The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-13
1.-THE Ragged Messenger

The prime object of a novelist is to
tell an interesting story. w. B. Maxwell
ably fulfilled this requirement, when he
wrote the story Of the Ragged Mes
senger," which was seen at the Jefferson
last night. The story, while different in a
number of ways, bears in it's context a
striking resemblance to that of The
Christian" John Morton and Mary Aims
leigh In the Ragged Messenger" are al
most the same characters that John
Storm and Gloria Quaile are in THE
Christian"
The story is an effective and touching
one. Philip Haldene during his last Ill
ness was nursed by Mary Alnsleigh with
whom he has fallen desperately in love
Haldene wat a man of immense fortune,
and all was promised to his true love
John Morton, a minister, however, comes
into Haldenes life, and through his eX-
plicit earnestness and faith rallies him to
his cause. Haldene dies and much to the
surprise of his friends wills his entire for
tune to John Morton, the ragged mes
songer," who has taken up settlement
work" The ragged messenger accepts the
fortune in behalf of the lower working
Mary Ainsleigh, seeing herself left with
out the promised fortune, determines to
crush John Morton through feigned love.
She crosses his path first In being left
without employment after Haldene's
death She attracts him by her misery
and apparent hopelessness, then he Is
drawn to her by q power stronger than
duty or conference.-the power of love.
The ragged messenger, unaware of her
connections with Philip Aldene, and of
her motive, proposes marriage, and the
second act closes with her acceptance.
BERTHE Carpenter, a Beaux Arts man,
the villain, also in love with Mary Aims
! leigh, writes a note to her which de-
clares his love- 1t finally comes into the
hands Of John Morton before reaching
her. The household then accuses Miss
Ainsleigh of double dealing, which her
husband does not believe. They demand
that the note be allowed to go to the
person for whom it was intended and
await to see If she will meet Carpenter
as is proposed in the note. John Morton,
to save her from the disgrace adds a
postscript to the note warning her not to
come and the household being unaware Of
| the postscript Is satisfied of Miss Aims
leigh's innocence.
| They leave and John Morton calls his
wife to him for an explanation. Mary
| Ainsleigh then tells him of her connec-
ton with Philip Haldene and his denun-
citation of her forms the climax of the
story.
John Morton goes back to his Settle
ment" work, and finally comes to an I'M
Outstanding with Carpenter. Carpenter ac-
knowledges his folly in the matter and in
way makes a plea for Miss Ainsleigh,
telling John Morton that there Is no rea-
son why a separation between him and
his wife should be effected. THE ragged
messenger then determines to bring her
back to her standing. She comes to his
settlement house, confesses her mis-
take and John Morton reclaims her.
Creston Clarke in the difficult role of
'orhe Ragged Messenger is at all times
satisfying In the first act he is charming
as the good natured and patient minister.
and in the denunciaton of his wife his
acting rises to the highest dramatic point.
His part was at no time overdone. Miss
| Virginia Thornton as Mary Ainsleigh is
| beyond criticism. She plays her game
we'll and after being conquered by her
love submits most gracefully. Miss Gift
ford as the beautiful Sarah Darlington
is charming actress. Agnes Herndon as
| Mrs Tolhwest and Jay Mansfield as
DIR. Colebeck are both good.
The scenery of the play is very appro-
pirate, and to the sense of justice the
play is an entirely satisfactory one.