From Reviews (FJM) by Frank J. Morlock: A destitute old couple is being forced to leave their
shelter by the Canton in Switzerland for failure to pay their mortgage. The
night before they are to leave a stranger seeks shelter. Learning the man
has gold, the old man in desperation kills the stranger -- who it turns out
was his long lost son, returned, unrecognized to help his destitute parents.
From A Bibliography of Alexandre Dumas père by Frank Wild Reed: A prose drama in one act, by Alexandre Dumas, imitated from the German play by F. L. Z. Werner, the originator of the so-called "fate dramas," of which this is perhaps the most notable.
A sad and gloomy little piece, not at all of the kind generally preferred by Dumas in his later years.
First performed at the Gaité Theatre on the 30th of March, 1850.
Original edition (as "L'Auberge de Schwasbach") : Paris, Marchant, 1850, large 8vo. of two columns, forming part of the "Magasin Théâtral," pp. 12. In this edition the grim murder, which was Werner's ending, is changed to a very briefly determined renunciation of the temptation. When we however compare it with the standard text in the current editions, we find that the modern version follows his German original, and the sombre fatality runs its course. The more recent texts are entitled "Le Vingt-Quatre Février."
Under this latter title it is to be found in Vol. XI. of the 15 Vol. edition of the complete plays, and in Vol. XVII. of that in 25 Vols.. as issued by Calmann-Lévy.
References :— Glinel: "Alexandre Dumas et Son Œuvre," page 424. Lecomte: "Alexandre Dumas," page 119. Parran : "Bibliographie d'Alex. Dumas," page 33.
Mantzius: "History of Theatrical Art." Vol. VI.. pp. 279-82.
