The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-30

the light is made gladder by here and there
shady spot where one may taste the pathos of
quietude Ii is said Mr.. RusseIrs new charac-
ter, Hosea Howe, in this new play by Edward E.
Kidder, is not from that curious patchwork we
call life. 1t is human nature, sunshine and
shadow, smiles and tears and yet it is the bright
side of life which Mr.. Russell paints for u.s.
The shadows make the lights brighter. The
story he tells is a simple, pure and
homey one Hosea Howe (Mr. RusselD,
Vermont diamond in the rough,
waits on table at the little country hotel above
his mothers farm, where rich New Workers
come for a summer outing. He Is going
through college and needs the money to help
out; but though he has swallowed his
pride In his desire for an education, there
are limits to his endurance, and in the first act
he turns upon Landlord lothian Ford, who has
"hurt his feelings" and resigns his position as
waiter There is balance of $50 due him, SO
uabalm to his feelings he stays and boards 1t
ouf among the city folks Thus he meets sweet
Vhge Rand, a "pearl of womanhood,' daughter
osmillonaire, but sweet frank and pure for
Ill thst and tells her the story OF his missing
SISTER It's the old, old story-a city villain,
trusting maiden, an elopement, mock marriage,
desertion-but in the telling of it Hosea falls in
love with virgie. This he quantity compares
win his desire for the moon in his babyhood
days Now Ward Andrews, the villain, appears,
but conceals his identity. OF course 1t comes to
the surface, and finally the two confront each
other.
"And You call yourself a Christian" sneers
Andrews as Hosea becomes aggressive.
I'm tryin' hard to be-" answers Hosea, grit
ting HIS teeth. "but it's terrible hard work"
And when his sisters betrayer slaps his face the
Old Adam boils M, and Hosea throws him of
The verandah down into the valley below
where is Andrews?' demand the people, who
rush on the stage
''Hes just dropped in on mother" says Hosea,
as the curtain falls.
The second act shows the humble home OF the
Howes. Here you get acquainted with Hoseas
dear old mother, who, like all m )thers, thinks
"her own goose is a swan" There are some
rare touches of New England life in this act
Hosea hoeing on the hillside, and later on
shaving with all the swkwardnesS OF his tribe
There is a dainty bit of love making, too be-
tween Hosea aud Virgie, interrupted by mother.
Who fears that the sweet young girl has ode.
tigns" on her boy
Mother says Hosea, anxious TO continue
TIE tete-s-tete, "don't l smell your cake
buruin'g"
slant baken' today" replies mother, peering
efewdly at her boy over her speetacles
Then comes Hosea's chance to get position
u new York. and hunt for his lost sister He
lanm at it eagerly. There is a tender parting
Wsseen mother and SON
70, my boy. if you must" finally says the
ddldy.
Mother" says Hosea, his native wit coming
me rescue and preventing unmanly tears,
'heres rip in my gray pants want you to
mend"
But at the last moment the william persuades
sifgie's father To refuse him the New York posi-
uon Hosea's earpetbsg is packed and he is de-
krmined TO go.
"The railroad amt yourn," he breaks ont. aths
turnpike Amt yourn, New York Amt yourn ard
I'll go there II have to walk every step Of the
vay" - WIG
The third act is In New York and things nova
more rapidly. Virgfe has set n detective a,
Work trying 10 find the lost sister She coy,cs
% the house in search Of honest work: Hosas
arrives, too, after his long tramp for Vermont
AL efforts of Andrews 20 keep them apart 4
sally TAIL, and in scene full OF pathos Hosea
meets his wayward sister. To cap IL all the
mock marriage turns out 10 have been resi- and
we news is received that the Howes have won
aeng pending land lawsuit which makes them
1n This enables Hosea 10 cheekmste the
villain final effort and the curtain goes down
on Happy denouement
me Character of Hosea is the absorbing one.
s eoufse. IL is fine, true picture of the
ss"s Yankee youth that Mr. Russell draws.
y VEN OF deep, poetic feeling beneath
eonstant How of dry humor anu now and
shoa Y comes to the surface. Take his pathetic
~. paoa al his missionary work in
s Chatham street dive. for instance.
in,. rs Characterization OF his feel
$50 toward Virgie. airs ike honey an,
sron,a an music an flowers, sll twined
hna bow" he saws when yfrpie tells
We going away in = few hours ha tnrns