The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-24
Enrlish-sneakinz


that 1t would be superiiuous to dwell on it here
The success attending its production. from the
initial performance in the Madison Square the
alter, New York city, up TO thc present time is
well known TO theater-goers. Its varied and
well-drawn characters; its many strong lines
and carefully designed situations; its refined
humor and simple pathos, and its effective and
naturally approached climaxes, all combine to
form an exquisite picture of life In the circles
from which the dramatis persona are taken.
The story derives most of its material from
life in rural district Of North Carolina, and
the scene OF action alternases between this To-
cality and Paris. Mr.. and Mrs. Ebert Rogers,
with their only child, Esmeralda. live on farm
which yields them moderate competence Mt.
Rogers is mild-tempered man whom matri-
monial chances allotted partner OF
strongly pronounced belief in wifely rights-so
thoroughly pronounced, in fact, that
it entirely absorbed the rights of her
husband and rendered him q harmless,
unootrusive creature, who was always willing
10 make concession for the sake of peace. Ad-
Joining the Rogers farm was that of Dave Hardy.
Dave was one of those honest, manly men-pure
in heart, bold as a lion and gentleness Itself to
women. On an equal social and monetory
standing with the Rogers, he was frequent
visitor at their home, whittier the bright eyes OF
the beautiful aud innocent Esmeralda often
lured him after a hard days toll. Mutual love
the character of each by the other,
aud their happy dream neared its
realization when Dave completed q new resi-
dence for his bonny bride. But cloud rose in
the fair sky OF their blissful days when min
ing Spectator called at the Rogers homestead
and offered to purchase the farm at q tempting
figure. Mrs. Rogers, tired of farm life, Is on the
verge of completing the sale when Dave Hardy
interposes and advises postponement of the
transfer of the deed. He had learned that the
willy speculator was aware of the exist
encs of a valuable iron mine within
the boundaries Of the farm, and
communicates his knowledge to Mrs. Rogers
When the Spectator calls to receive the papers
which would make him owner OF the property,
he is coolly informed by that irate lady that the
farm Is not for sale at any price. Finding that
his sharp practice is discovered, he offers q
much larger sum which satisfies even Mrs.
Rogers The sale effected and the money paid,
this former farmers wife is immedi-
ately seized with the ambition to become
a fine lady. Esmeralda is no longer
simple country maiden fit only to mate with
6 country bred lad like Dave Hardy-at least SO
her mother thinks, an opinion that is stoutly
combatted by the daughter, to whom the newly
acquired wealth is only much dross when
weighed in the balance with the love of her
poor dear Dave. But Mother Rogers in her pow
erty was able to vanquish a host by her tongue;
and now that she can wieid golden sword in
addition to the former deadly weapon, she feels
congdent in her ability to put
series of hosts to flight. Papa Rogers,
poor fellow, capitulates on the first
appearance OF conflict and next, Dave Pride
and love for his queen, Esmeralda, made him
lay down his arms before a torrent of rebuke
from Dame Rogers. who showed him that he
was spelling Esmeralda's career by his selfish
conduct And the still rebellious rural
beauty is hurried away to Paris by her masculine
mamma, who determines that she shall be
mother-in-law to "juks" at least Dave tolls
away on the farm, but life has lost It's zest, and
he, toe, with only moderate means on hand, sails
for the city of fashion to catch a glimpse
of his lost love. There he learns that Mrs.
Rogers is doing her utmost to entrap a too will
ling victim and adyenturer, known in
the gay capital as the Marquis de Montessin, as
her daughters sutton. Esmeralda learns that
Dave Is in Paris and a violent and stormy scene
takes place between herself and her mother. No
longer the quiet and docile Esmeralda OF the
old home in North Carolina, she springs
into sssertive. independent womanhood
at bound and firmly refuses to
link her fate with the marquis Tearing the
jewelsd necklace from her throat and strewing
the apartment with the diamond sprays in her
hair, she declares her resolve to seek Dave and
cast in her lot with his, however humble. When
in the act OF carrying out her resolution Dave
appears on the scene, to the complete mortifca-
ton of the grand lady, Mrs. Rogers At the
same juncture a eablegram arrives for Dave,
in which it is shown that the iron
lode on the Rogers farm was only a
cropping of the main lode which was wholly
situated on Dawes farm. Mother Rogers, al
ways equal to tina situation, accepts the ineyi-
table and receives Dave with open armA The
story ends without acquainting the reader with
the policy pursued by Dave in his relations
with his mother-in-law, but the inference is
left to the imagination of all peace-loving per-
sons. The cast is a. follows:
Mr. ElOert hosers .AuofeW W dlurou
Mr.. Estabrook. ...................F Frances Powers
Jdck Destnou0. Jean Welner
George Drew ........................G George Berry
Marquis de Montessin. David Elmer
Esmerada Mis-. ls s,e. 4 Rsass
Nora Desmond ................ Miss Belle Inman
Kate Desmond Miss Jennie Calef
Mrs. Lydia Ann Rogers. Miss Margaret Marshall
Notes of Many Plays