The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-31
{. W. HQWE'S PLAY
Famous ''Story of a Country
Town"
Put on the Stage for First
Time
is WE'LL RECEIVED.
Rare HumOr and Comical Situa-
tiOnS in First Act.
Pathos and Tragedy Unusual
Follow to the End.

1.-THE Story Of Country Town."
dramatized by its author, E. w. Howe,
was presented for the first time on
any stage at the Majestic last evening.
The audience was a brilliant one, in
Guiding the governor, the mayor, the
lieutenant governor, the speaker of the
house, state officers. members of the
legislature, several hundred Kansas
newspaper men, and people prominent
in business, profession and society.
In general the play was remarkably
well produced by the company which
but a few days ago for the first time
read the lines, which. as Mr.. Howe
said in his talk before the curtain, had
been written during the current
month.
The story which came out a quarter
of a century ago excited intense inter-
est, was widely read and brought forth
from men of great literary ability
marvelously favorable criticism.
The play like the book is different.
The end is tragic and vein of sad
ness and glom runs through it. Yet
the comedy, particularly in the first
act which is about half of the play,
Adam" is unique and great. His
quaint sayings, his country boy ac-
tions, his imitation of the cork pulling
and the gurgle of the liquor from the
bottle brought forth repeated laughter
and applause.
The play may be said to have come
up to expectations. Mr.. Howe more
than anyone else realized any short
comings and saw where it could be
improved, the dialogue shortened and
strengthened.
The author was given an ovation at
the close of the first act, was called
before the curtain, responding in a
brief, pointed talk.
The audience was infinitely atten-
tive from start to finish, the more re-
markab1e because both beginning and
ending were late. Mr.. Howe and the
company were on time, but the news
paper people and many others were
delayed by the Commercial club ban
quet. It was just after O'Clock when
the curtain rang up, but the audience
was in good humora and gave its at
tention to the last.
Mr. Howe finds his motif for the
play in whether Joe Erring, played by
Harry North, should have forgiven
the sin of Mattel. played by Miss
Genevieve Russell When the play
opens it is at the home of Joe. It is
the night of the Unfair supper. which
follows the country town wedding.
Also, it is Christmas eve.
Big Adam, the assistant of Joe at
the mill and Margies the wife of Big
Adam, are preparing for the event at
| the time that the curtain rises. Here,
| C. C. North, as Big Adam, and Miss
Gene. F'ulmer as Margie, introduce
the comedy of which Mr.. Howe is so
| fonda comedy built around the sug-
gestion of Mark Twain, who years ago
! suggested to Mr.. Howe that he should
dramatic 1.-THE Story of a Country
| Town and make Big Adam the CEN
Mr., Howe has followed the sugges-
| ton of Mark Twain in the drawing of
| a series of quaint comedy stage pic,
| lures. but it is left to Joe and Mattel
| to hold their rightful place as the
Shortly before the return of the
bridal couple, a letter is left with Big
Adam by Clinton Bragg, the villain
who takes prominent part in the
play, but who appears only once and
| then in the second act. The letter is
| one that has been written by Mattel
when only IT years old. 1t breathes in
every line what Mattel later describes
as her school girl idea of being senti-
mental and it expresses wildly ex-
travagant thoughts which she did not
| feel-thoughts cleaned from the books
she had read.
Joe Has a Premonition.
One is given to understand, imme-
diately following the entrance of Joe
and his bride, that all is not well. Joe
| has had a premonition of something
unpleasant. His ambitions have sud
denly failed of naturalization. and in
the long ride following the ceremony
| there has been a foreboding of some
thing that he cannot explain.
The Unfair supper over. the guests
including Ned Westlock, the editor OF
the town paper, played by Robert
Blaylock; Agnes Deming, the schoo
teacher, played by Miss Ruth Robin
son, and Damon Barker, played by
!, Roy E. Hilliard, all depart.
At the Unfair supper, Big Adam
who has long cherished a desire tt
drink champagne, gets the opportun
ity in a punch that Barker com
pounds. Much is made over the mys
terious drink, which Big Adam doe
not then know is champagne. H,