Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1914-03-08

1 lishman, whose wit is keener than that of George Bernard Shaw, and whose technique is beyond all ques ton. has in this little story embodied of sentiment, humor, pathos and hu- : man feeling. Manners may have writ ten in his time heavier and more pre- tentious plays, but none that will pre- serve his memory so well.
 Here is the invincible proof that it is not necessary to pander to vulgar ity or vice for effectiveness in the theatre Here is a play withou: an offensive line, without an unquestlon- able situation, which depends on truth, and purity for it's action, and in last nights audience it is safe to say that there was not a man or woman who did not ..eave feeling that they had been mentally improved by witness ing the production. There is not forced situation. There is not an artificial character There is not an over sustained climax Every line of Pegs is a gem worthy to be remembered, and the moral of it all is so invigorating, so pure and uplifting, that no one who enjoys a. good play can afford to miss "Peg O My Heart" and many of last nights audience will see it again before the engagement is concluded.
 The story is simple. An English girl of ancestral birth marries an inn poverished Irishman and comes to America. Her family disowns her. When her daughter is born the sister sends an appeal to her brother, which is flatly rejected. Later on in life, after his sister has died, this brother feels sympathy for his unseen niece and conscience twinges prompt him to send for her. Before she leaves New York he dies. Under the provis- ion of the will, her aunt, Mrs. Chi chester, is asked to look after her for a year to see if there is an oppor tunity of preserving the historic fam fly name in this crude Irish girl, who had been reared by her socalst1c father. The child receives nothing, but her guardian is allowed $5,000 year to look after her. Coming as stranger in a strange land, Peg has an unfortunate reception. In ignorance of her uncle's will, she is made to feel dependent upon charity. It is when she decides to return to Ameri ca and to her father that she meets a syoung Irish gentleman, who becomes really interested in her. It is through his efforts to improve her condition and his evident budding love that the change in the tomboy girl is brought about.
 In the end all is happily settled and Peg remains in England a bright and blooming bride.
 The plot is very simple. It might be said, with one exception, to lack situations, but what is missing in ac- tion is amply redeemed in the bright flow of humor. The first act lasts almost an hour, and the audience felt it was only a few minutes. J. Hart ley Manners has garnered his charac- ters from the walks of real English life. Keen Irish wit is the keynote Of Peggy's character. She is an efferves- cent picture of untrained youth. Slle is little patriot to the soil ot Old Erin. She has only good in her heart, only love for those about her, eager and willing at any time to sacrifice her own position for others more un- fortunate. Impetuous and imprudens, strong in her likes and dislikes, blessed with an abundance of Irish stubbornness she keeps the audience interested in every act and every scene.
 Nothing, as said at the outset, so