Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-18

might have been the driver of the
laundry wagon in Cripple Creek. who
before the saloon fight in which he
became an unconscious murderer, was
trusted clerk in the mail service and
upon acquittal by the generous judg-
ment of the west kept his bearings
among his former associates because
he wanted the boys who had defend
ed him see him make good. Not even
the woman of his choice was powerful
enough to cause him to make for the
klOndike in those memorable first
strikes. The tidying-up process of the
clerk who depends upon her coffura
for effect, mostly because the rest of
her is hid behind the counter. Miss
Ferber takes off in such ample way
that the rows of lingerie sellers under
meath her nose were not at all offend
ed and withal enjoyed it more highly
than was possible among the elite, if
present. To enjoy human nature OF
course one must be human. 1t is per-
fectly plausible that there were no
bored ones at the Burtis. Emma Nc
Chesney. the interchangeable seller of
HeatherblOom petticoats, was natural
ly the most Illuminating and entranc-
ing of Miss Ferber's narratives. Her
meeting up with the god-like drum
mer in Roast Beef, Medium" deserves
her at least an edge of the mantle Of
o. Henry that has been cast about
her since the demise of the Kiping OF
American literature The tendency Of
the mothering spirit so rampant in the
unhomed woman, has rarely, if ever.
been given better portrayal and of
! the time endured consequences at the
hands Of the blithe cub, who senses
| but cannot understand the paragon.
The eulogy to the travelling mans
wife contained in that little brochure
is as dainty a bit of sentiment as
could be conceived and could not es-
sence from other than a woman. IL
takes a woman to hold the mirror so
the back hair may be seen and the why
Of its doing-up.
Possess Intimate Touch.
Miss Ferber has achieved with fin
ish the value of the intimate touch
and her little appeal to the chivalrv
of her audience in conformation Of her
last reading was an effective bit OF
feminiSm that bellies her sharp eyes,
boys brow and masculine chin She
is woman, utterly. Yet not the
fluffy cat that has laid claim to the
honors Rather is she the woman the
mankind Of the morrow may expect
Her gown seemed an homogeneous Bit,
not at all associate to her type. Per-
hapS. now, in some things she is con-
senting to be advised. To the work
ing woman so it appeared. The cloud
of chiffon. or tulle or whatever it was
did not sit well on the Mrs McChesney
of Jock fame One would have liked
to see her in a simple little Georgette
blouse and skirt Of plain mode
An audience fiattering in the ex-
IRENE was present, the balcony being
as we'll filled as the main floor Ed
ward Quinn delighted during the inter-
mission with a group of songs, his
singing being especially Temperament
tai in the toreadore song and wist-
fully quaint in Mr. Swindells latest
song Mr.. Swindell accompanied Mr.
Quinn in all OF the numbers An i'm
mense sheaf of American beauties was
presented Miss Ferber as we'll as an
exquisite bunch of posies containing
lilies OF the valley and over which she
evidenced her pleasure. Miss Alice
French of Davenport introduced Mrs
McChesney Ferber" In a characteristic
moment, making a felicitious anec-
dotal comparison Of Emerson's fam
Gus Introduction al one time. The
press organization may well feel proud
OF its success in presenting one who
so instantly won her audience and one
whom all again would flock to hear If
so favored.