The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-10-25
STARS OF OTHER DAYS FIND
 REST IN OLD ACTORS HOME --' ~~S~ -
Men and Women Whose Names Were Once Famous Lovingly Cared For by Those of
 Their Profession.

E 0Nou the most learned or theOioSidHs Whereabouts of Paradise, and 1t devolves upon 2 layworan to point out that de- lectable place of bliss. says a writer in The 1,1.s. New York Sunday Telegraph. It Is Township of West New Brighton, Staten Island. and is known as Actors Fund Home" It Is there that old age Is robbed contentment reign supreme. Bright eyes and beaming faces are seen at every turn, and grumbling is unknown.
 The guardian angels of this earthly Eden are actors, managers and private individuals who contribute Io the fund.
 When the subject Of building home for veteran actors was first sbroached by Louis Aldrich, 1t was received with ac- claim, and Al Hayman, the head of the Theatrical Managers Syndicate. handed l over check for $10.0O0, stipulating that Sso,OO0 additional should be subscribed by members of the theatrical profession. His suggestion was met with such ready ana whole-hearted response that within three weeks $7l 600 were paid into the fund, and in an incredibly short time this amount was nearly doubled.
 An Ideal Horde.
 Two years later a home containing over fifty rooms, lighted by electricity, boast ing c fine library, billiard and pool table, anu every mCuCfh iIHpAoNOAASAs'
 its doors to all worthy professionals who were in need of its shelter, whether they came under the category of actors, sins- CTS. vaudeville or circus performers. over tloO, 900 was expended in erecting ana tu, nishing the house, and 1t is free or ai incumbrance. The grounds cover an al lee of fourteen acres and are charmingiy iaio out. A landscape gardener has exnaus'eS his art in making of them "a thing oA beauty" and even the kitchen saroen' in which are raised vegetables ana rfuits' Is A pleasant spot in which to finger.
 The house Is handsome and striking m appearance. It Is three stories nisn an" is surrounded by broad piazzas. lhe spa cious entrance hall is artistically furnisn- cd and decorated. Comfortable rockins chairs, convenient little tables and cozy corners are among its salient IeatuIes, and during the day little groups or wnl.e haired men and women lounge tnere' cha' ting, laughing and basking Tn the sun light that streams through the windows:
 The bedrooms are comfortably furnish cd and are kept in exquisite order. Each one of the inmates of the home has room to himself or herself. thus insurlnS strict privacy There are twelve patn- rooms fitted up in the latest style; sew ing rooms for the ladies, and. in fact, ev- cry necessity, not to say luxury, that the heart of man or woman coulu uesHe'
 Everyone is "Gucst."
 One of the pleasing features or the place Is the fact that the inmates are always spoken of and regarded as guests. There is nothing about the home or It's manasement to indicate that it Is a char ttable institution, supported by voluntary subscriptions; rules and regulations are not printed on the doors or thrust oe1ore peoples faces There Is only one law, an unwritten one, at that, namely' tnat the guests shall conduct themselves un- der all circumstances as bef1ts laoles anu gentlemen. IT,,
 Foreign-born actors as well as Ameri- cans are welcomed into the Home, pro- vided they are not less than GO years old, destitute, and unable to find employment fin their particular branch of professional work Women under 55 are not admitted, and both sexes must be recommended py two managers and two actors or actresses of stahdifgs FAB soon as the preliminaries have been gone through, and the canol- dates approved by the board of governors he becomes a guest of the Home; his fu- ture is assured; he knows he will be clothed. fed, lodged, provided with pocket money. tobacco medical attendance, and Wiil enjoy congenial companionship until he Is transplanted from this terrestial paradise to celestial regions.
 Every Sunday evening an entertainment ia Riven by the guests in the beautiful drawing room of the Home Any re. spectable person who writes for a card of admission Is courteously received. The attendance is usually large, and the pro- gram is greatly enjoyed.
 Everyone Contributes.
 Songs, rscitations, readings and musical selections are the order of the evening. Old-time professionals who delighted our Rranddaddies in tragedy, melodrama and comedy employ their consummate art to make the audience laugh and cry. While they are on the platform, which serves as a stage, their fellow guests lean for ward. looking and listening with absorb ed interest, and their bursts of sponta- neous applause show keenly they appre- ciate each turn" When one of the per- formers makes a special hit through the medium of a clever monologue or fine por- trayal of some familiar character. it Is no unusual spectacle to see his old comrades crowd round him as he steps back into the draw ing room and grasp his hands pr pat him on the back. with as many "well done, me boy." That was great; you reminded me of Edwin Forrest in his Dalmiest daysw and You've outdone yourself tonight, old chaplin proud of yuu!"
 Budding Genius Recognized.
 Amateur talent is not barred at these entertainments. Any aspiring young lady who can play a piano solo or speak