Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-14
New National.

The American Indian has proved fas-
cnating topic for Robert Edeson. who
has long given his talents to the por-
trayal of big, wholesome types of man.
hood. The play entitled Where the
Trail Divides was suggested by novel
by VIII Lillibridge, and has for it's lead
ing character red man who, in addition
to the courage and nobility with which
early American novelists were accustomed
to invest the Indian. has haa the ad-
vantages of exceptional civiliZing and
educational influences. Mr. Edeson play
is an eloquent and earnest plea for an
obliteration of the preJudices which ex-
lSt against an Indian husband IN local.,
ties whe.e Intermarriage of the native
and the dominant American races has
Eeen frequent So a.nSst ana elJquen,
perhaps diSappo .Htmcnt when in the last
act the barrier Of caste, instead of melt
ing in the fires of romance which the
authors have skillfully famed Is weld
cd and rivctcd moe firmly than before.
How. the young Indian. who com
bines with strict primeval standards of
bravery and honor mental cndowments of
Il superior quality. is hero worthy of
Mr. Blossoms well known ability in virilc
portraiture. "How's one lack is the lack
Of recognized ancestry. as told by his
name, gwen him because when discovered
as little boy ii was the first word lie
uttered; the laconic Saluta ton of his race.
Instead of being a melodrama in which
the hero claims a victory as the rightful
due of his superiority in heart. mind and
PHYSICAL coul age, the drama is maintained
upon the higher plane of a problem play.
The hero, after being called upon to meet
various trials of strength and spirit is
called upon for the supreme test OF self
Sacrince, the yielding of the woman he
loves to his rival, an inferior in charact
out or her own kind and people
IL is revelation of the usual prob
rem play triangle with new at
mosphere; that of wild and rugged ma
ture. where simple standards prevail
AS SO often happens. the feminine role
Whlcl an1mates the plot is sacrificed
IN the weaving of interesting complex
tiles for the men who contend for her
Wavering affections Neither her so
Is permitted to find basis of true
dignity upon which to rest when the
hnal curtain deScendS.
sympathy is bent by the art of the
dramatist and actor strongly toward
the Indian lover and away from the
white sutton who by force of social
advantage proves victor in the
struggle for passive prize. The de-
sire for frank melOdrama, which is
likely to be whetted by numerous in
cidents of thrilling encounter, would
be better satisfied if Mr.. Lillibridge
could be persuaded to suggest still
another act in which the affairs of
the principal figures were adjusted to
more substantial final basis. The
departure of the Indian to his native
hauntS with a threat of vengeance on
his rival If he fails to make the wom-
an he has won happy is highly poetic;
but it leaves feeling that episodes
quite as interesting as those already
in evidence are likely to follow.
The atmosphere is welP maintained. good
character drawing being contributed by
numerous members of the cast. The per-
Torrance contains much comedy of kind
which does not destroy the effect of
naturalness but on the contrary heightens
1t. A. H. Van Buren,, who played the
part Of the white rival of "How." is
first-rate leading man: Miss Eva Denni-
son contributed some excellent emotional
scenes in the role of Bess Lander. and
George w. Barnum made the role of the
old storekeeper both sympathetic and
humorous. The production is liberal and
tasteful. The settings showing the gen.
eral store in the first act and How's
ranch house in the third and final act
were both remarkable for fine detail.
Last nights audience was warmly en-
thusiastic, and Mr.. Edeson made a
felicitous speech.
Last nights performance was in the
nature of highly successful benefit for
the Jewish Foster Home.