The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-11-24
THE CHARMS OF ALABAMA"

An American Play That is Likely to Be-
come q Classic.
There is a certain charm about Angus
tus Thomas play, Alabama" which
was presented to an appreciativs audience
makes it simply irresistible. Whether it
is the fact that it is a genuine American
play, laid in America. dealing with an
American subject and written by an
American, or whether it is the simple,
homely Tale it tells so sweetly, or both,
that produces that charm each one that
sees it must judge for himself. Although
there are no particularly strong
dramatic incidents about the play, this
same charm holds the rapt attention OF
the audience throughout and moves 1t to
tears or laughter seemingly at will.
The scene of the play is laid on an old
plantation near ~Tailadega, Ala. The
central figure is an old Southern planter,
Colonel Preston. an ideal Southern gen
tlemau of the old school. The war swept
away the greater part of his possessions,
and though he receives Northerners at
his home with the lavish hospitality of
the South, he cannot forget the ruin and
desolation which they brought upon
his beloved Stare. The war also took
from him his only sou. who, a graduate
| of West Point, deemed it his duty to fight
for the Union. During the war his daugh-
ter died leaving him Il granddaughter,
Carey Preston. in whom all his affections
| are conferred. He still lives in the past,
moving about his ruined plantation and
nursing his resentment against the
North.
Into this peaceful life comes Captain
| Davenport, a Northern Engineer, and his
assistant, Mr.. Armstrong. They want TO
build a railroad through his place, but he
wants none OF these Northern improve
ments. Mr.. Armstrong falls in love with
! Carey, but the old man rejects his adj
vances. The North had taken from
him all he held dear, and he does not pro-
pose to let the North take his last beloved
object.
Carey, however, concludes to go off
with her lover, and just us they are leav-
ing Captain Davenport. who in reality is
Harry Preston, the old planters son and
the father Of Carey, prevents them. The
| Colonel is finally persuaded to consent to
the union. especially after finding the
| son whom he had SO long mourned as
| dead, and three other couples who make
framework about this central incident of
the play are also united.
Mr.. F. c. Bangs was Colonel Preston,
and PLAYED the part with artistic intelIi-
gence. Mr.. Burr Mcintosh, as Colonel
| Moberly, a relic of the Confeaeracy. won
much merIted applause by his excellent
dctlDR, anu MT. OdSli Wllilduls, dS EQulle
Tucker, a Talladega country Justice. capt.
tally unprecedented the easy going South
erner. Captain Davenport was imper-
sopated by Mr.. Clement Bainbridge, a
| clever actor who played excellently the
part of the pushing, progressive protector
of the present day. MIR. Fred. S. Ross, as
Mr.. Armstrong was a most ardent lover,
and Mr.. j. G Seville, as Raymond Page,
WIS an accomplished william. Mrs. Stella
Trenton. as Carey Preston, was as charm
ing as the type of Southern girl she por-
trayed.
Miss Jennie Eustice and Miss Francis
Kinharvie c~leverly filled the parts of Mrs.
Page and Mrs. Stockton and Miss q .naide
Vislaire acceptably filed the part OF
Atlanta Moberly, "boarn the day Sher-
man entered Atlanta, Sah." Mr.. George
Bunny as Decatur, an aute-bellum SER
want, made one of the best ancient dark.
les that has been seen in this vicinity in
many u day.
The play was beautifully mounted. and
the singing of negro melodies incident to
the performances was admirable.