The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-02
The Plot of alabama"

The Plot of alabama"
The story of alabama" which will be here
tomorrow night at the opera-house, is most alb
sorbng in interest. Colonel Preston Is an old
southernsr, who fifteen years after the war still
hates the North. He has double reasons, for
not only has his cause been defeated, but his
only son Harry gave allegiance to the Union
and fought on that side, and is supposed to have
been killed. The old man still lives on his old
plantation at Taledega, a small isolated COM
munity which has been almost devastated and
ruined by the war. A railroad is to be run
through the little town, and its projection
brings to the place Northern railroad man,
Captain Davenport, accompanied by . young
Northern surveyor. The former, who 10 in real
ity the supposed dead son of Colonel Preston,
conceals his identity for some time, fearing
that his father still chershes resentment
The play opens In the home of Mrs. Page, who,
before marrying Dabney Page, had loved Harry
Preston, but they had been separated by cruel
parents Young Preston had also married aft
erwards, but after leaving for the North his wife
had died and left child, Carey Preston, of
whose existence her father had thus far bsen
kept in ignorance. The projection of the rail-
road enhances the value of Mrs. Pages land,
which induces her dead husbands brother, Ray
mond Page. to claim the property, alleging as a
ground q shadow upon the legality of his sister
ton that. old as he is, he dashes glass of water
in the villains face, and challenges him to a
duel. The old Southerner's age prevents him
from being principal, and Colonel Moberly,
quaint but chivalric southerner, steps in and
takes Preston's place The duel, however, 10
avoided through the Intervention of Captain
Davenport. In the meantime Armstrong,
the surveyor of the projected rail-
road, has fallen in love with Carey,
Preston. The colonel refuses his consent, still
retaining his bitterness of feeling toward North
erners An elopement 10 planned, but prevent
ed by Captain Davenport. These threads of the
story are deity interviewer, and gathered up in
a logical and coherent way in the final scene.
Other characters in the play besides the logged
colonel, the dignifed captain and the others
mentioned, are the gentle Mrs. Pages son Lath-
rop, an impetuous Southern youth, Squire Tuck
er, an amusing, uneul4ured county Judge, big,
burly, but chivalric, Atlanta Moberly, bright
Southern girl, and Decatur, faithful colored
servant OF ante -bellum days. In this story Mr..
Thomas carries his auditors into the midst of
the drowsy state OF Alabama, Just awakening to
q new life through the efforts of Northern enter
prise and capital. He shows them its magnolia
groves, Its war relics. its prejudices and its
heart in aword, he has written dramatic
poem, simple and sweet, Astounding with inter-
est and pusing with truth.
'uFaD DaB Mt the ODera- House,
The old adage to the effect that "a little non
sense now and then is relished by the wisest
men," has lost nothing OF its significance in the
years that have elapsed since il frst found ut
terance In "The Grab Bag" musical farce
comedy, which 10 TO be presented to the
people of Seattle on Wednesday and Thursday.
the patrons OF the drama will find something to
their taste, something to laugh at, even if they
do not grow fat over it. The play has notable
...fE
w. Fl. Mestayer, he of the modified Falstaffian
proportions. who, in the palmy days of old Cali
fornia stock. was among the most studious,
painstaking, industrious and in every way
among the most popular of that historic combi-
nation. He 10 the leading man of the Mestayer-
Vaughn Company who will appear in "The
Grab Bag" As IAN alleged actor" he will be
seen at his best. and be received nightly with
shouts of applause" His topical song. in which
he is aided, abetted and assisted by Mr. Walter
Jones. his under study, and a quilting scene in
which they each "besr a hand are among the
most fetching" things OF the modern stage.
Miss Theresa Vaughn, the leading lady, besides
being a most versatile and ACCOMPLISHED ac-
trsss, is the fortunate possessor of q phenomenal
contrslto voice, and sings . number of delight
full songs. Miss Irving, an accomplished dan
seuse in the language OF vell-known
critic, dances herself into favor with the audi
ence and plays the part OF vaudeville actress
with great discretion. The ladies' of the troupe
who fl subordinate parts are Miss Lou joyce
Miss Lillian Sinclair, Miss Libbie Hearn and
Miss Julia Stuart, who are all pretty and chic
and lend spice 10 the play. Mr. Markham takes
the part of q bowling swell, and eonvulses the
audience with q burlesQue rendering of a popu-
lar song, accompanying himself on the piano
There is a comic Dutchman in the person of
Harry Crandall, q mirth provoking contrsband,
whose other name in viii Bray: Jerseymau
enacted by William sellery, and an eccentric
comedian, who 10 represented by Thomas Pease
lev. The plot Of the play deals with the prohibi.
ton movement and the peculiar foibles of those
who think that, whether they are yirtuous or
not there should be no more cakes and all ara
held up to view in ine shape. The play ia full
OF specialties and of laughter-breeding situa.
tons There will be fun and to spare for sIl
who attend. The company have drawn crowded
houses wherever they have played, and il is not
to be supposed that they viii be less successful
in Seattle than elsewhere. The real object OF
the Msstayer- Vaughn Company is to amuse
people, and they have got the wherewith in play
and players TO accomplish their object. They
are underlined to appear at the Seattle opsra.
house on the evenings of Wednesday and Thurs
day, the 5th and 6th OF August
"Corsican Brothers" at Cordray's.
The Cordrsy company win httingly wind IN
the season ct Cordray's this week by the pro
ducfion Of the "Corsicsn Brothers," Mr.. Clay
Clement and Miss Agnes Rose Lane will con-
elude their engagements with the Cordray
management Saturday evening. August For
q farewell week, il would be difficult to find
better attraction than the dramatic romance
which has achieved triumphs all over Europe
and this country. First performed at the
Theatre Historiqus, in Paris, 1850, il has ever