Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-01-06
COUNTRY boy"
WELL RECEIVED

''The Country. Boy" that true-fo-
life story of young man who went
to the city for the "big things" only
to run the gauntlet OF hard knocks
and reverses and finally to be brought
face to face with the artificialities Of
city life, was p!easingly presented by
the Brownell-Stork Stock Company to
crowded house In the Orpheum
Theatre last night. The intense drama
held the undivided interest of the
audience throughout, and there proved
to be just enough comedy running
through the play to add finishing
touch to the pleasure of those who
witnessed 1t.
The play opens showing Tom Will
son, country boy, dissatisfied with
life in his home village Of Fairview.
N. Y, and he goes to New York Be-
fore leaving, however, Hiram Belknap,
father OF Jane, Toms sweetheart, gets
a promise from him that IL he fails
to make good In years time he
must relinquish all claims to his
daughters hand.
Effervescent and sure of himself,
Tom assents, but life In the city takes
on different aspect when he loses his
position and finds it hard to get an
other. The Vaccinations of Amy
Leroy, a scheming show girl, do any
thing but to ease Toms predicament.
A strong friendship springs up be-
tween Tom and Fred Merkle a news
paper man and a fellow boarder, who
Is also rather short of this world s
luxuries. Things go from bad to worse
and finally, when Tom is notified that
Jane has promised to marry her
fathers secretary and Amy shows her
true colors, he throws up his hands
and plans to end it all by suicide.
Merkle, who has long contemplated
the same thing, walks in at the right
moment, and In a strong scene they
convince each other that they have
something to live for after all. In the
meantime Joe Weinstein, ticket
Spectator, has taken his own and
Merkle's money and has played the
wheel on q "hunch." He wins and,
returning with roll" at the psyche
logical moment, he and Merlsle ar
range to go with Tom to his home
town and start newspaper. The last
act shows three prosperous business
men, with Weinstein aching to get
back to the "wliite lights" He sells
his interest to his partners and leaves
and shortly after Jane and Tom are
reconciled.
OF course, Mabel Brownell, as the
girl, stood out prominently above the
other female members Of the cast, but
Mabelle Estelle, as Amy Leroy, a
show girl, ran her a close second.
Miss Brownel's composure alone, as
compared to that of the other mem
bers of the company, demonstrated
her ability as an actress.
Mrs. Bannan, as the landlady, and
Miss Dunstan, as an embryonic prima
donna, portrayed by Charlotte Wade
Daniel and Gabrielle Rose. respective
ly, were also well received.
And, of course. Clifford Stork, as
Tom Wilson, the country boy, shone
out as the particular star among the
male members, although Edward Van
Sloan, as Fred Merkle, the newspaper
man, and Grant Erwin. as Joe Vein
stein, the ticket Spectator, weren't far
behind IN measure of applause.
The latter particularly appealed to
the audience with his flippant person
atty and true Broadway slang.
Edmond Soraghan, as Hiram Belknap,
was also very good.
AS usual, the second act evoked
considerable laughter. 1t portrays q
typical New York boarding house
table scene, and the repartee and
knocks" passed were extremely
mirth provoking.