurs
that our city can boast.
A supply of excellent refreshments were fur
nished in the Reception Hall. We should not
forget the young ladies who so agreeably filled
up the waits between the acts with their adj
mirable Duets upon the piano. Tonight, in
addition to the attractions of the Fair there
will be Promenade Concert.