The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-10-06
THE JEFFERSON.

The jefferson this week has given us a
vertiable cranatio sand wioh. On its
outer side was ION and Off," Christian
in the middle and last evening Mile.
Fin.
1t IL a French farce and like most Of
that class is sufficiently fervid, but its
atmosphere has been somewhat cooled for
IN English stage. The story deals with
marital infslioities and tells us how the
Young Vicomte de Puissao and his wife
Florence, an American girl, who have
santly that they are beseiged by creditors.
Fiorsnce's mother, Mrs. Bessafyord.
. wealthy widow, has worded her daugh-
sr's marriage contract so that only the
interest of the dowry can be used, the
principal being in trust. The young
ouple are at their wits end for resources
8 Mrs. Stafford refuses to give peouniary
i'd. In this emergency q money lender
AIMED Mandcza appears and he discovers
hat the contract lie 50 worded as &c
cave the young wife In unrestrained pos
ession Of her fortune, II the marriage
hould be set aside, whereupon bogus
alt for divorce Is arranged for. Floreu,s
loss not like the idea but on being as.
ured that her husband will not be I'M
lithful to hsr consents. Thereupon the
fcomte writes compromising letter to
ale. Fin, chanteuse which ia to be
Is wife's evidence. She discovers it and
hen there is make believe quarrel ano
hey seem to separate. The husband
wells in bachelor apartments and the
fife visits him surrsptiOusly. In the seq
ad act these visits arc discovered by the
aother-in-law and she procssds to upsst
be scheme OF the young people. Con-
called behind some curtains Mira Stafford
nd Duke hear of the deception that has
cen practiced upon them, and surprise
he pair in their billing and cooling.
The parents hurry away to prevent the
ivorce and then comes the "Fih" cpl
ode. The wife has shown the compro-
Missing letter to one of her husbands
rlends who sends 1t to the real Fiji and
he woman invades the Viscomte's apart
nents accompanied By her parrot and
doodle. Here ensues the audaoious
Gene. A real row follows. Attempted
xplanations ars useless and In the third
ct the wife applies for q divorce on hei
wn account and gets it. but finally g.
econciled to hsr husband, and curtain
lis upon prospect Of a speedy mar
-iaee. -
The cast was admirable throughout.
daris Wainwright wore some elegant cos
umeG and her scenas w are oivap with vI
acity and skill. Her associate, Mr..
Burns. was seen 10 con genial role, that
Of spendthrift's old father whose knowl-
edgs OF the ''fringe of society" was no t
confined to books. Miss Grace George
rave a charmingIy natural impersons-
ion Her sweetness and znodssty of de-
ueanor did not appeared to be assumed
and her assum ption of seriousness was
convincing amidst farcial surroundings
DR.. Abeles as the young husband Is to
10 commended for his ease of manner and
specially for his reserve In the second
aot. Mr.. Davidson's impersonation and
makeup as the money lender were ga oh
excellent and not exaggerated Miss
Judson acted FIJI just as the character
demanded 1t, not pleasing to see. perhaps,
but true TO life. Less an artist she might
have made her part very Questionable.
Others IN the cast were acueptab BILE and
the play was adequately staged, the Sec
ond act showing very handsome stage
setting,