The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-11-07
THE CHILDREN WITH
 FRANCIS WILSON IN
 ssBACHELOR'S BABY"

Children of the stage must receive their education just the same as .the children who stay at home and go to school regularly every day at stated hours. Of course, their hours for
 work and recreation are hardly the same as the child at home, but when all is added up, they have studied as much, worked as much and played as much as the other children. With Francis Wilson in '"The Bachelors Ba-
 by," at the Park Theatre tomorrow night, is dear little chap who plays real name is Stephen Atwell Davis and he was born in New York city, just a little over seven years ago. He has been with MT. Wilson ever since '.The Bachelors Boby,'' was first pro- duced in Baltimore two years ago last May, and his progress with his studies his mental development and his ca pacity for enjoyment has increased and multiplied remarkably under the guidance and tuition of the celebrated comedian. Last year, the boys pet delight was playing Indian.'' in fact. he wore all of his Indian trappings, with the exception of his war bonnet, to and from the theatre. At that time somebody nicknamed him "Scout'' and Scout he has ever been. This youngster does not get to bed until about eleven thirty every night, but he is never called by his mother, who travels with him, until half past ten the following morning. Then he gets up, goes through a number of gymnastic exercises, MT. Wilson has taught him, has his breakfast and after breakfast comes period Of study. Each night, at seven thirty o'clock, Scout goes to the Cover nor's'' (Mr. Wilson) dressing-room, with the lessons he has set him the . sH l. I~kk feet the comedian lets him know all about it in a very kindly sort of way. After the morning period of study is over, comes playtime, a little more study in the afternoon, his dinner and then to the theatre for the evenings s performance. Just at the present time Scout" is using all of the text books New York city public school, but in many ways under MT. Wilson's tuition he is far ahead of the boys of his grade. To see the comedian and the youngster during the half hour of schooling in the comedians dressing room is an exceedingly pretty sight. for MT. Wilson is most patient and the youngster tries awfully hard to come up to the mark. For amuse- ments this little man is probably bet ter off than many of the children who are at home, for in the baggage-cor. which carries the scenery ana prOpeI- ties used in MT. Wilson's performance of '"The Bachelors Baby" there is a great big box filled with toys, belong ing to Baby Davis and to which he has access at all times. The hours of the stage child are at complete variance with the hours of other children but they are most carefully looked after by those in whose charge they are and at the same time if they be bright children they receive beside book learning a broader education through the mere fact of .seeing things and travelling from place to place, from city to, city, than does the ordinary child. Child Labor is very great problem but before the law makers bar the stage for children, especially with re- putable companies. they would do we'll to see for. themselves the care that is given the stage child and the pro- lection with which it is surrounded.