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> THE ATLANTA GEORGIAN AND NEWS. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28. LITERARY LIGHTS AND SHADOWS By 8. MAYS BALL (Arthur Pendennis, Jr.) “THE WAY OF A MAN," by Emer son Hough. (Outing Publishing Com pany.) Unfortunately for all concerned, whatever Its wishes In the matter may be, it naturally Is Impossible for The Georgian to call attention each week, fifty-two times a year, to a real, strong, nutritious (If nutritious can be used here), wholesome novel. This comes about principally from the fact that there are not fifty-two strong stories written within a year. But The Geor gian does seek out the best of the books sent this paper for discussion. It is a pleasure to mention in this connection a story by Mr. Emerson Hough, called "The Way of a Man." It Is not "the" American novel, about which we read so much, every time a publisher produces a new book. But "The Way of a Man" is a strong. In teresting. wholesome and most enter taining story. The scene Is laid in the West, chiefly during the time of the great Westward movement previous to the Civil war. The story opens in Virginia and the author's descriptions of life In the old Dominion on the plantations are splen did. The scene shifts, when John Cowles, the hero, goes West to find a friend. Colonel Meriweather, U. 8. A., an intimate of Cowles* dead father. At this time John Cowles was engaged to marry Grace Sheraton, whom he leave* in Virginia. John meets anil loves Ellen Meri- weather, daughter of his father's friend, and these two. In the wagon- train crossing the plains from St. Louis to Laramie, become lost. Ellen and John are lost together In the desert for three months. This three months' hia tus, Its Incidents, results of the love that came therein and the troublous consequence of it furnishes the motif of this splendid story. The clean, clear-cut, appealing pic tures of Ellen and John’s experiences on this trying trip can not be told of In a review. But The Georgian can and does say that If any one wishes to read a story full of solid matter, not heavy but most entertaining, then surely "The Way of a Man” Is the one to read. The complications arising from John’s engagement to Grace Sheraton, the be ginning of the Civil war. the experi ences of John Cowles and Ellen Merl- weather on the plains for three months, together with a vivid picture of the villain In tho story, Gordon Orme, con stitute some of the most Interesting features of this deserving book. ’Tls a pity that In the book the name of "Sumter" was spelled with a “p." How ever, it may be a misprint, no doubt U "The Way of a Man,” then. The Georgian offers as Its "headliner" for this week, and wishes It could do as well for Jts readers every seven days, •THE APPLE OF DISCORD,” by Earle Ashley Walcott. (Bobbs-Merrlll Company.) Poor old San Francisco, with her labor troubles, Abe Ruef, May or Schmidt, the earthquake, fire, and last, but not least, the innumerable stories written about,her, has certain ly had a hard time. When a man. woman or locality gets down in the world there Is always somebody to come along and add an other kick for good measure on the the ory, no doubt, that every little helps. Some of the stories written around and about poor old helpless, unable now to defend herself 'Frisco have been In excusable, It was exactly as If one took advantage of her helplessness. But The Georgian begs to calls at tention to a real good story with scenes In San Francisco, written by Earle AsbJey Walcott, and called "The Apple of Discord.” There was more than one "apple" in the book, as the time of the story was some thirty years ago. In that period when poor San Fran cisco struggled with the land lot pa triots or would-be patriots, who wert* principally busy making speeches, causing alarm to the respectable mem bers of the community and forcing upon the United States the Chinese exclusion act. The story here discussed holds the Interest quite well. There are In Its pages many improbable people as see them In every-day life now, but In reading the "Apple of Discord" It must be remembered what conditions really were In San Francisco In the seventies. There Is a pretty love story', a brave young man or two (of course) and love ly girls. The Chlfcese question and the odd character. Kearney, who had his speeches written for him by news paper reporters and backers, are very nterestlngly portrayed. "The Apple of Discord” Is much bet ter than the usual run of Pacific coast stories. The "local color" Is there, and It Is not put on In the shape of mud, either, for which we all should be very grateful. Therefore. The Oeorginn speaks a good word for "The Apple of DlRcord." Weefc’s Offerings at Local Playhouses PUCCINI’S “MADAM BUTTERFLY” MUSICAL EVENT OF GRANDS SEASON “KILO,” by Ellis Parker Butler. (The McClure Company.) Mr. Butler ran in a syndicate form In the Sunday news papers a short time ago a number of continued, but complete In themselves, stories, describing the experiences of one "Ellph* Hewlltt," an irrepressible booR, agent. "Kilo" is a story laid around our friend Ellph Hewlltt, but the experiences now figure In a semi- novel form, which Is so much better than the syndicated "stuff" that can almost forgive Mr. Butler for the latter—if that were possible. Kilo Is the name of a little village In the West, which locality pleases our friend, Ellph Hewlltt, so much, as also does one of tho females there; that he decides to make It his home. The story tells of his attempts, suc cessfully accomplished, whereby h* wins his sweetheart, sells books and makes friends In Kilo. The book Is very diverting. It Is sent forth with a blare of trumpets ns being by the au thor of "Pigs Is Pigs,” a very ques tionable way to successfully advertise the book, The Georgian thinks. For "Kilo” Is so much better, so entirely above, yea beyond the pig story, that the sins of the father should not always follow his descendants, not so far as from "Pigs Is Pigs" to "Kilo” at any rate. ' The reader can take up “Kilo,” read a little while and put It aside and take It up again with pleasure. It Is one of that kind of hooks and the time devoted to Its reading will repay In many different ways. “8U8AN CLEgITaND A MAN IN THE HOUSE,” by Anne Warner. (Lit tle, Brown & Co.) If tho reader has ever been Introduced to "Susan Clegg" by the author thru her two other books, namely, "Susan Clegg and Her Friend, Mrs. Lathrop,” and "Susan Clegg and Her Neighbors’ Affairs," any further remarks presenting the garrulous Su san will be superfluous. The latest story dealing with the per petual motion vocal machine, namely, Susan Clegg, simply gives further con versations (?) between Susna and Mrs. Lathrop and others, and Is not as at tractive as the two other books named above. It may be that sequels (like the bane of all private theatricals—a return engagement) never are as good, at least never are appreciated as much, as the first presentation. Then, too, the reader, when he takes up a book, usu ally cares to read It thru before begin ning another. To appreciate or enjoy "Susan Clegg and a Man In the House” the reader will have to change all of that. To enjoy It he must take It as an “entree.” If so, then the book will give a whole lot of pleasure. The au thor sends Susan Clegg to a biennial convention of women’s clubs; she taken for her protector as a boarder a young man who starts a newspaper In tho village and he becomes "the man in the house." whom Susan discusses so thor oughly and Inexhaustibly with Mrs. Ln- throp. Some parts of the hook are very funny; other parts grow tiresome, thru possibly a wee bit too much of Susan on the "too much Johnson" theory. But If.the reader will rend It "between times” much pleasure and many laughs will be the result. “FROM VAN DWELLER TO COM- MUTER,” by Albert Bigelow Paine. (Harper & Bros.) There are not very many Atlantans who have struggled In New York city with the question of house-hunting, but there nre plenty of us who have done about the same thing In Atlanta. Therefore, Mr. Paine’s hu morous and breezy book describing the trials and tribulations of house-hunt ing, moving and settling within the city, and then the settlement In a near by suburb nnd life of a commuter will appeal to all readers. It Is simply the story of the expe riences of a young couple from the West, who go with their two "precious ones” to live In New York. Their troubles regarding finding a suitable place wherein to lay their tired heads nnd bodies nre very ridiculous. The adventures nnd vicissitudes In city nnd suburb nre described with vivacity and pleasing drollery. Mr. Paine evidently prefers, nfter many experiences, to recommend life In the suburbs. The book Is very funny. Mr. Paine tells of experiences In boarding houses, of his troubles with the Janitors of all sorts nnd conditions, nnd no doubt his book Is a correct account of the trou bles of house and home hunting In the metropolis. “UNDER THE CRUST,” by Tlmmns Nelson Page. (Charles Scribner’s Sons.) From “Marse Chan" to the col lection of stories recently published by Mr. Page Is certainly a startling change. There never was a story writ ten that was tenderer nnd sweeter than "Marse Chan.” In this new collection of stories Mr. Page has left old Vir ginia and taken his scenes of action far, far away from his old field. To NIc up on the New England coast, then out about Santa Barbnrn, the renders go under pleasing escort with Mr. Page. Two good stories In the collection (of W’hlch the variety Is seven) are Goth” and "Brothe rto Diogenes.” The former deals with a "captain of Indus try," the other with a captain who.re fuses to use the frultH of his Industry. The stories are all good, for they are*from Mr. Page. Every now nnd then, by one critic especially, we are told that Mr. Page has written out. The principal proof being offered that of the fact that Mr. Page's productions huve been sent forth by his publishers In a set of "completed works." Murk Twain and Theodore Roosevelt have had their productions offered In a "set of completed works,” too, but one would not like to say that they had written out. If the reader thinks so he might » well forget It. “CHARACTER ^PORTRAITS FROM DICKEN8,” selected and arrnnged by Charles Welsh. (Small, Maynard Co.) To be able to appreciate the ed Itorlul page of any grent newspaper these days one must surely know his ’Dickens.” It Is seldom that one fall: to find on a really good newspaper editorial page some reference by com parison to some character In Dickens. Occasionally we see references ta "Pecksnlfilan” people, to one who re sembles a natural born "Chadbrand." to MIcawbers, Uriah Heeps, and So on. Most of us nre familiar, of course, with these people, hut to catch the real In tent of the editor or speaker one must refer to the novels. Now those "Char acter Portraits from Dickens" In a nut shell give us portions from Dickens’ great stories, word for word, as the master wrote It, describing nil of the Important and many of the unlmpor turn characters he portrayed. As the author says In his preface, "That Charles Dickens touched our varied human nature at every point and drew his characters from every walk of life, _ matter of common knowledge the lover nnd student of his works. But the ordinary reader, absorbed In the movement and Interest of the story, DORA DE FILLIPPE, WHO WILL SING “MADAM BUTTERFLY” AT MATINEE. Atlanta will enjoy on next Thursday at the Grand the o|»erntle treat of n decade, for the elusive charm of the fairyland that held In thrall even the restless sonl of Iaifeadlo Herne, the strange beauty of set ting suns that delights the least responsive visitor to the land of laughing children nnd (lowers, the naive eiN|iiettlsliness of the dainty Japanese maiden—nre nil In "Madam Butterfly, the new opera by Pucelul, that In coming. But there Is tragedy, too. Real tragedy of the now-world type, nnd thru the music breathes the happluess of the Jnpnncgc girl nnd her American lover, nnd among the pnlins and temples of the Orient there wells eoutinunlly n strain prophetic of the end. The call of the man's blood for hIs own race, base betrayal of bis rows, desertion nnd the girl's refuge in the custom of her people, suicide. This is what the music tells, and so weirdly that It leaves nu In- scarcely realizes jvlth Nvhat wonderful truthfulness as to exterior and physi cal features, and with what powerful Insight as to mental characteristics his people nre presented." Ho Mr. Welsh has compiled these portraits nnd the work Is well done. It Is a most pleasing and attractive volume. “MAGDA, QUEEN OF 8HEBA.” From the Ancient Royal Abyssinian Manuscript, "The Glory of the Kings.” Translated Into French by Hugues Le- Roux. Thence Into English by Mrs. John Van Vorst (Funk Sc Wagnolls Co.) Hugues LeRoux, while on a visit to Emperor Menelik, learned of the ex istence of an ancient manuscript, which revealed the African origin of the Queen of Sheba, she who went forth to see King Solomon. This Information reached LeRoux through a wise man of Abyssinia who had been deputized by Emperor Mene _ ____ Then he hut nlso enthusiastically received by the sails nwny nnd leaves her to struggle on - • —— — - *• almost to the polut of absolute destitution with it faithful maid and a hnliy. Sharp less Is the officer’s friend, nnd the United ..... States consul at Nagasaki. He does his . Butterfly," Is most best to get Butterfly to realize that she Is huuinii lu Its story, nnd music, nnd most I deserted this year in six different countries. Its presentation. so ' “ * " ‘ era first cam? & Imndon, and American society queens occupied the lioxes at every performance during Its memorable run in New York. "Mndnin Butterfly" Is In all respects a the rise of the first curtain to the tragic Annie the opera Is one of great beauty nml passion, thoroughly distinctive nnd Individual. Here la the prose story: At Nagasaki an American naval officer, while his ship lies In the harbor, takes a little geisha girl and The first pnthetic touch conies early In the opera, when Butterfly tells her A inert* enn lover that she has relinquished every thing for him. even her religion. The depth of pathos Is reached when the poor little Japanese wife realises that her lover has taken nn American wife, nnd when the lady arrives and asks for the child. The end Is finely dramatic. It Is death by her own hand, nnd she breathes her hist ns young officer comes In to voice hls remorse. ninny fine male singers, a large chorus nnd n grand opera orchestra of fifty musk' ‘ under three European conductors. Jack London has few pictures taken—this is one of the moet satisfac tory. He has written for the January Century “Trust,” another story of the great North and the men who risk their all there. such a novel with scenes In London and at a country place near there. In which we see and know the personuges described not by what the author tells us about them, but because of w’hat he compels or allows them to say and do. The delineation of the many entirely different kinds of people In this novel Is almost cameo-like In the distinctly drawn lines and we excuse the slim plot and enjoy the story most thor* ougldy. It Is really one of the books of the year. It was published a few months ngo nnd therefore Is not quite new, but recent publication of value will al ways find space In The Georgian's re view columns. The plot of "The Coun try' House’’ Is slight, dealing as It does with the unhappy and unsuccessful love for a grass widow, by a simple hearted, heavy Englishman. The wom an trifles with the poor chap, causing a great deni of trouble to all concerned, but more especially to the best charac- llk to entertain the former. LeRoux iter In the book, namely, Mrs. Pendyce, was allowed to translate this work Into mother of the young Englishman. Mr. TRAIN AND AUTO TO MCE IT BIJOU "Bedford’s Hope" the Bill For Next Week at Pop ular House. French, since which time Mrs. John Vun Vorst 1ms re-translated It Into the English language nnd now It Is pub lished by Funk * Wagnolls. The story denis with King Solamon’i great glory and magnificence, how tho Queen of Sheba through the tales which reached her ears, of Solomon's power, derides to and does pay a visit to the wonderful king, thereby causing the claim now strongly held In Abys sinia that Menelik Is a lineal descend- nnt of Solomon and the Queen of She ba. The story Is told as fiction, with many facts of history ns the real ba sis. The charm of the book Is Its lit erary style, attempting to approach as near as anything well could the beauty of tho Bible. The two are very similar In literary characteristics. The original munuscrlpt was lost and stolen many times. It was the pride and duty of the emperors of Abyssinia that this manuscript should always he with them, whether they were In battle or at home In the capi tal. The document, so the story goes, was stolen by some English soldiers ut the death of one of the emperors of Abyssinia, hut upon request of the new emperor was In time returned to (hat country from the British museum. It Is difficult to say whether the book hns any real historical value, such an opinion Is beyond this reviewer, hut viewed ns a charming piece of fiction. Illustrated with reproductions In brown tints made from drawings by a native Abyssinian artist, nisi) the reproduc tion of a letter from Menelik to M. Loubet, president of the French repub lic, It makes a very unusual and Inter esting book. “THE WINE OF LIFE.” By Maude Annesley. (John Lane Co.) The wri ters on the other side of the Atlantic do certainly treat unconventional sit uutlons with nn openness and direct mss that are surely different from that of our American authors. It Is a se rious and debatable question whether a writer should have the license to dls. cuss In hooks certain situations and conditions. The American writer thinks not. and the English or French author must be judged by hls produc tions. The Georgian Is not speaking of the "masters" here, hut of the newer crop of "muck-rakers" If you pleas. "The Wine of Life" opens with the scene at a divorce court wherein woman unjustly accused of certain things is stigmatized accordingly. "The oman always suffers,” Is the theme of this book and the author then allows her heroine to make up her mind that If she must suffer, then she will enjoy life withndt regard to conventions. That Is the story, with Its incident trouble and Its unnecessary candor. The book is not "bad,” hut viewing It from our American standard of purity, or pru dery, ns you will. It Is not evidently intended for the "young person.” At least it should not be. Galsworthy makes Mrs. Pendyce very much alive, as he does all of his char acters. There is something real in "The Country House.” This Is no "Fluffy Ruffles” story, hut full of solid nourishment and daintiness, too, for any discriminating reader who cares for something really superior. THE COUNTRY HOUSE.” By John Galsworthy, (G. P. Putnam's Sons.) A most noteworthy book Is The Country House,” by Mr. John Galsworthy. There Is a great difference In the method of novel writing between authors In America and those of other ountrles. And the principal difference lies In the treatment nnd descriptions rather than of the characters portray ed. In our American novels we are us ually furnished with verbose accounts of things and people. In the author’s struggle to picture to the reader the kind of people described. Whereas, "on the other side” the authors excel In making their characters "live” to us. by the way In which they act, talk and have their being, relieving us of an enormous amount of unne bos tty. “WHAT 8HALL WE DO NOW?” By Dorothy Canfield nnd Others. (Fred A. Stokes Co.) "Almost a God-send,” a weary mother or father might say. If this little book will answer the trying questions that It Js intended to do. For It is written and compiled to be indus triously used when homes become any thing but restful for the elders of a family. In this book are Innumerable games, plays, etc., that can be sug gested or better than that, undertaken when the noisy dear "precious ones” want to know "what can we do now?” If It will supply this need, and the book surely looks as If It would, then It ought to be worth about a thousand dollars per copy. As a matter of fact, the price Is much less than that, being a mere pittance compared to the peace which passeth all misunderstanding, and which the book promises to supply. “THE GOOD NEIGHBOR.” By Mary E. Richmond. (J. P. Llpplncott Co.) Mr. Joseph C. Logan, general secretary of the Associated Charities of Atlanta, has very kindly called the attention of The Georgian to a very su perior little book, “The Good Neigh bor," by Mary E. Richmond. Miss Richmond Is the general secretary of the Philadelphia Society for Organizing Charity. The book deals simply and suggestively with the dally problems w hich are likely to confront any of us and points out the way by which we may act the part of the Good Samari tan to the wayfarer who has fallen In our path. The Georgian understands that the chapters dealing with “The Man on the Street." "The Family In Distress,” "The Contributor” and "The Church Member” are directly In line with the splendid work now being done by the Associated Charities of Atlnntu. The book is not only very Interesting as a study but Instructive, for it shows us the way. Let ub all take heed that we "Go and do likewise.” It Is really a little text-book, full of advice, which no doubt will be very welcome to the 900-odd members of the Associated Charities of Atlanta. The author. Miss Richmond, whites from first-hand ma terial as she rose from the position of a small i>aid worker In the Baltimore Charity Society to the head of that or ganization. and from Baltimore went to the present high position she now holds in Philadelphia. It la-a-Pleasure to recommend "The Good Neighbor to any one who la looking for charitable worker’s Information. It has the sin cere indorsement of Mr. Logan. Among the newest dramatic productions Is‘"Bedford’s Hope,” under the manage* inent of Stair nnd Hsvlln, which will be le attraction at the II The plsy was produce __ ... Btreet theater lu New York, where It nialned for ten week*. The entire press wns unanimous In Its praise. The Herald, In reviewing the production on January 16, •aid: "When a paplere macho locomotive at tached to a cardlKMiril train of enrs races n big red automobile across a stage so realis tically that the audience stands up In their seats and waves hats and handkerchiefs, nnd cries of ’Bravo!’ are heard during the excitement, It Is time for makers of melodrama to sit up nnd take notice. ’This Is what happened at the Fourteenth Street theater Inst night when the big scene In I.liicoln J. Carter’s thriller, ’Bed ford's Hope,' on in e ns a climax In the third act. The villain hnd got nn order for tho stock of an nppnrrntly worthless mine for 10 cents on the dollar and hnd started for the Bad Laud* to cash In. well knowing that pay dirt hnd been struck; then the daughter of the owner nnd the hero set out In a big red touring ear to bent him. The villain wns on the Overland Limited; the nsslstaut villain hnd cut the telegraph wires nnd the sub-nsslstnnt hnd attempted to puncture the tires of the auto with n rlflo "This wns oil thrilling, hut It wasn't a circumstance to what happened n moment Inter. Tho drop curtnlu rose nnd the train nnd the uuto were seen scudding across the rolling cnnvns prairie at something like two miles a minute. Nothing Just like tills race has ever been witnessed In New York. The auto heaved, honked, pitched and •waved; the locomotive *|>oufed flames and cinders, tho odor of coal gas filled the thea ter, the pit and gallery became tipsy with excitement and went hoarse with yelling. It wns the liest melodramatic effect of a dozen years, and when the hero’s auto crept ahead of the train by the aid of sev eral flying panoramas and swiftly revolving tielts, the audience shouted for the author nnd demanded a speech." “Cornin’ Thru tho Ryo.” In all likelihood vast audiences will wit- »*» the performances of "Coming Thro* the Rye" at the Grand on next Friday nml Saturday. It would be difficult to overes timate the popularity of this production In this city. It was viewed by throngs Inst spring, nnd made PHOEBE STRAK08CH AND VERNON STILES. They will sing tho loading roles at the night performance of “Madam j( Butterfly” at the Grand Thursday. Jigs and won first prize. Second prize was awarded Frank Foster 1 , who also sang and danced. Clarence Eiffleduf- fer, a tenor, won third prize, “The Walls of Jericho.” ‘The Walls of Jericho" made a striking success, both lu London and New York, nnd held the attention of theatergoers of these two cities for over two years. Dm- tuatlc writers of both countries were loud In their praise of this work and without exception pronounced It one of the most powerful dramas ever written. Its author Is Al/red Hutto, an Englishman, whose rise to distinction wns made In the Inst two years. For twelve years Mr. Sutro worked uttcens- - - cognition until two Walls of Jericho" .. ed nml made a sensation In Lon don. "Tim Walls of Jericho” Is In four acts and Its story deals with the fallings of Ingly. but received i Ernest vors to offer tho Bffle Shannon, the eminently successful o-stars. to |M>rtrny the lending roles, and ' supplied them with a select metropoll- • .in enst and production, and the appear ance of this attraction Monday and Tues day nights with Tuesday matinee at the Grand will he nn event of Importance. “Tho Prince of Pilson.” "The Prince of Pllsen" In nn entirely new dress nml with a company composed of all new fn?es nnd fresh voices will be seen New Year’s day at the Grand for a limited engagement of two performances. No comic opera produced at this house since its open ISA-I COMESTOORPHEI Most Famous of Clairvoy ants Heads Excel lent Bill. •position nnd explain to wife where you were on lodge night, who "want to know" will find her » Job at the Orpheum nil next week, to answer questions and do a few stunts IQ thought-reading. If Su-Hern Is half ns wonderful h_h ih- say, she ought to be worth sceln conies from n ten weeks' run at II stein’s New York theater, where she hi away, nnd the advance sale nt phetiin promises equally mmmwu Is said >n earth. the ml >h ’ twins Passengers arriving at Terminal Station and spend ing a night in Atlanta will save time and-trouble by stopping at Hotel Marion Annex. 57 W. Mitchell st., half block from station. Euro pean. Dabney Scoville, pro- f rietor. Also proprietor of [otel Marion, N. Pryor. American plan. Bates, $2 per day; with bath, $2.50 amount of unnecessary ver- _ j OQ An The Country House" is Just «nu 9O.UU- sloti which will not soon be forgotten. This performance appeals strongly princi pally t>jr reason of It* wholcsoincuess uud Its clean-cut, genuinely funny comedy. n admirable arrangement of cleverly devised situations and Intensely funny dia logue. :ind the story is sufficiently coherent to hold the attention. Frank l«Hlor. who hns achieved such marked success In the principal comedy rob*, still heads the or ganization, but there Is a new prhun donna soprano who Is said to possess a remarka ble voice. She Is Miss Kveleen Dmmiore, who has the dlstluetlon of having won first prize for vocalism In the National Conserv atory of Music In New York. >ue of the most brilliant casts over selected for Its Interpretation. Dan Mason, one of the best of the Gerinnn dialect stars. Is to play Hans Wagner, while Edward Mora, a new-comer with a flue baritone voice ami splendid personality. Is to slug the prince. In the selection of the female principals of the cast Mr. Nnvage Is said to have been slngulnrlv happy. A matinee will be given on New Year's day. , ilate of your birth, ana other simple trf' k*. besides some things which sin* refit*- '» the bill. Another Is the appeniam "Jim" McEnobron, the tiny Atlanta who won a week's engagement by pen ranee on nmntetir night nml « prize. Then there’s Lewis' dog-*, and unique dog circus; Ray Cox. t.: girl, and her old-fashioned son*'- and Hawley, the sidewalk tal e: ; and Ashby, the startling acrobat* t a Gratli nnd Paige, who “Cupid at Vnssnr.” A musical play revolving around the life of a college girl Is an Idea that presents great and pleasing possibili ties. Owen Davis grasped the Idea when he wrote "Cupid at Vassar.” which was presented at the Grand Friday night, but hls effort to grasp the possibilities was about as feeble as the dying gasp of an aged ant. "Cupid at Vassar" has plenty of acts—four of them—quite a sufficiency of songs, a quantity of repartee and plenty of changes of situations. All that was lacking was music with the songs, cleverness with the repartee and something pleasing In the situations. Miss Florence Gear, who Is heading the cast. Is a capable actress. The company, while not startling In Its gen eral excellence, (s better than the play. The production thru and thru le about SO degrees below the standard. Jules Murry did the "presenting.” Here Saturday matinee and night. J. D. G. Amateurs at Orpheum. An unusally large crowd attended the Orpheum Friday night and saw a clever amateur bill put on after tho regular performance. Sadie Perclval and Rosser Shields, a little miss and a Uttle man, sang coon songs and danced