The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-05-21
Author Of . Home, Sweet Home
To Receive Beldted HOnOTS|

Seamans' money with prodigality be-
yond his years. We do not know
however th2t anything very terrible
happened. He arrived 1t Union col-
lege on July Is. 1906. accompanied by
Charles Brockden Brown and HarmA-
nus Bleecker He was presented 10
Or. Mott. who received him with kind
ness, which he always remembered
with gratitude.
Payne was hardly model boy while
in college. THE discipline Of clAsst-
cal education. was congenial enough,
but against the other discipline recon-
mended by his patrons and the impu-
tations put upon his character he re-
belled.
Eccentric In His Habits.
AS IL to prove them well grounded
he would now and then disappear In
the jungle, returning after . few days
with contrite heart and ready for
the fray Finally. however. he quar-
relied with his excellent. but stern
mentor. Mr.. Seamans, and refused fur.
Their patronage from him. He tried to
make his own way by publishing =
college paper called The Pastime Tho
Pastime, to Judge from extant pages.
was breezy sheet and met with favor
but that favor was not substantial
enough to support penniless student
Payne was brought to his knees be-
fore Mr.. Seamans. who forgot. forgav0
and provided money. There was more
backsliding and more censure until
finally Payne at his own request was
put under the personal charge Of Prof
Benjamin Allen. whom he describes -
| the most learned man in college,.
and under whose tuition, SO he writes,
he had attained more knowledge n
three months than in any previous
lyear. The lad had now found himselfs
as student, but shortly afterward. On
June Is. 1907. his mother died. Payne
left college. much afflicted and never
returned and fastened home to Bos.
ton.
Two-lean years followed. The father
OF the family. quite overcome by his
bereavement. lost his grip. His school
failed. The son now urged his inclin-
alton toward the stage with better
success. on the evening OF February
ia, 1909. In his sixteenth year. amid
great acclaim he made his frst ap-
pearance on the stage at the Park the
alter in New York as Young Norval.
His subsequent career. both In this
country and abroad. may be learned
for the pains. But persistent error
clings.
I, Not Tramp Nor Paupsr.
II IT. r,o. novor = vo,.v.r. - - -.
prisoned for debt in England ono uhn-
dred years ago was not rare enough to
: be distinction and no passport to the
poorhouse He was not tramp and
never wandered cave for purpose. He
was not lugubrious, but. on the con-
trary, OF sweet and genial tempera-
, ment. He did not write Home. Sweet
! Home" one stormy night, beneath the
| dim 1ickering OF London street lamp
gaunt and hungry. and without place
: to shelter his poor. shivering body,
upon q piece Of ragged paper. picked
J from the sidewalk. He was not an
] lidler. He was not wild after the giddy
J. ding Of his early youth. His career IN
England as actor and playwright.
though spIendidly rewarded. was not
: linglorious: OF 1t he was himself CON
, tent to say that In the great metropolis,
London, he had endured struggles
bitter, heart breaking struggles-but
. that 1t should be understood that IN :
: place over-thronged with 30 much bus
! ting competition 1t was hard for anw
: aspirant to escape unbruised. He Was
! q friend OF the cultured and the great.
II Ly}o Aprvpffa00 Ua q nr}rrA fnVAF&fm
! with playgoers for several decades and
Z every great tragedian OF the palmy
days was wont to try his skill In thu
J title role. He deserves we'll Of hia
! country, OF which he was ever q loyal
. and devoted son. It - cminently 1t
, ting that the college which had some
! part in his life should now seek to 70
J lyive and impress his memory; {
, charm from the sky will hallow him
there and q sweet affection will b 10.
! creased in the generous hearts d
' young men.