The record-union., 1893-11-28
ADJUSTMENTS

ADJUSTMENTS
At the Clunie Cpera-house last night,
supported by the stock company, Mr..
kremer presented his own dramatic COM
position for the first time in the United
States, Through the Shadows OF Death"
1t is a romantic melodrama, with bit Of
very raw low comedy standing out from
1t grOtesquely. But it is not so extrava-
CANT or unreal comedy as that in last
weeks play. Like that production, this
new melOdrama is strong in its dramatic
situations. probable in plot, and of suS-
tanned interest. Mr.. kremer appears to
love to make his characters do strange
things, and to put them into impossible
attitudes now and then-but if these are
waived, the auditor finds the central
thought and the current of the drama to
be clean, strong, and to be full of vitality
and nervous vigor- Despite its peculiari-
ties, it has the genuine quality OF natural
feeling, and that dealing with the emo
tiOns which finds ready response
in the sympathies of the audi
tors. There was some iimpe0iment
TO action in the embarrass ment OF first
Introduction, but far less was expected in
handling piece for the first time that is
so full of dialogue and that calls for so
much of energy and the output OF so
much emotional force on the part OF the
players. The story of the play is touch
ing and has parallels in real life. A young
Normandy miller on the day of his mar
riage to a maid who had been q Partisan
receives from her the story of her life. In
its recital she tells him that she is the
daughter of q Marquis who, becoming
dissipated and having squandered his
fortune, sought to marry his daughter TO
a wealthy roue. She fled to Normandy
and there as a peasant girl was won by
the miller. A rival for her place. in ieal-
Gus rage over the wedding, kindles sus-
piciOn in the young husbands heart that
the story is untrue. This IS given ap-
parent support when the bridegroom
sees the bride leave the wedding
party for a time and go to Sc
cluded spot with a stranger. But
the man is her father, fleeing from
French troops that pursue him as a spy
who revealed army secrets to the Ger
mans. The husband demands to know on
her return who was her companion, bat
the soldiers are near and she dare not tell
him. In jealous RACES he denOunces her.
and fleeing, enters the army. The girl
is subsequently sought out by her father
and taken to his quarters in Berlin,
where he keeps a French gaming-rOom
There tyrannOuS German Colonel, a
libertiDe, meets her and makes love to
her, which she refuses with indignation.
Just then troops are heard entering the
street escOrting French prisoners, among
whom she sees from the terrace her hus-
band. The German officer, enraged by
her repulse and infiamed by his passion.
divines her secret, SuppOsing the prisoner
to be her lover. He thereupon sets about
to persecute the captive, and to make
his liberty and life the price of
IL, 81
unhappy woman and her husband
through bitter scenes and cruel persecu-
tions, and finally to a quarrel between
the prisoner and the Colonel, the latter
being whipped soundly by the former
For striking an officer the captive is tried
and condemned to death, and would have
suffered it but for the Intervention OF
kind-hearted corporal whose wife and
daughter had succ0red the prosecuted
bride. The affair is brought to the EN-
peror's notice by the repentant Marquis.
who cannot endure the sutferings OF his
child, though himself in the power of her
merCileSs pursuer, and the Kaiser par
dons the husband and orders the arrest
Of the Colonel for plotting the death Of q
prisoner of war. Mr.. Kremer and Miss
M1tfiin have trying emotional parts, and
enact them with an abandonment to
their spirit that is genuinely artistic
Mr.. Hvland, as the stout German
Corporal, has the first comedy part III
which he has been seen here. He did it
well, indeed excellently, and surprised
bis friends who have seen him only in
heavy business. Miss Powers was very
much better as Gretchen, a coquettish
and mischievous German peasant, than
in ANYTHING she has done. She to a con-
siderable extent sank self in the part as
sumed. Mr.. Berch's tyrannous Colonel
was persOnated with excellence 1t is a
reDulsive part, and that he won for his
assumption of 1t the recognition of the
audience means much. Miss Seabrooke's
Rachael, the envious rival of the bride.
was, by the way, spirited bit of work,
nicely shaded, the more noticeable that
this actress has not in her line much oD-
portunity for winning applause. The
play is well mounted and presents some
new scenic views. 1t is to run the week
through with a special matinee Thursday
afternoon.
For the third of its seasons entertain
ments the Sacramento Lecture Associa-
ton this evening, at the Congregational
Church, will present General w. II. L.
Barnes of San Francisco in lecture OF
review of the Worlds Fair at Chicago.
and of forecast of the coming Midwinter
Fair at San Francisco. General Barnes
is an eloquent, polished, and a very
graceful speaker, and, withal, a natural
wit. He is an entertainer from the ros-
trum who has few equals. He possesses
the art of interesting an audience on any
subject be undertakes TO treat upon.
More than this it is unnecessary to say of
so well-known a citizen of California as
is General Barnes.
The Sunshine Charity Club, an organi-
cation composed of young girls, has ar
ranged for an entertainment and fair at
Pythian Hall on Monday evening next.
The proceeds are to be devoted TO chari-
table purposes.
At Fraternity Hall, in the Odd Fellows
Temple, this evening, Rising Star Re-
bekah Lodge, No. s. I. O. 0. t., will give
an entertainment for the benefit of the
odd Fellows Orphans Home. The cause
is one deserving of liberal patronage.
Got His Man.
A prisoner attempted to get away from
the police station last evening, but after
Chief Rodgers had sent couple of
! leaden messengers after him he quit and
/ le--,.. a