The New York Clipper (December 1903)

DRAMATIC. VAUDEVILLE. CIRCUS. Copyrighted, 1003, by the Frank Q uce n rubllsblng Company (Limited* Founded by FRANK QUEEN, 1853. NEW YORK, DECEMBER 26, 1903. VOLUME LI.- No. 44. Prloe 10 Cents. ffi$5 Clipper's Anecdotes, Personalities and Comments, CONCERNING STIGE FOLK and Sometimes OTHERS HV JOSKl'JllNK OHO. Though the members of the theatrical pro- fession are doubly busy during the holiday season, Christmas Is a time when many of them dispense much charity, particularly the women of tbe profession. Fay Templeton Is one of these generous women, and though she endeavors to con- ceal the facts concerning her frequent kind- nesses to those.less fortunate than her suc- cessful self, many Instances leak out among ber friends. One of these concerns a little act of charity toward a small newsboy, the story of whose unintentionally Impious ex- clamation at ber kindness toward him, has League, last year, after her graduation frem the high school. However, this young girl, born and bred In an atmosphere more or leu pervaded by people and things theatrical, had In her mind the stage aa an ultimate object. When sho broached the subject a few months ago. It was frowned down by ber parents and relatives, they knowing from varied experiences the difficulties and dis- appointments of the life of an actress, even though one of their number—the beautiful Lillian, had made such a wonderful success of It. One day last Summer Ituby ap- proached her paternal relative, and In a manner which ho knew portended a request of somo sort, said: "l'apa dear, you know what you promised me fur next Christmas." "Vi'H, my dear, but Isn't It rather early In the season to discuss It, there's plenty of lime between now and then." "1 want It now, though, but I want to change my mind aa to what It's to be—may 17" said Kiihy In persuasive tones. "Of course you may change your mind. ■ragged , *&V'.. ■•■■ ■ ; w:v.-.',/ .-■ been laughingly repeated throughout the pro- fession. One Christmas night she was about to enter the stage door when she was tearfully accosted by a youngster of tbe genius news- boy, whose unsold stock of dallies made a good-sited bundle under bis arm. "Please Misses," Implored be, "please won't yon bay a paper tonight, I'm stuck, an' ain't had no supper." At this appeal, the actress opened tbe handsome bag that hung at ber waist, and reaching within she drew oat tbe first bill that came to band, wblcb proved to be one of the 12 denomination. This she handed to the nrchln, whose eyes bulged at the sight of an amount so Immensely far beyond his expectations. Be was evidently of the mind that the actress possessed limitless means because of the munificence of her gift. Front his point of vision, none but a supreme personage could give so much. "Gee!" he exclaimed as he fingered the Mil, than added In a tone of awe that pre- cluded any Intention of sacrilege, "I guess yon most ha God's wife." A story concerning the humorist, Bamuel Clemens (Mark Twain), la being told of htm. "Is It true that you are going to moke a Christmas present of your skull to one of the colleges?" was asked him. "Is It not rather premature—this great and moit pen- crou* gift of yours?" Thanking his numerous friend for tbe Im- plied compliment concerning the size and quality of the prospective gift which was to augment the knowledge of cranlologlatt, tbe humorist replied: "Well, you see, I'm getting along In years, nnd It may In- that I won't haw nay use for the skull next year." "Hut If you should happen to live beyond Christmas, what arrangement will you make with the recipients of your bequest'/" "That's easily fixed," said the past master In the making of laughs," of course, In that case, 1 shall arrange to pay rent." Ituby lions, daughter of Fred Itoss and niece of Lillian Russell, has no Christmas prcacnt coming to her from ber father this year. She received It four months before dote, and in this wise, None of tbe family bad ever thought of Ituby ns an actress, and Indeed, her art education was begun at tbe New York Art but tbu present inuHt not cost any more than the one I promised you," said liois. "It will cost lots lesr," said Ilul.y; "In fact, the expense is very slight," and the young aspirant proceeded to bind her father beyond any hope of escape from carrying out his promise to give ber what she most wished, so long as it cost no more than the one already agreed upon. "It will cost you only breath enough to pronounce one word," said Ituby, "and that word Is, 'yes,'" Itoss then realized that lie had been artfully cornered Into a promise to grant his permission for Ituby to carry out her dearest wish. "I'apa, may I go on the stage this coming season?" asked liuby In a direct way that required a direct reply. "Yes," was ber father's very reluctant affirmative. And Ruby will play for tbe first time the day after Christmas, the role of Mconle, In Jefferson's "Itlp Van Winkle." Sho bos already won good notices from the critics for her recent two months' work In "Ilcyond l'ardon," one of Theodore Kremer's plays.