The times., 1899-02-12
PRESS AGENTS: ROUND TABLE.

Mile. Titenia, the fascinating dancer,
who is to be seen here at the Grand. is
particularly fond of little niece who
visits her often in New York. During the
summer the entertainer took this tiny
guest to Central Park on one Saturday
afternoon, and, while standing on the shore
of the lake. asked her if she would like to
ride in one of the swan boats.
NO. indeed exclaimed the child with
sudden shrinking. Il couldn't bear to see
them throw the babies in! The man says
that's what he does" she asserted, with
rising excitement, as her aunt looked much
perplexed. Hear him. He is saying it
now"
Nile. Titenia listened and of truth the
mans statement viewed from Majorie's
standpoint, was far from, reassuring.
Take a ride in the boat. Hurry up"
he called loudly from the landing. Grown
folks 10 cents. Children, half price!" lad
then deceptive smile, Babies thrown
in
Clever men are notoriously bad writer's.
and so it is that an anecdote recent re-
lated of Happy Ward does not rebound
to his discredit in the least. According to
Manager Luckett, of the Columbia. who has
known the actor for many years. Mr.
Ward is about the worst penman
eNtant. 1t is said that his handiwork re-
sembles nothing more than the Arab char
acters that caused local lingusts SD much
trouble few months ago. Hotel keepers
always feel that their guest is safe from
worry, since reporters are generally unable
to make out his name on the registers, and
| the players attorneys never bother
about his signature, for they are reasonably
sure that no living forger could initiate
| it. Mr.. Ward realizes the limits of his
! photographic ability and generally gets as
much humor out of his scrawls as does
anyone else. But on this occasion the joke
was decidedly on the entertainer, and his
anger was reused as it seldom has been
recently.
1t seems that the comedian had Just
returned to New York and had undertak anG
shopping expedition with the idea CT re-
plenishing his wardrobe. Most of the pur-
chases We're made in a big Broadway de-
partment store and after the actor had
bought about as much he thought he
could carry he went to the cashier, whom
he knew personally, and paid for the gools
with check. Then he returned home and
put valet to work on his new o-tfit.
Just after lunch, however, Il messenger
arrived from the store in question and
handed Mr.. Ward a note. In this was the
check with which he had settled for his
attire. 1t had been refused at the bank.
Generally the eX-Vaudeviilian is a very
good natured chap. but on this occasion he
lost his temper. With a hasty word to the
boy, he hurried out of DOORS got into a
cab, and was soon in front of the business
house. Once inside, he repaired directly
to the paying teller. and brushing past
those who were waiting at the window
confronted that individual with the slip of
paper. TIE clerk did not seem ruffied
Yes, know" he remarked. We got that
this morning and sent it back
Why" yelled Mr.. Ward.
Still the teller did not seem alarmed
There is no need for being angry he
said. We couldn't make out
'Ah! That's it. AS long as have been
doing business here you didn't know my
signature and couldn't make out
Exactly" quoth the man behind the
window, calmly. We couldn't make out
how much the check was for.
And the player interrupted business for
ten minutes in order to liquidate his debt
of apologies