AustLit

The story revolves around Cappy Caspero, the bush outlaw, a character described in the Sydney Morning Herald as 'a type of bush tramp who like many in the Australian bush has fallen from an honourable estate through misfortune. The review goes on to note : The incidents providing the groundwork of some good and fairly original dramatic situations arise out of Casper's association with Allan Wayburn, a mining magnate.' The other principle character is Kathleen Buller (a 'handsome young woman'), the adopted daughter of farmer John Buller. Her arrival as a young child coincided with Buller's wife being dangerously ill and subsequently Mrs Buller remains under the belief that Kathleen is her real daughter. When Wayburn's offer of marriage to Kathleen is rejected he coerces Caspero into making the claim that he is the girl's real father in the hope that she will accept the offer of marriage as an alternative to the life of an outcast. Kathleen is still in love with the currently absent Stephen Forsythe, however, and thus after deciding that she'd rather remain faithful to him she leaves her comfortable home for a life of poverty.' The Herald's theatre critic suggests that it is at this point that Howarde displays her 'inventive talent and efficiency' so that 'the audience are treated to some capital scenes, pathetic and funny in patches, and a happy finale' (19 March 1923, p5).