The Forrest City times., 1901-07-05


 since the days of the old Thespian Club which fiourished away back in the sos. when such prominent personages as Prof. Stuart, Tobe Aldridge, Dr. Cummings. Mrs. Alley, Miss Priscilla Newman. Col. Howes. Miss Fannie Russell (now Mrs. k. I. ColD and others, were pleased to amuse themselves and large audiences be- fore the footlights, no such successful dramatic production as "Pacer Gold J has been presented by local talent in For rest City. Those oId-timers were stars and the cast which held the boards last Friday night was bright and sparkling with the same enthusiastic sentiment which gave inspiration to those favorites in days agone.
 The personnel of the company included the best talent that could have been pro. cured in the city-a set of our most &C., complished girls and handsome young business men, with the exception of those two peerless Irish comedians. Messrs. $. II. Osgood and J. NJ. Manning. from Wynne, who acquitted themselves with pride and distinction.
 Mrs. W. H. Alley, to whom the grati- tude of the bahd boys is given in lasting and iiameasurable degree. lab. ored increasingly and under many dis cOurapinp cjroupoctopo for tho ,,aoa.a of the entertainment, and at times when everyone else had given up and it seemed impossible to carry OF cehearsals, clung to the play with persistence that was blind to failure and when the curtain rose Friday night upon such a lovely scene of song and gayety, there was ap- proval and joy in every heart. All ob- l stacles had been swept aside and the af- fair was an unqualified success from the beginning. The play was well received and the hearty demonstrations of the audience at the close of each scene, gave evidence of genuine appreciation Placer Gold teemed with bright and
 
 most prominent in all the exciting clmaxes and impressive scenes the sweet personal- ity of "Gipsy" appeared. In the inter- pretation of this character Miss Cummings won the hearts and plaudits of the entire audience. Her feeling and intelligent rendition of the part smacked strongly of l A honor and credit upon one of maturer years and wider experience. The gener- al verdict is that she was '' simply great. D She threw herself into the lines with A dash and spirit which brought the part out true to life. Her beauty and charm ing voice makes her good to look upon and listen to at all times, but as Gipsyn n in Placer Gold" she was especially capti. vating and altogether lovely. Miss Mat | ties acting was beyond criticism, her de- | ightful moods of humor. passion and | pathos, held the house in splendid inter- | est while the mysteries of the plot were | being revealed.
 Wood Paslay as Uncle Nathan Bard well '" handled one of the difficult parts very creditaby, and his acting through l | he spoke his lines with great feeling. earnestness and enthusiasm, and was high y deserving of the praise given him. In the first act Uncle Nathan, " "Nellie 1 Crosby Miss Mary lzard. and "Souire | Crosby" Punch ? Pasay. made a hit | in singing little familiar song .s After the War which was very pretty. Miss Velma Evans, as "Maria BardweIl. Il was l A xpi ia te ss $ l and shared all his joys and sorrows with seemingly sincere wfely devotion and ! fortitude. Miss Velma was good in her part.
 Miss Addie Horney presided at the piano with exquisite grace and proficiency. l My. Fred k. Atkins found most con genial part in impersonating the character of " Richard Blynn, one of the gold mine swndlers. and in his stage makeup was scarcely recognized by number of his most intimate friends. He and "Cros- by " Punch Paslay,l were the chief plot ters in the scheme to defraud Uncle Nathan and rob him of his beloved farm. and both williams. although they have l since repented and restored the old man to his home and happiness, acted their parts very cleverly.
 Miss Mary Merwin, as Matilda n l (Crosby's Hired Girl.) was admirably l suited to the role ir which she appeared. | contributing many of the comic situations to the performance and keeping her hus- band Mike 0'CoDner" in constant state of trepidatIon by her scoldngs and | prosecutions.
 MT. Tom Parham's interpretation of the character of Med Bardwell' , was energetic and sincere. He,was thorough | y familiar with his lines and the loving scenes between Ned 1" and 's Clip D were greatly enjoyed. and when she fiippanty gave him back piece of shirt in the last act as an evidence of her constancy and true devotion. the action was greeted by a generous outburst of applause. Little Miss Mary Alley deserves cred- table mention as Belle Bardwell D the petted little orphaned niece of {" Uncle ! Nathan and her happy interpretation of this juvenile part added materially to the interest ot the entertainment. | r. 0. Duffey, the Sheriff was very brave and daring officer until he came in contact with the business end {" of Mir T T