Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-12-03
KELLY,s INCOME.

My next musical production at
Drury Lane was Cinderella; or the
Glass Slipper. The piece was writ
ten by Mr.. James; the story was
well told in action, and the poetry
of the songs appropriate. was
rather fortunate in composing the
music. The scenery, machinery |
and decorations were profuseIy |
splendid; and nothing could sur
pass the fine acting of Miss De-
camp as cinderella" 1t was
produced in January, 1904, and
performed, during its first season,
fifty-one nights.
In the midst Of all the eclat and
success of this season, I had re-
turned my income to the commits.
sioners of income tax ut 9500 per
annum, which, it appeared, they
did not think a suffi cient return,
and sent me a summons to appear
before them on their next day of
meeting. In consequence of receiv-
ing this, consulted kind friend,
who was my counselor on all occa-
sions, who advised me, if l felt
myself justified by the truth, to
adhere firmly to the amount which
l had at first fixed. He promised
to accompany me, which he did,
and was witness to the following
conversation between the commits
sioners and myself:
$50, Mr.. Kelly" said one Of the
men of authority, lyon have re-
turned your income to us at 950O
per annum; you must have very
| mean opinion Of our understands
ings, sir, to think that you could
induce us to receive such return,
: when we are aware that your In
t come, from your various professional
engagements, must amount to twice
. or three times that sum-"
"Sir," said |, 81 am free to con
fess | have erred in my return; but
: vanity was the cause, and vanity il
the badge of all my tribe. | have
returned myself as having $500 pei
annum, when in fact, l have no
a. five hundred pence Of certain in
j. come"
e "Pray, sir" said the commission
il er, "are you not stage manager o
E the opera house%
ro eyes, sir" said I; but there i
~ not even nominal salary attaches
ht to that Office; l perform its dutie
ct to crafty my love Of music"
St St "Well, but, Mr. Kelly" contin
IT. ued my examiner, "you teach%
81 do, sir" answered /; "but
* have no pupils"
81 think" observed another gen
Y tleman, who had not spoken before
6 that you are an oratOrio and cor
cert singer"
" You are quite right, SAID
:, my new antagonist; "but | hay
a. no engagement"
We, "Well, but at all events,' oil
=" served my first inquisitor, "yo
IN have a very good salary at Drur
IN Lane?"
=: GA very GOOD one, indeed, sir
ki answered |; "but then it is new
paid"
IN "But you have always fiji
~ benefit, sir" said the other, WI
- seemed to know something of the
orb ofb tricals.
# "Always, sir" was my reply; "bI
the expenses attending it are We
ioN great, aud whatever profit remai
ton after defraying themis mortgag
to liquidate debts incurred by bull
VI ing my saloon. The fact IS, sir,
am at present very like st. Georg,
III Hospital, supported by volunta
~ contributions, and have even ID
Ii income than | felt sufficiently va
sfor to return"
This unaffected expose made t
sn' y commissioners laash, and the aft
ended by their receiving my retul
The story is not very dissimIlar
in. one told of the celebrated Hor
nm Tooke. who, having returned
y" some commissioners under the sal
act, his income at e200 per annu
The was questioned mach in the saI
"a, manner as myself. ill at last one
'n' tho inquiSitOrs said: