The San Francisco call., 1908-08-30

THY every one, from the chorus
IN girl. struggling under spear
NU 10. -. 10 the prima donna
with the angel smile and the
quivering voice, calls MN
Father" steindorr may not seem clear
from q casual examination Of the pic
tures herewith. For Steindorff isn't old
enough 10 have earned the right 70 50
general and promIscuous a paternailsiil- Il
Srein6orff for instance, IS '1atner 70
the bandsmen who used 10 play, IN more
generous. open handed days, at the
park. and indeed he is 1alneI 70
HSerybody that knows him we4i enoush Il
70 watch him feed nickels with an
open hand TO voraciOus slot machines
Some men whose name is Percy are
called Pete; some whose baby heads
were touched with the cognomen OF
Reginald are called Nike, and others
whose fond parents wanted them % 90
through life packing name IKE " al
ter are called-well, never mind Waat'
but Steindorn has always been a father
The name slips on him like a mantle,
II becomes him Ike a smile and there IS
that about him that gently invites your
ease and freedom and your confidence
and respect; so you call him father,
even though as with me, the man VINO
first called him Paul sits opposite
g
ears so years old 10 a conversation
which he comprehends only when some
one interprets the English into Ger
man.
Tor il should be said that the real
Father Steindorff was with his son
et this little talk in the American the
ster Office when Paul Steindorm sub
rnitted 10 the inevitable and exchanged
sdeas without the aid OF baton
You know that Steindorf has been
away from San Francisco for a time
He told me, rather apologetically.
, thought=as on who feels too glad to De
back home-tlat he only went east (to
Oakland9 because the Tivoli was burned
down: but any way. he is here again
and, though he doesn't lead the band al
the park. as he did and should, he 4.
very much at home and in consequence
very happy at the American theatel
directing the musics in The Love Tale.
Of Hoffman,"
"Of course, I haven't been away ever
since the IRE" he said You know, J
was z round tripper once a week, and
invaded san Francisco every Sunday II
my uniforrlE
Steindorff was referring to the times
when he appeared at Golden Gate park
and played concerts TO thousands ei
music lovers-hut that was before. Cal
houn took a sudden dislike TO music
and ceased 10 pay a share toward the
musical entertainments which had be-
come, under Steindorn, feature Of Sar
Francisco life.
But I fear we are rambling. We
must conjOin the fact that Steindorff Is
called father" with some Of his love
tales. It is at once admitted that the
task Of writing about Steindorf CO.
herently is a difficult one unless sta
rfstics and facts are laid down ir
81 Il
identified with so much Of San Fran.
cisco's past life; he has been 50 close
70 the popular heart that 10 chat viii
him on the occasion OF his home com.
ing is much like talking to a brother
just returned from the East Indies OF
from Odessa
So, II you do not mind, we will be
gin all over again with the preliminar,
understanding that the interview wa.
had in the American theater Office an,
that Herr Steindorf. father of father
was neighbor 10 the conversation an,
seemed 10 enjoy my gestures and hi
sons Teuton asides.
7 haven't seen my father an.
mother for decades said the rnusica
director to me. after the formalitie
OF introduction were over To them
owe everything, and il has been III
dream. OF my life that they should be N
guests in America before-well, befor
Il was too late So here they are. An
he's enjoying the trip so much that b
IS already planning another one. Ma
a e live 10 make It"
So say I. and you would. too, II 70
could see the two fathers walking tn
street together; the elder, slight
bent. and thinner. but with a free an
sturdy stride. his mustache not an
rzrayer than his sons and his bearin
almost as erect He reminds you Q
the De 11aupassant' story about tn
Frussian general who never admitted
even 10 the end. that years had over
taken his steps and that the winter Q
frost and snow was chilling his veins
And though the story that Paul Stein
dorn tells about the fine old man ma
not be interesting reading to dramati
mage consumers Il IS emphaticaliy on
q Father Steindorf's love tales bt
viii not here be repeated for fear
faulty literary touch might mar tn
beauty OF the tale
Maybe Steindorf is called father" s
naturally because he is never withot
: ffs cane. Thereby hangs another tai
Never do you see him without h
weitinR stick Though the rain I
coming down IN bucketfuls he stride
along without the shelter OF anythin