The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-10-24
BEHdE1vrr OF Mn. And hias. AIDAUdn.

AeAAASAA44 Vt AAkAs AA&th AA4s9s
These popular stars now OF the Hamil-
ton Opera House have their first and only
Benefit this evening, and there will no
doubt be q large attendance, as hey nave
made most favorable and decidedly sue
ceSSful impression since their opening IN
this city. They will appear TINS evening
(which Is the last night but one OF Their
engagement)l in the great. Sensational
drama founded on Bret Harte's poem,
entitled Poverty Flat, California In ls49,
of which the Louisville Commercial gives
the following insight into the new play
Last nights audience was one OF the
very best in size and quality that has filled
the Opera House this season. It certain.
ly was, as well entertained as any one
could desire The play Of Poverty Flat Ia
new In lis idea-a line representation Of
miners life In the earlier days Of the Cal.
ilornia gold diggings, well written, full to
Overlooking OF startling incidents.
Mr.. Albaugh's past efforts have been
particularly attractive TO US, and thai
gives our COMMUNICATION oil his Tom Flynn
the more weight As the good natured
honest, true and brave IrishmAn, he Is one
Of the very best actors we know. He
loses all selfconsciousness, and Is Tom
Flynn entirely. The character is a good
one, and could not possibly have fallen
into better hands. Mrs. Albaugh con-
tributed very largely to the interest Of the
piece, and In the parlor scene her action
and reading are very finely done.
One OF the leading journals Of the coua
try gives q still more interesting account
Of the piece as can be seen by. the sub
Joined:
Poverty Flat" Bret Harte turned many
Of the incidents Of Californian history into
poetical legends or prose stories. Among
the prose ,narrations that Of Poverty
Flat, holds o conspicuous place IN public
estimation, and for this reason 1t was
seized hold Of by Mr.. McCloskey as the
foundation for q sensational drama. The
main incidents Of the piece are from ont
work OF Bret Harte's but auxiliary aid
are called in from other tales and poems
The first act Of The drama Is located al
Poverty Flat, and gives graphic picture
OF the lie Of o California miner In 1870
The third act gives an insight into high
life in San Francisco. The fourth act
closes the piece and disposes Of the char
acters at the place OF beginning
Poverty Flat" The story Is thai
Joe Mercer, a miner, sis affianced 4
Oracle FolLans6ie, the daughter OF minel
who, having made his fortune, has re
turned 10 civilization. Blackburn, an
other miner, is also In love with Oracle
and his Jealousy; inspires him TO deeds
Of crime togain the hand Of the girl. He
manages 10 make both Grace and 10,
think that they are faithless to each other
But he Is ioiled by Tom Flynn and Teresa
arlington, and the two lovers are united
He returns 10 Poverty Flat, abducti
Oracle, murders Teresa, and charges J0t
with the crimes. A Vigilance Commit
tee try the latter, and find him guilty, but
again Flynn comes 70 the rescue, ant
Blackburn is shot instead. Avgood de
gree OF the wild earnestness Of the mel
and women Of California in 1910, wher
the gold fever was raging, ia Infused into
some Of the characters.1 4 r. -tsatst
In the character Of Joe Mercer, Mr.. Al
baugh found part peculiarly adapted e
his style Of acting, and portrayed tht
honest.hearted miner TO the lie. In III,
second act, where the supposed falsity o
Oracle temporarily deprives him Of rea
son, his acting was particularly fine ant
called forth long and frequent bursts o
applause. The scene in the San Francis
CO Hotel, where he meets Oracle, wa!
also very finely rendered; the bitter, ye,
sorrowlul scorn Of the Tilted lover-as hi
supposes himseli-being rendered with
great fidelity to nature. The entire per
sonation was most excellent, and Joe Mer
Ger is undoubtedly one Of the very fines
OF the many fine presentations MIR. Al
baugh has given us. Mr.. Albaugh wa!
verp ably supported by Mrs. Albaugh.'
Poverty Fist will be produced this even
ing at the Opera House, the only night o
1t, MIR. and Mrs. Albaugh appearing in 1t
/ also in the comedy oil 1.-THE Day alter the
Wedding" Tomorrow the Saturday mat
inee, MIR. and Mrs. Albaugh's positive last
appearance. but one. ~ ygra.-o,