The Washington herald., 1909-01-03

parent TO those who seen him IN his
newer success and who have seen his old
that he displays a marked advancement
in his art which shows him in wider
scope. While in "The Music Master" he
reveals the tenderest emotions OF the
soul, in a Grand Army Man" he strikes
the true note of tragedy. As Won Barwig
he bares the heart Of the man and shows
II bleeding He treads gently. poignantly.
the gamut OF human emotions, shedding
the light Of love through the gray and
the gloom. AS the music master Of lost
position he paints a pulsating portrait
Of grief. sorrow. Of disappointment. and
finally, OF bursting patience As Wes
Bigslow. G. A. r, his big scene" adds
new portrait 10 his gallery Of pictured
emotions II IS that Of despair. His idol
is shattered. his past life is a mistake,
the light OF hope and compensation is eX-
tinguished, and the withered spirit.
burned by the tears Of despair. stands
revealed-another picture from the trag-
edies OF life
a Grand Army Man" unfolds the life
Of rural Indiana in the early SOS Wes
Bigelow is the potent light Of the village.
He is the sage. the arbiter Of politics.
the philosopher Of life's problems simple
and complex. and the spirit Of love and
honesty He IS a bachelor. but he has
known the meaning Of romance in his
younger days. and to-day the spirit IS not
dead The son OF a dead sweetheart
whom he wOOed and lost is left 20 the
care Of Bigelow by the father. a dying
comrade. The old bachelor idolizes the
boy, whose rearing IS Influenced more
by paternal love than by wisdom The
boy is sent 10 the bank with S105G. funds
Of the post. The lad stops on the way,
meets a sharper. who gets his money
Eventually Wes finds out that the money
is gone and that the boy-his wonder
fUl boys a thief. il IS the gradual
awakening. the final dawn Of the bitter
truth, when Warfield arises TO tremen-
dous dramatic heights and shows his
hitherto unreveaIed powers as a TRACE
dian
The youth is in love with the daughter
Of the village judge, a stone-hearted
character. who hates Bigelow as a politi-
cal enemy. The judge takes advantage
Of 1he boys pTediCarent and presses
the charge 10 be revenged upon Wes-
The trial comes up in his own court
Then follow the devoted efforts Of Bige-
low and his loyal comrades to save the
boy from disgrace and prison. The
amount Of the pecUlation Is raised and
restitution is made 70 the post. but the
old grievance of the judge is not forgot
ten nor his spirit broken The court
room scene is supremely impressive The
entire village is on hand. or al least all
those who can squeeze into the little
courtroom. Wes IS there with his cOun-
sci. an old comrade. sitting beside the
chagrlned boy. Little Halle. the judges
Ear~e-h-n- 41
ent. sweet loyal and heart-broken.
IVES with tear-brOken voice. suddenly
rises and IN q most uuparliameutary but
human manner interCedes with an ex-
pIanatiOn, trying 70 excuse the boy. II a
simple. brief speech. impressive with
dignity and tenderness. Wes' counsel
pleads guilty and asks for clemency- The
prosecuting attorney. A self-OpiniOna1ed
ass. d youth whose love was SpUrned BY
Halle opposes the motion. The judge
then delivers a few heavy judicial re-
marks and passes sentence The awful
silence IS broken by BigeIow himself
who brushes his attorney aside, and
bursting into a passionate appeal for
mercy. reveals bis bleeding heart and
torn soul and GenOunces in burning words
"the injustice If justice" II IS a thrill
ing climax a blazing human tragedy.
that the tears Of sympathy seem only TO
feed 10 greater fury Mr Belssco sends
with Nr- WarfeId Jhe original company
who supported him IN New York Il IN
cludes Marie Bates. ABJOinette Perry.
Isabel Waldr0n. Feda MCEvers. Ruth
Gates. William Elliott. William Boag,
oscar Eagle. Harold Mead. Sreven Ma
ley, Taylor Holmes. John Y. Daley,
Louis 2. Ferande. and ACOusto Arsmini.