The Topeka state journal., 1898-02-02
TIM MURPHY'S VISIT.
He and His Audience Were Both
Pleased Last Night.

Tim Murphy is afraid that people will
believe him to be an old man. That is
why he now makes a practice of re-
spending to a curtain call after the
third act of "OId Innocence with a
short speech, appearing before the foot
lights without the white wig of Jason
Green.
Hang it all, I'm not an old man by
any means" said Mr.. Murphy in his
dressing room last night, but people
seem to get the idea that I am because
I've been playing old parts for several
years. Men come up to me and tell me
that they saw me 25 years ago; well,
now, they didn't see me 25 years ago
by long shot, but they simply have
the idea that I'm old. That's why
like to pull off my wig and go before
the curtain, and show the people what
look like in real life"
The audience at the Crawford theater
last night was pleased with Mr.. Muir
phys "Old Innocence" and gave the
comedian an opportunity to do what he
liked after the last act of the piece.
After the other members of the COM
pany had passed across the stage, Mr..
Murphy came on in response to contin-
ued clapping, his head devoid of the
heavy white locks of "Old Innocence"
Pm truly delighted to get this oppor-
tunity of appearing before you in my
own hair" said he as he smoothed his
slightly disarranged brown locks.
Pm really quite a young fellow, you
know, and I don't want people to get
the idea that I'm old And L wish to
thank you for so kindly according US
a curtain call here tonight; something
very unusual for others, but, of course,
customary with US. Also for the way
you turned out tonight and as Mr..
Murphy said this he looked over the
heads of those in the front portion of
the parquette to several rows of va
cant seats behind them, and the audi
ence commenced to feel that he was in
dulging in a bit of sarcasm. But he re-
assured them the next moment by say
ing:
mo this is not Mansfield sarcasm. I
really mean what say; and think you
turned out well considering the times
I am much amused he continued, at
the way the newspapers and theatrical
managers are trying to change my
name They tell me that Murphy is not
distinguished enough, and that L must
adopt a better name. They tell me that
there are too many of them; that they
dig them up by the acre every year A
manager up in Michigan told me that
q s long as I hauled Murphy around
with me 1 would have to live down the
impression that 1 was an 1rISh song
and dance artist. This almost convinc-
ed me that 1 was labOr1ng under
great difficulty and I think some day
I shall change my name. I'm looking
through all the books can ind trying
to pick out a suitable name for myself,
but as vet 1 haven't found one that
suits me But if you ever see a real
nice distinguished sort of name on
the bill boards in the future, why you
can just count on Murphy being in
town.
But then, I don't know, after ALL
went on Mr.. Murphy IN a droH sort OF
way. John T. Raymond's name was
O'Brien; just think of that, and Sir
Henry Irving's name was Broadrlb' ana
Lawrence Barrett's name was Branl-
gan. and so I rather think there's
chance yet for Murphy
But I want to say" and here MI
Murphy drew himself up in a patriotic
way that my father was Irish and my
mother was Irish. and that l come
from good, old Irish stock, and Tn
proud of it,
Patriotism always takes with an au-
dience, and of course Mr. Murphys dec
laration was greeted with conslderaple
applause. He waited until the ap-
plause had entirely ceased, ana then IN
his drollest manner, said;
Thanks, Irish.''
This made as big a hit with the audi
ence as did the declaration, and When
the laughter and applause subs1ded;
Mr.. Murphy told a clever theatrical
story ard left the stage.
''Old Innocence" is a clever and pref
tv comedy. and Mr. Murphy does ezz-
ceptionaI work in the part Of Jason
Green, the soft hearted old philanthro-
pist who for one day is forced INTO see
ing the world in exactly an opposite
way to the way he has been looking at
il his entire life by a flint hearted
brother and a series of impositions-
There is a vein of pathos running
through the piece and at times the Sit
uations change from the humorous to
the pathetic, as at the end of the second
act where the old man, believing that
he at last understood the world ana
that it is filed only with impostOrs and
deceivers, refers to the day before when
he looked upon life from the other ex-
treme, and exclaims: And yet yester-
day 1 was happy"
Mr. Murphy is supported by a credit
able company, headed by Miss Dorothy
Sherrod, who takes the part of the old