The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-26

The Hest Yet.
The Bijou is this week housing the
one loest attraction offered al thar
lheatre this season in Julie Eckcrt
Goodman's powerful discussion Of the
moral standards set for men and wo-
,nen' inc Test" which served Blanche
walsh last season as vehicle to dis
play her talents
we nearly had tho pleasure of sccinr
MISS Walsh in this play, as she was
oooked Tor tho Academy last season
put Tor some reason not dehnitelv
stated she Cancelled her engagement
AZ the last moment. Without prctudc-
ing what Miss Walsh might have done
as Emma Eltynge. the woman grown
wise from the knowledge CLEANED in
the gutter aided and Allotted by tho
master influence of truly good man
/ can do that actress no harm to say
mat Eugene blair gave wellniCh
perfect performance of the part
MISS blair is no stranger hereabouts
IN years agone, and not SO many years
at that. she was seen in various emo
tioflal dramas. and she was always n
iaHoritc. but never. certainly within
the recollection of the writer, has she
pccn seen TO such good advantage ms
shc Is In THE Test" 1t may be that
inc stirring situations and still strong
CT lines of the author aid this alto
Scther charming and convincing wo-
man In her work. It is certain that n
cast made uu OF exceptionally clever
actors helps toward the final success
OF the play. But It Is to Eugene Blair
mat the producers can look for tho
success the play is going to be on tho
road.
Eugene Blair not only knows how
10 act, but she has that far finer SEN
sihiiitE. of knowing when not to act.
MS may be rite, but regardless OF its
tritencss it is nevertheless true. In
uced, It's very triteness emphasizes how
infrequcntly we have tile rare pleasure
or witnessing such performance as
mat given TO the public al the popular
priced playhouse last night.
The story OF The Test" Is the story
OF woman since the world began. 1t
Is not always pleasant but II is always
compelling and convincing. We see a
womans very soul laid bare, but un-
covered with modcsty and a hneness
OF expression that plcaGes. though in
less skilful hands IL might nauseatc
There is nothing immoral In The
Test" 1t is rather morality carried to
supcrlativc degree.
Emma Eltyngc. young girl OF the
lower strata of society meets and loves
young inventor, Richard Trctman
Tretman is employed by Frederick Nc
Nanc, who also becomes cnamored of
the fair Emma, and being the Weather
or the two, causes Trctman's jealousy
To show itself. He finally steals in or
der TO vie with his employer in show
erinS gifts upon his lady fair He is
caught. and ten years in the penitcn-
tiary is the result of his fall
IL is only after his release from
prison, misanthropc. a cynic and n
natter OF women, that he learns the
truth. In the meantime Emma has
met and come To love Arthur Thonc, "a
noted author. who is living on the
East Side. TO discover fer himself the
evils which cucumber the submerged
tenth.
McNane. the cause OF her troubles. is
engaged 10 Thoncs sister. This girl
hears OF her brothers ENHANCEMENT
with. or rather love for, Emma. and
engages to break off what threatens
70 become mcsalliancc. McVane helps,
though his past is no better than It
should be. Emma goes to the sister
and tells her that she has refused to
marry Thonc. though he has asked for
her hand. McVnnc declares il cannot
be true. and that a woman of Emma .