The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-10-05
lUGAl M1AANUI.
Detailed Report of Last Eve
ning's Theatricals.
Projected Business Mems
Association of Rock Is
land.
A Young Man Killed by the
Cars.
Ray of Hope for the Patter-
son Survivors.
BLOW FOR BLOW.


AS whole it may truthfully be said that
last evenings entertainment at Harper's
theatre, BLOW for Blow" by the Whiteley
dramatic company was more enthusiast
cally enjoyed by the audience than that of
either of the previous evenings. And those
who did not attend will never know what
they missed unless this excellent company
can be induced to repeat. In BLOW for
Blow each person in the cast from the
leading lady down to the charming
soubrette has frequent opportunities to
show her histrionic ability and this the
ARGUS thinks is the reason why the play
was received with greater demonstrations
of popular favor than were awarded either
of its predecessors.
Upon the dual character of Mildred
Craddock and Alice Petherick, Ida Lewis
Enthusiastically placed the stamp of her
rare melodramatic genius. Whether in the
purely sentimental passages the wooing
and winning business with Lieut. Linden; in
her touching and expressive devotion to her
her convict father; in the tragic
spirit with which she entered
into the conspiracy with John
Drummond to avenge her dead sister by
impersonating her, or the mingled detesta-
ton and anger with which she cut the
bands of the unnatural alliance, Ida Lewis
was simply superb. Throughout the play
she most effectually sinks her personality
in the character assumed.
In the portrayal of the hateful character
istics of John DruHmond, the villain of the
play, Mr. Cooper showed the same consci-
entious fidelity to details that he has here
tofore. Either in triumph or defeat the
consummate naturalness and ease always
at command while reading his lines reveals
him a master in the field of melodrama.
Whether gloating over the success of his
schemes or covering in ignominious defeat
Mr. Cooper alike commanded the closest
attention of the audience.
AS Lady Lilly Linden Maude Atkinson
surpassed the expectations of even her
warmest friends, and in the judgment of
the ARGUS reporter achieved most brill
liant success. In some respects the charac
ter resembles that of Lady Gay Spanker'
in London Assurance, and one of the great
est compliments that the writer can think of
for Miss Atkinson is that at one point,
when expressing her admiration of true
horsemanship and gaily narrating her own
exploits in the equestrian line, he could
close his eyes and the charming Fanny
Davenport was before him. One of the
most charming bits of last evenings acting
was the retirement from the room by Lady
Linden, after expressing the most IN
bounded confidence in her husband, in Or
der that he might have the dreaded inter
view with Drummond. One following
the scene closely could almost see the
Glove light" in the glistening eyes. In
other respects the representation was
strikingly realistic one.
The character of Lieut.. Linden was ably
sustained by Mr.. Guptill whose pleasing
stage presence and methodical work would
guarantee him a most favorable reception
anywhere.
Mr. Johnston, as Doctor Grace, most
admirably fortified the position which he
had previously obtained with the amuse-
ment lovers OF Rock Island, and in his
particular s'old man" line it would, indeed,
be difficult to surpass him.
Ferguson the man who attends to the
funny business of each play, was fairly
beside himself last night as
Charley Sprays. the law clerk, English
sport and tramp and whenever he ap
peared, which was quite often, the audience
was kept in a regular roar. He is lin
mense" in funny business and his comic
songs added to his excellent acting took
tremendously.
AS Mrs. Moulsey Miss Carter made q
capital old woman and in her dialogue
with Doctor Grace her quaint ways pro-
voked considerable hearty and deserved
commentator She seems to be equally
at home in the character of a young woman
| or an elderly dame.
Each and every one of the remaining
characters deserves favorable notice, par
ticularly the Kitty Wobbler of Ella
] Weaver. In the love making business