The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-03-26
"a MIDNIGHT BELL"
Hoyts Pretty Play Is at the Grand
This Week.


"A Midnight Bell charmingly told
story Of rural life in New England. This
play will open at the Grand opera house
for a weeks engagement tonight at S:15.
The producing company will be headed by
L. r. Stockwell, a comedian who enjoys
a very high reputation in his profession,
and in his own peculiar line is said to DE
without q rival or a successful 1m1tator.
His style is essentially his own and his
simplicity of method and close adherence
to nature have won for him the highest
encomiums of the press and public of the
leading cities Of the United States, in
which for many years he has been one of
the chief footlght favorites. He infuses
into all his representations a charmingly
quaint individuality and a delightful unc-
tuousneSS and good nature, which possess
a potent attraction for his audiences and
win for him immediate and surviving
popularity. In the Hoyt plays he has
been remarkably fortunate and has been
repeatedly complimented by the author
for the admirable manner In which he has
portrayed his ideas. He was especially Sc
lected by Mr.. Hoyt from all the comedi-
ans of his large acquaintance, for the
character of the bibulous Mink Jones in
"A Temperance Town" and starred for
two consecutive seasons in 1t with the
NOSE fattering results through the chief
cities OF the country. 1t was Mr.. Stock
well who first brought into popularity In
San Francisco "a Midnight Bell" In it
he will be seen as Deacon Lemuel Tidd
which was created by him, the greatest
hit Of his long and brilliantly successful
career, and one which has been pro-
nounced by the leading and most discern
Ing critics of the most important dailies
to be one of the most unique, enjoyable
and genuine comedy efforts of the past
| decade.
1t is a pretty rural drama which tells
plain, simple, human and affecting story
| In which pathos and comedy are delight
fully and artistically blended, and every
| character is faithfully and artistically
| drawn from real life. AS Mr. Stockwel
will only appear during his present tour
| IN this play he has been able to select
| a company qualified to fulfill it's require
| ments, and every member Of the cast will
be found peculiarly adapted to his or hel
role. "A Midnight Bell is not without 6
| story, strong in interest, yet told with
| gentleness; it is that of the accusation O.
Squire Alcott, president of the village
! bank, by the cashier, the real culprit, OF
| robbing the vault of many dollars II
bonds. This information reaches the ears
| Of Ned the bankers nephew and to save
the latter from public degradation per.
mlts the accusation to rest upon himself
fearing for the health Of his uncle Nee
Is arrested but escapes, and divulging the
| secret to Nora, the school teacher who
had befriended him by interceding with
his uncle to permit him to wed one OF
the scholars. is about to leave the school
but footprints In the snow reveals his
hiding He is pursued, but makes gooe
bis escape on southern bound train
! Nora is accused Of shielding Ned. and
discharged. The parson takes the girl te
| his house; the church committee await
upon the parson at the choir rehearsal