The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-05


 N or P.s1 1. of 't' s.ss. ~i aiss9 a. .sr' 's' s a
 beginnings on the stage;
 'T went onE the stage because I was poor. I had an excellent education ana started life as an artist. l was hVlns III Boston. and had many friends, so sold every picture I painted as soon as 1t was finished: but soon my list of friends be- gan to decrease. and with every picture I sold lost a friend, until at last hau not A. companion left, and no market Tor my wares, and I returned to Lonoon'
 "You know what the life of young painter is like. I had to give up my art and 20 into business, but at the end or year I made a dismal failure and re- turned to art. But I made no money and was so poor that l could not pay for my lodgings. Sometimes the landlady would shut me out, and then l would wander through the streets all night and sing ballads. If l got few pennies l would invest them in hot potatoes ana, after thoroughly warming my hands ana pockets, would proceed to make meal and warm my stomach
 A grim smile stole over his face at this thought and then he added:
 Some people wonder why I am not one of the boys; they do not know that I have been through 1t all; before Beerbohm Tree every thought of going on the stage I have stod among the cabbages In the market at o'clock in the morning, sing ing songs My great chum in those days fr11r we used to sing together, and often when his father would shut him out he would come to spend the night with me-that was before my landlady locked me out.
 At that period of my life I often dined on Smells. There was a famous brewery on Cheapside. and l used to go there every morning, because I thought the smell of hops strengthening. Foor sec ond course, I would stand In front of a butcher shop. then the bakers.
 "sometlmes for days I lived on smells, but once in while I was lucky enough to receive an invitation to dine with sohe of my friends at the Savage club. l was one of the original members, and the only time in my life that I ever got 1 drunk was there. Receiving an invitation to dine, with eager steps I hastened to the club as fast as my weak condition l would permit; but my strength gave out l and I arrived just after the last course had been cleared away. The boys were drinking wine and foolishly l joined l them and was soon as trunk as a lord
 The first time I was ever on any stage was at a German read. all the rage when nf1t taf tainment something like the theatre, only all love was expunged from the two 1 short plays that constituted the perform ance. To give 1t a semblance of parlor 1 entertainment there was always piano music between the plays, and so it was the bishops and ministers of the church attended and applauded Young Hep- worth had a great deal of influence in society, and once when one of the per formers in German read was taken Ill he obtained the position for me. Faint with hunger I approached the piano; I attempted to play. was too weak and tainted dead away, falling forward on the keys. 1 was dismissed and for some time longer continued to starve.
 Few persons know that my play Mon sier is taken from life-my own. The critics object to my writing plays now, | but once I wrote a sketch for German read and had it returned with the remark that it was excellent but contained too much love and might offend some of their 1 patrons So I was out that much writ l ing paper.
 At last. in despair | called on W. s. Gilbert and asked him to use his influence i in my behalf He took fancy to me. i and when Pinafore was finished I was sent out in the provinces as Sir Joseph | Porter. and under DOyly Carte's stingy | management I played the leading role n l the opera for three years at a salary of ] f3 week One day I determined to go