The Washington herald., 1916-10-07

Saturday.
This morning q group Of little children
held court at the studio, as theatrical
children always do. demanding to be the
I always call them, for, living around
with grown-ups and playing roles which
are often too old or too young for them
they acquire an artihciality which is very
amusing.
Mr.. William Farnum and his director
happened to be taking scenes very near
our location today and they came visit
ing The children were very much inter
ested in Mr. Farnum because they had
seen him on the screen and thought him
a great hero.
"Of course he only acts the parts" a
philosopher Of nine remarked. who had
not been acquainted with the fact that
Farnurn was standing IN back Of him
There's no telling whether he's a hero
or not OF the screen. Pa says he al
ways has his doubts about 'em-so've l.
You have, have you. young fellowT"
And a great. strong hand reached over
and zrasped the youngster by the nape
Of the neck. turning him around.
'-Oh, gee" said the young actor.
shrinking into his clothes like a turtle
into his shell. Where did YOU come
fromT'
That's what you get for talking about
some one behind his back" And Mr.. Far
mum tweaked his ear. lifting him up on
his shoulder and patting his head af-
fecttonately, for there Is no one who
cares for youngsters more than he.
I've a very dear friend who also bears
the Christian name Of William" he told
me, and he Is very proud OF his little
heir, Frederick. FREDERICK the Great,
his grandfather calls him. When Fred
dies third birthday arrived, It was de-
cided that the small boy should discard
petticoats for which he had a particular
distaste, and graduate into the grown-up
costume Of knickerbockers. His mother,
In honor Of the memorable occasion,
served a birthday cake and led her son
to the seat Of grace
Now she exclaimed, You are lit
tie man" Frederick drew himself up
proudly and turned to his mother. asking
tn a stage whisper, And can I call pa
BiIl-nowT"
We had several thrilling experiences
this afternoon. In one of the big mob
scenes an actor became suddenly panic
stricken and jumped OF one Of the high
balconies on to the ground. breaking both
arms and his collar bone
The director had told him very calmly
all he had to do was to lean over the
balcony and cry out to the English sol
diers passing below. But under the stress
Of the moment, when Mr.. Emerson called
his orders through a megaphone. instead
OF leaning over the balcony, he leapec
three feet out from It and fell in a crum-
pied heap on the ground. narrowly miss
ing the bayonet of one Of the soldiers
The women screamed and tainted, anc
for a second pandemonium broke loose.
Unfortunately, I was standing there
gazing at the balcony when 1t happened
and cannot describe my feelings as
saw him climbing up on the balustrade
balancing for a few seconds, then spring.
ing into the air. Some of them thought
he had attempted a spectacular suicide
but when we visited the poor boy in the
hospital tent, he confded that this wat
the first time he had ever worked in q
picture and that he had been so wrought
up and nervous for fear he would not dc
what he was told to do that he com.
pletely lost his head.
You who sit In the theatre and watch
the pictures without ever having been tc