Omaha daily bee., 1906-10-13

pleasure to those fortunate enough to wit
ness his new drama. In its presentation
for the first time at the Boyd last night
the audience, fair sized. gave unmistakable
evidence OF its approval of the author-star,
as to his conception, denouement and
performance. Mr.. Clement rises to heights
Of superb eloquence in speech and manner
at several intervals and receives ovation
after ovation His support is excellent,
and the play. set of with becoming scenic
effect, affords an evening of great enjoy
ment The drama has been before the pub
lie just three weeks 1t ought TO become a
fixture. 1t has an air OF Substantially
about it that should warrant TO Its author
the permanence OF its possession.
There are four acts. The first one pre-
sents a scene of a room in the mansion of
the governor of Tennessee, Sam Houston.
This is in 1929 In this very first act Sam
Houston assumes the role of warrior,
though not upon field of bsttle.' II is in
the recesses OF his own home. battling with
the persistent wilfullness of a faithleSs
wife trying to win her love. He fails. She
cannot understand his strong attachment
for his friends. the Cherokees. and snurns
their chiefs when they call upon the Big
Chief of Tennessee. nor Gces he under
stand her affection for Felix Hutton. the
pretender to Houston's tlth, marital state
and military, throughout hts career, until
he is summarlly dismissed as a general in
the army OF Texas by the rugged preside mt
OF that young but precocious republic
Relations with his wife came to a crisis
, and pressed for an answer to his I'M
pervlous inquiry, DO you love another"
the woman's silence becomes the knife
A.,
to Sam Houston and inipcIs him to resign
as governor. going to that great wilder
ness"
Sam Houston. I'm the second act, March :,
1887. is head OF the army in Texas, at the
town OF Old Washington, on the Brazos
river. His followers are in convention with
him drafting constitution for the repub-
lie In process Of formation. while their
wives, sisters and daughters are making
; the flag. Again before Houston rises the
black shadow OF Hutton's Jealous rivalry,
| and no small valor and determination at
I times necessary TO prevent the crowd
| from being swayed from the Houston moor
ings to the less stable anchorage OF Hut
! ton.
/ While Hutton Is critlcislng Houston for his
! slow moderation, upbraiding him for not
rushing into Mexico and saving st. Alamo,
| Houston. upon the other hand. is counsel
! ing the completion OF the republic.
Let us sign the constitution so We will
/ have a country to fight for and then II ]
/ do not do my duty deprive me of my
/ sword" is the utterance with which Hous-
ton closes his great speech in reply to
Hutton, and the army cheers and swings
back to him. The constitution is signed
the flag is finished. the battle cry is given
and with Sam Houston leading on. thy
troops march TO the martial airs of thai
thrilling
Hurrah, hurrah. for the southern rights
hurrsh:
Hurrah, for the bonnie flag that carries
the lone star.
The interior Of the capitol OF the Republ
Of Texas. the scene OF the third act in tn
winter Of 1897 presents the Interior OF
typical log building. whose rafters-rOof Il
hung characteristlcally with various sort
OF vegetable and animal life. giving evi
dence OF the industry OF peace no less thai
that Of war in this rural. primeval forest o
diplomacy. Here in this rude capitol sit tn
dgnihed president OF this bold republic
recognized, as Houston says, by the In
dams and by France, OF at least Franc
did recognize 1t until Dave Burnett's dog
eat up Jones'es pigs" Here. around a rough
old table, sit the chief magistrate and hi
cabinet and plan the affairs OF state. It 4
a scene Of irresistible fascination. II
very rudeness, its primitIveness. make yol
wish that everybody might have been
pioneer in the making Of his country an,
that peace had never daEned
The result at the Alamo. as It IL brough
to the capitol. is thrilling. but when sal
Jacinto falls and the great Mexican leader
Santa Anna, becomes Houston's prisoner 0