Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-03
THINGS DRAMATIC.

When Haddsn Chambers and B. c. Stephenson wrote "1he Fatal Card" they gave to the amusement world one of it's cleverest melodramas-one that holds the attention of the audience from the beginning to the end of the play with out once letting interest in it lag.
 The play opens at the foot of the Rocky mountains, where the vigilance commit tee, so we'll known in that section, serves notice on George Forester that he must quit the country or die. He declines to leave His offense was an attempt to kill a Dutchman. The vigilance committee finds him at the saloon of Mercedes ana takes him away to hang him. Mercedes loves him and appeals to Gerald Aus tin to save the man she loves He prom ises. Gerald had left his home in Eng land because 1t was not congenial liar ry Burgess loves his sister, and seeing her unhappy goes to find her brother. Gerald refuses to go back home. but on hearing a girl sing Home, Sweet Home" changes his mind and agrees to return with Harry. Together they follow the vigilance committee with the hope of saving Forresters life Forester jumps down an embanl<ment and catches a moving train that carries him beyond reach of the committee. As he leaves he tears a card in two, handing half of it to Austin telling him to preserve it.
 The scene here shifts to the valley of the Thames and the home of Marable, the leader of 8 band of bond thieves, but who is supposed to be an honest gen. tleman. He has a daughter whom Aus tin loves, and to whom he is engaged to marry.
 Austin's father ia a. rich bond broker, and 1t becomes known to Marable and his pals that he Is to receive bonds worth $100, coo on a certain day. They plan to rob him. and in stealing the bonds Dix on. one of the pals, strikes the old man across the head and kills him. But a few minutes prior to the murder Austin had quarreed with his son, who had called to have a confidential talk with him. His son, in going out, left his cane, and It was with this Dixon killed the old man. Retiring from the brokers room, Marable locked the door and took the key away with him. This he threw into the river later and Harry Burgess. see- ing him do so dived and brought it up.
 Gerald Austin was suspected but at the earnest pleading of Marable's daugh- ter hid himself in a room at the rear of Marnbes house. She had overheard her father make an appointment to meet Dixon there and certain incidents com- ing up attracting her attention she sus- peeted her father knew something of the crime In this room young Austin heard the story of the murder and robbery re- veaied, and coming into tho midst of the men denounced them as murderers and thieves. He was tied to a post and the four murderers drew lots to see who should kill him. It fell to Marahle's lot. He placed an internal machine near Austin, with which the latter was to be blown to pieces. Austin requested Mar able to deliver a miniature to his mother and feeling in the formers pocket found the half card given him by Forester in the west. Marable recognized the card and releasing Austin hurled the card through the window. Tho machine ex- ploded, killing Marable but Austin es- capped unhurt.
 The play Is being produced under the mana cement Of Gustave Frobman, who has exercised his usual excellent mana gerial abilities in selecting his company. Every person in the company plays his or her part we'll and gives entire sat;s- faction.
 Walter Howe, in the role of Gerald Austin is exceedingly clever. while the other characters were well placed, as follows: Charles Stedman as George Forester or Mara ble. M. ]. Jordan as Jim Dixon, Richard C. Bennett as Harry Burgess and w. II. 1nrner as A. K. Aus tin the broker.
 Belle Gilbert appeared in the role of Mercedes. playing the part most excel lently, while Margaret Marable. Cecil Austin and Penelope Austin. the old Kathryn Osterman. Anna Vislaire and Mme. Corna Jordan.
 This excellent play was produced at O'Briens opera house last night for the first time to small. but well pleased hOuse If will he reDeaiad tnnipht