Naturally they were highly delighted, and as soon as the applause died away I made a short speech something after this fashion: “Boys and girls, I am glad you appreciated my little performance. Now, as some of you may have heard, I got married the other day, and to celebrate the event I have taken the Coliseum for a week. All the principal artistes now performing at the two pantomimes will be there, and I would like you all to come and see them and me. These tickets”—here I handed round one to each child—“will admit you at half-price, if you come accompanied by your parents.”
The result of this little plan of mine was that I had the hall packed every evening, and had to give extra matinées, and I cleared £287 for myself after paying salaries and all other expenses.
I rather think that that manager was sorry he didn’t engage me and pay me the £40 I asked.
A few months afterwards I was running a show of my own at a well-known music-hall in the West End of London, and my wife took a part in the performance. After the first performance, enter the manager of the theatre into my dressing-room:
“Nice lot of girls you’ve got in your show, Carlton!”
“Fairish,” I replied.
“Humph! There’s one of ’em I’ve rather taken a fancy to. Will you introduce me? She might be willing to come and take supper with me after the show.”
“Very likely!” I said. “Which one is it?”
“The little dark girl in the corner,” he replied.
“All right!” I said, smiling inwardly to myself. “Come round to-morrow night after the show, and I’ll introduce you.”