The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1917-02-15
The Finger of scorn
Splendidly Presented by Amateurs in the
Baptist Vestry.

baptist Vestry.
The Finger of Scorn, strong comedy in
four acts, was presented last Tuesday evening
in the Baptist vestry by cast OF amateurs
who had been untiringly coached for some
weeks by the pastor, Rev. J. Wilbor Richard
son. The platform had been enlarged to &C.
commodste the settings of good sized room,
and the floor was carpeted. heavy green
damask curtain was hung in real stage fashion
and the wings were recessed with lighter
weight curtains. The stage was well lighted
including electric foot lights. The first and
second scenes were rectory parlor, with gar
net portieres, panneled walls of the same tone,
pictures, etc. The third and fourth scenes
were in den in the same home, with oak finish,
and appropriately furnished. The story is a
delightful one, carrying lesson of love and
sympathy and was excellently presented by a
carefully selected cast that had been we'll
drilled. and all were letter perfect In their
parts. 1t was conceded to be one OF the best
amateur performances ever presented by
Belfast people. AS the rector OF st. Marks,
Rev. Philip Duncbester, Deacon Charles E.
Rhoades was dignity personlfied and he was
ably supported as pastor and lover by Miss
Laura E. Morris. who had the difficult part of
Irene Arnold. a teacher, at whom the finger of
scorn was pointed. The plot centers around
Miss Arnold, whose true name is Gordon. Mrs
Pickins. the village dressmaker and gossip de-
lights to break the news to the rector that Miss
Arnold had resigned rather than tell the com
mittee of her past life, and from here TO the close
of the play she improved every opportunity to
assail the defenceless young teacher with
sharp toDgued insinuations. This rather diff
cult character was well sustained by Miss
Emma J. Slipp. After the first act much in.
terest centered around an escaped convict
named John Gordon, Miss Arnold's father,
who is supposed TO be hiding in the neighbor-
hood Gordon had been serving a IL years
term for embezzlement and it was this dis
grace which influenced his daughter in refus-
ing the rector's love. Deacon Alton X. Braley
did some good acting as the convict and as a
fond father. Bess, the minister's young sis
ter. lively young miss. despised Mrs. Pick
ins and did not hesitate to tell her of it. She
loved the teacher. and with womanly intui-
ton recognized her innocence and was loyal
and earnest in her defence. Little Miss Edna
c. Trundy was really star in this character
and particularly good in the love-m king
with the young village physician. In the
third act Miss Arnold is alone in the rectory
and sees her father at the window and yields
to his entreaty to protect him. and explains
all to the rector, who aids in concealing him.
The parts of Sheriff Blake and Peters, the old
sexton, were we'll portrayed by Herbert o.
Brier, who was not recognizable in his make
up as the sexton. Aunt Bina. true black, was
home and was interested in the love affairs of
the young people ard in the sorrows of the
old man, and also shared in the general dislike
of the village gossip. DR.. Richard Heritage,
doctor Dick" friend of the family and in
love with Bess, was personated by Harry c..
Snow. who looked the part and got the better
of the gossip every time. Albert L. Gunner,
the detective, former lover of Miss Arnold
and college friend of the rector, did some of
the best acting ever seen in local amateur
prompter and Warren A. Nichols stage man.
ager. A Victrola was used between the acts.
Every seat in the vestry was occupied and all
showed their appreciation. The ladies of the
cast received bouquets. The play was re
peated Wednesday night, and in all about 500
tickets were sold. William Greenlaw photo
gra phed the cast in the last act.