The Washington times., 1911-11-23
JULIA MURDOCH IS
PLEASED WITH THE
COLUMBIA COMEDY
Says "The Fortune Hunter
Shows Ease of Getting
Wealth.

Just how easy II is to fnd a fortune
is being demonstrated In the Columbia
Theater, this week, where winchel
Smiths American comedy, "The For.
tune Hunter" is the weeks offering
The seeker Of the fortune, however, un-
like most fortune hunters, learns tina,
when II IL within his grasp II does moi
look 90 tempting as 1t did In perspec-
tive.
The plot Of the play is based on the
fashion In which some men chouse to
md wealth--marryins rich girl. The
author has used this idea to good ad-
vantage In the simple but interesting
story. and one Of the most entertaining
that has been seen here this season.
The Fortune Hunter has about It a
wholesome atmosphere. The characters
are all human, not too good and not too
bad. The are all small-town people,
but they do not cast any reflection upon
The last three acts Of the play take
place In a small country town, whence
the hero. Nat Duncan. has some on the
advice of his college chum. for the pur:
marrying its richest girl.
The part is played by Win Deming.
and his work could not be improved
no time does he allow the character to
be overdrawn. This cannot be said of
some Of the other characters In the
Down on his luck. out OF a lob. and
thoroughly discouraged, Duncan appears
at the apartments Of his college chum,
kellogg, just as this young man 10 tcle-
SGer hsyng Mb bese wehnawn into Wa
Street firm. Duncan is the ordinary
type Of city-bred youth. He drinks q
little, and smokes a little, and swears a
Earding his method Of getting along in
Kellogg lectures him, tells him to
brace up. and advises him to go INTO
sSe rchsst GGqn'H sI S ase town. sRnE aRi %fS h
several rules of conduct which he tells
him he must FOLLOW e he would make
q success Of his undertaking. Hs offers
does.
Following the rules rigidly, Duncan
makes his appearance In the little coiin-
himself with q certain amount OF mys.
terry. which piques the curiosity Of the
village youths and fnaidens. and, of
course. meets the richest Eirl in the
village. who Immediately begins to an
Duncan proves q veritable fairy god
father to the village druggist, who is
also down and out. an old man who has
of an invention upon which he has
wasted his time and spent his money.
OF course, there 10 q beautiful daughter,
and It is inevitable that Duncan should
fall in love with h,r. Boun.i, however.
by his promise to his chum that ne
would marry the richest girl In the VII
lase. Duncan cnerishes his love for the
druggists daughter in secret, and
through three acts tries manfIi1y to
live up to i,fs part of the bargain.
Good luck finally comes tO his rescue,
the rich heiress gives him his congo,
and the lsst act closes with the rain
coming down In torrents upon Duncan
and the druggists daughter, clasped in
each others arms. Both are 10 happy
they forget all about the rain until the
druggist comes out of the house with
an umbrella, and holds 1t over the pair
while he gives them his blessing.
AS the fine old village druggist, For
rest Robinson is rue-tc- life character.
His part is exccllently played.
The village banker 10 plaved bv
Charles Fisher, who was seen in "Thc
Fortune Hunter season ago. AS
Betsy Graham, the druggists daughter,
Miss Edith Luckett. a Washington girl,
makes the part lovable one. All the
ether parts, any they are numerous,
are in capab hands. The play is hand
somely staged, and the rainstorm in
the last act is natural and most real
isuc. JULIA MURDOCH.