New-York tribune., 1905-01-13
Obe Breaking Of Charlie O-eenbam
BY FRANK STATION.


and a wonderful belief in everything and everybody
He went TO a public school and learned a number
OF the useless things they studiOusly taught him
and a few of the useful things they did teach
him. In spite of his devotion cricket and hockey
his intellect developed apaee; and inclination led
him to a pen sheet OF paper. and his Imagination
little realizing the price would have pay for
the knowledge to use than.
He taught himself to write. OF course. he read
everything he could lay his hands He plunged
into Scott and Stevenson: he greedly devoured
Thackeray; then Kiplng waved his wand and
showed him the wonders of the world. Naturally,
ne attempted limitations, and barbarously murdered
the Styles or his 1avorite authors; but he was
learning to find his own style which was slowly de-
veloping. unperceived by those who read his work,
unnoticed by himself
Then came six months in London and success
sion OF visits to the theatre This led TO a study
OF the British dramatists. ancient and modern OF
course, he wrote a play. Every young man of
twentp writes a play. His not accepted. and it
is doubtful If 1t was ever read.
At the age Of twenty-three he found himself alone
In the world with few hundred pounds in the
bank and an immense belief in himself He deter
mined to make London his headquarters. and with
that object in view secured q couple of near
the Temple. furnished them with few necessaries
and some luxuries. including roIltop desk. book
case and few choice engravings Here he would
sit and write every conceivable subject, and
in every conceivable manner He Joined a club
an imitation Bohemian Club TO which any one
ton in his pocket. He became regular first
nighter, and wondered whether his plays when
they came to be produced. would silence the gal
lery into decent behavior-for once.
A few OF his stories were accepted, and some of
them We're printed; but his progress very
SLOW. and his few hundred pounds diminished
! IN an alarming manner. He determined TO work
urfes anu 70 give Up al
| One day-by some unexplainable accident due.
rather fancy, 70 the absence from town OF his
regular reader, who had gone into the country TO
/ nurse her only surviving invalid aunt-a popular
| OF manuscripts that had been put onto table
| find time TO do them up and return them with
many thanks for letting me read your play which
theatre and which am, therefore. returning with
- t1u ILe teIheIIIS 70 LaaS . OlS %. -
! be photographed interviewed for at least two
secretary came to remind him that the Bograph
company were waiting TO take pictures OF HIM to
/ of Mr. Blankstruther IN His Dressing Room" he
/ out OF the room and continued to read. When he
| had finished the play he sat for some time in deep
murmured to himself with becoming modesty.
tcaIly no other parts in the piece worth mention
| ing. I'm sure it's a part that would suit me. I
His wife came in about 6 o'clock to drag him out
70 s MAS n f h Of 6 1ne me h9
9tg Tead 1t . and was going to send It 4f back and
| shall engage a new reader. Miss Laughton will
His wife protested. "Oh. but she can't possibly,
dear, she urged She's the best maid ever had,
nits5 5e 50 -seiG at "It!ag
| her away, know what it will mean. You'll keep
your dresser vii Tead ali the pays ana and 1hn
you yoa1 write letters 10 the papers complaining OF
Very well. Say about it." replied
What's the authors name? Oh, Charles oxenham.
Meyer hear heard ii OF him / w9nder 2TH g, who he is"
opened it eageriy This is What n he ehT reed he
| letters .
''Alacready Theatre. London.
Dear Sir: Kindly give Mr.. Blankstruther cal
az the above address any morning this week at u
';MiCHAEL I6ERoNE. General Manager"
9 Charlie 2 could M scarcely believe E his eyes He read
was Just ococE SO he 6oited his bTeaRfast threw
The morning paper unread into corner and start;
his mind az to what he would wear at least dozen
e9 @ n but TT 1nay al o emerged dressed in froGk coat
Pe late, ne Jumped into hanson and was soon
He went along the passage to the stage door and
inquired for Mr Blankstruther. The stage door
effort bereaved himself out OF his seat behind the
partition 5 t1s and xheezy descended the stairs
grunted. Better inquire at the box oftce''
Ar. Blankstruther is out OF town." said the box
but have an appointment at Il o'clock" said
i'Wihat name?'' inquired the clerk
to the offices upstairs They are expecting hin
every minute" he announced Better sit down
Charlie obeyed instructions. He amused himself
by studying the various people who came in TO book
| seats. Finally at o'clock or a little after. Mr.
Blankstruther dashed up in cab and rushed up
his heels Charlie stToiled over to the box ONCE
and reminded the clerk of his. appointment, The
Few mome1fs az announced that Mr. BiankstrutheI l @
would see Mr.. Oxenham in a few minutes
see yoG ' 'T said TIE clerk uP the staTs
through the saloon. second on the right"
Charlie few up the stairs and arrived at the door
named completely out Of Of breath He Knocked neT !,
Blankstruther appeared TO be a genial and jolly
sort Of fellow. and Charlie conceived violent Tx
expressed a keen desire to interpret the leading
part "Of course. there are or two little things
that require altering, but they be done at re,
hearsal- Otherwise the play is as right as rain,
he added, consolingly.
Charlie ventured to breathe the word Terms"
My dear boy" replied Blankstruther. you mus
discuss al that sort Of thing with DeTone. my man
the information you want II you agree to my Pro,
PGSa5f sse P R tbe Wi he added n haven't tht
| slightest objection to your attending the rehears
| ais. Some managers are prejudiced against au-
| thors I'm not / don't mind owning that cant
run my theatre without them"
! the world to get on with by the way inter
rupted his companion I don't IKE the title. Il
| doesn't seem to me anything. It's very
Pa better ' 10 cali If bH some name that would ap-
peal TO the man In the street why not, The Mar
Charlie flushed Isn't that rather trite? II
| NY boy replied Blankstruther. don't be led
succeed 9y be- oByos baanfT Obvious Don't sug
gest things; hammer them home. Remember youI
/ English audience leaves its brains at nome when
| it goes to the theatre Make your good people
good. and your bad people bad LABEL EN-. Don
told fairy tale. II you once try to tell EN- the
| Surely an author should draw the thing as he
sees it - urged Charlie
Iy: he must draw it his audience wish to see ~
He had better take his of life and his theories
o b bopes iS to be- successful playwright Super
/ hciality is the keynote Of the British stage NJ