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Show VETERANS IN THE PROFESSION. Uncle Hen mid Aunt LoaUa, Known and Iored by Many Thespians. The theatrical profession always bas been and always will be prolific In the production of "characters," and of all the "characters" whose names all actors speak with a thrill of friendship that of genial Ben Baker is perhaps per-haps as well known as any. There is, too, a feeling of fellowship among the people of the stage which is peculiar to the calling, and that may account for tho "Uncle" which is always prefixed to Mr. Baker't name. The whole profession knows him, lore him, and feels a satisfaction in hinting at a kind of family relationship. Uncle Ben Buker is nearly 73 years old, aud has been in harness as long, probably, as any actor or manager in New 7rk city. But he is as lively a a cricket, and anyone who calls at tho rooms of the Actors' Fund will find him, rain or shine, at the assistant secretary's dosk. Indeed, on rainy days, bis desk is even a better place to visit than on days when the sun is shining, for it is one of the few places where outside gloom never penetrates, and is, therefore, on dull days doubly bright by .contrast. It was iu 1835 that Uncle Ben made his first appearance on the stage, the place was Natchez and the piece "Rob Roy." For thirteen thir-teen years he led the roving life of many actors. In 1848 be turned up in New York city, and wrote "A Olance at New York." This play brought bis first taste of farm. Jt was produced at the old Olympic theatre. Frank Cbanfrau did the leading role, and the piece gained Instant In-stant and deserved popularity. Mr. Baker was made stage manager ol the theatre, but he did not stop writing writ-ing play. Othen rrora nis pen were UNOLE 8KB baste. pllt ou at the Olympic, Olym-pic, and although uo one of them proved ai successful as did "A Glance i t New York there were no failure among them. In 1851 he deserted New York for Boston, where he became manager of the Athenaeum. But Boston was not for long his abiding place, ai he went from there to Washington and as-sumed as-sumed direction of the productions at the National theatre there. Tbe year 1854 was an important one in hit careerfor it marked the formation of hit ltfoioug friendship with Edwin Booth. They became acquainted in California, and when Mr. Booth took the east by storm on hia first starring tour. Uncle Ben had charge of the expedition. During his stay in San Francisco be had been in partnership with Laura Koene, and after bis business connection with Booth terminated he acted as the stage manager of her theatre in New York. "I served my apprenticeship," says the old man, with perhaps a touch of pride for tbe old and pardonable pity for tbe new, "iu the good old days, when bard knocks were plenty and there was very little fun." His honors have been won by good work and loU of it, and he surely deserves the anchorage which be holds in the haven of tbe Actors' Fund-that Fund-that best project of the profession for whicb be has dono so much. If ever, when Uncle Ben Baker's useful life has ended, it is decided to have a bust made of him to ornament the Actors' Fund rooms, there should stand, on tbe other end of tbe shelf, a companion piece representing toe smiling features of Mrs. Louisa Eldridge. The same love which has given Mr. Baker his title ot "Uncle" has given Mrs. Eldridga herg ot "Aunt." Aunt Louisa knows nearly every ono o prominence in the profession, and if some poor, struggling strug-gling youug actor or actress appears, who is not of prominence, prom-inence, why that very fact gives him or her the very strongest kind of a claim on Aunt Lou-, isa's triondsbip and good will. It is not very lone since Aunt Louisa desert-Ainrr lociba eldridge. ed the stage for the more quiet walks of private pri-vate life, The last engagement whicb she played was with Mrs. Langtry when the famous fa-mous English actress produced "Macbeth" in New York city hut seasou. During that engagement en-gagement Mrs. Eldridge was taken ill and she bos not since roturned to the stage. Mrs. Eldridga has been most successful in the legitimate drama. But, although she has shown herself to be an actress of more than usual ability, a careful student ot human nature, it is in private life as a good angel to the rest of tbe profession, and in fact to everybody whom she finds hasnoed of a good angel that she has shone most brightly. Her gentle charaoter, her goodness ot heart have cheered and encouraged hundreds; and let us hope ber good works have not yet ended. No benefit performance in New York is complete com-plete without Aunt Louisa, although she seldom sel-dom appears on the stage. With a bevy of pretty soubretto assistants, she beguiles the comers with baskets of roses, and ber persuasive persua-sive smilo generally does more to empty tbe baskets than do tbe wiles of the pretty assistants. assist-ants. Mrs. Eldridge was a dear friend of the late Mrs. Mary Fiska (one ot tbe most delightful delight-ful women ever connected with the stage) and after Mrs. Kiske's death Mrs. Eldridge decided de-cided that there should be a monument over Mrs. Fiske's grave. In a few days she had collected $1,000 and the monument now is an accompltahed fact. Daniel K. Stearns. Daniel E.' Stearns, of whom a very good likeness is herewith given, will play during the season of lSUO with the Boston National League club, it having purchased him from the Kansas City club. Stearns is a very good first baseman in all that terra signifies. He is not a star player, and has remarked that he nover wai and never expectf to be. As a good, plain, every day, perfectly reliable baseman bo stand at tho top. He be gan playing ball with the amateur champions of But-i But-i falo, and made a " good record. Siuce theu he has played with the Cincin- -: n . 1 . : AKIKL K. STEARNS. liatis, B<iniores, Buffalos, Maeous of Georgia, and I)es Moines. Uo will undoubtedly prove a great acquisition to ths club, and his signers look upon tbeir purchase as a gilt edge investment. He it very sure in handling balls, and is a fair left handed batter. His habits are pronounced to be the very best. Don't stand on the bow of a ferryboat or the platform of street cars unless your throat is protected. Philadelphia Sortu Asiericau. To rromole Woman Suflrace. Mr. Rockwell (Mass.) introduced ra-ccntly ra-ccntly a bill in tho house to incorporate the National American Woman Suffrage association and creating Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Lucy .Stone, Rachel Foster Avery, Alice Stone Black-well Black-well and Jane II. Spofford a body corporate cor-porate and politic, with power of succession, succes-sion, to hold and dispose of property, elect officers and adopt and enforce bylaws. by-laws. The object of this association shall be to secure protection in their right to vote to the women citizens of the United States by appropriate national and state legislation. -"' '"-- |
