The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-02-04

manager of stock company at Okla
homa City. He wants to take the play
there, sport" North to rehearse the
company, and play big ADAM Since
broad intimation that a stock com
pany in Chicago-there are several
there's willing to put on the play for
a week. Now you know all about it
that do.
But I'll probably know more later.
The usual play is attended by two
newspaper critics: the dramatic re-
porters of the local papers. I had
about three hundred dramatic critics
present the first night: the editors of
the Kansas newspapers. And they
saw the first performance, which was
somewhat rough. But let them do
their worst: I have been prepared for
Subscriber in Topeka. It had evil
IDENTIFY been sent to a Topeka paper,
and forwarded to me by the editor.
This letter is a terrible roast. I had
believed, in my innocence, that the
first act was all right; it certainly
seemed to stgo'' as well as the first act
of any play have seen in years. But
"A Subscriber says:
THAT drunken orgy in the first act
was a disgrace to a Kansas stage
It discloses a lack of decent citizen
ship on the part of the author, to say
nothing of his duty and patriotism
to the will of the people as set forth
in the prohibitory law concerning
drunkenness and debauchery and the
outlawing of the saloon. 1t was a
shameful affair as an example to our
boys and girls"
Let the author of the play state his
defense as soon as possible I had no
would offend anyone than I had that
the roof of the theater would fall. I
am a temperance man, and have been
many years. The day I returned
home, the Globe reprinted an editorial
from a church paper published at
Omaha. The editorial was headed: "a
! treat Lay Preacher Retires,'' (mean-
ing my retirement from the Globe.)
The editorial, written by minister for
church paper, says:
MANY Of Howes editorials are model
temperance addresses. His doctrines as a
lay preacher are sobriety, thrift. self-re-
lance. And he follows his own preach
ing
Therefore. being a temperance man.
you will imagine that / was surprised
when I received this letter.
Will the reader pardon me If tell what
"A Subscriber" objects to SO strenuous
"? In the play; Big Adam" is a coun.
he intends having elderberry wine at the
| Unfair supper, which he has helped pre-
pare. Damon Barker a recluse and
milling business, and who is very polite
and genteel attends the Unfair supper.
He brings with him several bottles, and
announces that he will compound punch
for which he was once famous. big
Adam" is much interested. 1t turns out
that there is real champagne In the
punch. big ADAM has heard of cham
payne, but has never hoped to taste it;
he lives far in the country. So he is
much impressed, and Barker gives him
a little too much; not very much too
much-simply enough to show that he is
impressed. The actors make more CT
this scene than. the author intended, but L
hadn't the most remote notion that it
would offend anyone. 1t is not offensive,
if have the slightest sense of propriety.
But last week was my week: the play
had not been presented then. This is the
week of the critics: let them make the
most of it, It's their right: shall enjoy
the row with them. The play will pass
quietly off the stage next Saturday night
probably. and be soon forgotten. 1t was
member of my profession. I believe,
who said:
How soon we are forgot!'