The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-15
STAGE CHILDREN
 AN AMBITIOUS LOT Enjoy Life When They Go on
 the Road HOW THEY ARE ENGAGED Headquarters In New York Where Bri0bf IIrrbIne Ara pfrLad 0ttf
HOW THEY ARE ENGAGED
Headquarters In New York Where Bright Urchins Are Picked Out by the Manaeers-They 
 Like to Play.
Kathline Eileen Barry in the New York

Kathline Eileen Barry in the New York Herald.
 Stage children have a playground in New York city for their exclusive use and pleasure. It is in the heart of the Great White Light district. where genius struts and stars condescend to beam on the Rialto. It is large enough to allow one hundred youngsters to frolie at time. and, although 1t is only a big yard In the rear of little frame building which the demon of brick and mortar has not yet swallowed to make room for a sky seraper, it represents to the children Elysian Fields and the Garden of Eden combined
 On the top floor of the house overlook ing the playground is an office presided ever by Mrs Taliaferro, who introduces budding genius to theatrical managers. In this small space the talent and mental endowments of the youthful aspirant are examined and weighed as closely as pre- cious stones in the rough the ehaff is separated from the wheat and the lucky ones are registered on the books as being open for enga gements. Incidentally they enjoy the freedom of the house and the privilege of playing In the yard
 There is no more charming spectacle in town than that witnessed in Mrs. Tala- ferro's playground any sunny afternoon when her family of stage children are exercising their limbs and lungs Those who haven't an engagement, and many \ ho have. troop in after school hours for a romp They skip rope play hide-and- fo-seek 'London bridge Is falling down." and other games which from time i'm memorial have been dear to the childish heart
 childhocd's Happy Home.
 Such a happy, healthy. dalntily dressed crowd as they arei One look at them is sufficient to scatter to the winds the impression some people hold about the stited abnormal makeup of the stage child. No urchln could be more natural end simple hearted than these young sfers. They seem unconscious of the beauty. grace and brightness with which they are endowed. If newcomer to their ranks is inclined to pose or If a child who has made a public hit puts on airs he or she is laughed at and good naturedly "guved'' until a return to normal conditions Is assured
 Freaently one or other of them is sum moned from the playground to the office fo be interviewed by a manager The rosy cheeks. sparkling eyes and dishev- elled curls engeudered by the frolic help 10 impress the child's good points on the mind of the great man, and an inn mediate gements often results Then the little one trots back to the yard and when she tells her good news there Ia general rejoicing. No envy. jealouav or heart burnings are to be met with In this playground. The generous impulses of childhood have full sway here. and while the mothers may think that their own curled darling should have had the preference. the children are content
 Let's play mana gers" they will shout when they tire of conventional eames. and fortl with the biggest boy will seat hfmself at an ina einarv desie asenme a cr'tfnol aspeet and call the little ofrls h f'e tide. "FTow old are vou. my dear2" he asfs. "I am seven, sir, and I've had exnerienee"
 And what can yorl do my dear?"
 "Anvth'ng vou want mo 10 do sir I con dance and sing and act I 'nen1her +h'r~q real well, and I never get stage f"i"ht. I've heen on the road lots of times. can get m carly to catch tnaia and I like to play one night s'apds"
 "youll do. bring vour lunch, I'll ev Nnnr salarv later Come here. you child T''th the black eurls; what's your special tv?"
 T can do most everything sir I'm a born actress. can take a bows part created the mart of Joeenh In 'sapho'
 Some Amateur Theatricals.
 And so it goes on until score of ehil- dren haVa been questioned. Then tho miniature manager orders them to do X trial turn" and an impromptu enter tainment follows, which is enjoyed equal ly by tn, performers and child audi ence
 The ages of the children range form five to sixteen, but there are a few babies included In the happy family. The youngest is six months old beauty who had thinking part in Hearts of Oak" at a salary of s4 a week. This baby star is too little to appreciate the playground but if it could form one of the merry crowd 1t Is safe to assume that every small girl in the place would want to mother 1t.
 When grown up stranger inVades the playground the children do the honors with the ease and grace that speak we'll for their upbringing. They chatter free ly and display great sef-possession with out forwardness.
 "Oh, are yon going to make story about us?" queried a pretty child who made big success In "The Princess