The sun., 1916-10-29

doesn't write them. he always has q
great idea that, some day. no IL going
to write a play and mako . sensation.
I remember"
Mr.. Sothern began to look decidedly
more cheerful as he succeeded IN
switching the talk away from himself.
II remember" he went on. 'one day
when there were several OF US a.
lunch. All Of US had zach an idea for
a great play. II seemed. I suggested
that everybody write his play. and
promised to produce the one Judged to
be the best. Also We decided TO pool
In ten dollars apiece as . prize for
the winning play"
who won the prize7" I asked.
mot a manuscript ever showed up"
replied Mr.. Sothern.
Mr.. Sothern Is an adept at turning
talk from himself. but I was resolved
"WhS didn't you write more about
yourself In your book I asked.
More about he parts you have played
and your experiences In playing
them"
How could I have done that" nc re.
plISu. ~ ioNO " tVIl db'uN my ar
ures or my successes, and naturally
We avoid talking about our failures.
And I couldn't write enthusiasticslly
about the fine performances | had
given: II would be as though I ex-
claimed: What a clever fellow | am
And that would make me an intoler-
able creature"
asked him whether he was con-
templating further writing, and he
looked serious,
Writing interests me-" he said, ~
may be-who can tell; I make rl
I plans. I must keep myself busy, my
nature demands that"
asked him Why. then, he had given
UP the stage.
There were many reasons" lie re-
piled. "My wife and | had built up "if
work. and when We found that she hal
to give 1t up | did not like to tam
back and do something less. And !
could not go ahead without her. and
she could not go on at all. such a task
as ours imposed a strain or endur-
ance, physical and mental. that was
terrific. We travelled with the equip
ment for fourteen plays. twelve cars,
eight Of them containing u scenery
n wardrobcs. Resides the care a.
these things and the strain Of travel
there was the mental strain o. re-
hearsing and appearing in fourteen
different plays. That's a very different
matter from porfeCting one produc-
ton. then settling down in IL to Sc
eral months OF comparative repose."
az usnS Jra.lftl - Snapnd.i NvG
Sothern. at is impossible 10 live tha-
artificial life. always eating al tie
wrong time and sleeping at the wrons
time. one can't endure H."
so We gave II up" said Mr.. Soti'
ern.
But" ! asked, aren't you com.ur
back TO the stage this ycar-!n IL !
Were King"
Mr.. Sothern smiled.
eyes. I know what they always -"
of actors 'farewc.is, Mine, NoNoN''.
was made in earnest. But when t."
opportunity came TO me 10 work
the British Red Cross | had e. ap i,
and am glad to do II. III fee. lat 'A
doing something TO help. I'll PLAY
twenty weeks in II | Were Nrg m!
the proceeds are TO go to III" BG.ti''
Red Cross. Mrs. Sothern wont Ne All"
10 accompany me on the road, NIt VIZ
spend the winter in Washington.
Mrs. Sothern, after nearly tire"
years of retirement from the stag ~
rest and regime looks So W. e.
80 lovely that Il Is difficult to COZ"
tho thought uf III health W.T. .'
Her blue eyes ! have mentioned, ! IN
sincerely grateful for these blu" eyes
for they not only gave me a 'ur.h ~
surprise hut also gave me, TO keep =
lovelior picture Of Miss Mtr!o"e g."
any Id ever seen on ,he stage.
remember the first tim" eyer s'N
her--I do not recall tho PLAY ''t' SO
spoke a sentence off STAGE JI.; ,'; ''
she appeared. The Sc. md of TINT =
| have never forgotten, and ! t," ! r.
member that even then wna,'.'
how il would seem to lc anic iu 90 3"
that voice every day. over the ''''''
fast table, say,
wonder II MIR. so,hern aIr!' -
his privilege. ! think he does.
Presently MIR, and Mrs. so'a'''
drove me down 10 where the tram wa
waiting before II should to.!"" tie IL
tie creek back to Danbury. I've '"'
OF them. on the back seat OF a 'i''
rage, drov" away bound for TIE "''
tumu woods, and | in the tram 20
Elected.
Mr.. Sothegn won't admit u Pa
TO turn Ia authorship. but the" ''
has been the philosophy OF gong no.
where" But he does admit tina 10
"fdgets" when he Is not busy. AN1 ~