The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-01-02
Miss CoIIinge
UTILIZE"

| Doc Weaver ~. John w. Ransom
Nathaniel Puntz go. Kraft Walton
Hiram Etter ........ Harry Fishe
Ezra Yutsey ..... Douglas Paterson
Absalom Puntz ...... Elliott Nugen
Adam Schultze J. C. Kiln
| Mrs Getz ....... Helen Weathersb.
| Mandy Etter ........ Phyllis Garne
| Iebe CONGRATULATIONS. John Hughe
There was a little girl and sh,
had little curl" etc In the pur
pose to suit the author of the novel
Utilize, a Mennonite Maid" this littl,
curl did not fall right down on" the
forehead" Of the young person, bu
was hidden from sight under a cap
because curl was a sign Of vanity
to be condemned in the sight of the
brethren and sisters of "the meet
Ing, or congre cation of Mennonites
The novel was written by Helen
u. Martin and was success in sales
and IN the reputation 1t brought to
the author. Marc Klaw, a theatrical
producer. saw possibilities in the
novel wero it worked over into q
play. Mrs. Martin undertook the
task, finished it, and Klaw did his
part by supplying a competent actor
in the person of Miss Patricia Col
hinge to assume the title role Play
and actor came to Keokuk yesterday
and at afternoon and evening per-
formances at the Grand demonstrated
to satisfaction that "Tillie" Is a
mighty interesting production AS in
the book, the little curl really started
all the trouble for Title, but there
was much else that contributed to
ner unhappfness. To get at tho en-
vironment surrounding Tillie it might
be well to set down definition by
Noah Webster:
Mennonite-One Of small de-
nomination of evangelical Pro-
testant christians, so called from
Memo Simons (14921559) Of
Frfesland, one of their leaders.
Their confession of faith. which
IS that adopted by the Mennon-
ties OF Holland in 1882, contains
the usual evangelical doctrines,
and enjoins the practice Of foot
washing, the intermarriage only
or members OF the same faith.
non-resistance OF violence. the
use OF the ban, or excommunica-
tlon, and forbids the taking Of
oaths. They reject infant hap
tism, accept no public offices ex.
cept those connected with the
management of schools, and their
minfstray bishops or elIers,
ministers and deacons) is chosen
from the congregations.
From the rise of the first curtain
o the fall OF the final, the audiences
u the Grand were carried to the
iailey OF the picturesque Schuylkill
Mountains and the Susquehanna
'lver, where the plot Of the play is
AID. AS Title, the loyable little
Mennonite, whose alteration for the
nan she loves and her desire for
'ducation overcome her faithfulness
the stern tenets of her religion.
Mss Coolinge was frequently re-
Varded by well-deseryed applause.
Inc comedy pictures a story of |
and beauty, with heart |
hrob and tear, portraying the lives
L those Pennsylvania Dutch farmers |
wing their narrow lives in the
ertile valleys OF central Pennsyl. |
ANA, and depicts most cunningly I
neir customs and beliefs, and in the |
ching OF the story pathos and plenty
humor go hand in hand. 1t is /
early three hundred years since the
ncestors of the present Pennsyl.
anna Dutch bought their land from
William Penn, and, generally speak
lg, that lapse of time should bring
lany changes. But the Pennsylvania I
iennonties and the other sects in ,
ne valleys of the Schuylkill and Sus
johanna rivers have made few
Ranges either in their mode of liy-
lg, their customs or religious be-
efs since that time 1t Is those that
lrs. Martin writes so entertainingly
bout, and it is these people who.
lth the single exception of a young
award student who comes to the
tile village to teach school, are the
famatic personae of the comedy.
Until her real romance begins.
lilies life has been practically de-
Did of affection, except such as has
cen given her by kindly Tantia b;m
nd the rough, good-natured village
octor. Her home life has been ex.
----oA' N1t'S LOT stern 8
ther and never-ending work have
ven her but few opportunities. Tfllie !
ants the education that has been I
anied her and this she does not
lin until she is bound out" for the a
inter to her aunt, as a household
Judge. There she meets the new
llage school teacher, and he not J
lly helps Tillie with her education J
1t brings the first real happiness 7
her life-real love. 1t liz through |
m, however, that she Is "set back j
her faith and loses the small for.
ne that has been left her In tho
re Of the doctor. But how thingg i
e righted and she finally gets both i
g education and her happiness
ing interest and humanity 10 lie q
ay, making IL one OF the big sue. J
sses of the year In
OF the members Of the company !
10 gave efficient support to Miss
'llinge, chief honors rest on the b
oulders of John w. Ransorne. an