The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-03-31
.I,nid in Fum- Dramatically Good.

"I'aid in Full Dramatically Good.
Here is the story Of paid in Full"
Joe Brooks. weak character, Is en-
poyed as collector for the Latin
American Steamship company, owned
by Captain Williams. a self-confessed
murderer, stealer of millions and
trafRcker in women's virtue. Joe is
wed to the daughter of Mrs. Harris,
who continually harnesses Joe with the
fact that he is not supporting his wife
in the style to which she was accus-
toned, although Joe's wife is perfec-
tion itself and happy. A former adj
mirer OF Joe's wife is Jim Smith, who
has been promoted repeatedly by Will
liams. while Joe does not get on.
All this stirs Joe's petty nature to re-
bellion, aud when Williams calls at
his home with Mrs. Harris. he de-
nounces Williams to his face; de-
clnes to go TO the theater as Smiths
guest, as that smacks of charity. and
steals money from his collections to
take his wife.
Williams greatly admires Brooks
wife. Brooks steals $4,000 and is
living in luxury. making his wife be
lieve he has been promoted, when
the exposure comes. Brooks in his
desperation recognizes the admira-
ton of Williams for his wife, and in
terprets 1t in its worst possibility. He
tells HIS wife that IL he goes to Jail II
will be because he stole for her sake,
and dispatches her to Williams apart
ments alone at night to caiole Will
liams into forgiving the debt
The third act takes place in Will
liams apartments, whore ostentatious
preparations have been made for a
secret meeting between Williams and
Mrs. Brooks. There IS enacted al
scene in which Williams sets tempta-
ton before the woman to try her;
for It develops beautifully that thel
dirty old reprobate. after frankly tell
ing all the things he had been guilty
OF. had no intention of doing any
thing but forgiving Joe for his wife's
sake. Then, very naturally. the wife
leaves the dlsreputable Joe. when she
has given him written assurance that
he is free.
There ought TO be a moral to such
a tale as paid in Full; because II
would be a shame to waste that de-
Ilightful atmosphere in which IL Is
Iset, but the moral is rather yelled II
is difficult to draw lesson in honesty,
because Joe, who gets the worst of
! IL, stole only $4,000. while. accord
ling to the least calculations. VIII
liams stole millions. Perhaps, it Is
lesson In getting on, for Smith said:
"Getting on depends on what one is
trying to do" Joe wasn't a good
thief. II he had stolen millions and
had bought women instead of trying
lunsuccessfully to sell one, and had
killed people when cornered instead
lof foollShly running his hands
Through his hair, he might have got
ten on. as Williams did. Joe was a
failure. That IS what his wife told
him in a long tag-end speech. Joe
shows the degenerating effects OF
lconventionality ON the type and VIII
liams the type developed in unre-
strained freedom.
But. II the whole purpose of paid
I'm Full is to afford series of strik-
ling dramatic situations. it measures
up TO all requirements. From the
first act where Joe steals money to 80
to the theater interest in the outcome
is keyed to the highest pitch. IN the
second act when Joe is discovered
land breaks the terrible news to his
wife, and in a scene of dramatic in
tensity bids her visit Williams. saying
you know how far woman can
safely CO.; in the third act when
suggestive topics are banded back
and forth by Williams and Mrs.
Brooks; in the last act when Joe's
low character is laid bare on his
wife's return-all these indicate rare
dramatic skill, and the diversity OF
types in the cast permeate the whole
story with humor and human at
mosphere. The playwright has a
keen. though superficial knowledge of
human nature.
The cast is small and all the parts
are well taken.
The most pleasant character in 90
play is Jimsy Smith. portrayed by
Albert Brown, a rare type but found
in real life. Scott Higgins plays the
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