The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-09-28

is indignant. scolding her children when
the father scolds
But it Is in the character of Mi.
foster son of the couple, a locomotive en-
gineer by trade. and in Polja, the daugh-
ter of a vagabond bird-dealer, that Cork
casts a bright light into the disordered
relations. The lawful son and daughter
shrink into corners when the father
raises his voice and vehemently instructs
them in the neglected duties of children
&c their parents. cries piteously that he
strained every muscle and endured all
to bring up his offspring on the right
Tath. The son, Peter. is in that state of
exalted self-endurance sometimes com
non with graduates who believe the
world 10 be at her feet. Tatjana. his
sister and companion in misery. is a
high-strung young creature, now breath
ing for freedom, for contact in the world,
escape from the narrow duh confines of
the parental dwelling then cast into deep
despair. She envies Nil for his buoyant
nature, his love for an Industrious life,
and his rugged wholesome disposition.
Envy blossoms into love. But MI looks
into the bright eyes of Polja. the maid.
beholds there the healthy nature Of
girl blooming into true womanhood. and
gives his heart 10 the humble daughter
OF the bird-dealer When Tatjana discov-
ers this she attempts suicide. But al
though craving death. she has not the
courage 20 face it. and her attempt at
poisoning falls
The auditor is not left in doubt as to
what lessons the author wants to con
vey. He makes Nil. the foster son. his
disciple who places his faith for the
redemption of Russia and its suffering
classes in a healthy. Industrious life
1T is by helping along some struggling
fellow-being here. by gently-or vigorous
IS and by working at our work with true
love for work. with courageous heart
within and heaven overhead says Nil
MI places his arm lovingly about his
sweetheart Poija and one beholds two
healthy mortals enjoying life as
natures children, and not seeking to
span more than their station allows or TO
vault higher than their circumstances
permit They are not the prey OF strange
fears and impossible lodgings like those
which possess. the unfortunate daughter
With her super-rehnement-
IN Pertchichin the bird-deaier. and
distant relative. whose soul lonss for the
freedom Of the forests and the song Of
birds. Cork is understood 10 mirror him
self Cork also speaks eloGuently in be-
half of his countryman through this sim
Qle character OF the bird-dealer. who is
looked upon as vagabond. bot who stu
aches Tor the free air OF the woods and
grows enthusiastic over the song OF birds
rs though they convey 10 him sense Of
freedom which his country has deprived
ti-n Of. Cork pictures the suGerinss ana
the crude as Wen as the good traits q
his creations with striking truth. bat at
the same time he appears always IS
the champion of his people. and leaving
The impression that il IS not Individual
fact but the inequalities II the social ard
political system az Russia which are most
responsible for such family tragedies.
Gorki's sramatization Is the first real
dramatic novelty as wen as success Of
the present theatrical season of Berlin.
Eut -he forecast CT coming premie-cs
ty Sudermann, Hauptmann. Ernst. ard
other proliac contributors 70 the modern
drama OF The German stage. indicate that
The present season VIII stnl md The
suicidal PLAYS the popular dramatic diet.
The $. Petersburg correspondent OF the
London Daly Mail relates that the COM
r.ander ~ the Cossack station al verts-
Chink. anxious that his district should
show q prepondersnce Of males. has Or
dered that the father Of ever sir baby
born IN the district shall receive Atty
strokes without the knout Several men,
says the correspondent have already been
knouted under this ruling