The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-22
NTNTIC m DIR. A. E. BUCHANAN
OAN AANA 1913 When Building.
ADJUSTMENTS.
Ensii.h,s-"A Carpetbagger.o

Tim Murphy and his talented company,
with the beautifully girlish Dorothy Sher-
rod, began their retcrn engagement in THE
Carpetbagger" at English's last night,
playing to an audience that must have been
discouraging to all lovers or the good. the
true and the beautiful in the drama The
extraordinarily attenuated crowd that
greeted these agreeable entertainers does
not speak highly for the taste of the better
class Of indianapolis theater-goers. Proba-
bly, If Dir. Murphy and his coadjutors had
been billed to present vivid picture OF the
portion of society which has lost it's veneer.
the theater would scarcely have contained
the people eager to witness the tainted spec
tacle. 1t may be that he will profit by the
hint thus rudely given, and that next sea-
son the patrons of English's will have their
senses tickled by Witnessing Mr.. Murphy in
the role Of fiery, constituencies lover,
while Miss Sherrod alternately amuses and
thrills. with dynamic kisses and, an exhibit
ton of sensuous, dreamy Oriental dance, the
kind that draws well IN vaudeville. 1t is 10
be hoped, however, that, TO borrow a smile
will keep the current OF his dramatic life
pure and undefled. There is nothing unduly
sensational in The Carpetbagger,'" al
more than ordinary interest. 1t is simply
beautiful comedy OF politics, presented in
a most charming manner-One OF tnOSe
plays that leave fragrant memories and
feeling OF night well spent Chief interest
centers In Mr.. MuIphys portrayal OF Gov
ernor GRANGE, an interloper from the North
in the unsettled days just following the war
OF the rebellion, when the INSCRIPTIONS
among the victorious Nation dominated the
politics. OF the people who had tasted defeat
and robbed them right and left. Governor
GRANGE began his official career with pur-
pose to feather his nest before the storm
broke which ushered In a regime under
which the people of the South governe'
themselves, but he left out of his cacul,
tons the fact that he had a heart into
which love might enter. Love did enter,
and through his great affection for Mrs.
Fairburn the disreputable carpetbagger be-
came a thoroughly respectable member of
society. The character of Mrs. Fairburn
was well sustained by Miss Nellie Yale Nell
son. Miss Grace Houston had an unpleas-
ant role In Lucy Linford, the female lobby
list, but she appeared TO advantage, never
theleSs. tossed off glass of liquor with the
Governor and showed that she was good
fellow" Good work was done by j. II.
Armstrong as Maj. Henderson Reynolds,
John Hampton as Old John Reynolds, his
father, Miss Aubrey Powell as Old Mrs.
Reynolds, one of those old women who re-
semble a faded flower that calls UP tender
memories, and Ralph Thomas as Jim,
which carries with 1t the moonlight elope-
ment of the Governors daughter (played
by Miss SherrOd) and Mrs. Fairburn's son
DANES Manley), the several love passages
between the two young people and the final
triumph of love over carpet-bagging incli-
nations. all excellently worked out.
Even the dog played his part well and
scolded the crowd for not being larger with
Charles Coughlan recently did. The two re-
naming performances OF this exquisite COM
edy, this afternoon and tonight, should at
tract large audiences.