The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-09
STAGE-DOOR BEGGARS
From M. A. P.

From M, A. P.
 Actors and actresses are proverbially generous. That Is probably the reason why regular trade has arisen, and re- gently increased alarmingly, among peo- pie best described as stage-door beggars.
 These worthies make it their business to haunt stagedoors of London theatres on various pretexts, all entailing begging in different degrees.
 There are the letter writer's" This type selects name from the cast of a play: and composes a miserable, begging letter in which 'half-a-erown would oblise" occurs with frequency. The stage-door keeper Is requested to send the epistle up to MT. or Miss So-aud-So; and the bearer awaits an answer.
 It is @ fact--and one speaking volumes for the kindness of stage folk-that such appeals seldom go unregarded when a response Is possible. But they are daily increasing pest, and a tax. on the longest purse, the warmest heart.
 Plausible Begging Letters
 A clever device of these letter writers is to bounce upon a young actor or ac- tress, with a celebrated actor-manager nl.L II was dresser under your father-or mother-at Blank theatre, for three years I am in low water, and would apply to your father, who knows me we'll but he is not in London A shilling or so to carry me on for bit, would great ly oblige, etc"
 The statement Is probably lie. But the young, tender-hearted actress, In the hrst flush of her success, surrounded by the 'O1. poor thing! I must give something and she sends down her dresser with money or forwards a postal order herself.
 If is a striking fact that these beg gars never apply to actors at their private houses They know that it Is the very atmosphere of the theatre which softens the hearts of their victims, who, in cola blood, would probably tear up the letters
 With older actors tho dodge is-"i played with you in so-and-so; down on my luck; a temporary loan would, etc. With younger men it is as "friend of your father or played with your mother, that the leeches figure. When actors, are folly and happy in warm theatre they hate to think of possible family friend shivering at the stage door. So if they have sixpence. down it goes!
 A Roaring Trade
 Apart from letter writers there are ..saleswomen' who do a roaring trade behind the scenes. They arrive during the performance with boxes of hats. blouses, lingerie, corsets and obtain ad- mission to the dressing rooms. This is done in many ways.
 Perhaps a young actress buys hat. or blouse, at a shop. and mentions her the= atre The cute saleswoman asks 1T sne. may call and show the other young l,oi oie, Ky nrQmiE1nR the girl a reduction in terms, for hersef only. She inuuircs for Miss Dash. and. once she is in one dressing roons any number of girls can he called to see her rayishing hats. Sometimes admission IS obtained through dresser, who benef1ts' or handsome tip to stage door keeper has proved efficacious. and is money well invested.
 crowd of 10 or 12 girls, made up, and wearing lovely frocks, try on hats. These creations look infinitely prettier under such conditions than in broad daylight in a shop.
 The other girls admire. and the possible purchaser is tempted past resistance. Sbe m,Irmurs. she really can't" and the others say she looks too sweet for words; SO smart. Then she remembers that Johnny Is taking her out on Saturday. and she simply must have new hat. The cunning millner whispers that pay ment 'in instalments will do, miss, which means that a 25s hat becomes 9os. So the girl says she will take it,. and there begins a bill which runs on and on.
 The First Step Downward
 The iniquitous practice of buying things Ion tick'' in the theatre is often the first step that leads to downward path. With blouses and lingerie 1t is much the same' but with these handmade confections the principal-who can well afford such lux uries-are first attacked.
 The principals buy in the exuberance of their theatre spirits to do poor soul a good turn; mention to some little chorus girl the jolly things, and invite her in to see them. Pride eggs on the poorer girl to ask for the woman name, and on her next visit she comes to a fresh room and secures fresh victim.
 Dressers have peculiar habit or ac- ouirinR widowed sisters or spinster friends who are hard up and make love- .lv blouses. Out of pure Kindness ac- tresses say they will see some. and so 1t goes on.
 Manicuring Stars
 With the manicure 1t Is different. There are many girls with free even- ings who have taken up manicuring. .st st - s.s. g [ It