Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-02-22
HOW A PLAY WAS BORN.
"A NOBLE SON" SEES THE LIGHT
IN A LUDLOW STREET CELL.


the Walls of Dungeon.
A little fellow named Sol Berlinsr, who has
a penchant for theatrical management has
long cherished the twin belief that the author
OF "Our Boarding House" is the greatest liv-
ing American playwright and that John A
Mackay Is the greatest living American come
dian He felt that IL he could ever bring
these two luminaries in conjunction and have
the actor appear In a part created for him by
the dramatist his fortune would be made. Ber
liner got MackGy and Grover together, ex-
pressed his admiration of them, unfolded his
darling project, and invited their joint CO.
operation on a partially cash basis. There
were 'hems" and "haws," but finally his
plan was acceded to, and Grover, having re-
ceived u financial spur, promised to make
haste In writing the proposed play.
Old Eel In later life took to himself a wife
Yes, and he is sorry for it, too. No one has
asked him marriage Is failure His an
swer Is too apparent. Without going into
the story of his conjugal troubles suffice 1t to
say chat it is impossible for him to live with
this rather recent spouse, but she having In
voked the aid Of the law the goddess Of the
scales who, in this instance at least, should
not have been blndfolded, decided that If
Mrs. Grover cannot be the partner of
Leonard's bosom she shall be the partner Of
his purse, which, more's the pity, Is lean
enough for one Whenever the dramatist
has mildly suggested the fact TO the woman
who the law says shall ever be his burden
until death relieves him-tbe death of
either, Of oourse-she Immediately claps him
IN jail Tor Noncompliance with the laws
mandate, and not until Mrs. Grover gets her
back dues Is he released Some time after
making the agreement with Berliner to write
play for Mackay, the dramatist was incar-
cerated In Ludlow street Jail on complaint of
bis wife, that he had not obeyed the order of
the court commanding him to support her
Beriner is said to BE- rather kind hearted
fellow, but when be rtad these lines his eyes,
glistened with the Inspiration of a glorious
Idea and he rubbed his hands gleefully. In
len minutes he was In q coupe and befcra
long he stood before Grover in his olunreon
cell
Tees Of gratitude we're 10 "Old Fels" ewes
as he vigorously shook the would be man
ayers extended hand Il know you would
be the first one here, Old Fel,'n said poor
Grover. BLESS your dear heart, III never
forget thiS-never, absolutely never, abso-
lutely. Settled the claim, too, know.
Now, old Fell we'll hurry out OF this cused
hole and so somewhere TO talk OF that play
III write II now--at once absolutely"
"Meester Grover said Berliner, respect
fully but decisively, I've wait a little | havea
proposition to make. Toost for fun, We have
brought in here nice leetle lunch and a cold
kevort of Mumn." Grover was in a hurry
DO get away, but the allurements OF the pro
posed repast stilled his impatience. The
lunch, which was ordered ut q swell restau-
rant near by, was charming and the wine de
hcious. Another bottle kept the prosecuted
husband in his seat for while longer, and
finally when he arose TO don his overcoat,
Berliner quietly said 'Meestar Grover, dis
seems like nice, keyiet place; w don't you
write dat play here ware no vun would dis
turb your
Grover stood aghast. "Sol, my deah boy,
that Is going too far even in joke; TOO far,
absolutely"
II vas not yoktng, BEGAN Berliner, calmly,
and then he proceeded TO give utterance to
his newly born idea. He had not paid the
claim against the prisoner, nor did he, Just
yet, propose doing So He wanted the dis
ttnguished dramatist to remain In his cell
until he had finished the play for which both
Berhner and Mackay we're waiting. In re-
turn, be agreed to make q contract with the
warden OF the jail TO pay for any edibles and
any wine Grover might consume while en-
gagged in his confined literary labor, and fur
thsrmore, to give him at its conclusion an
extra eco IN addition To the prearranged
royalty.
''Old Fell was speeches. with Indignation
''Sfr, "a he said, when he had found his voice,
do you suppose genius can be trammeled by
the four walls of a dungeons Do you
imagine for an instant that my intellect could
soar when it has the ceiling Of jul above i'll
Even no ASJrsopaf CI (Fbslloy, al% he.
WIS written OF, could not have written with
surroundings such as these. No, SIR, l spurn
your proffer. Write q play in jail, indeed!
Never, sir; never, absolutely 1t took quite
time to cool his rage, but Berliner's imper-
turbabls resoluteneSs and another bottle Of
wine finally won the day The warden was
called In to witness the contract which was
then delivered to him, and when Berliner left
the prison Grover Ind plentiful supply Of
pans, ink and paper, and was beaming with
satisfaction and promises.
After waiting one week, fearing to earlier
disturb the playwrights literary struggles,
Berlinsr called upon Grover In his Ludlow
street quarters Through the blue wreaths
which curled from PerfecIo cigar he saw
him dimly On table beside him was an
emptied champagne bottle and the skeleton
Of q wOodcock. Without taking bis right
leg from its position above the mahogany,
the imprisoned dramatist shouted iovially:
GLAD to see you, old fel Come in and III
send for another bottle. 1t Is delicious, as
sure you; absolutely" After the bottle had
been brought and there had been some triv-
ial conversation, Berliner tiinidly suggested;
How vas dat blay coming alongf'
'Oh, my deah boy" said Grover with an
airy wave Of one hand, I'VE mustn't talk
about that yet. You know this is an un-
Precedented thing am doing. This viii live
IN history, Think Of genius in O dungeon
giving life to the drama II was never done
before Ny genius, my deah boy, is unac-
cugtorned TO it. 1t refuses to be trammeled
IN this way. But l argue with it; chide
It; will, in time, subject It But not yet,
not yet, absolutely"
"How mooch have you wreeten, Meester
Groverr inquired Berliner, anxiously,
Not line, my deah boy, not a line, abso-
lutely Don't you understand, old fel, my
genius Is not yet accustomed to these environ
nents, but it viii be in time"
Berliner hastened to see the warden. The
bill for wines and viands appalled, him II
withdraw from the contract, y he said There
Is no limitation to it." said the warden,
calmly. Il will provide Mr.. Grover with
everything he wishes, in accordance with
your written request, and will hold you re-
sponsible for the bill
"He vin stay here forever" moaned Bsr-
Liner, land vii be ruined man. lie went
up town and besought Mackay to plead with
bis old friend The comedian did so, and not
in vain. | met him On his way to the Jail,
and, knowing Growers peculiarities, he was
rather amused at Berliner's predicament.
But Grover took his genius In hand, and soon,
W the gloom Of the Ludlow street prison, "a
Noble Son" was born and its parent was re-
leased from his confinement. Phila-
dslphia Times.