The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1912-1984, 1914-05-20

Wnen marched TO general training was extended
an invitation by Major-General Elliot and the
young captain led his troop into the ranks to be
reviewed with the veterans of the Revolution
William Payne was fine eocu,ionist which
gift his son John Howard inherited. Literary
taste cropped out also. and he published boy
BY Samuel Woodwor lie had also developed a
strong passion for the stage, and at the age OF
thirteen, his parents sent him to New York to
take position clerk thinking that this oc-
cupation would crush his theatrical ambition.
While there he secretly edited little dramatic
paper called the "Thespan Mirror" He was
then but about fourteen years old but the articles
IN the Mirror" were so ably written that they
attracted much attention and the Evening
Post" announced that it would reprint one of
them. Whereupon Payne feared his family would
discover what he was doing Accordingly, he
called the editor of the Post" William
Coleman, who was more than surprised to find
that the author OF the article. which had attracted
him one of great merit. was but mere
boy. DR. Francis, in his "Old New York, says
of him at this period "A more engaging youth
could not be imagined; he won all hearts by the
beauty of his person, his captivating address, the
premature richness OF his mind. and his chaste
and flowing utterance" These charms won
the heart of Mr.. Coleman who saw indications OF
great promise in the lad. that he interested him
self in raising a fund, to which Mr. Seaman,
another warm admirer contributed literally. with
the object OF sending him to Union College.
Schenectady New York He was taken there
by Charles Brockden Brown. the novelist. He
the editor of the college paper called The
Pastme" which became very popular with the
students, and he was the mainstay in college the
atricals His career there suddenly closed by
the death of his mother and pecuniary losses OF
his father
His desire to go on the stage still dominated
him, and to him the stage presented the quickest
means by. which he could assist his family. With
the sanction OF his father, on February "a, 1909,
before he was seventeen years old, John How
ard Payne made his first appearance in public at
the Park Theater. New York. He took the role
10 JIoI, OtaS' ND
achieved wonderful success Payne's charming
personality and spontaneity made the event an
immense success When he appeared as Hamlet
on March H. the house held fourteen hundred
dollars. He played with similar success in Bos.
ton and Baltimore. where his benefit seats sold
high fifty dollars While he was playing
in his home town, Boston, his father died.
He soon sailed for England, to try his fortune
the English stage. He left New York in
January, 1918. while pending between
the United States and England, and when the
ship arrived at Liverpool, Payne was jailed for
a fortnight before he was allowed to proceed to
London. He secured an engagement at Drury
Lane Theater through Benjamin West, Presi-
dent of the Royal Academy, when but twenty
Norval, and later played Romeo with James w.
Wallack as the prince. While at Birmingham
theatrical manager named Elliston played a rather
amusing trick on Payne: Elliston's company was
to appear in Richard ILL.," and he was anxious
TO have Payne play the title role, but he declined
Elliston persuaded Payne to take charge of the
rehearsal for day. as he was very busy. He
rehearsed the company very diligently and long.
but Elliston failed to show up. After the young
actor dismissed the rehearsal and went out into
the street, he found the city placarded with
nouncements of the performance. stating that
Richard would be played by "the celebrated
American Roscius, Mr.. Howard Payne" One
can imagine the young Americans surprise, but,
of course. there was nothing left for him to do
but to submit and become the amused victim Of
his managers clever ruse.
In all, Payne's actor in England
lasted but FIVE years out of the nineteen which