The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-10-10
MONTGOMERY THEATRE.
Katie Emmett in ''The waifs of New
 York v


 The audience which saw ''The waifs of New York at the Montgomery Theatre last night was not disappointed. It knew what to expect.
 That the play was a sensational melo- drama, n1elodrama that thrilled two de- cades ago was fully known. It was, per haps, originally built to please the gallery and it's original purpose is still served. Even twentieth century gallery foAnd in it's lines to wildly applaud with whis- ties and stamping feet.
 This leftover melodrama of the sos was interesting as a bit of history, a se- ries of stage "reminiscences. The audi ence harked back to the time when a cam vas train rumbling across the boards was the height of stage realism, or the lum- boring of the make-believe fire engine with Its halo of sparks was a thrilling scenic effect. It was a memento of the good old days when "The Fast Mail" and ''The Midnight Alarm were star attrac- tions on the road. It belonged to the old plays which were plentifully besprinkled with copybook platitudes. where ragged virtue sententiously reproved richly clad vice with lofty sentiments to the ectatc delight of the gallery. It belonged to the old epoch when there was no mistaking the dark villain. He was marked upon his first appearance even before his me- farious plots and deeds were uncovered And virtue after receiving several set backs, always came in for it's own. It bespoke too. the epoch when the stage dutchman and his bunch of chin whis- kers fiourished. And the comic Irishman helped to make the fun for the evening.
 "The waifs of New York" appeared to be living little out of its time.
 Miss Katie Emmett made a great hit Tn the old days as the news5oy Willie Ru- fus who always arrived in the nick of time. She was kept busy last night res cuing persons throughout four acts. And in simple truth there was charm to her playing. It was one of the few good fea- lures to an old play interpreted by a modern company. She played the heroic. if impertinent. newsboy. in a convincing way. The audience became so interested in her that they almost overlooked the defects of the supporting company Her audience was so sympathetic that they neglected to take special notice of the realistic features.
 James A. Ryan played the villainous Italian acceptably. He Is due the modi- Aed compliment of saying that he was tho best of the supporting company.
 The Biddy McShane of Miss Nellie Fill more was good. but the other members of the company ranged from indifferent
 
 Miss Emmett. in the olden days. was a member of the Jolly Corks, parent organ- ization of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks When the Corks were merged into the Elks and female active members were barred. Katie Emmett. Maggie Mitchell. Katie Putnam and Fan nie Davenport. active members of the Corks became honorary members of the Elks.
 All of these old favorltes have gone but Katie Emmett and it Is but natural that the hearts of faithful Elks beat tenderly for this actress who was at the bornlng of their order.
 This is why the officers of the Mont gomery lodge of Elks occupied boxes at the theatre last night and this Is why an immense cluster of red roses was handed over the footlights tf the stage to the little woman with the compliments of Montgomery Elks.
 Let 1t be said in conclusion that Katie Emmett did not tell the newspapers this story. Her press agent is not permitted to do so. Katie Emmett Is not of that sOrf