The Ocala evening star., 1911-01-05
A WILD WESTERN ROMANCE

The C. ". Park Dramatic Company
played 10 a fair house last night the
thrilling mining camp play. AT Grip
pie Greek" In many Of its scenes II
was highly dramatic and lurid. while
in others il was most tender and touch
ing, when the little adopted daugh-
ter of Papa Tom" teaches him TO
write and offers a soulful prayer
The first scene was truly typical OF
all hourishing mining towns in their
incipienI stage. The gorgeous temple
of David. presided over by Rev. Josiah,
who in il was the whole push. with its
saloon. gambling hell and Mexican
heeler and greaser, cut throat and in
famous wretch Emanuel, with a fair
but fallen woman and the Ethiopian
dispenser of liquid refreshments and
Papa Tom. the rugged but honest min
er. the breezy Eastern sport who came
in on the winds and though unarmed.
disputed the authority Of Rev. Josiah
and with bare kauckels dropped him 10
the floor. the turning of the better ma
ture of the fallen woman and the no
bic and heroic instincts of Papa Tom,
who rescued several children that Rev.
Josiah had kidnapped and held for
large ransom, the auctioning of the
cape from the wild scene with the
children with Papa Tom and a COVER
ness who had just come from Chicago.
at the instigation of the consummate
scoundrel. Rev. Josiah. 1t was a gun
and dagger play sure enough and enuf
in its blood curdling effects to raise
scalps, without the aid of the keen
edged belt knife. Then came the min
ing camp of Papa Tom, the Lost Dollar
camp, with fitting scenic accessories.
The invasion of the same by Rev. Jo-
Siah and his Mexican greaSer to steal
the mine and the children. in which
they were thwarted by the vigilance
of the brave and noble hearted Indian.
| Eagle" who because of service and
friendly assistance became the stead
fast and unf1inching friend of Papa
Tom. The keen scent of the bold
buccaneer Rev. Josiah ascertains that
the Lost Dollar mine is worth a mill
ion, attempts to buy it from Papa Tom
and said if he would quit claim the
mine to him. he could have the child
rem and Papa Tom was about TO accept
the offer, when one of the children in
terposed and said he had fortune in
his grasp and not to relinquish it, Then
ensued another rough scene in which
covered with the guns of Papa Tom.
Eagle and the reformed fallen woman,
to whom and the school ma'am Tom
had given a home and the invaders
beat a hasty retreat down the noun
tain gorge. In this scene. Eagle, to
the little girl declares his undying love
for a beautiful Indian maiden. who
was to be his bride. but is slain by a
/ rival Indian and he in turn is crush
ed at the feet of the outraged and in
consolable lover. This was indeed a
beautiful word and heart tribute so
touching it brought tears to the eyes
of many.
Then comes the final act, which
should have been all peace and sun
shine. because here honor and virtue
are rewarded and Papa Tom is about
to win for his winsome bride the school
ma am whom he rescued from an in
famous den and gave a home. when
who should make the final attempt to
abduct the sweet little girl, Papa
Toms adopted daughter. but the viii
lains, Rev. Josiah and his Mexican
greaser and would have accomplish ed
their fell purpose but for the ever Wig
liant eye and ear of Eagle, who meets
them on a rocky. defile. as they flee
| with the little girl, SHOOTS the Kew.
Josiah and about to scalp 'the greaser.
| The tableau a most striking and
| thrilling one and aroused the audience
to breathless listners, mellowed. how
ever. with the fact that a locket found
| by the negro diScloSeS the fact that
| the child is really the daughter of
| Papa Tom and a happy marriage of
| Papa Tom and the school ma'am and
| the breezy Fastener to the older girl.
! Surely an interesting drama, with its
varied lights and shades and the usual
vaudeville made d very entertaining 2
! program.
| Tonight the Land of Cotton" a
| Southern play and one entirely differ
| ent from the scenes depicted by the
company the preceding night They
| should have a crowded house.