Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-27
MAN WHO NEVER BROKE HIS WORD"
W. Ba In Londnnp ailxM aLA
One OF tho Days Best c,

The man who never broke his word
There was Il great deal more TO him.
but every one in any land who has
had dealings with Charles Frohman
will sign that
am too sad At heart 10 say any
thing hurriedly about him just now
and yet should like 10 say word
about the qualities that to his friends
were his great adornmcnt rather than
about his colossal enterprises or tho
being; an energy that was like force
OF nature. SO that II he had never
retired" from the work he loved "a
thing incredihle) companies might
have been formed. In the land 50 skill
full at turning energy TO practical ac-
count. for exploiting the vitality Of
this Niagara Of man. They could
have lit a city with 1t.
He loved his schemes. They were A
succession Of many colored romances
to him. and were issned 70 tho world
not without the accompa niment OF the
drum. but YOU would never find him
saying anything Of himself. He pushed
them in front OF him, always taking
care that they were big enough to hide
him. When they were able TO stand
alone he stole out In the dark to
have look at them. and then, If un-
observed, his bosom swelled. have
never known any one more modest and
no one quite so shy. Many actors have
played for him for years and never
spoke to him. have perhaps seen him
approaching They may not have
known that it was sheer shyncss. hut
indeed II was. | have seen him or
dered out of his own theatcr ny subor-
dlnates who did not know him. and he
went meekly away. Good men these
they know their business" was all
his comment. Afterwards he was shy
Of going back lest they should apollo
eize.
Too Shy to See n Doctor.
Once Il friend made an arrangement
that Mr.. Frohman should see a Lon
don doctor. When tho time came he
was too shy To Keep the appointm emit
Something had to be done, so another
friend went in his place TO pass as Mr..
Frohman and describe his symptoms
as his own. Mr.. Frohman was to
benefit nj second hand. Electrical
treatment was ordered. and on that
first occasion at least performed on
the wrong man. The result was said
to be marked Improvement In Mr..
Frohmans health. IT was all in the
days work for his friends to do this
sort Of thing for him. But you should
have seen how he stepped to the front
when there were big things To do. and
the others were perhaps afraid to do
them.
At ono time he had several theaters
here and was renting others. the while
he had know not how many in Amer
lea: he was not always sure how many
himself Latterly tho great competi-
ton at home left him with no time
to look after more than one in Lon
don. But only one anywhere seemed
n little absurd to him He once con-
templated having few theaters in
Paris. hut on discovering that French
law forbids you having more than one
he gave up the scheme in disgust
A sense Of humor sat with him
throughout every vicissltude like n
faithful consort. How Is 1t gong?'
n French author cabled to him on the
first night Of new play. ut has
gone" he genially cabled back. OF a
Scotch play of my own that he was
about to produce in New York. I asked
him what the Scotch would he like
You wouldn't know it was Scotch
he replied. but the American public
will know"
sixteen Tenrs' Quarrel.
He was very dosged. I had only
one quarrel with him. but it lasted
all the sixteen years knew him. He
wanted me to be a playwright and I
wanted 10 he novelist. All those
years ! fought him on that. He al
ways won, but not because Of his dog
gAdness: only because he was so low
able that one had to do as he wanted.
He also threatened, il stopped. to re-
produce the ola plays and print my
name In large electric letters over the
entrance to the theatcr
very distinguished actress under
his management wanted To produce a
play of mine of which he had no high
opinion. lie was In despair. az he had
something much better for her. She
was obdurate. He came to me for help,
said nothing could move her unless /
could, Would not ] tell her what a
bad play 1t was and how poor her part