Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-10-21

workers in this field during the pres
ent decade. Women, large minded
women, have an especial reason to be
grateful for this clarion call from the
great Russian. The new woman, So
called, in her club, in her literary eff
forts, has demanded in more of less
strident, strenuous tones, a single
moral code; that the man shall be
judged by precisely the same stand
ard as the woman. The stage has
in such plays as Camille and For
Get-Me-Not' made efforts in the same
direction. Whether such a millennium
can be brought about is doubtful,
but if it is possible, l think the road
has been paved by Tolstoi, his prede-
cessors having by comparison no more
than blaZed IL track through the for
est along which the keenest moral
sight can alone find its way. In Toll
stoi's apothesis of the soul and its
relation to the Maker of all things
lies the tremendous eloquence of his
appeal. Hypocritical cant is eliminat-
ed, truth is put on a pedestal; the IN
fidel and the creedist can here meet
on a common platform for Tolstois
sermon works with equal conviction
for the material, as well as for the
spiritual betterment of society. The
wrong-doer may fear the retributive
Justice of a wrathful God. but God is
merciful. Nature, however. is ineXOr-
able, and has no mercy. In my opin-
ion Tolstoi exploits this truth as it
has rarely. if ever, been exploited be-
fore, and therefore, in giving 'Resur-
20 no ho hoS OF lnnGn
moral force which must earn for
him the gratitude of modern civiliza-
ton. That Resurrection as Il play
should have made the sensation it has
both in London and Paris as well as in
New York might be expected from
the great work which inspired it,
though much credit is due to the
French playwright, Henry Bataille
who made the dramatiZatiOn. For my
own part, the sentiment which is ever
in my thoughts is that of gratitude
for the opportunity it gave me in
the character of Maslova. What meas
ure of success is accorded me in my
portrayal is due perhaps to sympathy
with the aims of the great Russian
reformer. / shall continue to study
chief aim is to obliterate self entirely
and to think of Maslova as Tolstoi
conceived her-a creature more sin
ned against than SHINING, a creature
who was plastic, but creature as
God made her. to he used or abused
by a stronger personality"
Manager Edward c. White is busy
making preparations for his forth
coming production of THE Triumph
of an Empress" in which Mildred Hol-
land is to portray the role of Gather
inc the Great, Russia's greatest em7
press. Miss Holland will appear in
this role for the first time about
Christmas. The actress will illustrate
Catherine in her higher and better
moods and phases of character. She
will show the indomitable will. as well
as the inherent nobility of Catherine,
portraying her first as the joyous
young German princess, and later on
the woman of character and determi-
nation. as well as one of the greatest
stateSmomen who ever lived.
Tim Murphy, as usual. is among the
first in the field of this seasons dra-
matte events, but his visit to this city
next Tuesday will be doubly interest
ing because in 'The Man From Mis-
souri, he has an entirely new comedy
written especially for him by George
V. Hobart and Edward +. Rose. two
of the most clever writer's of the day.
Having a new play, Mr.. Murphy has
also provided new and elaborate seen
ic establishment and has surrounded
himself with an excellent company,
unusually large as to number of ar
fists employed. Dorothy Sherrod
heads the list of the women, all of
whom it is said wear quite number
of fetching gowns of the latest APP
proved fashion. THE Man From
Missouri" is one of those laughable
comedies, with no suggestion of horse
play, but is clean, sweet and pure as
new mOwn hay. Broncho Jim-a big,
whole-souled, veritable Remington
cowboy from out of the west-visits a
Washington friend whom he has help
ed elect to congress. The congress-
man introduces his friend to Washing
ton society, and-well you will have to
sit through the four laughter-provok-
ing and tear compelling acts of this
comedy to learn just how Broncho
Jim puts to rights the social matters
that want readjusting.
Like everything else in which the
public is interested, there are plays
good, bad and Indifferent. "a Hidden
Crime" which comes here Sunday
next is claimed to be one of the good
ones. 1t is play of the Pacific coast
with considerable heart interest, and
affords splendid opportunity for scenic
display. Much has been said of the
scene of the Golden Gate. of the rose
garden at San Rafael with its beauti-
full electric fountain, and of the SEN
sational breaking of a suspension
bridge.
Jane Oaker, formerly leading wo-
T. TT