The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1915-04-30
''S|BYL GREY OR
THE GAMBLERS
ATONEMENT"
Presented to a Capaci-
ty House at Key
stone
The PLAY 4 SIGNAL SUCCESS
THE PLAY 4 SIGNAL SUCCESS
By w. III. Harris

In the presentation ot SlDNl Grey or
the Gamblers Atonement." at the Hin
podrome last Monday night a new note
Was struck in racial progres-. Up to this
time efforts along this line have always
been given tor the benefit OF the church
- and while nothing could he more laud-
able than this. the thinking Negro is be-
ginning To realize that II We arr to keep
pace with the progressive races If the
world, our development must not lie one
sided but muet be along all lines.
The drama presented Monday evening
had . two-fold purpose. Its primary oh
lect was 70 raise a permanent fund for
the purpose Of relieving those who are
suffering and in distress. Its secondary
object was tn show the folly of wrong
doing. Too much can not be said i'm
praise OF the public spirited citizens of
Keystone who have taken the lead In this
philanthropic movement.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAY
The play was one Of the most powerful
sermons il has ever been the pleasure of
the writer TO hear. The leading charac-
ter was q young man, Willard Graham
by name, Who, though coming from a
good family, bad become a notorious
gambler and As such was summed by his
former associates and acquaintances.
Willard had inveigIed Walter Burton,
the son of a local banker, into an inno-
cent game of cards and forced him to
forge his fathers name for 81 ,OUO. He
ussd this -note ss-s means of biacxmail-
ing Burton who Was forced 20 Accsds 20
aay dam.nd wads by I'm. =
1zs j ule cnoe even with the very woru1
character, there was some good in Will
lard. He loved the beautiful and ac-
complisbed Sibyl Grey, this was his one
redeeming feature. sibyl Grey also cared
for Willard but after he had become 30
notorious she WAS forced To refuse To have
anything To do with him. Willard left
home TO reform but went from bad TO
worse- Being in need Of money he re-
turned home, stsalthily entered the bank
er's home and assaulted and robbed Wal
ter Burton OF some very valuable bonds
that had been entrusted 70 him for safe
keeping by his father. willard met Sibyl
Grey and declared his love for her. She
rejected his suit but promised him that
II she ever needed afriend size would send
for him. In the meantime she had mar
ried Walter Burton. Willard was finally
arrested and died in prison.
What made the play such a brilliant
success Was the fact that e ,ery one Of the
actors SEEMED tempermentally adapted %
the character assumed. The play was
splendidly staged and there was not a
dull moment but il Was full Of action
from start TO finish. While ell Of the
players acquitted Themselves creditably,
special mention should be given Mr.. r
=. Alexander for hi- exceptional brilliant
playing. Tie e-sayed tire most difficult
role---that Of willard Graham, the gam
bier. IL appears that this part had been
assigned 70 several others, who for va
rious reasons. declined. At the eleventh
hour and without time to make proper
preparation Mr.. Alexander wAs asked o.
take this most difficult role and cheerfully
CONSENTED. His splendid Interpretation
Of this character shows tnst he VA the
right man in the right place.
The audience was delightfully."- enter
tsined between the acts with special fea
tures. Prof. J. G. Bryant in his own
inimstable way rendered two very pop
ulsr songs. Master Charles Penn thrill
ed them with bis singing and demon
strsted that he is vocalist Of no mean
ability.
The number thst really brought the
hon-e down Wa the buck and wing dan
cling of Buzz" Mansfield. This young
ster is admittedly thechsrnpion buck and
wing performer Of this entire ssrtion and
has brilliant terp-ichorezn future be-
fore him.
Mrs. W. v. Bridgeford presided At the
piano with her dignity and grace. The
piano for this occssion VA donated by
Mrs. Belle White who stated that q was
pleasure b DO anything in her power
10 relieve suffering and distress.