The times., 1898-11-06
PRESS AGENTS ROUND TABLE

Comedians are proverbially inclined to
melancholy-some off and others on the
stage. But there is at least one excep-
ton to this rule in the person of Frank
Daniels, who can turn a joke as readily
as an undertaken might. a few months
ago a New York periodical wrote the en-
tertainer for his autobiography for use
With number of others on its dramatic
page. Mr.. Daniels thought some little
time before complying with the request.
remarking to Mr.. La Shelle that it Iooks
life before having died" Presently. how
ever. he found way out of the difficulty
and dashed off the following truthful ac-
count of his birth and adventures:
.F'rank Daniels was born in 1776, of rich,
but honest parents. The event occurred
in New Jersey-not by design but through
a common accident-and the boys moth
er was telegraphed of the affair at once.
The yonngster early showed signs of ar
tistic talent by drawing his breath be-
fore he was an hour old This remarka-
bic testimonial was widely commented
upon and evoked a great deal of inter-
christened, being called Frankfurter.
after family dog that had disappeared
some years before. The lad was not of
timcrous disposition and succeeded in
walking over his nurses with impunity
and pair of rubber oyershoes. While
still a youth in years he became reckless
ly dissipated and hired cottage as As
bury Park. So great shocR was this to
his relatives that the effect remained in
hRss
succeeded in making use of it. Now one
relative is attached to trolley wire dali
ly and the house is lighted by electricity
While at the beach Daniels rescued him.
self from drowning twice by refusing to
go into the water. His first theatrical
tendencies showed themselves one night
when he attempted to elevate the drama
by holding up stage.
I'm this he was unsuccessful-not
through lack Of perseverance but bee aus :
of the managers courage. The affair
had the effect of making him unpopular r
with the chief of police and accordingly he
moved suddenly. Three days later he
was married and became SO intoxicated
with bliss tiiat he was obliged to take the
Gold Cure, which so affected the unhap-
py man that he voted for a straight Pop
ulistic ticket last season in Kansas. 1t
occurred to him. he explained, that a
straight ticket IN ponticS was so rare
that ii deserved support Accordingly
he helped construct the platform by pay
ing a board bill. After this incident the
young fellow speedily drifted from worse
TO bad and finally ended by joining the
atrical company. Being of a quarrelsome
disposition. however. he found it difficult
to make up and sent in his resignation.
He was constitutionally opposed to work
and so became a comedian. Daniels has
made money at this. He now owns a
farm in Africa on which are quartered a
wife. three cows. nine pigs and two chill
dren. From the accompanying cut
made with a razor-it will be seen that
the proprietor is the handsomcst brute of
the lot. excepting only hair-lipped moo
" calf whose Autograph will be forward
upon the receipt of coupon and three
postage stamps. The editor viii now
sing a doxology."
Mr.. Daniels says the story was never
published. and is of the opinion that the
mazazine.s editors did not believe in its
truth. He resents the imputation that he
does not know the tale of his own life
and will probably sue the periodical foi
libel.
One of the best-known and most beauti-