New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-27
Women"
Made to Live

AVxoAO ~ AlVC
It was JOS boots that did 1.-THE famous
beloved old boots that were given her
by friend who knew a lady who knew
an actor" When the New York mother
heard that those very identical boots were
being used in the stage production
Of Little Women" ell her scruples
vanished.
Yes, we'll have to go, Dorothy" she
said, and packed her small girl off to
bed in a state Of great excitement Yes,
1t was an event for Dorothy. for theatre
going is still treat to most children,
whatever the pessimists say.
Then mother went out and called up
Sister Kate.
They actually have JOS boots in the
play" she cried. I'VE must go. Don't
you remember how We used to adore 10
In those boots, and how we wished we
were clever enough 10 write bloodhound
ling dramas full OF mems parts? II 10
doesn't look the way she used to In our
old book I'll be furious. but just can't
resist the temptation TO 90 and see
Go they did. after a week OF feasting
on the old book, till even Dorothy knew
the story as we'll as her mother did. for.
being a child OF these degenerate days,
she hadn't been brought up on II" and
had to make casual friendship into an
alteration in a weeks time. 1t was easy
to do that, for 10 and Betty and Meg
and Amy are just as lovable to-day as
they were twenty years ago.
The curtain rose on such a honey
place! Everything was right. from the
geraniums blooming on the window sill
to the old-fashioned pictures and chairs
and yes. there was Beths doll cradle.
looking as If 1t had been up in somebody's
. attic for fifty years, too precious 90 throw
away, too queer" for the children Of to-
day, who must have brass bedsteads for
their dolls. cradles being condemned by
careful mothers, as they "curdle a child s
brain"
There Is 10. Of course Where else could
she be but lying on the floor In front Of
the fire, eating an apple with her won.
derful hair bundled into net?
christmas won't be Christmas with
out any presents"
ludl ll-lHt very WbIuH VI INC
book" whispers Dorothy, in rapturous
tones Mother mods, wondering at the
lump which rises Unexpectedly in her
throat, for the words recall the Christ
mas she found Little Women" In her
stocking and how naughty she was about
helping the children get dressed-she did
so want to read the first chapter before
breakfast!
The boots appeared in due time. TO the
accompaniment OF joyous murmurs
throughout the audience. Then there was
Laurie. not quite so handsome, let II be
confessed, as the hero of ones dreams,
but quite as irresistible when you got to
know him. He leased the girls and loved
"Marmee." and paid special attention to
| 10, just as he should have; and, oh, dear.
II he didn't propose TO her again. That
dreadful scene! II Louisa NJ. Alcott
knew how many girls have wept and
wept over that chapter, but. no-she was
10, and they were both hard hearted. 10
simply wouldn't love Laurie, and Louisa
Alcott simply wouldn't let her. Among
her papers after her death was found d
letter from an adorer OF Laurie's, beg
ging her to change the book, and on the
sheet was written, in large, strong mind
ed letters: mo, I will net"
In the book poor Laurie rests his hand
some head on the stie and weeps his
few pitiful tears. In the play the scene
Is in the Marches sitting room and the
mantle receives the tears. but 1t doesn't
matter. The audience shifts just the
same, and II is really quite "lumpy." as
Dorothy said, when Marmee comforts the
dear boy.
When Beth dies there is not a dry eye
In the house, and handkcrchiefs are ex-
hibted as freely as IL 1t weren't weak
minded to weep al show. The reason,
as Aunt Kate observed, is that every
body knows that you used to weep over
those chapters I'm the book. and it's no
use trying to pretend you didn't"
And then comes 10 and her professor!
Those who can forgive 10 for deserving
her boy i'm the book have to fight all
over again, for Professor Bhaer is fat,
and he is queer. and he hasn't half so
much OF sense OF humor as Laurie
has. The great scene is "a little bit dis
turhing, too. Now In the book IL is rain
ing very hard. and 10 is cold and lon
some and wet, and the rain has spolls d
her best bonnet. and she feels she hasn't
a friend In the world, so the Professor $
umbrella and his heart are offered Just
at the psychological moment. This pro-
posal In the rain Is almost enough 20
make one forgive 10. On the stage 1t
is manifestly impossible TO have a pour
ing rain. 1t is the greatest calamity OF
the whole production. The umbrella be-
comes a parasol and the scene is the
orchard at Plumheld.
Yes, OF course, they had TO change some
things TO make a three-hour play out OF
~l5-page book. Dorothy and mother
and Aunt Kate are only too grateful that