The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-01-26
EMPIRE THEATRE,

I'm these days when so much is heard
about the manipulation of the stock
market Il is not strange that the play
rights and noyellsts seize upon the dram
attic possibilities OF a rise and fall In
stock. consequently In number Of re-
cent books and plays a stock deal forms
an interesting portion OF the story.
David Higgins. whose plays, York State
Folks" and AT Piney Ridge" have de-
lighted hundreds OF local theatregoers
I'm other years has cleverly worked in a
deal in stocks that was aimed 10 corner
the market in the play which he recently
wrote In collaboration with DR. Baldwin
c. Cooke OF New York which Is the at
traction at the Empire theatre this week.
Both Mr.. Higgins and Grace Atwel who
have the chief parts in His Last Dollar,
received a warm welcome on their ap-
pearance before the enthusiastic audience
al the Empire last night
The leading part is that of Joe Brox-
ton, a young westerner a self-made man
and the play shows his experience In
Wall street In the hands Of an unscrupu-
lous broker, who. while apparently work
ing in his interests to corner the market.
sells him out 10 the other side.
The timely warning OF a young Ken
tucky girl Eleanor Downs. enables Brox-
ton TO get from under this falling corner
which he had so nearly built up, but he
finds himself on the verge OF ruin. From
the field OF stock specula tion the scene
changes TO the race track on the day Of
the great Futurity. where Broxton stakes
his last dollar on the horse entered by
the Blue Grass girl, Miss Downs. The
winning OF the race by the horse. ridden
by Broxton. puts him on his feet again
financially and enables him To save his
stock and TO claim his Kentucky bride.
but the synopsis OF the play given here
gives but a faint impression OF the inter-
esting story told by the characters.
The company IL n well balanced one.
David Higgins himself making an accept
able Joe Broxton. those familiar with his
personality finding much the same as
ever and those 10 whom he was n stranger
becoming enthusiastic when they recog-
nlzed his ability He has a part that fits
him down 10 the ground TO use that
somewhat slangy expression and In his
peculiar. slow manner he makes the most
of his strong lines. showing up particular
~ well at the climaxes.
AS the scheming broker Tom Linson.
Walter O.. Horton Is the polished rascal
at all times and his work was thoroughly
appreciated lie is no stranger here. by
any means. and the Empire patrons will
remember him as the man who played
the dVN role Of the two brothers I'm "rhe
EVIL M DO" month or so ago at that
theatre.
William Belfort has n pleasing pers
sonality and as Ned Penn, the reporter.
does excellent work. and Charles Fleming
as an exaggerated swell does good bit
Of work. William Y. Gladstone as John
NY TIill the Jockey. does his little part
well. and as Norman Giles. the banker
Allen Bailey is very acceptable,
A we'll sustained portrayal ~ n Hebrew
broker is given by Thomas Reynolds and
are others are all adequate TO the de-
mands upon their skill.
or the ladies' Grace Atwell. a. the girl
from Kentucky. Is easily the favorite and
the audience 90 a man r. ready TO hack
her 10 win from the moment she appears
on the stage. She makes winsome
Eleanor Downs and in addition 90 meet
ing the requirements of her exacting. part
read a little selection from Bongfellow
I'm a thoroughly delightful manner. Lii
liam buckingham gave a splendid Inn
personation OF the false Viola Grcyson,
combining an excellent stage presence
with her ability as an actress.
Mignon Foster was good as the impul
sive Alicia. who loved a reporter. and
Isabel e. Madlgan was acceptable as Mrs.
Giles
a naring lamp fascinated the people
in the audience during one " the scenes.
attracting the attention from the scene
temporarily but Mr. Higgins espied u
before any damage was done and sue
ceeded In extinguishing a. though he