The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-26
ADJUSTMENTS
RrIert Edeson.

Robert Edeson was extremely clever in Soldiers of Fortune" last year but he has achieved an artistic triumph as Lieutenant Ransom in "Ransons s Folly" Therefore, 1t was not surprising that he was given an ovation at the Jefferson thatre last night and curtain calls were so frequent at the close of the second act that he made a characteristic little talk expressing his appreciation for the enthusiastic applause.
 'Ranson's Folly is one of the latest is not the greatest of American war plays and as the lieutenant MT. Edeson has part that fits him from head to foot He is typical of the strong, vigorous young American in everything he does and as a rollicking soldier, reckless and virile but true, he gives an admirable Interpretation. His life and buoyancy, the mischivious twinkle of his eyes, his Hwagger, his youth and his enthusiasm are so realistic that the players identity ts easily forgotten, a consummation that many actors have striven for and have failed to attain.
 The story of "Ransons Folly" Is of Just that character to hold the closest att tention and keep one the qui vive of pleasant excitement. The whole plot leads up to a climax skillfully yelled that the most adrot spectator cannot guess thedenoument until 1t Is revealed to him at the close of the last act.
 Lieutenant Ransom is a young veteran of Cuba, China and the Philippines, the son of a millionaire, who enters the reg ular army after seeing service as a vol- unteer and finds himself stationed at a lonely western post The tedium of barracks life so wearies his exhuberant spirits that one night at mess he swears to hold up the Fort Crockett stage with a pair of scissors. 1t appears that the paymastcr of the army is waylaid and shot the same night while traveling a short distance behind the stage to pay off the men at the fort and suspicion points to Ranson. He Is arrested and the day for his courtmartial draws near when the real robber is found; Lieuten- ant Ranson wins the girl he loves and all live happily ever after.
 But during the play il appears that the father of Mary Cahll. whom the lieu tenant loves. attempted to hold up the stage. The lieutenant tries to shield his prospective father-in-law and the trader thinks all the time that Ransom is really guilty but is willing to sacrifice himself at last for the sake of his daughter. Mat ters are strengthened out in the end, how ever, but not until some exquisite love- making takes place between Mary Cahill and Lieutenant Ransom and refreshing picture of western army life is portrayed. The play is delightful for it's humor it's sprightless and the tender love story which it tells There Is just that dash and glamour. just the necessary movement to pique the curiosity and enough real sentiment to stir ones best emotions.
 MT. Edeson is all that his part requires He is the young lieutenant In many pas sages his art is conspicuous, but he did nothing better than when in the first act, as he stood in the door of the post store, he said goodbye to Mary with that curt, boyish confidence of youth and a lift of the head that was inimitabe Miss Per ANpSf a Cabf11 a va grlish She played the part with rare sympathy and charm. Edmund Breese as Jeff Cahill, the post trader and rough character of the west, who had been a bad man in his time. but was redeemed by love for his daughter did an excellent bit of acting. The remainder of the com pany was well balanced. One or two were suffering from colds, but that could be overlooked, and the performance was de- iightful.