The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1907-11-13
THE WAR DRAMA
OF SIXTY THREE.
Under the Southern Cross
Monday Night.
WAS SIGNAL SUCCESS.
Local Amateurs Received Deserved High
Praise for Their Admirable Work.
To Be Repeated Friday.

| "Under the Southern Cross" the war
drama of 1868, for the benefit of the
Confederate Monument fund at Opera
House Monday night was distinct sue
cess from every point of view. The
net proceeds will amount to $3.50. The
| audience filled every available seat and
were liberal in expressions of surprise
and pleasure at the excellence of the
| work our local amateurs can do. The
play itself is well constructed and en-
braces all the elements that move audi
ences, humor, pathos, love, hate and pa
triotic fervor. Capt. Porter, the leader
Of the Union forces, by Mr.. j. S. Ma
chen was portrayed in a manner to dis
arm criticism. Exceedingly well done.
Gen. Deering of the Confederate Army
by Hon. r. A. Cooper, could not have
been in better hands and was we'll in
terpreted. The part of Kate Conyers,
niece of the Southern Matron whose
ancestral hall is burned by the union
forces was given to Miss Gertrude
Wright. SsHer entire naturalness, ease,
grace and excellent intonation never
lacked for moment She won instant
favor and as the play progressed to it's
climax her star continued to ascend.
Her cousin and Mrs. Warrngton's
daughter was the part assigned Mrs. 7.
II. league. She met the highest ex-
pectations of her friends who have seen
her behind the footlights on other occa-
slons and to those who had not 'enioyed
this pleasure she was declared to be n
professional. Between acts Mrs.
league recited an original poem by Mrs.
Brownee ''The Boys in Gray Are Grow
ing Old' that was particularly we'll
done and appropriate to the occasion.
The role of matron in which Miss Rosa
Wright appeared was one of the most
difficult in the whole caste. This is
sad to emphasize the excellent manner
in which this gifted young lady met it's
every requirements. Twoparts consid-
cred minor roles must be specifically
commended and these were. the old
Ante-bellum Mamma of Miss Lila Hart
and the faithful, loyal. !.body-guard, the
negro boy, Ned, by j. Augustus Sim
mons. Both parts were wall shown and
did much to even up the excellence of
the whole.
Scene two in act three, Confederate
Camp, with the soldier boys at home
on the tented field, tightening the hours
of war with song and story was pic
ture as natural as it was strong. Mes
SIS w. p. Thomson, E. II. Wilkes, M.
l.. Roper, r. G. Franks, Nat Richard
son, Copie Henderson, and Marion
Wilkes made it SO.
In the 9TH act, Gordon Beverly, Chief
OF Staff to Gen. Deering (Mr. w. P.
Calne) was at his best and though
wounded by tho Yankee spies is all the
more the hero of his faithful sweet
heart Marion and the idol of an enthused
audience. George Stone was friend
andneighbor of the Warringtons before
the war began. His mother was a
Northen woman and not of the mould
TO face danger he endeavors to serve
TWO masters and keep the friendship of
both sides. This impossible course
brings It's retributions and detested
''iN NSoPlSc'' j DOIn ne meets lust
tate-the mglorious death of traitor
and spy. Such role could not ex.
oect the sympathy of loyal audience
out the intelligent and faithful manner
n which 1t was portrayed by DR.. r. e.
hughes compelled the admiration of all
md brought out repeated applause,
The STAFF officers TO Gen. Decrnq. Mes
rs. W. &. Lancaster and r. V. Irbv
iIled out the picture and added much
o the whole.
10 the committee of ladies', Mrs. r.
5. He'll, Mrs. Brooks Swygcrt, Miss
lillian lrby and Mrs. H. K. Aiken who
lrilied the performers and attended to
ne thousand and one other details that
neglected, mean failure and not sue
ess, large measure of praise is due.
A committee of Daughters under the
,uldlng hand of Mrs. w. d. Ferguson
ranged the stage, worked at the
Inherent scenes and so improved an
earances generally that regularattend-
hts of the City Opera House found it
lifficult to recognize the surroundings.