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Show AH! THERE WERE ACTORS THEN. By HARRY B. SMITH. Recited by Mr. Ralph 0. Herz in "The Soul Kiss." I've traveled this Broadway of yours each day, come rain or shine: In offices, I've worn out many chairs. The managers politely say, "There's nothing in your line," The clerks give me their supercilious stare. They sneer at me, they do not even recognize my name, The name that had such magic in my youth. And this to me, an artist who was sharer in the fame Of Edwin Forrest and the elder Booth. II. You talk of acting. Ah, my boy! Ned Forrest was the man. Macready! Lord, it does seem long ago! Then Barrett, Burton, Boucicault You match them if you can, And Nielson I was once her Romeo. You speak of Booth why we were chums I still can hear his voico, How Davenport's Sir Giles the blood would freeze. The alitor Sotharni Uonjidy to. maico yoitf H haait rodoaet '. "-.vrW .. flB And Charlotte Oughman's oli Jtfag Marrlies. BB in. 91 The later days you may recall. - Remember Union Wtm Square? 'BH Not long ago; some twenty years and odd, H You may remember Charlie Thome; the tears 9i were always thero ' Si When he would turn up stage and say, "My 9a God!"- 91 Then there was little Lotta; bless her heart! she's flj with us yet. SI You can't match her with any of your gals. Si John Gilbert, Wallack, Broughamfriends I never 9a can forget; 9 Joe Jefferson, the last' of my old pals. 9 , L'JSnvoi. 9 " Ah! That was the drama's prime, my boy, 9 Those glorious days of yore, 9 ; But the giants of old are a story told, fl They are shadows and ghosts no more. 9 I'm a veteran, yes; out of date, I guess, 9 And I never may act again, 9 But I won my praise in the palmy days, 9 And, my boy, there were actors then! 9 |