The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-29

Cruelty to Children to deprive them Of occupa-
uon, cut because so many are employed in cur
rent representations. Just here let me say a
lew words as to the employment OF children on
the stage. and the efforts of the society with the
long name to prevent it In every instance the
preference is given by managers to the children
of people employed in their theaters-the union
actors and actresses, stage hands, wardrobe
women, ETC., SO that nearly ali the little ones
who take part in the great spectacle are under
the control of their parents, as we'll as the stage
manager. The money that they earn is needed
In their families, and goes for the purchase of the
comforts, and sometimes the necessaries, OF life.
Why, then, does the society with the long
terfere so often with children who are earning a
few dollars and at the same time learning the
rudiments of the calling which they are eventu-
ally to foIlowl
The answer is simple enough. Every thing in
this country-evsn a philanthrophic society
wants advertising, and none know better than
Mr.. Geary and his followers that all things con-
nected with the stage come within the glare or
the great white light of public interest. If these
children were taken from luxurious homes and
compelled to earn their bread, it would be a diff
ferent matter; but, in nine cases out of ten, they
better themselves by going on the stage; New
YGrk presents lin hmitles so.. field flor tor
streets literally swarm with boys and girls
who have sprung from the gutter, and are worse
than homeless. They live in the streets, and at
twelve years of age are thoroughly familiar with
the most shocking and repulsive forms of vice.
1t is a common thing, even on cold and stormy
nights. to see these little waits sleeping on the
steam .heaters"-the vents for escaping steam
on the sidewalk down town. This education is
the eduction of the streets, and they graduate
with a full comprehension of the evil of a great
city. But there is no advertising to be gained
by interference with these children and their
employment. Occasional efforts are made to
rescue them; but while so little is done in that
direction, it seems a pity that children who are
well cared for and sometimes brought out be-
hind the footlights should be oficiously taken in
hand.
Mr.. Howells's farce in Harpers', ''The Carrot
ers, is based upon a well worn story of the sort
known as chestnuts. The circumstance of a re-
spectacle citizen robbing another of his watch.
under the impression that the other had just
robbed linn, was an actual occurrence in Boston,
and has been known for years. / have often re-
lated it as a good anecdote; but Mr.. howells has
now destroyed it's usefulness in that way.
The other day l met Mr.. Bartholdi, who i" lust
sailing for Europe. He struck me as a man of
considerable power and quiet persistence. He de-
scribed his long struggle in France to carry out
hisidea of having the Liberty statue presented by
Frenchmen to this country, and the frequent
objection with which he met there from people
who said they were willing enough to subscribe
for a statue to be owned by France, but did not
care to spend their money on a foreign country.
SO 1t seems that there may be narrow jealousies
III Il rance DIS well as mere, ana mat New lOrk
should bear philosophically the refusal of the
rest of the country to cooperate with her in
rearing national or international monuments.
Another man of note who is going abroad is
A. Thorndike Rice. owner aud editor of the
North American Review. Mr.. Rice is only
thirty-twoy years old. When he bought and be-
gan to conduct the Review he WIS about twenty
one. Born of American parents, in Boston, Il
liked the place so little" he says. that l left it
when | was three days old" He has been equal
lU nrQnnnINt1c ovnr oInAn n~l 80
purpose. He was brought up in Germany, and
graduated at Oxford, in England, returning to
this country only when he was Of age: but. I'M
like most Americans who have been reared and
have lived abroad, he at once identified himself
with the interests OF his native country, and has
made his home in New York instead of in Bos.
ton. He possesses an ample fortune, but is a
careful and energetic business man. In fact, [
cannot think OF any one among my acquaint-
ances, either rich or poor, who works so hard.
He voluntarily obliged himself to spend most of
last summer in the city, in order to look after
his editorial and publishing enterprises. Owner
OF two daily papers in Paris, besides his Review
and a newspaper syndicate liz this country, he is
about to embark, L believe, in a new enterprise
of still greater magnitude.
The other day Miss Lydia Thompson arrived
in New York on a visit to her daughter. who is a
member of Mary Anderson's company. Miss
generation of young New Workers, who saw her
when they were boys and paid furtive visits to
theaters in which she was the star of burlesoue
with such auxiliaries as Harry Beckett, Pauline
Markham, Liza Weber, Ada Harland and Eliza
Weathersby, some of whom are still before the
public. The papers are gallant enough to de-
scribe Miss Thompson as still young, attractive
and dimpled. She admits that her daughter is
seventeen years of age. and the statement is ac-
cepted without question by those who have seen
the young lady at the Star Theater.
Miss Thompson's daughter is known on the
stage as Miss Tilbury, but it is not generally
known that that is her real name, inherited from
her rather, the inventor of the carriage known
as the ''Tilbury," who was killed some wears
ago by a fall from one of his own vehicles.
GEORGE PARSONS LATHRoP