The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-03-07

Sol Smith Russell, with the same dry
humor, the same expressive counten-
ance, the same soliloquizing manner
that has marked his progress into the
hearts of American theater goers dur
ing the past score of years, freshened
the estimation in which he is held in
this city in a new comedy at the Craw-
ford theater last night. That this esti-
nation could not be increased was pro-
ven by the immense audience-the larg-
est il the history of Topeka-that saw
the comedian as Hon. John GriSby."
The new comedy Is a product of the
present season, so youthful in fact that
its initial production does not extend
to the time of Mr.. RusselPs opening 1t
was hurriedly put together because the
piece the comedian started with, and of
which much was expected, failed as a
vehicle for the display of his unique
characteristics. With 1t Mr.. Russell
has far made a complete success, as
complete as that of "A Poor Relation, -
Peaceful Valley" ORA Bachelors Ro-
nance" and he predicts that 1t will run
with satisfaction as long as he cares to
keep it before the public. And yet, it is
a question if the comedy would prove a
success at all in other hands than
those of Sol Smith Russell.
This fact can only be compliment to
the comedian. With reference to the
author, Mr. Charles Klein, it can not in
any way be construed to be a criticism
of his work Hon. John GrigSby" was
written for Sol Smith Russell and for
no one else. When the author created
the poor mans lawyer" with his deep
sense of right and justice, his sympa
thetic and even tender nature, he had
the knowledge of the comedians per-
Sonality and ability before him. He gave
the character just the opportunities
that he knew Mr.. Russell could so thor
oughly take advantage of. and in the
fact that Sol Smith Russell occupies a
unique position on the American stage,
lies the possibility of Hon. John
Cric Shxy'S ia n T -
QuireS the character touches of Mr.. Rus
SELL and the comedians character
touches are of a kind that are not
found duplicated.
In the construction of the comedy Mr.
Klein has given Sol Smith Russell one
of his strongest stories. He has placed
it at time when the theme is plausi-
BILE, and has given 1t an atmosphere al
together historical Grigsby Is a law
yer in an Illinois town in 1850. just when
the agitation which eleven years later
resulted in civil war, was commencing.
1t is from the slave question that the
comedy gets it's foundation, the perse-
cution of a young school teacher for
daring to talk the abolition of slavery
in a community which is hardly even
equally divided on the question. She is
made the subject of an attack in the
paper controlled by the leader of the
slavery party, ana appeals to Grissby
for vindication. From his sense of JUS
tice he takes the case without hope of
remuneration, as he has taken scores of
cases before, and prepares to fight the
battle of the prosecuted girl.
A deadlock in the convention on the
nomination of supreme court justice
causes the leader of the slavery party
to call on GrigSby to use his influence in
their behalf. He is out when they reach
his office, and the only occupant is a
wealthy widow who is in possession of
an altogether unreciprocated affection
for Grigsby. The possibility of the
poor mans lawyer receiving the NOM
ination is limited upon, and the widow,
generously, but indiscreetly. promises
$4,000 to the slavery campaign fund if
his nomina ton is secured. With this
pledge the leaders return to the con-
vention and Grigsby is nominated for
supreme court justice, and six weeks
later elected.
These are the principal points Of the