Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-04-30
BIG HOUSE GREETS
"A NOBLE OUTCAST"
AT GAYETY THEATRE
ST FRANCIS DRAMA CLUB PLAY
SCORES BIG HiT-TO BE PRE-
SENTED LAST TIME TONIGHT.

aud Athletic club, last evening when
they presented their annual play at
the Gayety theatre. The play vas
one OF the most successful ones ever
given by the members of the organi
zatlon. 4 was a four-act drama en-
titled, "A Noble Omcast," and was
presented in manner which was
very creditable to both the members
Of the cast and TO the club play di-
rector Rev. Casimir Miller.
William Veith. Edwin Mates and
Mrs. William Veith old favorites, who
have taken part a number of the
St Francis Drama club plays were
in the east last evening, and proved
to he Just as popular as on former
appearances. There were also sew
eral persons in the east, who made
their first appearance on the stage.
and proved to possess no small
amount OF talent.
The plot OF the play, THE Noble
Outcast," Is laid in the sunny south.
Jack Worthington, young southern
or who had been in government serv-
ice at Washington, returns home ,af.
ter receiving an appointment as an
assistant American consul in
France. He goes to the garden of the
estate of Col. Lee, an aristocratic
southerrer, and there wins the love
OF the colonel's daughter, France,
The colonel gives his daughters hand
in marriage to Worthington, but in
forms him that France Is not his
d2ughter. but is the child of an un-
known woman, whom he adopted
when she was but one day old, whom
his own baby daughter died. So care
fully has he guarded his secret that
even his wife does not know but what
France Is their own child
Fbe colonel's story is overheard by
james Blackburn, nephew of the
colonel, who is also in love with
France, but who has been turned
Blackburn secures the aid of a tramp
who is an escaped convict front Sing
Sing, hut who is an innocent man, and
does not wish to bring unhappiness
TO the Lee home; to represent him
self to be the father of France Leo
The tramp claims his daughter and
takes her to a cabin in the woods.
where they remain for a number of
months BY series of careful ma
neuvers Blackburn succeeds in keep.
ing the whereabouts of the girl a
mystery from her former friends. and
In interceptng her letters to them.
While in this cabin the tramp dis
covers he is the real father Of France
Lee
The girl is found and taken back
home, where again thru the efforts of
Blackburn, her adopted father is fl
nancially ruined and is threatened
with dishonor. The tramp who has
been sent back to Sing Sing. secured
his pardon, and turns up with young
Worthington, at a very critical time.
He saves Col. Lee, and is able to
place the blame where it belongs on
the head of Blackburn.
The settings Of the play were very
beautiful and realistic The first and
last acts were laid in the Lee gar
den, which enclosed by a rose covered
fence. The second act took place in
the drawing room of the Lee home.
and the third act took place in the
dismal dreary tramp's cabin.
William Veith in the role of the
tramp, was the hero of the play. Mr.
Veith is one of the best comedians in
the city and last evening displayed
his ability from changing from a
comedian to a tragedian, as he chang.
ell from happy, carefree tramp, to
a conscious stricken man Edwin
Mates as Blackburn, the william. was
equally as good as Mr. Veith lie
has been cast in love roles. and in
the part of heroic man, many times
but last evening, he had his first on.
portunity to display to the ttawa pub
lie his ability to portray the char
acter OF villain
Mrs. Veith in the role of the wife
OF Col Lee, was dignifed and charm
ing. Miss Lillian Kuhn and Johr
Heiser 8s :he lovers were delightful
Marry SCherer took the PORT of Col.
Ire 10 very excellent manner and
Mss Caffeine Brandherm, in the
role of the maid, was very witty.
The play will be repeated again
this evening.
Music was furnished during the |
play and between the acts by the |
members of Hentrichs orchestra. Tie |
complete cast of characters for the |
play follows:
Cast Of Characters.
Gerald Weston, known as Jerry the
tramp ................ VIM. Veith |
Col. Matthew Lee, Southern bank
er .......... Harry Scherer
James Blackburn, his nephew -.
Edwin Mates Z.
JACK Worthington, Blackburn's -.
John Heiser
Mrs Lee, wife of the colonel 40.
Observation-Disclosures. Mrs Wnl Vaith