New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-23

wins) is saved from ruin. Much Of the action
passes In and about boarding house in Washing
tor'-the haoitauon OF most OF the participants
in thls enalr-and some OF Il is commonplace TO the
limit OF platitude. The play-as a plsv-would be
more impressive If 1t were strong in character brill
liant In dialogue and effective in incident The
chief-in fact the only-interest twines around the
vicisstudes Of the spurious banknote At one time
brave heroine overwhelmingly willing 70 incur
odium and endure punishment. for the sake OF
the whom she loves and would like to shield
narrowly escapes incrimination: and the feeling
suspense that is thus impaired is the most con
siderable result Of the play. The cooQuies serving
70 reveal the personalities and relations OF the
various interlocutors in the boarding house are
not devoid Of skill but they are often frivolous
and they do derive substance or the touch OF
nature from their incidental illusions to Irving
Mansfield, Maxine Elliott Mr. Clyde Fitch. and the
price OF theatre tickets; nor is there any consid-
cradle wealth Of humor in the expedent Of causing
coarse cad to eat Ice cream Of the freezer or
OF showing a loQuacious. vulgar woman in the act
Of smearing her face with cold cream. Traits and
acts that sometimes help in narrative often prove
hUrtful in spectacle.
The Boarding House IN fiction Of various kinds.
has long played a conspicuous part-from Balzac to
Dr.. Holmes; but It IS not every pen that can make
"Pere Gortot' or draw a Vautrn. The episode
OF Mr.. and Mrs. Graham. man and wife. privately
married. dwelling in Mrs. Jordans boarding house
as single persons.-because If their marriage were
MADE known Mrs. Graham. called Miss Carruth.
employed in the National Treasury, would lose her
occupation,can scarcely be said DO either cred
ible or effectively managed. All the males in the
piece seem UnCOmmonly amenable to female influ-
ence Mr.. Jordan is afraid OF his wife; Mr.. Graham
shUdders whenever Mrs. Graham frets-which is
often; Mr.. Carlyle, knowing himself beloved by
good woman, is instantly csptivated by an
oXeyed brunette. and Mr. Meade, the blunt de-
tective. boldly drawn in few strokes. feels the
dart OF love. and imparts his professional secrets
with an ingenious candor most unusual in men,
hers OF his profession Mr.. Pollock. nevertheless,
has made neat and telling little Secret Service
play and. incidentally has given a suggestive
glimpse Of kind Of domestic and industrial life
81 the national capital.-which Is designated "a
big village" Moore's Melodies "a little overworked
in the drama, this season., once more brought
into requtsiton. TO awaken emotion when the vola-
tile Mr.. Carlyle needlessy apprtses Miss Gray that
his fancies have wandered TO the dashing daughter
OF the lodging house. He is a nice sort, Mr..
Carlyle. The only difference between had men and
good men he says. lis q difference Of opportu-
nity'-which has q sound like the Rev. Richard
Baxter He will depart to Southern clrnes CVen-
ezuela is mentioned) with Miss Gray and he will
and she will be very sorry. by and by that he did
not pair Of with the walnut damsel Of the Wash
ington boarding house Character is fate. Miss
Dean, Anna Gray acted in exactly the right
spirit Of gentle goodness and Womanlke strength.
rising easily to the serious occasion: and Mr..
William Humphrey, Meade, the Secret Service
agent presented simple. good fellow. IN an agree
ably simple manner.