The Slaithwaite Guardian and Colne Valley News. — 1906-06-01 (Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire, England)

ROYAL.  There is much that interests in Mr J. A. Camp. bell's drama "The sin of her childhood," but the foundation of the story is zepulsive. To iwake an innocent child commit murder by placing poison into the gruel of another sick child, and thereby CAUSe the latter's death is scarcely within the bounds of probability, but yet is made to appear possible by Mr. Campbell. This is seen in the prologue where Stephen flayed, the soa of a farmer, takes advantage of his sister's (Little Mary I laysellt love of him, by prevailing upon her to do this at, so as to enable him to continue his college studies. He has been informed by his father (at the instigation of his stepmother, Maria flaysel) that these studies would have to cease, as he requited Ins money to send the sick child away, whereupon lie adopted this means to gain his ends Seven years are supposed to elfqwe between the pro'ogue met Act 1, where we find Mary Ilaysell in a reformatory, where she had been rent or the crime, and here her stalemother had become matron. During those years. the wicked woman had male Mary's life almost intolerable by her punish. anent, but the Rev. A lan Grey appears on the scene and forthwith takes an interest in her wellare, offering her his protection. Stephen Haysell returns under the 00100 of Dr. Henry Grainger, and claims to be the guardian of Mary under Ins father's will. He disowns her as his sister, but takes her iuto his house as will, where he again tempts her to get rid of the boy, Eric Dugdale (nephew of Captain •Illorn• ton) who holds the eecret from his annt (the sister of Capt. Thornton) whom " Dr. Giainger also poisoned. The doctor drugs the boy himself, and Capt Thornton appears on the scene to save his life. The Rev. Alan Grey again comes to the aid of Mary, and obtains her a post in a charity sisterhood. Subsequently Capt. Thornton forces a written come fes.sion front " De. Graiger of the part he took ni that crime, and eventually the man is arrested after however shooting his step-mother. Der name thee lreing cleared Mary accepts the proposal of the Riv. Alan Grey, which she had hitherto refused r secant of the "sill of her childhosal" Miss liuth Sheppard plays the pia of Mary with conspicuous success, her portriyal being marked by meat restraint and powerful feeling. As the lice. Alas Gray Mr. Charles Faneourt is also Eueusitul, and IMr E. St. Clair Forbes in the role of Stephen Haysl filiac Or Henry Grainger plays Ids part with von, mete'Able skill. Little Edith does well first :to Little May and subsequently as Eric Dagide, and .IiSS Jennie Donglas Hicks is clever as Mario Ilaysel. , Other notable parts are lled by Mr. Hugh Ilrarlyes Barney O'Reilly and Miss Annie Megson as Eliza Muggins, who are responsible for the humorous by I play, and Mr. F. leoyd no Capt. Thornton. The minor parts are well filled A pretty feature is the introduction of songs, dances, and banjo solos by Little Dott Moss, who has a nice voice and perforras her part very gracefully.  Printed and Published by J. W. Roberts, at hill General Printing and Publishing Office, Brieip Street, Slaithwaite, Yorke, Jus Ler, 1906.