The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-12
The Heart Of Trade.
The Busy Store.
A GENIUS IN A CELL.
How Leonard Grover Writes a Play
for Sol BerIiner.
From the Philadelphia Times


From the Philadelphia Times
The United States Senate has con-
firmed the nomination of Sol Berliner, of
New York, as Colonel at Teneriffe, Canary
Islands, and thereby what are known as
the dramatic managers" of America are
given recognition by the national govern
ment. The question of Berliners name
brings to mind the part he took in procur-
ing the writing of a play about seven
years ago. He was at that time a little
theatrical speculator-little in all manner
of ways, physically and otherwise and he
imagined thar he would amass fortune
If he could induce Leonard Grover, the
author of "Our Boarding House." which
had a phenomenal run at the Chestnut
street theatre-the dear, lovely Micaw-
ber-like "Old Fer Of every happy remem-
brance--to write a new play with lead
ing role expressly fitted for John A.
Mackay, then a comedian who had won
renown in many plays and notably as the
chief support of Kate Csstleton in "A
Crazy Patch,' He was one of the CO.
terie, including Henry E. Dixey and
Louis Harrison, who first sprang into
popular favor while performing in Evan
gelne." Berliner succeeded in bringing
Mackay and Grover together, and an
agreement was made between the three.
Grover, spurred on by a cash payment
agreed to SET aside his customary habit
of procrastination and to give his muse a
lively pace. Just, however. when he was
preparing to put pen to paper his latest
wife clapped the playwright in Ludlow
street jail, New York, on the ground
that he had not obeyed an order of the
court commanding him 20 pay weekly
sum for her support When Berliner
heard of this, instead Of grieving he
rubbed his hands gleefully. He had been
filed with a belief in the fertility of
Growers promises and the sterllity of his
performances He went to London street
jail and in a few moments stood before
the playwright in his dungeon cell.
Tears of gratitude were i'm rOld Fers"-
everybody calls Grover by that ttle-eyes
as he vigorously shook the would-be man
ayers extended hand. 81 knew you would
be the first one here. old fell" said poor.
Grover; "bless your dear heart, I'll never
forget this-never, absolutely never, abso-
lutely Settled the claim, zoo know. Now
old fel, wen hurry out Of this cussed hole
and go somewhere 70 talk Of that play. III
write It now--at once, absolutely"
"Meester Grover" said Berliner, respect
fully, but decisively, I'VE Wait a Ieetle.
have proposition to mako. Yoost for fun
We have brought In here nice leetle lunch
and cold ke-Vort OF Mumm - Grover was
in a hurry to get away, but the ailurement
of the proposed repast stilled his impa-
thence. The lunch, which was ordered at a
swell restaurant near by, was charming
and the wine delicious. Another bottle kept
| the prosecuted husband in his seat for a
while longer, and finally, when he arose
10 don his overcoat. Berlner quietly said
''Meester Grover, dis seems like a nice. ke-
Wet place; Wy don't you write dat blay
here, ware no vun would disturb your"
Grover stood aghast. sol, my deah boy
that Is going too for even In "A Joke; too
far. absolutely"
u vas not yoking." began Berliner calm
ly, and then he proceeded to give utter
ance 10 his newly born idea. He had not
paid the claim against the prisoner. nor
did he, just yet, intend doing So He want
ed the distinguished dramatist 10 renain
in his cell until he had flushed the play
for which Berliner and Mackay were wait
ing. In return, he agreed 70 make con-
tract with the warden of the jail to ray
for any edible and any vine Grover might
consume while engaged In his confined lit
| erary labor and, furthermore, 10 give him