Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 May 1917 — H. S. CLASS PLAY NEXT WEEK [ARTICLE]

H. S. CLASS PLAY NEXT WEEK

“Diamonds and Hearts” at Opera House Monday and Tuesday. Each character in this play is original *and life-like. Bernice Halstead, a young lady of 18, has a burning desire to meet Dr. Burton, a young physician who has just moved into her home town and she _ has a brilliant idea by which this may be brought about. she tells her plan to Amy Halstead, her

younger sister, and to Inez Gray, a young lady visitor, who are willing to share in the fun. Mrs. Halstead, the stepmother to the' Halstead girls, is away from home and the girls seize this as a prime opportunity to carry out their plan. Bernice plans that one of the girls must pretend to be sick and the others shall be affectionate nurses. They promise Sammy, the darky bell-boy, 10 cents if he will go for the doctor and say nothing about it to anyone else. The one who pulls the longest tooth-pick must pretend to be sick and it falls to Bernice to be the patient and win the captivating Mr. Burton. Dwight Bradley, Mrs. Halstead’s son by a former marriage, wishes to marry Bernice in order to gain possession of her property. His mother promises to help him win Bernice, but Bernice’s thoughts turn to Dr. Burton instead of Dwight. Bernice leaves the Halstead home and becomes a country school teacher in order to avoid Dwight. She boards with Abraham and Hannah Barnes. Abraham, or "Bud,’’

is a Yankee farmer, a homespun, lovable man who lives with his maiden sister, Hannah Mary, or “Sis,” and the scene in his home with his equally attractive sister is one qf the strongest in the play. Dr. Burton at the death of his parents has been brought up and educated by Abraham and Hannah. He pays them a visit and again meets Bernice, his patient. In the meantime Dwight Bradley Ims stolen some of his mother’s diamonds. Ho has been successful in slipping into the Barnes home and hiding them in Bernice’s trunk. By this plan he purposes to force Bernice to marry him in order to clear'herself and then her property will pay his debts. Sammy, the clever little darky boy, overhears Dwight’s soliloquy about the stolen diamonds. Abraham Barnes comes to the Halstead, home and Sammy tells Abraham, what he has heard. Abraham recognizes. Dwight as the man whom ho saw slipping away from hie house on the day when the diamonds were hidden in Bernice’s trunk. The sheriff is called and Dwight and his mother are arrested, which proves Bernice’s innocence. The drama is full of comedy, pathos and country life of the most wholesome nature. CAST OF CHARACTERS Bernice Halstead, a young lady of 18, with an affection of the heart, a lover of fun and a hatred of arithmetic Wilda Littlefield Amy Halstead, her sister, two years younger Mamie Bever Inez Gray, a young lady visitor, / willing to share in the fun.... Gladys Arnott Mrs. Halstead, a widow, and stepmother to the Halstead girls Marjorie VanAtta Hannah Mary Barnes,-or “Sis,” a maiden lady who keeps house for her brotherßuth Wood Dwight Bradley, a fortune hunter, and Mrs. Halstead’s son by a . former marriage . ... Harry Moon* Dr. Burton, a young physician French Crooks Sammy, the darky bell-boy in the Halstead house. ... Howard York Abraham Barnes, or “Bud,’’ a Yankee farmer, still unmarried at forty; a diamond in the rough... Robert Loy Attorney Seth Reed Sheriff Harvey Snow Act I.—Place: A pleasant parlor in the city home of the Halstead’s. Dr. Burton’s patient. Act ll.—Scene I—Kitchen in the old Barnes farmhouse. The new school teacher. Scene 2 —Sarne as proceeding scene, but two weeks later. Abraham’s heart strays. Act Hl.—Same as Act I. The fortune hunter is brought to justice. All serene._____