The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-16

rart In The DueP is sincerely appreciat-
 cd by me, although 1 did not like 1t so
 well at first on account of the man be-
 ing so blasphemous. I now prefer it to
 all others Then l liked the colonel in
 The Second in Command Sir Daniel Car
 tarret in Mrs, Danes Defense has al
 ways been q favorite of mine. After all
 is said and done, good parts make good
 actors. Bad parts will ruin the best act
 O.s'
 At this moment an ugly little dog with
 an honest face and wiry white hair ran
 into the room and jumped familarly into
 Standings arms.
 Now. now, Biddy, don't be so affec-
 tionate," he remonstrated.
 Where did you happen to-
 .l know exactly what you mean to say.
 It is to ask where I found such a plain
 little dog. She makes up for her ugliness
 in goodness of heart and in faithfulness.
 She is an Irish terrier and has q fine
 pedigree. I happened one day to stroll , into the Bide-a- Wee-a home for friendless
 animals-and there ] saw Biddy, whom I
 afterwards named after the Bde-a-Wee.
 She rubbed her little cold nose against
 my hand when turned to leave stretched one paw out of the bars so implorinSly. giving me such begging looks with her big eyes that what else could l do out
 take her along. Isn't that so. Biddy? ipiAidN hilONS dll dboui ult, lily SObu tidl- itles and my bad ones and she is better than the best friend, for she never gives
 me away"
 MT Standing, will you tell me how you chanced to adopt the stage as
 a profession?"
 Certainly. I hadn't the remotest wish
 or thought for theatrical life and was be-
 ing educated for the British navy.
 passed first two examinations and then-to bring disappointing end to my story my fathers money gave out That was quite natural, wasn't it? That fathers money should give out. It does happen that
 way some times and always at the wron < time. Then it was I decided to go on tae stage in order to make money. Conner cial and mercenary, the disciples of high art would call me, but such are the facts. My artistic impulses were developed later on. Naturally my family were, as are most families, earnestly opposed to such a step. but their objections were registered too late. At the end of one year I re- ceived an offer to play leading business. In great delight and full appreciation of my own achievements I went proudly but modestly to my father and informed him as gracefully as possibly of my chance
 for advancement. Isn't this fine. father ?' l said. To my consternation he answered. Finel Fine! Why do you say fine : Because, l continued, it is such a rare | thing to jump from the bottom to the top | In one season.
 " That's the very reason why think ! it bad he added.
 Then you don't advise me to accept | the position, I gasped in amazement. !" Certainly not he replied, for if you l do you will send to me in two weeks for enough money to pay your expenses un- | til you can find another job
 T listened attentively and sadly to the superior wisdom given as most fathers ] do give it. very generously. then |, in turn did as most dutiful sons usually do 1 and disoheyed my father by accepting | the alluring offer. At the end of the first week of my two allotted ones l was walk 1 ing the streets. l Was too proud to ask 1 for family assistance after the paternal i warning and cast about for some thing to do. My thoughts turned nat urally to the sea and l shipped on a collier to London and then spent the | rest of a year on q barque where | studied navigation and qualified to take | a masters certificate At the present | time | am better known a sailor than
 as an actor, for all my spare time Is l spent on board my yacht. Isn't the love