New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-20

ground Of the cults on the East Side, and the
audience which came 10 pass judgment was crit
ical 5oyond the usual one
ON this night the fate OF Jacob Gordln is de-
c;ded" said friend Of the dramatist as the audi
ence waited IN silence for the rising OF the curtain
Two acts OF the play passed in comparative ST.
leace; the study was the audience-the hundreds
% keer eager Jewish faces turned toward the
stage the gruff protest when the actors failed 20
speak their lines audibly for the Jewish audience
oompels the performers 10 repeat on such occa-
sions. The house was pleased, but waiting II was
the third act that TO be decisive.
For two acts Mr.. Gordin invisible to the
house; him il WAS necessary 10 climb down
through dusty winding passages. and finally 10
discover him behind the wings-costumer. stage di-
rector and general manager. But with the third
act the author came out, not osteptatiously, but
Visibly. A little whisper through the house
and then the eager glance OF the crowd was d.
Eected at The seat known as the dramatist's seat.
which he occupies night after night for the YddIsh
drama IS with him personally conducted tour.
As the whisper grew the heavy figure Of NJ. Cor
Gin was SEEN seated in his place his heavy beard
resting on his breast. his eyes impassively ixeI
upon the stage. where the third act was opening.
The play rolled the stress OF pride
touched before but now stung 10 the quick became
manifest in the Tears and the passionate Misses Of
The crowd, for the villain gets ms hsses on the
Of the play, the two young people. the jewish gIr1
and The Christian husband. face here the agony
snti-Semitic world. When suddenly me child re-
Deats the catchword OF the street ana says
their places. A grim light plays over the face OF
an which the child begs 10 be allowed 10 80 10
sunday school and finally departs. 10 return pres
emily dlsheyeed and breathing fury as he tells the
story 81 snow balllng i ''Sheeny pedler. Again
ne house tlses 10 L!e Iui = lIet aiq no nc
child. who comes bleeding from cut in his hand
20 find the offender is his gTanGchild. There are
tears in Mr.. Gor6ns eyes now, the audience IS
weeping man-estly, II ls q MOI o. emotion. nus
she viii leave her husband for ever. As he pleads
lie Christian world and 1ne curtain falls over the
departing woman. while The bells stL toll
Dramatically, 81 is a stirring scene, but as 81 ap-
ion Ii is seTerai moments before The audience
comes back TO itself after The curtain falls The
glare Of passion in their faces stained with tears
ly, from an over the house. come the wild shouts
Q. e 20, t Sorair' Gordln. The play las gone
pathos in the awkward squa: figure that comes
sudence bur the roSs sre Is strong 9 sr on a9
OF ne aGeet Rropnet IA me stern face. the sweep
ole, something n SIS dignity takes hold Three
moves solemnly across the stage and van.shes fben
qI1 fe'@ LOT ne iJsEits2s speech For three
Them sternly. almost angVily stir the teacher IT,
laT-giNer almost; then Ae retices: for him il is an
"lhcs tiuigA 70 4iA u = anotner Truth home
Tor lne rest; ths pay has hGceeeaed. the
play Is ended VITA third act. AlreEdv INC In
rclectCals" are on The move, they are tagerIv
fastening 10 the little Canal-st Gaze where GoTdn
holds court. Tor like the tribe " Ben" Jacob
GoTdin claims his followers and holds his court
Here an hour later. wnen me play is over and
Tie lest applause * aCknCW lodged. t-o successful
dranGt.St not merely 10 receive praise but
70 defend. Tor MS critics are here. TOO. There is
no hand 10 greet him. but his entry into the dingy
sttle ca-e. 'v Gag . common eating house. is not
f.e less Inp.- ssile. one by the giants OF The
Ghetto EEeet 1im. mere is soicmniJy iu their
courtesy. Ti.-u hr l.e receives them
EesfeC before his caviar with his closest friend
lie dr.nle glass e kunaniau Wine following
an QlG No-i5 custom, As the ceremony ends his
aired iGCc isi-t-ns. the grim look Naushes. and
n - pla"e his great brown eyes are lighted with
s kindly c.iesm:
1T vas tnree weeks. three weeks that wrote
DE hatrfeli in. ptner dramatists. European
Or AnneEiesn the could write better dramas but
Don't you think the American woman would
present another problem inqUiues Il rash ad-
nlire.. Perhaps they HCt 20 much OF 3 prob
lem
The eyes twinkle the Graiuaitst looks down on
his QCestiOuer.
Every She is a problem" he says. win fine
show OF conviction.
Couldn't tie play eud with the third act.r asks
another.
Il would change a Iine u it-not a ryord az II
lei them think OF Il: let them talk about H. lei
them think and think that is the truth not = lie'
you-g man with hagSara face Genes 10 greet