Ripley County democrat., 1912-05-03
"Higbee of Harvard. 7"

amusement, was dedicated to the public
last Tuesday night by local talent pre-
sentlng the very entertaining comedy
drama. "Higbes Of Harvard" The hall
is neat and pleasant, being well veaA-
lated and lighted, and the seats con-
venlently arranged so that good view
Of the stage can be secured from every
part OF the auditorium. The acoustics
ara good. much better than In many
OF the more elaporateiy decorated balls
ofthe present day, The seating cNpa-
city OF the hall Is about 400 and there
was standing room only, many being
turned away, even ths standing room
being all taken.
The entertainment was staged for the
purpose OF raising fund to pay of an
Indebtedness incurred by the gradua-
ting class OF 1911, OF the Doniphan
high school. A sum sufficient to cancel
the debt and leaTe a nice surplus WAS
made.
The cast OF characters Of the play was
az follows: 20
WATSON W. HIGBEE, from Montana A
good fellow with millions, who knows
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. "''a'' 'V' "V' Eugene D. Johnston.
HON. v. d. wITHROw, U. 3. Senator from
Massachusetts, with tall family tree and
short bank account. .,., Chas. l.. Ferguson
LORlN HlGBEE, son OF Watson, champion
athlete OF Harvard, in love with Madge e.,
......,.......,,....... Ezra X, Ponder
THEODORE DALRYMPLE, called Ted,
worked his way through Harvard in love
with Nancy Eihs w. WrlghI
HIGGINS, the Butler. T.,,... Chester G. Wright
NANCY WITllR0W, the Senator's daughter
an up-to-date level headed girl. Bess Mabrey,
MADGE CUMMINGS, from Montana, a quiet
sort OF girl with a temper. Elsie Doherty
MRS. BALLOu, the Senator's sister from
New York, who furnishesa surprise 49,,
...,.,,S,'."..t, ,.,,,,,,..,,. Miriam Gerlach'
Mrs. hALvINA MEDDIGREw, originally
from Missouri, must be shown Ethel Johnston,
Asa rule aWatures aro not expected,
unless they have had mt CHI experience
and bean trained under direction Of
someone who understands stage busi-
ness, 10 present their parts in a manner
counterfeiling those who depend for u
livelihood on the stage-by their acting,
But 10 this instance even an old stager,
one who has witnessed mapy plays on
many stages, and frcrp the lines OF =
Booth and an Adams, even to the froth
Of the vaudeville, was agreeahly sur
prised at the life, action and interest OF
the Interpretation given the parts by
these well known young people Of our
city. In each instance they carried
their paTtS eyenlg and without the usual
rawness OF amateurs, presenting the
scenes apd the dialogues in style and
manner that was easy, natural and to
the life Of the character. Mr., Johnston,
as the uneducated Montana mine owner,
Miss Bess Mabrey, as the Senator's
daughter, Miss Ethel Johnston, as the
mRnepveEng aunt, and Mr. Ellis W,
Wright, as the college boy, were excel
lent portrayOls Of the strongest charac-
ters Of the play, and while Mr., Charles
Ferguson, as tho Senator, Mr.. Ezra
Ponder, another college boy, Miss Elsie
Doherty, as quiet girl with temper,
Miss Miriam Gerlach. as the Senator's
managing sister, and Mr.. Chester
| Wright, as the butler, each carried his
part admirably. the whole combined
made the play pass of so agreeably and
pleasantly to their friends the audi
ence-that IT WAS a pleasure to have
been there, and source Of qualification
to be able TO congratulate those in th,
cast on the excellence Of the presenta'
tion and Of their dong so exceedingly
well, being word perfect In their work
that they are entitled To all the encomi
ums that have been given them b!
their friends.
Another feature that was good wa
the music by the present high sohoo
glee club, composed OF number of tn
young ladies and gentlemen OF tn
| achool undar lba dIrAotion ~ Suni