The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1881-01-15

| pldntatlOn, hoping tnoreDy 10 more readily
accomplish his design Of making Julia his
| Mistress
Young Delmar coming home is killed in
a railroad smash-up just in sight of home.
The act closes with tsblesu OF young Del
mars ascension.
Act Ii. discloees view of Mississippi
steamer. The deck hands aud slaves enjoy
game of craps" species of dice throw
ing peculiar to New Orleans Negroes, sutfi-
ciently full of humor to bring down the
house
Old Delmar and his household take pas.
sage for his Mississippi plantation, where
be hopes to improve his broken constitu-
ton.
The steamboat backs into the stream
with the hands singing a farewell song.
"Ssy, brothers will you meet me-"
The boat takes fre at midnight. Delmsr
and his slaves get safe to shore, are taken In.
and sheltered by Mr.. Smart whom young
Delmsn, 1t transpires, had saved from Gnsn-
cisl ruin some time previous
Act III. Delmsr becoming feeble and
apprehensive gives paper u Dan. the faith
full slave. freeing all and dividing the estate
among them; also special directions to Julia
whom he had educated, IS to his wishes, after
",
attempted to murder and rob the rich old
msn in Smarts house but is foiled by Dan,
Delmar arrives safe at his plantation, a
ing bird sang with an invisible chorus af-
lords opportunity for fine effect.
The war breaks out. Sumpter is fred on
The negroes hope for freedom. Delmar pre-
pairing them for ihe prospective change has
Julia 10 open school. Stone in Confeder-
ate uniform enters and forbids the teaching
of slaves to read.
Act w. Union troops visit the planta-
ton. A gunboat 10 seen in the distance.
The slaves are summoned TO the house BY
the dinner horn snd the Proclamation of
Emancipation sread to them.
Delmar enters aud welcomes them with a
Union Hag he has preserved through the
war.
Scouts report the rebel soldiery in the
neighborhood:.
The troops withdraw and battle occurs
behind the scene. Julia mounts an eleva-
ton and describes the fight as did Rebecea
to Ivanhoe. The Federal troops are victor
Gus, Stone is brought in mortsIly wounded
Delmar is seized with ft Of coughing IN
the excitement and dies on the stage.
Arthur desperately wounded in the head
by patrollers while trying to reach tho Del
mar plantation becomes q rsving maniac.
The Delmar homestead is made hospital
by order of the commanding general, and
the slaves are transported North. Dan. en-
ats IN s~colored regiment and goes to
Texas.
Act V. Delnsr's slaves fall into the
hands of Boston Phi!anthropist Judge De-
londe, who provides for them from his own
means and teaches them to read. Janet a
precious child avoided coming North with
the others to remain near her uncle Arthur
Afterwards while singing in in the streets of
Boston for the scant means which provides
bread for herself and Arthur she stumbles,
as it were, upon her frieods. Judge Delonde
becomes financially involved Dan returns
from the war with the will of old Delmar
which places all bis former slaves in comfort
able circumstances.
They consult and deliberate together and
with the impulsiye gratitude and generosity
of their race present the whole estate to
Judge DeloDde. He declines TO take more
than small smount of it and thst rs q
loan. -
Under careful treatment Arthur recovers
his reason and the usual happy denou-
ment takes place ending the drama by hs
marriage to Julia.
The play seems full of fine scenic effect and
dramatic situations that thoroughly arouse
the emotions.
The period of American history has been
we'll selected by the author 70 illustrate the
transition of our people from slavery to citi
| zenship. The Introduction ofmsny besuti-
full melodies affords what will render it pop.
| ular TO amusement seekers, always on the
| qui vive for novelty and merit. We get the
| quaint, weired and peculiar songs, without
| the coarse rudeness of the genuine Georgia
| Minstrels," coupled with a sentiment that
| arouses intense emotion in the listener.
| Given q chance with good management
| we have no doubt of its artistic and fnan-
| cial success.
| A brief sketch of the author may not be
out of place in this connection.
| Mr.. Beatty was born near Richmond. vir-
ginia, and brought to Cincinn natl, in ls49. He
was educated here where he also learned
the trade offs csbinet-maker after an ap-
| premiership of four years to Henry Boyd,
q colored man who at that time was pro-
prietor OF the most extensive furniture fac
tory in the West.
Nearly ten years later, in 1858, he made
his first defamation before an audience
under the supervision OF Prof. Peter H.
CiarK. hfterwards following up the talent
he possessed in that line he attended the
lectures ofJas. 4. Murdock and was subse.
quently trained by Prof's Kidd and Eytinge.
In 1868, he enlisted and was one of the
hrst twelve colored men who reported to
Gov. Todd of Ohio, for duty. He was ap-
pointed hrst Sergeant of Co. G. 9Th. U. s.,
Z 1. and assigned to duty ss Postmaster of
Camp Delaware
The regiment was ordered to the front
and was one of those which distinguished
itselfin what ever duty it was assigned.
Composed largely ofCipcinnati's brave boys
they wentinto battle with determination.
nerve and will to dare and do the great
things Cincinnati expected from her sons.
"Some came back with their shields, many
more that could be lily spared, ON them >
! Sergeant Beatty distinguished himself at
New Aasket Heights for which he received