The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-10-08
MARK TwAIN,s NEW PLAY.
The GiIded Age--A synopsis of the Plot

The GiIded Age--A synopsis of the Plot
Mark Twain has taken a hand at
play writing, and "The Gilded Age" is
the result. The plot deals with fam.
lily, the Hawkinses, who have emigrated
from East Tennessee to Missouri, IN
obedience to the advice of Colonel Sell
lers. visionary Southern gentleman
with very large heart, an active brain,
and sanguine disposition, but without
any money or any practical executive
ability.
The play opens with scene showing
the Hawkins family in the new country
discussing their prospects and plans.
Si Hawkins, the head of this family,
has two children, Lafay cite and Emily,
and an adopted son and daughter, Clay
and Laura. The other members OF his
family are Mrs. 81 Hawkins and an old
negro servant, Uncle Dan1. The act
deals entirely with the domestic affairs
of this family. Colonel Sellers has in
vested large portion of 81 Hawkins's
money in new steamboat which is ex-
pected up the river momentarilY, and
Laura has a lover in the person of Col
onel Selby, an ex-rebel officer. The act
closes with the approach Of the steam
er, which is seen to be racing with an
other boat, For few moments the in
terest of the party is entirely engrossed
in the speed of the vessels, and Colonel
Sellers becomes inordipaJely enthusl-
astic about his investment. Suddenly
the favorite explodes, and the curtain
falls upon O scene of consternation.
Nothing, however, can discourage
the hopeful and enthusiastic Sellers.
He sees fortune in mules, in hogs, in
land improvements, and devises magni-
fcent schemes involving millions.
Hawkins, involved and almost desti-
tute, struggles on hopefully. And
Laura is discovered to be the wife OF
Colonel Selby, secretly married. The
arrival of her brother Clay exposes
Selby's real character. He already has
a wife in New Orleans. The discovery
of this secret and it's attendant misery
end the second act.
We then have an episodical scene IN
Colonel Sellers house,a scene OF in
finite character and humor. The place
is shabbily furnished. indicating the
proprietor's poverty. The rickety stove
has lighted candle in t,doing Elusive
service for a fire, and the broken door
is propped up with poker. In the
midst of this distress, Colonel Sellers
preserves his grandiose hopefulness and
his show of pecuniary ability. His
hospitality is boundless, though there
is nothing in the house to eat. His
plans are princely, but he is without
cent. Clay Hawkins has called upon
him in the interest of the family, and
his practical, doubling disposition
comes out in strong contrast with the
effusive and visionary character OF his
host. He knocks down the poker and
exposes the candle. But the Colonel IS
equal to the emergency, and explains
the circumstance away with easy ex-
travagance. He even invites Clay to
dinner, and Mrs. Sellers announces that
there is nothing in the house but raw
turnips and water. The gracious ln-
genuity of Sellers at this discovery IS
inimitable.
"Oh, never mind" he exclaims,
"raw turnips and water will do, if it's
good article of water. But provide
the best. Provide the best the market
affords, Polly, It's close place, but
cheer up, girl, cheer up. Providence
will tide us over the scrape somehow.
Don't let us weaken on Providence,
sweetheart.
"We always dine simply on Thurs
| udyS, uO bhN6 w SluJ, uo p41SJ piu
! down. But it's healthy diet. Let
pretty bright now. The air is full of
6 money, / wouldn't take three fortunes
for one little operation I've got OH
q hand now.
. "Anything from the casters? No ?
:, You're right, perfectly right. Some
people prefer mustard with turnips,
l@,,tI 3aly fln,,
: embellishments for Mulberry Sellers.
; High living kills our best men. Take
! some more water. How does the fruit
!. strike you 2"
). The scene then shifts to the national
a capital. We are given to understand
= that Colonel Sellers has projected g
a vast scheme by which the Government
~ is to purchase large tract of unavall'
y able land in East Tennessee belonging
. to the Hawkinses, and there found {
.s national university and farm for the
a. emancipated negroes. To hasten the
:. appropriation all the family have gone
% to Washington. Laura has become
a the belle of the town. Senators ant
- - Cabinet officers dangle in her train
a She is using all her influence to worl
o. the appropriation. But her passion TO
O. Colonel Selby interferes with all he
"a plans. In an angry alteration will
,f him she discovers his GOODNESS, and II
h fit of rage and despair draws pisto
rs and shoots him. The fifth act furn
* ishes a trial scene, in which Laura is
n prisoner. There is nothing d:stinctl
~ novel in the scene except the characte
~ of Colonel Sellers. His actions, hi
Of testimony, his sincere emotion, and nj
ID whimsical earnestness and humor al
~ evenly preserved and stand out vivid
he in an otherwise barren finale.
he