The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-06-28
Benton'S
Comedy.
NJ Frederick sx,bife.
Copyright. 1901. by Frederick White.

WW WHEN Benton's comedy was
" published In leading mag
WW azine no one was more sur
prised than Benton himself
or course he had received the editors
acceptance and week or two later q
very satisfactory check, but the full
realization Of what 1t meant did not
come to him until after months of
waiting be saw with his own eyes his
swn work under his own name. II
was the first time, and Benton felt &
certain responsibility.
Many a man has had the same feel
ing on the birth of bis first child. and
Benton was simply experiencing some
ef the pride Of fatherhood. For time
Ne struggled with the desire to adopt
literature as a profession, but as the
weeks passed and he failed to find
himself heralded as a genius saner
thoughts prevailed. Woolen goods were
IN demand, and so were his services as
y salesman Some months afterward
he received this note:
My Dear Mr.. Benton-At the request OF
fhe Hillside Dramatic club I write to ash
ypur permission TO use your play, maids
and Widows" at our midwinter enter
safnment for the benefit of the orphans
hrne Of this place. We have all read
YOU'D comedy with great interest and ap-
preciation and think it just what we need
mr. our purpose. Trusting that you will
grant our request, believe me. very cor
&ially yours.
ELIZABETH RANKIN VAN CLEAvE.
BENTON felt very much gratified whes
he received this note. He was appre
eiated, after all. He at once indited
the following reply:
My Dear Miss Van Cleave-It win af>
Scrd me the greatest pleasure to give you
permission to use my play for the benefit
sf the orphans home 1t is always graft
fying to find ones work appreciated, and
] assure you that the Dramatic club has
my best wishes for a successful repre-
spntation of Maids and Widows" Very
sincerely yours.
JOHN AUSTIN BENTON.
He wondered If the members Of the
club would gather about Miss Van
CEeaye and regard the signature of the
well known author and playwright
with awe, and he began to think of
writing a four act tragedy. One morn
Ing he was agreeably surprised to find
another letter in the handwriting Of
Miss Van Cleave.
Thank you SO much" she wrote.
for letting us use your play. We have
had two rehearsals. and everything
seems to be going nicely. Will you
please tell me if Alice is supposed to
faIl in love with Henry at the break
fAst table, or Is it when they are on
their way to the golf club? / am to
play Alice, and do so want to make
success of the part
by the way. / find my aunt, Mrs.
Baker, is an old friend of your moth
er's. Is 1t not strange how small the
world is after all?
"Do you consider it necessary for
Henry to kiss Alice in the last act, as
the book Says|
BENTON whistled as he perused this
note He remembered having heard Of
his mothers friend, Mrs. Baker, and
This must be her niece. the beautiful
Miss Van Cleave.
That evening he wrote the following
leeter:
Dear Miss Van Cleave-Tn my opinion
Alice did not fall in love with Henry at
me breakfast table. That would be ask
kg too much of any girl. Eleven o'clock
AND the golf club is different matter.
Under the circumstances l should con-
sEder it necessary for Henry to kiss Alice.
He really could not help IT, you know. for
Alice is charming girl.
j am glad that The play is progressing
wei and wish you every success. Sin
perely yours, JOHN A. BENTON.
On Tuesday evening Benton received
. note from Mrs. Van Cleave inviting