Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-11-04
RECAPITULATION.
FOGG's FERRY.
A Neat Play by Pretty Little Ac'
tress,

Minnie Maddern is very neat and pref
~ little actress, and she quite delighted
the Opera House last night. She has very
red hair, but also the dazzling skin that ac'
companies it, OF petite, graceful figure and
winning smile, she could not fail to please,
and she did not. Her "Chip" was quite an
attractive piece OF impersonation.
The play of "Fogg's Ferry" turns upon
the career of Chip, the supposed child OF
old Fogg, the ferryman, and his wife, an
old shrew OF the Frochard type, who Ill,
treats her. Chip, although uneducated and
neglected, is bright, gay little mountain
White who teaches her to read and write,
r,nch against the wishes of the Foggs. In
the opening prologue, Chip illustrates an
attempt on Whites life by one Bruce Raw
don. a disappointed sutton, who is ac-
auainted with Chips real identity White
declares his love, but Chip will not con:
sent to wed him in her present untutored
way. White obtains a position for his
Judge Sorwood's young children,
where her winsome manners soon
make her a general favorite. She is, how
ever, disliked by the Judges daughter,
Blanche, who has detected Bruce Rawdon's
love for the waif. Chip returns Blanches
i'll will with interest. In her scenes with
Blanche the rugged training she received
from her supposed mother is made appa-
rent through her ready slang and derisien
of Blanche's taunts. Rawdon conspires
with Fogg to break open Judge NorWoods
safe, and secure the papers bearing on the
birth of Chip. The latter cleverly secures
the papers as Rawdon passes them TO Fogg,
and is caught with them in her posses
sion. To screen her father from the con-
sequences of his act, Chip suffers herself to
be driven from the home OF the Norwoods
in disgrace. She takes refuge in an old de-
serted MILL and in her despair is about to
commit suicide. when Gerald White dis
covers her hiding place, and persuades her
to desist. While in the old mill, Rawdon
and Fogg appear on the scene, and concoct
a diabolical plan to blow up a steamboat,
which is to pass the spot, upon which
Judge Norwood has taken passage with his
papers for a secure depository in
the city. White leaves Chip to summon
help, but before leaving, hands her a
pistol for defense. The Williams place dy-
namlte torpedo in the stream and run
away. Chip hears the puff of the approach
ing steamer, and to save the boat fires at
and explodes the torpedo just as the steam
er comes in sight and passes the stage
under full head of steam. Chip now dis
appears for three years, which time has
been spent in a convent, where the little
noun tain waif has been placed by an I'M
known friend, who afterwards turns out to
be Judge Norwood. She improves her time
and emerges finished scholar refined and
so much altered that it is hard to recognize
her rs the mountain elf of the opening
acts. In the meantime Blanche has Sc.
cretely married Bruce Rawdon. and is on
the eve OF turning Judge Norwood, her
father, out of his home she being her moth.
ers heiress, when the oppOrtune turning
up of an old miner, Bolter, former pal OF
old Fogg, reveals to Judge Norwood that
Blanche is not his daughter, but that in
theirinfancy Chip and Blanche were chang.
ed in their cradles by the Foggs. This is also
proven by locket. the property of Judge
Sorwood's deceased wife, which Chip had
kept during all her girlhood days. Chip is
recognized as the rightful heiress to Nor
wood home and rewards Gerald White by
accepting b 8 hand in marriage.
The explosion scene was especially well
put on and drew thunders OF applause.
Then Miss Madden sang song or two in
soft, sweet voice that proved quite taking
one, and altogether the evening was gen.
eral success.
BERTHA wELBY TONIGHT.
"One Woman's Life" the play in which
Miss Welby has begun her starring tour,
and which she will play atthe Opera house
tonight, is written by Elliott Barnes, the
author Of "Only Farmers Daughter
and contains many of the characteristics OF
that drama The author has thrown in not
a little startling as we'll as humorous Incl
dents, and the role of agnes" assumed
by Miss Welby, contains many oppOrtu-
mites for the display of the emotional
strength in which she excels. She has,
moreover, fine stage presence, and her
dresses were pronounced marvellous by
the ladies. At the conclusion OF the third
act she was called before the curtain.
Those among the company, who deserve
special praise, are Robert z. Gale. who pro-
vides much of the comedy which relieves
the darker scenes; and John d. Walsh,
who acted the part of the villainous tramp
with striking effect.