The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-06

Ought story TO be told before one
goes to SEQ a play? As n matter OF
fact, 1t ought not. one does not tell the
point OF joke in advance. and women
consider It n libel that thew ~ ren -
to read the last chapter of book before
the first. There are, however, two facts
with regard to play. Authors huge
discovered that an audience must be let
into the secrets which the characters
are supposed to be coucealing from each
other, and people certainly do relish n.
foreknowledge or what they are going to
see.
Its grave injustice to the author. He
finds two hours and Il half an all too
brief time In which to tell his story clear
" and completely. He always shudders
when asked to give n synopsis of his
play. Yet fools rush in and what
authors shrink from others are perfectly
willing to attempt
Mi Tim Murphy is TO produce his new
comedy. "a Corner in Coffee at the
Academy on Monday and Tuesday. 1t
was dramatized by owen Davis from
Cyrus Townsend Brndys novel which a7
peared in Smart Set, and has since
been published in book form. 1t is re-
garded rs one of the foremost dramatic
successes of the season, a happy state
Mr.. Murphy's whimsical vet torceful
characterization of the leading oharac-
ter
The story of ~ Corner in Coffee" to
be told well and adequately. requires two
hours and half, three acts, several mas
sive sets of scenery, n large company,
and star comedian of brilliant quail
ties. However, what it's all about may
be gathered in a vague way from this
brief sketch:
Elijah d. rillottson. an Fastener, re-
turns from the West and South America,
where he became tenderfoot naturalzed.
arrives in New York, and in love with
n millionaire beauty Constance Living
stone. at the same time. Their mar
riage is opposed by Constance's brother.
Bertie. for the snobbish reason that
though TilIottson Is rich, he isn't as rich
as the Livingstones, and doesn't belong
to their class.
Elijah Tillottson accepts this challenge.
for he loves Constance, and, though he
hasn't any sympathy with her brothers.
point of view, he doesn't want her mar
riage to him TO reflect on her or embar-
rass her
He sets out to make fortune that
will stagger the multi-millionaircs of Wall
Street and upper Fifth Avenue. The one
thing he knows is coffee. He starts out
to corner coffee. A friend of his, Colonel
Jim Johnstone who would come from
hell If wired him." brings his millions,
and the frenzied financial game begins.
He makes his corner all right. but when
he gets it he discovers that BERTHE Living
stone has been playing the other side,
and has got cornered, and is carrying
to smash with him his sisters fortune,
which e has stolen.
Exciting and realistic as are the scenes
attending the making of the corner it
is when Tilottsou realizes the wreck he
has unconsciousy made of his sweet
hearts fortune, and decided to sacrifice
everything to save her, when he whips
out his guns and holds them to the head
OF his gambling broker who has followed
him into the cornetS and yalls "Sell" that
the play rises toward Its real climax.
He thinks he has ruined himself but
he knows he has saved her. Then comes
one of the mastery scenes of the come
dy- Tillottson did not think to go back
to Constance empty-handed However,
Colonel Jim, the friend, "who would come
from he'll went and found her waiting.
She Is made to understand what and
why Tillottson has done as he has, and
also that only one thing will bring him
to her, and that is a flag of distress,
a message that she is in trouble She
sends, ne comes, and the story is then
worked out in a pretty and amusing way
that establishes both Elijah, Constance
and Jim firmly in the affections of the
audience.
Lillian Russell in "The Butterfly
Lillian Russell will appear an a star