Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-04-20
"Nan, the Mascotte."

| An artistic success was scored In the
presentation of the four-act drama,
"Nap, the Mascotts," which was put on
at Grange Hall Thursday and Friday
evenings. under the auspices Of the Sene
ca Club, for the benefit of the public
reading room. Included in the cast
were dozen of our amateurs who have
most of them already acquired reputa.
ton, and fully maintained it in this in
| stance.
"Nan, the Mascotte," is a play of va.
ried character, ranging from drama
which is near-tragedy to comedy which
is near-burlesque. 1t tells the story of a
family who went from the country into
New York city, from the promptings OF
the woman's desire for social recogni-
ton" In the city the man acquires
large wealth, but in speculation loses it.
The recognition in society which they
had to some extent gained is lost with
their wealth, and they go back to the
old country home, which they have
saved from the wreck, with peace OF
mind restored, and happier than they
have ever been before.
Harold T. Briggs as Caleb Baldwin,
the man Of millions, was the good ia
ther. the kindly neigbbor, and the alb
sorbed plunger on 1.-THE street." afflicted
at intervals with attacks of madness,
which were we'll simulated. Miss Helen
Barnes as Mrs. Baldwin was the aspiring
social climber, with all the scornfulness
and snobbishness of the type, ready to
sacrifice her daughter to further her as
piratious, but brought at last to a
saner view. Miss Airline Croker in the
role of Nan Baldwin, the daughter Of the
family, was the prankish country girl,
the courted city belle, the steadfast
friend and daughter, and the sweet and
womanly woman.
In the role of Ben Flood, or Phineas
Grabber. Francis Shaw had a character
to portray dual in its externals, as the
ragged tramp and the smooth swindler
working on Wall Street, but with the
same unrelenting spirit of vengeance be-
hind his actions. OF course the villain
comes to grief at last.
OF Mans two lovers, Eugene Lowell
was the country boy who succeeds in the
city, and who is true throughout, and,
according to the true principles OF the
play, wins the prize of Mans hand at
last. The other lover is the son Of Mrs.
Van Spread, leader of fashionable 80.
ciety, but impscunious, and as anxious
to break into wealth as Mrs. Baldwin to
break into society. Mrs. Van Spread
was we'll represented by Miss Lena
Franck. Edward De Lancey Van
Spread, the son, and Mans city lover, a
dude" with an impeachment in his speech
aud another in his brains, was played by
Murray Bigelow, and it was almost re-
markable to see how much of a fool an
intelligent young man can look and act.
Other characters furnished entertain
mept of one kind and another which
was woven into the fabric of the play
but was not essential to it's plot. Walter
2. Maxim as Deacon Smartweed and
Mrs. Agnes l.. Morton as the Wilder Je-
honnett, very much in love with each
other, had several scenes which provok-
cd much hilsrity. Ralph Andrews as
Jimsey, the uncouth, unidentified
pumpkin, and as John, the Henglish
butler, comported himself with the
proper degree of buffoonery or dignity
n his dual roles. Ernest j. Record as
Fox the lawyer, and Arthur E Forbes as
DR.. Windsall the family physician,
though with only incidental relation to
the action Of the play, served to give it
variety.
There was a respectable though by no
means crowded house each evening, and
the net receipts will be fair sum.