The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1896-12-12

1t rises to the utmost height. There
Is sudden crash, binding mars o.
falling water, a deafening rolr. The
wave has fallen. The echoes thund;r
out its requiem. Can You picuI this?
Yes? Then you have an idei Ct the
force OF THE American Girl" 1t IL
the strongest comedy drama that has
been seen on the local stage. STorg
situations pile up one after the o,her.
gathering strength as the scenes ad
vance. One is prepared by the cIe:i-
cendo for a climax, but not for such
lightning by its intensity, answering
back with thunder in the shape of tu
multuous applause.
THE American Girl" was s7en for
the first time In Dallas last night 1t
scored brilliant triumph. Its recep-
ton last night was nothing short OF a
triumph. The audience was not large.
but what was missing In number was
made up In genuine applause. "The
American Girl" is a somedy drama in
four acts by H. Grattan Donnelly. The
story OF the drama has already been
published in full by he News. II is a
good one. Here and there, as the Ilay
progresses, one seems to cltch a ia
miliar scrap CT the theme, hut as the
thought flashes through TIE mind a
new turn is taken. A new and start
ling climax overwhelms one. Fam liar
ity vanishes. In Its place comes a Ie-
freshing feeling of pleasure, OF admira-
ton. Mr. Dcnnelly must certainly be
congratulated. He has handled his
subject in a mastery manner. He has
given us something that is not theatric
merely, but natural. They are exquis-
lite. zach has its turn. Infec iocs hui
NOR wor~o its way through dainty pa
thos with a subtle witchery that is
enhancing. Passion takes the rlace
that poetry for a moment held. Love
holds sway over all. It is love hat
knows no end. 1t is a woman'5 love for
a man, and that grander affection #
husband and wife and brother aid SIS
ter
But one cannot attemp. to review
'The American Girl" in an hour. At
first glance one drinks in its bsauty
"The American Girl" viii live. 1t is q
brilliant, mastery play. Wholesome.
sermon, IL you will, but scinti,ating
with wit, captivating with love story.
supreme In Its naturalness. The moral
of the play is worthy OF hearty CON-
mendation. That form Of sin which
subdues the mind. and the pity which
mels the heart, contribute to eleI ating
the moral and spiritual tone CT man
kind. They exert a most bensflc, in
fluence by making men and women
more humane. These elements are en-
bodied in the drama.
The caste las. night was thoroughly
in keeping with the play. There VS.
not a weak point to be found In the
whole performance.
Bob Graham, an old favorite here,
while hardly playing what could be
termed technically the lead, stands out
from the other characters with a c.elr-
ness that can. however, be only attrib-
uted to the artistic manner in which
1t was handled. Mr.. Graham displayed
his breadth Of talent by giving thu
character the most exquisite shading
that one could conceive His voice Is
a delightful one. His bearing manly.
His work Throughout was brill ant be-
yond the fondest expectations.
Miss Anita Hendrie w3s superb as
Jasmine. Her acting was 20 thorough
ly realistic that the audience frequent
ly expressed its hearty approval. SIZE
Is an exceptionally attractive and capa-
bic actress Her histrioic efforts would
do credit to any star. She is graceful
In movement and gesture, AMI rasl yes
evidently the value Of repose as well as
expression.
Little Violet Moore and little Pecky
Kaufman are deserving Of much praise
for their characterizations.
The remainder CT the caste was in
every respect first class. The caste:
Ross volter, an American hustler, R.
E. Dob Graham; Sampson Graf,
very confidential agent, J. Irving
Southard: Philip Devon, an list,