The Washington herald., 1910-04-09
TURNS TOPSY TERVEY

modern society. When-it was first an
nounced that Joseph MediH Patterson had
written novel, society scoffed. Then
society became alarmed. When the re-
viewers declared 1t one OF the books Of d
decade. holding society ruthlessIy up to
view, exposing the degeneracy Of types
with which Patterson was undoubtedly
familiar, the book made a sensation and
soon became one OF the best sellers.
Writes Newspaper Play.
Next Mr.. Patterson decided to write a
play. He evolved a one-act drama,
Dope which was presented in vaude-
vile last winter. There are eight char
acters TO the play, and each is victim
of some kind OF drug. The scene takes
place in a resort where these victims get
their dope. The play made such a sensa-
ton that Mr.. Patterson expects TO elabo-
il into a full evenings play.
Six weeks ago Liebler & Co. announced
overnight Ia New York that they were
about TO produce a play by Joseph Mediu
Patterson and Harriet Ford. called THE
Fourth Estate" The play was written,
rehearsed and produced inside Of eight
weeks II proved the most terrific knock
out success of the entire dramatic season
, in New York.
This play. showing marvellous insight
into the workings OF a newspaper was
hailed as the first American newspaper
play To win success. It scored a veritable
sensation its first night. ard there is
every prospect that II will run for the
entire season.
/ Now Mr.. Patterson has written another
/ play, or rather. he and Miss Ford have
/ dramatized "A Little Brother of the
/ Rich"
I 1t was no small task to condense the
many exciting incidents Of a a Little
! Brother of the Rich into four acts, but
| the authors are said TO have done their
work well. As readers of the book will
remember, Paul Potter, the INSCRIPTIONS
| hero of the book determines at all
hazards To amass money and attain social
4 position, and in his avariCious eagerness
TO obtain these rewards, he sacrifices his
1 personal feelings. love, self respect, every
thing, only To look back at the end upon
! his wasted life and ask, What's the
use?'
There are many little brothers Of the
rich doing the same Mr.. Patterson him
self perhaps felt some Of the spurs that
prompted young Potter, but fortunately
he drew up in time in the mad race.
Potter in the book is not an admirable
character The sympathy centers more
/ around Sylvia. the actress, the village
girl who is abandoned by Potter early
in the story because her fathers bank
fails and she is left penniless. Potter
had been willing enough TO marry Sylvia
when there was some prospect Of her
! inheriting a comfortable fortune, but
when she is penniless and alone. after
her fathers suicide, the cad neglects her
and goes 70 New York 10 plunge into
society with his rich friends who have
promised him a helping hand.
Book and Play Differ.
Just how the authors have modified
Paul Potter so that he appears in more
favorable light cannot be told in advance,
though Mr. Patterson says that the book
is radically different from the play and
perhaps he has taken a lesson from The
Fourth Estate" and provided a happy
ending for a Little Brother of the
| Rich If he has, the striking story.
with its wonderful character drawing
and its thrilling incidents, viii probably
prove a great success, for it is a most
startling arraignment of modern social
vices, yet told in the form Of a most at
tractiye and dramatic story.
! One feature of the book and also Of
the play. is a St Louis character Miss
Clara Funcke. Of st. Louis. the daughter
of a millionaire brewer. When Paul
| finally attains social prominence. but is
/ likewise dead broke, he marries Miss
! Funcke. II don't love her" he says,
But then she understands that / make
love to her only in the most conventional
way / viii give her what she wants. a
New York social position She will give
me what / want-more money You can't
! ever have too much Of that, you know.