The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-10-12

Neither does she take notes or striklng situations or dialogue to weave into heF plot. She lets these, too, come or tnem- selves After the keynote has been op- tained she begins her play and then Works with amazing Tapidity. Already since mn fishing Mrs. Jack" she has written anu staged a second play-"Gretna Green 1t will open in New York November with Elizab Tyree in the leading role. It was the delightful humor of Mrs. Jack" that caused it to make a hit at once. The saving grace of humor VIII redeem any play or story from disaster Make me laugh; I don't care at what, | only mako me laugh. I am overnur- uened and full Of grief and trouple' dlVe me a laugh" pleads the poor old world | Ard they who can still it's cry Of despair are paid well by 1t.
 Miss Furniss and her mother, an intei- leetual, socially distinguished lady, live in New York in winter and in summer in their cottage on Nantucket lsiahu' The daughter is very like the mother. Among the quaint old Timey sea folk Of the island Miss Grace learned much. The uniuue ways, remarkable stories ana the dry, almost savage Nantucket wit impressed themselves deeply on her nrst attempts in literature. Her picturesque. humorous Nantuck t tales quickly gained her recognition in the literary field.
 Her nature runs to the dramatic. From early years she was active in amateur theatricals. Finally she determined to write an amateur play containing par, adapted to her own histrionic style She did so. and the merry "A Box of Mon keys" now known throughout the land among amateur theatrical devotees, was the result It was in two acts. and, like most of Miss Furniss work. full or nu- nor. After 1t had been played and had made a hit, Miss Furniss taking the part she had written for herself. her mother persuaded the budding playwright 10 send 1t as contribution to Harper Bazar' It was immediately accepted and pup nshed. although the Bazar did not often print plays. Next came It's success Tn amateur circles far and wide; next act tors, members of the real theatrical pro fession said to Mss Furniss:
 Why don't you write play for the reg ular stage? You can do it.
 And 20 she did She has had her ups and downs like other people, her sue cesses and failures, for ten years, until at length the great seal of success has been placed upon her work by the first staging of Mrs. Jack" in New York city, with it's immediate favorable reception Only the best plays. or what are believed to he such. are permitted a first appear ance in New York. The custom Is, In the slang of the profession, to "try 1t on the dog first-that is to give 1t in the smaller cities of the land.
 Before writing Mrs. Jack Miss Fur miss collaborated on The Colonial Giri and "The Pride of Jennico." In Mrs. lack" the heroine exhibits a striking ex- ample of progressive gowning. At first she js a widow in black and white mourning. in the second act she has reached the gray stage and comes out tn lawn color After that she wears a splen- did costume of white, of silk and crape and silver spangles. the last suggestion of mourning before she dons varicolored apparel. In the last act. as critic an nounces. "she jumps boldly into green.' If takes a woman to study out these fine touches. Elizabeth Lee