Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-09-10
EMLENG American
w

NHEN ]. ~. Barrie was writing
IXAYk Alice Sit by the Fire" he 'was
" duly impressed with that time
- which comes to a girl when her
161fEE4I mother no longer can help her,
- when she reaches that dark
stream" which she must cross alone, while
her mother stands on the far side waiting
10 welcome her when she has crossed.
but unable to assist her during the pas
sage. Mr.. Barrie brings this out bsauti-
fully and impressively and the adults in
his audience grasp his meaning But in his
eloquenee Mr. Barrie forgot that the boy
also must cross that dark stream" and
must cross It alone. II is an unfortunate
condition OF our life that this gulf be-
tween youth and maturity has no bridge
or lighted eaussway on which the young
folks can pass over. Mr.. Selwyn has in
some measure performed for the boy the
service Mr.. Barrie rendered the girl. In
writing The Country Boy" he must have
had in mind the approaching disillus!on-
ment Of the !ad. Il - not treated 90 Isa-
DERBY. perhaps. Sc Mr.. Barrie dealt with
the girl for the boy lie not a molIyeoddls,
aud his untried nature resents the effort
made 20 shield him from the shock. He
gets his bump. iust as his father before
of man. stretching back even 20 Adam,
have had to endure it. The shock is severe.
but It seems necessary. The world would
Re delightful place In which to spend
ones existence II the ideals OF boyhood
could only be realized In manhood. But
the boy IL doomed 10 disappointment in
that be finds that people are selfish.
are thoughtlsss. are frivolous and often I'M
serupulous' that wickedness abounds and
that deceit lies ever in wait. II after he has
learned this. he can hold up his head and
take his place among men, keeping his
own mind clean and holding fast to some
portion OF his shattered dream, be is worth
while This is the lesson Of The Country
Boy" Il Is told very effectively, both BY
the author and by the players
The immediate effect Of the protest
against the exploitation OF one Of the prin-
eipl figures in q sensational murder trial
was 70 defeat the managerial eupidity and
prevent the appearance or the stage OF.
GiTl whose only recommendation 70 the
public "a thar she Is sunk 90 far in shame
that she no longer knows what IL means.
uhis protest went Up mostly from women,
but their indignation was well Supported
BY thinking men. Il Is not a protes,
against the protessed desire OF Beulah Bin.
ford 20 reform and earn an honest living
II IL against the proposition 70 parade her
before the public as an attraction" thus
, offsnding an honored profession. She has
no talent, and no possible claim on public
attention except such a. demands az
apology in advance. Her only appeal
would be TO the morbid, 70 the thoushtsss
and the effect OF her presence on the stage
could only have one effect. II would show
that the tone OF public exhibitions had
sunk 70 level far below deeeney, and thai
q positive insult 20 intelligence could b
made a profitable venture. That Il whG
the protest OF the women stopped. but q
Is little 20 the credit OF the managers. IN
volved that the protest was nseessAry.
Bsulah Binford u sincerely seeking an op
portunity 70 reform, is earnest IN her de