New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-12

I fixed I'd In our backyard My older brother
was a mechanic at one OF the big theatres
and as a result our theatre was the envy
Of tho neishborhood. All sorts of dis
/ carded stage paraphernalia were utilized
IN its equipment. and In our childish eyes
I the touches OF realism thus obtained were
magnificent beyond description. The
browning triumph was when We gave a
benefit performance. I've forgotten what
il wa8 TO benefit, but I shall never forget
that We cleared SIS ~. To US the amount
seemed staggering, and We felt great
pride in the thought that By our efforts
the beneficiary was TO be raised at one
| stroke TO the ranks OF the idle rich.
"Of course every one who used TO sp-
pear in our backyard drama dreamed
Of acting as career The dream was
destined 10 work out only in my case,
and ! have not found it as rosy as
expected. Not that 7 don't love my work,
: but In those days used 10 imagine a
fame that would make Sarah Bernhard
look like a small-time vaudeville acrobat
Now ! realize that such laurels are re-
. served IN the amusement field for peri
patetic, positively non-alcoholc secreta-
ries OF state"
IL was little Miss Charleson's acting in
those make believe plays. combined with
instruction from her father. himself an
actor. which led to her first professional
engagement. She was well known IN
Los Angeles as a child actress OF much
promise. and when only twelve years old
was engaged TO play in RIP Van Win
kle' ct the Belasco Theatre in that city.
As result she became a regular mem
Der of the stock company there. Several
years later she was asked to appear in
Selig photoplays while the theatre was
closed. Since that time she has been
acting exclusively for the screen. She
has been with the Vitagraph for year
and a half. first in the Western company
and for the last six months at the Brook
Ign studio.
For a citizen OF Los Angeles Miss
Chsrleson is remarkably liberal in her
views, for when asked how she liked New
York she admitted that il SIS the incest
place in the East
Miss Charleson has most attractive
personality and she is one OF the leading
spirits I'm all the fun at the studios.
John Bunny with whom she has been
appearing in the pantomime and whom
she calls Uncle John. regards her Is one
OF the bright and shining lights among
picture actresses. but nevertheless de-
lights in telling about her mlsadycntures.
when Mary arrived from the West"
he told us, she had reputation as
considerable of a horseback rider. So
one of the young actors asked her TO
accompany him on a ride Mary looked
at the tame Eastern horse a bit con-
temptuously and. after some sighting re-
marks about his spirit. started Off Be-
fore she was out OF sight OF the studio
tho horse decided TO justify himself in
her eyes. lie suddenly bolted. and before
Mary knew what had happened she was
clinging on for dear life. with the horse
running away. After a Wild chase her
escort succeeded in heading the best off
Since then Mary has admitted that there
are some lively things in the East"
Il must confess that Uncle John has
the facts about right" laughed Miss
Charleson. but that horse knows his
place now. believe me. and I can prove
II at any time
Although the fair Mary has made her
farewell bow 10 Broadway for the time
being. she Will continue to be present on
the screen. as she appears in the prin-
cipal feminine part OF Mr. Barnes OF
New York. which opens tomorrow.