The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-27

TOUCHING STORY OF SOUTH
Numerous Christmas Offenders Face
the Mayor and Light Sentences Are
imposed Because of the Sea-
son-other Ensley News.

Ensley. December 26.-(special9-Grea
interest has been shown in the play Ala
bama." which will be given in Ensley
Thursday and Friday nights of this week
by local talent
The story of Alabama is well known
to the public in general. 1t WIS written
by Augustus Thomas, author of 'Ari-
IONA" and other great dramas.
By many Alabama is considered to be
Mr.. Thomas best work. 1t is a beautiful
story, pure in thought and fragrant as
magnolia blossom. Here a very brief
synopsis is given:
Harry Preston, son of Colonel Preston.
was a graduate of West Point. At the
breaking out of the civil war, in 81, he
enlisted in the northern army. This act
was such a bitter blow to his father that
he disowned him. In the course of the
war. young Preston became a great ia
yorite of a northern officer, General DAY.
export, who subsequently was killed in
battle.
General Davenport died in the arms of
young Preston, but just before his last
breath on the battlefield he bequeathed
his wealth and property to Preston. In
gratitude and reverence to the dying man
Preston then and there assumed his name
and henceforth was known as Captain
Davenport.
At the close of the war he engaged in
railroad construction work He was very
successful in this enterprise. much so
that The later became president of the
road, the Gulf and Midland railway.
In traversing the south the road passed
through Talladega. Captain Davenport
conceived the idea of coming south and
looking after the building of the road in
person. He directed the survey through
his fathers plantation in order that the
aged colonel might be financially bene-
fitted, as the ravages of the war had
greatly impoverished his estate. The old
father had been yearning for the boy
whom he had so devoterly loved, but
whose act of deserving the south had led
to the enlargement.
Harry Preston had married a southern
girl before the breaking out of the war
but who had died, leaving an infant
daughter, whom young Preston. now Cap
tain Davenport did not know existed un-
til he came south. Through an old sweet
heart he learned of the chlld's existence.
and also that Colnel Preston had lavished
upon her all his love.
The reconciliation was brought about
by Carey, Preston's young daughter, fall
ing love with Mr.. Armstrong, Captain
Davenports confidential agent This was
| the means of Colonel Preston learning
the identity of his son.
There is i delightful love story through
out the play. Also much comedy and
! laughable scenes enacted by Colonel Mob
| erly, Squire Tucker, old Decatur, the
faithful old negro servant and others.
Alabama" is being produced under the
auspices of Cunningham Chapter. Order
of the Eastern Star. 1t will be given at
the Ensley opera house tomorrow night,
! December 81, and Friday night, December
! 2s. The rehearsals are under the direction
of John r. Owens of Birmingham.
Following is the cast of characters:
Characters.
Colonel Preston-(An old planter, John
| L. Owens.
| Colonel Moberly-(A relic of the Con-
federaey), w. r. Stewart.
| Captain Davenport--(A northern railroad
NAM, r. l.. Daniel.
Mr.. Armstrong-(His AGENT, c. H.
Mandy.
Squire Tucker-(A Talladega county JUS
tice) F. Clip Fonville.
Lathrop Page-(A southern boy, ]. Fur
Miss Lee.
Raymond Page-(A party of business).
Mcqueen Morrison.
| Decatur-(An ante-bellum servant),
C. King.
Mrs Page-(A widow who thinks twice.,
Mrs. d. A. Echols.
| Carey Preston--(An Alabama bossom),
Mrs. e. T. Fields.
Atlanta Moberly-( Colonel Moberly's
daughter), Mrs. Mode Cunningham.
Mrs Stoekton-(Another widow. Mrs.
j. II. Jones.
The play is in four acts and the scenes
are as follows;
Act Thine: An evening in May, 1880;
Mrs Pages garden.
| Act 1.-The following morning at Colo
mel Prestons
Act B. Might of the same day; ruined
gateway.
Act 4.-Early morning of the next day
| at Colonel Preston's
A uuartette will render plantation songs
| and Crawford Perkins, songs: Fred w.
| Coleman violin; Miss Roberta Russell,
piano; will render musical selections be-
| tween acts
Additional heating apparatus has been
| installed by the management. This will
| greatly add to the comfort of the audi
! ence A large number of tickets have
| been sold and the house is expected to
| be crowded at both performances.
Those who witness Alabama will be
delightfully."- entertained. The several par
ticipants are thoroughly conversant with
| their respective parts and the action of
the play is admirably carried out