The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-08-19
ASSESSMENTS.
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.'wolfert's Roost" a new play by George Fawcett
Rowe. was produced at wallack's Theatre last
Ing. with Mr. John Il. Raymond in a part. The
piece well received. and the actor may fairly be
credited with another the degree of which
time alone determine. The audience an
OVERLOOKING one. and no doubt surprise even to
the author and star.
The action of the play opens in the year 1872 the
story being purely domestic one. and being
founded on the legends of Washington Irving.
is full of ghostly lore. Katrina. the belle Of
Sleepy Hollow. is loved by Dolf. naval leuten-
ant whose widowed mother occupies the Haver-
straw homestead, known Wolfert's Roost Dolf
does not discover that Katrina really loves him and
quarrels with Brom Van Brunt, cattle dealer, for
daring to pay court to her. The girl becomes angry
with both and declares she will marry neither
Brom departs threatening Rolf. but news that
war is declared arrives and young Rolf starts
to Join his frigate. Ichabod Crane. the poor
village schoolmaster here comes on, the scene ana
he too loves the fair daughter of tar'aer Van las
Sci, good natured, laundering Dutchman: Quaint
in speech and half cracked by study, the schoolas-
ter endaavors to cheer Rolls mother by telling
the ghosly legends of the Hollow. All of the charac-
tiers rather absurdly fall asleep in the open
ar. and Wolferts ghost appears to Ichabod IN a
dream from the mouth of u well ana charges MIN
with finding the treasure which he concealed in life
time without giving clew to its whereabouts
Ichabod awakes in terror ana the act closes. In
the second act Katrina Is suffering az the
schoolmaster, who has been asked by her
father ascertain the real cause She confesses the
object of her love bashfully that Ichabod be-
Hevcs himself to the favored and falls on his
knees only to be discovered by Van Brunt. who is
furious Emma (Rolf's sister, is in love with Icnabod
and overhears his lovemaklng. put the news or
Rolls death suddenly turns the current of emotion
In the next act Halloween frolic Is held in tho
farmers house, and an old fashioned dance is in
terrupted by the clock striking the midnight hour
Katrina decides to try charm offered by lchabod,
bnt soon. returns frightened by the appearance
of sailor who has brought news of Rolls
safety. In the fourth act she discovers that
it is Rolf himself in disguise, and they
become rcconciled, the cattle dealer overhearing
their betrothal and swears vengeance. Katrina
meanwhile lends Emma her cloak and Ichabod
makes love to her, only to discover his when
ii is late. Doll next frghtens the schoolmaster
by personating the ghost of the headless horseman
and Ichabod tumbles into the we'll As Dolf is
pccring down the cattle dealer appears and
tires at his rival, who ,staggers off the
1t having been set on fire by negro employed tor
the purpose by Brom. In the last act the cattle
killed his rival and tancies he sees a ghost
at every turn. John Iappan, lawyer.
and village Coroner appears and proceeds to nvesti-
gate the burning of the Roost when Brom accuses
the farmer, who is ordered under arrest. Ichabod
rnshes in and adds to the mystery by accusing
Brom of murder, while the negro confesses his
crime and Brom's agency i'll connecting the scheme.
The schoolmaster also announces that in his fall
into the well he discovered the missing
chest of treasure. In the confusion that ensues
Dolf appears and clasps Katarina in his arms. The
LAWYER decides to let Brom off on condition that he
marries his vixensh daughter, while he Furnishes
the negro with the lash. Ichabod, finding Katarina
lost to him. decides to console himself with
Emma. The character of the scnoolmaster
Is happily conceived, but the author makes him
rather tickle in his love. Mr. Raymond revels in the
uuaintness of the part and drew down the house in
two Miss Forsythe very good
in the part OF the village beauty and CARVED
OIL the weight OF the piece. Mr.. Hardenoerg was
tolerabe the cattle drover, and Mr. Shannon pre-
scented an excellent sketch of old time Dutchman.
But the play is not evenly written. The first two
rapid i'll action and terse in dialogue
but the denouement is sloveply worked out
and the result is a disappointment. With
pruning it may be made more telling. but the last
act is tedious and discursive. Mr.. Holland made q
hit as the lawyer, and Miss Barnes was very happy
as the basnful maiden.
Seldom has new play been produced in the pres
of many well known and prominent mem
bcrs or the dramatic profession TINS piece Of
Mr.. Rowe's.