The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-10-25


 old, or iniddel aged must give expression
 to it or bust is privileged to trot out the little accomplishment, and is always sure of receiving polite attention. With that innate good breeding which charac-
 terizes men and women whose hearts are
 in the right place, the old actors listen
 with every semplance of interest to voices that are not always well trained. and re- gard with eyes in which there is no gieam of amusement, gestures and gauchefies, which would drive an elocu-
 ton teacher to drink; they do not finch even when "Lasca" and "Curfew shall not ring out tonight assafl their ears.
 The superintendent of the Home, sheri- dan Corbyn, has acted in managerial capacity ever since ts46. He has never appeared on the boards. or donned a stage costume, but what he does not know about the profession is not worth know ing. He is a dignifed, cultured gen- tieman, possessing no end of executive ability and a fund of tact which helps him to keep things running smoothly. His wife, strikingly handsome woman, is the matron and her two daughters aid her in looking after the household needs and keeping the staff of servants in order. Harry B. Hapgood is another ex- manager, having commenced his career sixty years ago. He is a mere boy of tl, ana dS SpTy aS II ldu OI lO He HIS the dual role of librarian and amuse- ment director, and much credit is owing to him because of the part he takes in making the Sunday entertainment feature of Staten Island life. He gets up the weekly programs, and introduces each performer to the audienc Sometimes the wits chaff him mildly from the stage. Last Sunday, for instance. when he an- nounced recitation, entitled "Caleb's Courtship." to be given by Miss Kate Singleton, that charming lady smiled at him as she made her bow, and con. fidentlly informed the people out front that instead of Caleb he should have sub- stituted his own name, as the recitation was really "Hapgoods courtship-or,
 aapgood in search of wife"
 Still c Girl l.. Spirit.
 Miss Singleton recited with inimitable droHery. Her clear enunciation, facial expression, and the spirit she infused in- to the lines, were simply delightful, and one could not help wishing that some of our modern school actors who mouth and chew their words would take a few les sons from her. This lady coyiy confesses to fifty-eight summers but if 1t is true that woman is only as old as she feels, Miss Singleton is still in her teens. She is full of magnetism, from the top of the cherry bow that nestles coquettishly in her hair to the toe of her dainty slipper.
 The next number was rendered by Richard Parker. The announcement that he would give a banjo solo was received with prolonged aplause. ''Hush-sh! Don't wake the boarders!" he laughed as he took up his banjo Mir. Parker is totally blind, but he does not want any one to pity him,( for he is as happy as lark. and he sings like one, too. His unwavering cheerfulness and the patience with which he bears his affliction might well shame some of his non-professional brethren to whom the blessed gift of sight is vouchsafed.
 Daddy" J. G. Bauer followed with A reading--"Lord Dundreary Proposing" He managed to extract from the lines every bit of fun that is in them, and the constant ripple of laughter showed that his art was recognized. Daddy is nothing if not picturesque. He has A magnificent head covered with a mane of snow-white hair, and strong face over which artists enthuse. I'm a fraud" he said when asked about his nationality. I'm thorough Englishman-Engiish to the backbone-with a German namev' He came to this country with Mir. F. J. Henderson and has played with nearly all the old-time actors of renown, He made big hit in London as Lord Port land in "Clancarty:" scored an eoually good success with Stuart Robson; and in almost every company to which he be- longed was given the role of aristocratic old man, part for which his personal appearance eminently fits him. In the old days his most cherished friends were Tom Taylor, Charles Reade and Robert Buch- anan, and he tells many amusing anec. dotes of the great trio.
 Used to Be With Dsly.
 William Gilbert rendered a classic ditty called Tim Flaherty." His assumed brogue was redolent of the County Cork. | where ha'porth of tay nd make coffee | for six" ana his voice in its sweetness would certainly cause Chauncey Olcott | and Andrew Mack a pang of envy. Mir | Gilbert was associated with the Augustin Daly company for seventeen years, and was the original Christopher Sly. He also distinguished himself as an eccentrict dia- feet comedian. He speaks lovingly of the | good old times when he was a member of the happy family in which Jimmy Lew | is, Ada Rehan. Mrs. Gilbert and other | renowned stars were very much at home | He would still be on the boards onfy that | cataracts have nearly robbed his eyes of | their usefulness. but he hopes for sue cessful operation. and he builds castles | in the air which he thinks he can occupy | some time in the future.
 Harry Langdon left his chair in the | drawing room when Mir. Hapgood sum- moned him, and a moment later was thrilling everybody with a recitation en-