The Washington times., 1901-10-01
The Academy-.A Ragged Hero"

An audience that filled the Academy of
Music to overflowing witnessed the in
itial performance last night of "A
Ragged Hero" II was the biggest Mon
dav ni-at house of the season and many
were turned away Judging from the
applause which greeted the efforts of the
players and the ciimaxes of each act, the
immense throng was thoroughly enter
tanned 1t would seem that melodrama
Is the favorite form or amusement with
the Academy patrons and "A Ragged
Hero is nothing If not melodramatic so
that 1t is safe to assume that the new
play will be received with large and en-
thusiastic audiences during the balance
of the week
1t has been said that realism in melo-
drama has reached its apex and that
every conceivable form Of thriller had
been utilized by the melodramatic authors
from Joseph Arthur to Scott Marble, but
Mr.. Fielding. the author of "A Ragged
Hero" has discovered few new ones
The most notable of the new effects is
that which ends the second act little
girl is imprisoned in the upper story of
a burning house, with no apparent means
OF escape. The tot runs to the window,
opens it, and is about TO jump to the
w
Of the play happens along. He endeavors
to burst in the door and reach the stair
way, but is driven back by the smoke and
flames. He looks around for ladder tut
there is none in sight. His eyes fall upon
a swing hanging from the large maple
tree in the yard. The nomad selzes the
swing. mounts with ii to the barn and
swings up TO the burning window, calling
to the little one to jump toward him. the
child obeys and jumps into Willie $
arms as the flames close round her. The
tumultuous applause which greeted this
sensational effect must have convinced
those who were interested in the play s
success that novelty in scenic effect Will
always be acceptable to the patrons OF
popular price theatres.
Almost equally effective was the scene
which closes the third act 1t is made
known in this act that the hero OF the
play. who has been untustly incarcerated
in the county jail for anotherS crime has,
through the efforts of his sweetheart.
been granted a reprieve. The sweetheart
hastens from the Governors office to
carry the document to the warden of the
jail There is a heavy storm and her
horse falls as she nears the top of a hill.
on the opposite side Of which she must
ascend to reach the prison. The real
murderer, who has learned of her planS.
and who knows that this is the only road
she can take, is on hand to intercept her.
She meets young farm hand who IS
CARRYING a coasiins sled to the top OF
the hill. The young woman pleads Win
him to take the reprieye and start of
with it. but he refuses, alleging as his
reason that the limited express which
must pass the foot NJ the hill is forty
minutes late and he. is afraid TO attempt
the perilous trip until the train mas
passed. The girl nothing dauntcd, taxes
the sled from him and starts herself. She
reaches the railway track just as the
train approaches the crossing. and, OF
course, crosses safely. although she mas
a narrow escape.
built around thase scenes. The story IS
Of New England lie and many OF the
characters are typical of that section
The title role. Willie Niidilower. u eh.
tcted by Edgar FoEeman, who slEes II
cry comical as, we'll as artistic perform
ance OF an unusual type of hobo. Juus7