The Mankato free press., 1915-07-23

gern BUSINESS DiOchS anu espcSh.
hotels and bank buildings. The Ma
sons and Elks have new palatial
homes. A healthy Commercial club
is also a factor in the up-bullding OF
this Montana metropolis.
From. Thursday's Daily.
"The Absentee" at the Grand.
"The Absentee" pretentious fea-
ture play presented at the Grand last
evening, drew packed houses, and
with its realistic stage settings, and
deep human story. which the excel
lent acting of the cast brought yividly
forth. was one of the best moral dram
as shown for some time. The play
opened with a beautiful allegorical
prologue. showing plainly the lesson
which was aimed to be taught. Ambi-
tion. a handsome youth, was discoy-
cred In the Valley of Hope. struggling
upward toward Success. Along his
path he met with many obstacles, and
was lured by Contentment and Pleas
ure. yet hurried on. until upon the up
per plains. nearing his goal. Success.
the kindly ruler of the domains, had
never had time for thought OF Pleas
ure, but there came to him invitations
which beckoned him from his province
and leaving Might, wicked and pow
erful influence in charge of his king
dom Success wandered away TO the
pleasant meadows where Pleasure
ruled.
Vanity. the daughter of Might and
her mother. demanded great things,
which temporary charge of the king
dom. and the heavy whip, enabled
Might to obtain for them. His evil
Fenius whispered in his ear and he
did one cruel act after another. When
Ambition struggled up on the plains
looking for Success he was scourged
by Might. and made to retreat, while
the people groaned under the heavy
burden of maintaining Nights wife
and daughter. Extravaganza and Van
ity. Justice. blindfolded. was discover
ed with her scales. and the cries OF
the afflicted penetrating her ears. she
tore the bandage from her eyes. pm
saw with horror that Success had de-
serted his kingdom for Pleasure. and
that Might was evilly ruling In his
place.
Dropping her scales. and unsheath-
fng her sword from its scabbard she
hurried away TO the meadows ol
Pleasure, and made an eloquent ap-
peal to Success to return to his
Kingdom. AS Success really loves Jus
tice. he hardened TO her voice. and
hurried back to his people, where he
slew Might for his sins. and Extrava-
gence and Vanity perished in their
chariot. while the people ran to well
come their ruler b~--~ Ambition now
reached his goal. was crowned by
Success and Justice was satisfied. The
prologue was one of the most interest
ing parts OF the play. and was as pret
~ an allegory as was the great play
"Everywoman." although not planned
as q complete play. The story which
followed the prologue dealt With
rich mill owner who left his factory
and workmen In the hands OF an un
scrupulous manager. while he went
away on an indefinite pleasure trip.
The wife and daughter OF the man
ager with insistent demands for money
helDed him on his wicked way, and
suffering for the factory hands result
cd. Tire absence of the owner being In
a measure RESPONSIBLE for many fam
ilv tragedies. Ruth. young stenogra
pher. with strong sense of justice,
went In search OF the mill owner
and begged him TO return. This ho
refused to do. but after her departure
he changed his mind and went home
unexpectedly. where he found the mi
litia guarding his property. After O
number of thrilling scenes and stu
ations the tangle is Strengthened out
and the mill owner finds himself in
love with Ruth. who has saved his
life, and the story ends quite happily
The play will be repeated this even
ing.