The San Francisco call., 1904-10-23

face in any of them" I testified. But
how did you study the thing out7"
81 began"-Mr. Powers began, but
caught up with that thin, irresistible
Chinese chuckle that fits the Ii like his
queue-"I began by trying to pump
Chinese laundryman that used to wash
for us for the dialect. Collars all Teddy
plitty soon, John?' 1 asked him. Your
collars will probably be ready by
Thursday, as usual, Mr.. Powers, he
said. I gave 1t up then. But was al
most crazy when DAILY asked me to
play a Chinaman at first. I can't 1
said. Yes. you cam he said And I
knew he knew. DAILY always knew"
"Daly always knew" was the key Of
the little eulogy that followed. Four
years with him Mr.. Powers had,
years of inspiration and encourage
ment. One Characteristic Of this clev-
crest of managers he enlarged upon,
his habit of leaving the actor, as far as
possible, free to follow out his own
ideas. But he was born for the thea
ter" he concluded, never happy only
in the smell and hurry of it. used to
try to get him out on fine days, but he
WOulQ take In6 llDlenSHl luSledu Ol lnc
sunlight every time"
1T strikes me that you, too, were
born for the theater, Mr.. Powers"
Never wanted to do anything else"
the comedian confessed, though 1 did
try"
1 wish 1 could set down the drollery
of his chuckle as he said 1t. the fun
lurking in the corners Of his big, ex-
pressive mouth. He put UP delight
fully silly finger to his chin to con-
tinue: You know mamma did not OBJ
ject TO my going on the stage. In fact,
she druv me to 1t. I suppose she
thought it would be cheaper. L used
to use up the furniture for props, and
mammals gowns for costumes My first
whiskers, too, were made of mothers
hair-whiskers made of mothers hair
good song?''-and. oh, the irresistible
drawl Of him!
You know" he went on, confiden-
TALLY pathetic, they did apprentice me
to a groceryman. 1 had a long run
there-almost a week ate ten pounds
of sugar during the first three days and
was nearly drowned in molasses. Fact,
oh, yes You know 1 was trying a
back flip down in the cellar while the
molasses can was filling. The ceiling
somehow came down and whacked me
on the head and I went insensible. The
molasses was up TO my chin when they
found me-"
He got up then to put on his wig,
binding the mimic and the real flesh
with the slick. rapid movement that
distinguishes him, and added: But
that wasn't the worst. 1t was as a
messenger boy that I almost bruk
mothers heart. lasted three hours at
that They sent me with a dispatch
to a man named Andrews on Wall
street. But got interested on the way
teaching fancy steps to three or four
other boys and forgot. Then I asked
a fellow who'd been watching US
dance: Which is Apdrews' Officer
I'm Andrews, he said, 'why?' I've
a dispatch for him. 1 said. You
well it doesn't matter what he called
me. but I'd lost him s5OoO 1 was dis
charged"
James after career at Jack Aber-
ley's Theater in New York must have
been lively. He was leading man at
eighteen with love to make to a lead
ing lady of fifty. There was a leading
heavy named Brannigan that could
say "liari' louder than even For
rest" and when there wasn't any
'liarl" to say he would insert 1t. For
tumbling a bucketful of wet paper
from the flies on Mr.. Brannigan's face
as he came up from trap door, young
Powers was ''sent home 20 mother
He made it straight with the injured