The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-04

~ URELY it is we'll worth while to N reach the age of 73 years and " still be so punctual in your work, still be so genial of heart, still be so human and lovable, still be so gentle and kind, that people years younger set their wrist watches" by you.
 And surely it is well worth while to reach the age of 73 years and yet be sunny and so happy that others stop their tasks when your name Is mentioned in order to smile and be sunny and happy with you.
 And still again, it is well worth while to reach the age of 73 years and be famous and yet so modest and so unassuming that people sit in adora- tion at your feet and listen while you tell of the old days when the stage was young and life and love and youth were yours.
 All of which Introduces MT. Milton Nobles-Neteran actor-beloved of the entire south--who needs no introduce tion and yet when I called on him yesterday a few moments after his arrival and @fe told me that it had been 90 years since he had been in Rirmingham--rneth perhaps I'd better say something by the way of introduction.sss gs
 found out in exactly five minutes that | was quite mistaken, though, for as we sat in the foyer of the Tutwiler young and old as they passed glanced at the handsome si1ver-haired, slender, aristocratic looking gentleman who was talking to me and I heard more than one say That's Milton Nobles," showing that despite the length of time he has sighted Birmingham in his visits his name is on every tongue and his fame is in every heart
 
 adorable character than Milton Nobles I can't think who it is: the grace with which he bears his 73 years young" as Oliver Wendell Holmes insisted. the way he carries the smile of youth, the heart of youth and the enthusiasm of youth, and his bright, happy face, his enthusiastic laugh and his cordial handshake, make you feel the bigness and the grea tness of the man-who 30 years ago was the Matinee Idol" of America and now again comes into his own in the amazing role that he is playing in "Lightnin'."
 What has kept you so young and so enthusiastic and so happy?" I asked curiously.
 II haven't a formula-I couldn't say to save my life, except that have led a very moral sort of life" MT. Nobies replied. I've worked hard and have been interested in my work. I am not pFOnlDltlOnlSt. altnOuSn l am tenn perate in all that I have ever done. have taken my drink in the old days every day and would do so now only can't get it.
 II come from long lived family Mir. NoDles said. There were four of us--two sisters and two brothers, and am the youngest. Up to six months ago there had never been break in the family; since that time--two have passed on. I have sister now living who is over 80. So you see that, come of good old stock--normal and natural"
 When I was last in Birmingham my old friend Frank OBrien was here, and owned O'Brien's Opera house He was one of the finest men that ever lived. God rest his soul! He was a good friend of mine" said the veteran actor, his voice dropping into sympa- thetic lines as he mentioned the friend- snip of other days. "Ah, yes, I re- member those good old days. My wife,
 .'snd where is she nowt" I inter
 In our apartments-right here in this hotel" Mr. Nobles said; s.just as sweet and just as lovely as when I married here when she was 16 and was*5O years old. It was a beautiful romance. consummated right here in the southland. so that we feel very close to you southern people. She Joined my company--I was playing The Phoenix then-and she became my leading lady That was in Januarv ana Tn June we came south. and our romance ended in our marriage. She mas Joined me for this southern trip