The times., 1897-12-19


promising a new play next year" That hs
doesn't produce it is not his fault. lie has
it finished, but the public has not finished
with ''Shore Acres" Those theater-goers
who have not seen that beautiful picture Of
life oI, the Maine coast have missed some Of
the finest character work on the American
stage. Yet few see or understand some of
the exquisite touches deicateiy woven into
it that show the devoted study the au-
thor gave To his work. Ii is doubtful if a
dozen persons in the large audiences under
stood the true significance of some of the
apparently minor but really important
touches. Who that saw the play could tn
derstand why Ma Berry repeats 50 much
and with that peculiar meiodieIis infec-
ton? Let one try it and discover its diff
Guilty. 1t is q popularity Of the women ia
that faTIner-fisher community on Maine )
rugged coast, where tile roar and crash q!
the sea is incessant. The writer, who W ss
some years ago frequent visitor among
these people. tried to discover the reason
for il. and the best one was gwen him by
a lady who had studied the peculiarity 81
speech, perhaps, more closely.
She stated it in this way. You VIII
note how much these women nre in the
sea mingles with, and often renders the
speakers words unintelligihle.. This ne-
ceSsitates often a repetition, and a change
in tone and Ynudula ton OF the voice. The
peculiar infection, given in a lower %
higher KEY. adds a carving power that
makes the person understood. II becomes
hahitnal.''
Snail things make up the world. WHO
.
whitS.ing the stick, and closing the jack
knife Nith his thumb alone, as well as
stropping its blade on his dust boot i?
1t is a zine touch Then there is the
vocabulary. II is doubtful if a penple n
civilized any land has more restricted
vocabulary OF use the simple words VITA
more force. These and other peculiarities
of the people are fast fading away, for
The summer tourist has feen md is rapidly
changing them.
who has taken note of the fact tina.
Nathaniel. in telling the pathetic story
OF his fathers death and the moth er's
devotion, takes from his pocket frag-
ment O. string, and when Martin leaves
him how he stands commnning with him
self and drawing the string through his
| fingers? The capacious pocket always
contained a piece of string ready sor
| use, notably In tying up the legs OF little
| boys pants and Miles petticoat, so
| Santa Claus would have large recepta-
| Gle in which TO put their gifts How I'm
| portant this adjunct of those fisher soiks'
| pockets is, only those who Ia We seen them
| repair breaks in their nets can inder-
| stand.
| The three Nathaniel. Martin
| and Ma Berry-are true to-life types that
may be found to this day in the French
| mans Bay district. Simple honest narrow,
| as regards their politics and religion hut
| pure and sweet OF heart. Mr.. II .r le S
realistic ana heautifui pictures of them
| are beyond cynical criticism. Dear cd
] Nathaniel. with his siy-dollar suit of
| clothes, his capabilities as man-of-an
work and cook, and fond OF his lazy,
inulishly stubborn brother, is a perfectly
| drawn picture.
| There are, perhaps, no equal examples
| of these peculiar people In unswerving lor
| atty to their country, and after the war
many IKE Nathaniel brought horne and
treasured as dear mementoes tha guns they
| fit in the war with Even the old patched
blue A Army overcoat Is very familiar o.
1 ject In tfeSe households. Quaint in th..iI
! manners and speech. Injured 10 halJiships in
wringing livelihood from the sterile sol
| and restless, cruel sea, economy was IA N.
grained element OF their sterling charar
| ters, enG those ARMY overccats did noble
! service ~ the cold winters after the waT
| had been fit OUT