The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-12-17
At the Met ropolitan.

or dramatic interest. There the line be-
tween the rich and poor, aristocratic and
pauper, IS more sharply defined than
anywhere else on earth. The new play.
London Life is said TO be interviewer
with diverse and characteristic threads
OF human interest. The play is said to re-
feet ali types of English society as en-
phatically and dramatically as in the
novels Of Charles Dickens. Quite a vein
OF comedy is said to run through the play
genuine humor of scene and character
and many pleasant touches Of rough and
ready fun, kept within bounds, which
the mainly serious aims of the play neces-
states.
The play, in five acts. is by Martyr
Field and Arthur Shirley, a joint crea-
ton, and relates the following interesting
story:
Col. Sir George r'errers, Bart. has mar
ried second wife, Spanish adventures,
who is secretly in league with Stephen
Granger Sir Georges secretary. Sir
George, an obstinate old gentleman, wish
es his daughter Gladys to marry Grain
ger. but she loves Lieut.. Harry Maxwell,
a weak-minded young man who lives on
the baronet's bounty. witnessing
warm love scene between her stepmother
and Granger. Gladys first impulse is to
inform her father, but fearing that the
blow would kill him, she refrains from
speaking out. This reticence is the cause
of all her trouble. Sir George irritated
at the refusal of Gladys to marry Grain
ger, casts his daughter off. She jumps
into the river to drown herself, but is
saved by Jack Ferrers, "a me- r do
WELL" Sir Georges nephew, another vic
tim of the designing Granger, who has
managed to lay on Jacks shoulders the
guilt Of forgery, really committed by
Granger himself.
Six years elapse between the first and
| second acts. Maxwell has married
Gladys, and they corie down to bitter
poverty. The ex-ieutenant, wearied by
his struggles, makes arrangements to
start alone for South Africa. Jack, who
cherishes a secret affection for Gladys,
endeavors in vain to convince Maxwell
that he IS doing a mean thing in leaving
bis wife and child. The husband departs,
leaving Ferrers to break the news to
Gladys.
The next scene Is the interior of a
pawnbroker's shop, where some genuine
ly humorous and well-studied bits of real
ism lead up to the narrowing scene in
which Gladys comes to pawn her wedding
ring In order to get food and medicine
for her sick child, who is seen lying on
a wretched bed in & sordid garnet, with
brokers man in possession. Sir George
writes consenting to take charge of little
Katie If her mother will promise not to
attempt to see her again, and, persuaded
by Jack, to save the child's life, she con-
sents TO give her up. Katie Is carried
away, and the poor mother falls, weeping
historically. on the bed.
In the third act little Katie has,
however, found place in Sir Georges
heart. Her ladyship's jealous fears are
excited and she orders Granger to ar
range for the childs disappearance.
Gladys, IN desperation, comes and pleads
her cause with her father, but Lady Fer
rers comes between them and Sir George 8
heart hardens; her ladyship is standing
sternly over Gladys, who falls on the floor
In faintlng fit. Fleet street is real
istically represented in the fourth act.
Maxwell has been drowned at sea. Grain
ger engages newsboy, ''par' of Jacks,