Birmingham age-herald., 1895-01-04
THINGS DRAMATIC.

Col. ". c. P. Preckinridge, Kentucky's great orator, lectured last night to fair audience at O 'Brien's on the 'Eras of American Developments and Their Great Men," This well-known statesman was greeted with loud cheers when he appeared before the audience, mark of esteem in which he was held.
 He prefaeed his lecture by making few remarks about having been through this section during the war and that he had always wanted to visit Birmingham. He stated furthermore that he would much rather come here during the boom times than to have struck it es he did, during the hard times.
 Colonel Breckinridge as a speaker is all that could be desired. The subject he handled last night gave him full sway at playing his gift of speech to perfection.
 The lecture s interesting from begin ming to end and not d single person in the audience had "that tired feeling" which comes over one when listening to the aver age lecturer.
 Colonel Breckinridge held his audience with wonderful power, and carried it with him in each step that was discussed. While 1t was not only interesting 1t was instruct i've, and every person who put dollar into the boG office for seat was more than dUubly benefited. If he were to speak here again tonight O'Brien'o opera house would be packed.
 "THE TROPICAL FATHER. ''
 The name, "Prodgal Father," may stand for the words, ia real jolly, merry time.' '' The plot is veritable whlrlwind of iollity. One is made hoarse with laugh ter over the predicaments of Stanley Dodge, a merry, but fashionable, old sinner, who is dated to leave New York with an explor- ing party for the dark forests and jungles of Africa. The vessel and exploring party sail without Dodge. Why? Because Dodge hes been to the theater and has become fascinated with a eerio- comic singer named Dollie Bond. Dollie's charms are too great to withstand, and Dodge is thrown into a pretty pickle because it is simply impossible for him to explain why he missed going with the exploration party. The plan is formulated by his valet that he shall secrete himself until the ex- petition shall have returned. This is done. On the return of the adventurers Prodigal Stanley Dodge ventures home and relates his terrible experience in the jungles of Africa.
 His lectures to bis neghbors and friends on the terrors of the cannibal and other matters pertaining to African exploration are simply sde-splitting. One in the family cIrcle who disoelieves him is Tom Breeze, who is affianced to his daughter, Kate.
 This will never do. So Dodge, in getting rid of him, tells him that he has promised his daughter's hand to King Cookaboo, one of the native African kings he has met. Breeze, not to be outwitted, returns disguised as an frican chief. Now the fun rises high. The perplexities grow thicker when Stanley Dodge's son, Percy, also returns home. He has been going "apace,' has married Dollie Bond under the assumed name of Delaney Popp. Dolly appears on the scene looking for tue truant husband. It can thus be imagined how the perplexities roll, one on top of the other, in fast succession, and why 1t s that the disentang lement of the plot is one of the funniest episodes in the comedy.
 The company appearing in ''fhe Prodi- gal Father' consists of many well-known and familiar faces in the theatrical profess sion and it is safe to say that on next Tuesday night large audience will be present to see the return of ''The Frodigal Father.'