第1章

RichardHardingDaviswasborninPhiladelphiaonApril18，1864，but，sofarasmemoryservesme，hislifeandminebegantogetherseveralyearslaterinthethree-storybrickhouseonSouthTwenty-firstStreet，towhichwehadjustmoved。Formorethanfortyyearsthiswasourhomeinallthatthewordimplies，andIdonotbelievethattherewaseveramomentwhenitwasnotthepredominatinginfluenceinRichard"slifeandinhiswork。AsIlearnedinlateryears，thehousehadcomeintothepossessionofmyfatherandmotherafteraperiodontheirpartofhardendeavorandunusualsacrifice。

Itwastheirambitiontoaddtothishomenotonlythecomfortsandthebeautifulinanimatethingsoflife，buttocreateanatmospherewhichwouldproveaconstanthelptothosewholivedunderitsroof——aninspirationtotheirchildrenthatshouldenduresolongastheylived。Atthetimeofmybrother"sdeaththefactwasfrequentlycommenteduponthat，unlikemostliteraryfolk，hehadneverknownwhatitwastobepoorandtosufferthepangsofhungerandfailure。Thatheneversufferedfromthelackofahomewascertainlyastrueasthatinhisworkheknewbutlittleoffailure，forthefirststorieshewroteforthemagazinesbroughthimintoaprominenceandpopularitythatlasteduntiltheend。ButifRichardgainedhissuccessearlyinlifeandwasblessedwithaverylovelyhometowhichhecouldalwaysreturn，hewasnotbroughtupinamannerwhichinanywaycouldbecalledlavish。Lavishhemayhavebeeninlateryears，butifhewasitwaswiththemoneyforwhichthosewhoknewhimbestknewhowveryhardhehadworked。

Inageneralway，Icannotrememberthatourlifeasboysdifferedinanyessentialfromthatofotherboys。MybrotherwenttotheEpiscopalAcademyandhisweeklyreportneverfailedtofillthewholehousewithanimpenetrablegloomandever-increasingfearsastothepossibilitiesofhisfuture。

AtschoolandatcollegeRichardwas，tosaytheleast，anindifferentstudent。Andwhatmadethisundeniablefactsoannoying，particularlytohisteachers，wasthatmorallyhestoodsoveryhigh。To"crib，"tolie，orinanywaytocheatortodoanyunworthyactwas，Ibelieve，quitebeyondhisunderstanding。Therefore，whilehisconstantlackofinterestinhisstudiesgoadedhisteacherstodespair，whenitcametoaquestionofstampingoutwrongdoingonthepartofthestudentbodyhewasinvariablyfoundalignedonthesideofthefaculty。NotthatRichardinanywayresembledaprigorwaseven，sofarasIknow，eversoconsideredbythemostreprehensibleofhisfellowstudents。

Hewasaltogethertoored-bloodedforthat，andIbelievethestudentswhomheantagonizedratheradmiredhischivalricpointofhonoreveniftheyfailedtoimitateit。Asaschoolboyhewasaggressive，radical，outspoken，fearless，usuallyoftheoppositionand，indeed，oftenthesolememberofhisownparty。Amongthestudentsattheseveralschoolsheattendedhehadbutfewintimatefriends；butofthevariouslittlegroupsofwhichhehappenedtobeamemberhisaggressivenessandhisimaginationusuallymadehimtheleader。AsfarbackasIcanremember，Richardwasalwaysstartingsomething——usuallyanewcluboraviolentreformmovement。Andinschoolorcollege，asinalltheotherwalksoflife，thereformermust，ofnecessity，leadasomewhattempestuous，ifhappy，existence。Thefollowingletter，writtentohisfatherwhenRichardwasastudentatSwarthmore，andaboutfifteen，willgiveanideaofhisconceptionoftheethicsinthecase:

SWARTHMORE——1880。

DEARPAPA:

IamquiteonthePotomac。Iwithalltheboysatourtablewerecalledup，thereissevenofus，beforePrex。forstealingsugar-bowlsandthingsoffthetable。Alltheyouthssaid，"OPresident，Ididn"tdoit。"WhenitcamemyturnI

merelysmiledgravely，andhepassedontothelast。Thenhesaid，"Theonlyboythatdoesn"tdenyitisDavis。Davis，youareexcused。Iwishtotalktotherestofthem。"Thatallgoestoshowhecanbeagentlemanifhewouldonlytry。IamanaturalbornphilosophersoIthoughtthisideaistooidioticformetoconverseaboutsoIrecommendsilenceandI

alsoarguedthattodenyyoumustnecessarilybeaccusedandtobeaccusedofstealingwouldofcoursecausemetobidPrex。good-by，sotheonlywaywas，takingthesetwoconsiderationswitheachother，todenynothingbutletthegood-naturedolddufferseehowsillyitwasbyretainingaplacidsilenceandsocrushinghisbasebutthoughtlessbehaviorandmachinations。

DICK。

Intheearlydaysathome——thatis，whenthesunshone——weplayedcricketandbaseballandfootballinourveryspaciousbackyard，andtheprogrammeofoursportswasalwayssubjecttoRichard"schangewithoutnotice。

Whenitrainedweadjournedtothethird-storyfront，whereweplayedmelodramaofsimpleplotbutmanythrills，anditwasalwaysRichardwhowrotetheplays，producedthem，andplayedtheprincipalpart。AsIrecallthesedramasofmyearlyyouth，theactionwasalmostendlessand，althoughthecompanycomprisedtwocharmingmisses(atleastIknowthattheyeventuallygrewintotwoverylovelywomen)，therewasnotimewastedoveranythingsosentimentalorfutileaslove-scenes。

Butwhateverelsetheplaycontainedinthewayofgreatscenes，therewasalwaysamountainpass——themountainsbeingcomposedofachairandtwotables——andRichardwasforeverleadinghislittlebandoverthepasswhiletheband，whollyindifferentastowhethertheroadledtohonor，glory，ortotalannihilation，meeklyfolloweditsleader。

Forsomereason，probablyonaccountofmyearlyadmirationforRichardandbeingonlytoowillingtoobeyhiscommand，Iwasinvariablycastforthevillainintheseearlydramas，andtheendoftheplayalwaysendedinahand-to-handconflictbetweentheheroandmyself。AsRichard，naturally，wastheheroandincidentallythestrongerofthetwo，itcanreadilybeimaginedthatthefightalwaysendedinmycompleteundoing。Strangulationwasthemethodusuallyemployedtofinishme，and，whateverelseRichardwasatthattenderage，Icantestifytohisextraordinaryabilityasachoker。

ButtheseearlydaysinthecitywerenotatallthehappiestdaysofthatperiodinRichard"slife。Hetookbutlittleinteresteveninthesocialortheathleticsideofhisschoollife，andhisfailuresinhisstudiestroubledhimsorely，onlyIfear，however，becauseittroubledhismotherandfather。Thegreatdayoftheyeartouswasthedayourschoolsclosedandwestartedforoursummervacation。WhenRichardwaslessthanayearoldmymotherandfather，whoatthetimewasconvalescingfromalongillness，hadleftPhiladelphiaonasearchforacompleterestinthecountry。Theirtravels，whichitseemswereundertakeninthespiritofavoyageofdiscoveryandadventure，finallyledthemtotheoldCurtisHouseatPointPleasantontheNewJerseycoast。ButthePointPleasantofthattimehadverylittleincommonwiththepresentwell-knownsummerresort。

Inthosedaystheplacewasreachedafteralongjourneybyrailfollowedbyathreehours"driveinaricketystagecoachoverdeepsandyroads，albeittheroadsdidleadthroughsilent，sweet-smellingpineforests。PointPleasantitselfwasthenacollectionofhalfadozenbigfarmswhichstretchedfromtheManasquanRivertotheoceanhalfamiledistant。NothingcouldhavebeenmoreprimitiveorasI

rememberitinitspastorallovelinessmuchmorebeautiful。

Justbeyondourcottagetheriverranitssilent，lazycoursetothesea。Withtheexceptionofseveralfarmhouses，itsbankswerethenunsulliedbyhumanhabitationofanysort，andoneithersidebeyondthelowgreenbankslayfieldsofwheatandcorn，anddensegrovesofpineandoakandchestnuttrees。

Betweenusandtheoceanweremorewavingfieldsofcorn，brokenbylittleclumpsoftrees，andbeyondthesedampNile-greenpasturemeadows，andthensaltymarshesthatledtotheglistening，whitesand-dunes，andthegreatsilversemi-

circleoffoamingbreakers，andthebroad，bluesea。Onallthelandthatlaybetweenusandtheocean，wherethetownofPointPleasantnowstands，Ithinktherewerebutfourfarmhouses，andtheseinnowayinterferedwiththelandscapeorthelifeoftheprimitiveworldinwhichweplayed。

WhateverthementalstimulusmybrotherderivedfromhishomeinPhiladelphia，thefoundationofthephysicalstrengththatstoodhiminsuchgoodsteadinthecampaignsofhislateryearshederivedfromthoseearlydaysatPointPleasant。Thecottagewelivedinwasanoldtwo-storyframebuilding，towhichmyfatherhadaddedtwosmallsleeping-rooms。Outsidetherewasavine-coveredporchandwithinagreatstonefireplaceflankedbycupboards，fromwhichduringthosehappydaysIknowRichardandI，openlyandcovertly，musthaveextractedtonsofhardtackandcake。Thelittlehousewascalled"Vagabond"sRest，"andahavenofrestandpeaceandcontentitcertainlyprovedformanyyearstotheDavisfamily。Fromhereitwasthatmyfatherstartedforthintheearlymorningsonhisall-dayfishingexcursions，whilemymothersatonthesunlitporchandwrotenovelsandmendedthebadlyrentgarmentsofherveryactivesons。Afteraseven-o"clockbreakfastattheCurtisHouseourenergiesneverceaseduntilnightclosedinonusandfromsheerexhaustionwedroppedunconsciousintoourpatch-quiltedcots。Alldaylongweswamorrowed，orsailed，orplayedball，orcampedout，orateenormousmeals——anythingsolongasouractivitieswereceaselessandourbreathingapparatusgivennorest。

Aboutamileuptherivertherewasanisland——it"saverysmall，prettilywooded，sandy-beachedlittleplace，butitseemedbigenoughinthosedays。RobertLouisStevensonmadeitfamousbyrechristeningitTreasureIsland，andwritingthenewnameandhisownonabulkheadthathadbeenbuilttoshoreuponeofitsfastdisappearingsandybanks。Butthatisverymodernhistoryandtousithasalwaysbeen"TheIsland。"Inourday，longbeforeStevensonhadeverheardoftheManasquan，RichardandIhaddiscoveredthistightlittlepieceofland，foundgreattreasuresthere，and，handinhand，hadsleptinasix-by-sixtentwhilethelionsandtigersgrowledatusfromthesurroundingforests。

AsIrecallthesedaysofmyboyhoodIfindtherecollectionsofourlifeatPointPleasantmuchmoredistinctthanthosewespentinPhiladelphia。ForRichardthesedayswereespeciallywelcome。Theymeantarespitefromthestudieswhichwereaconstantmenacetohimselfandhisparents；andthefreedomoftheopencountry，theocean，themanysportsonlandandontherivergavehisbodytheconstantexercisehisconstitutionseemedtodemand，andabroadfieldforanimaginationwhichwaseventhenverykeen，certainlykeenenoughtomaketherestofushisfollowers。

InanextremelysympatheticappreciationwhichIrvinS。Cobbwroteaboutmybrotheratthetimeofhisdeath，hesaysthathedoubtsifthereissuchathingasabornauthor。

PersonallyitsohappenedthatInevergrewupwithanyone，exceptmybrother，whoeverbecameanauthor，certainlyanauthoroffiction，andsoIcannotspeakonthesubjectwithauthority。ButinthecaseofRichard，ifhewasnotbornanauthor，certainlynoothercareerwaseverconsidered。SofarasIknowheneverevenwantedtogotoseaortobeabarebackriderinacircus。Aboy，ifheloveshisfather，usuallywantstofollowinhisprofessionalfootsteps，andinthecaseofRichard，hehadthedoubleinspirationoffollowingbothinthefootstepsofhisfatherandinthoseofhismother。

ForyearsbeforeRichard"sbirthhisfatherhadbeenanewspapereditorandawell-knownwriterofstoriesandhismotheranovelistandshort-storywriterofgreatdistinction。OfthosetimesatPointPleasantIfearIcanrememberbutafewofourelders。TherewereGeorgeLambdin，MargaretRuff，andMilneRamsay，allpaintersofsomenote；astrangecouple，ColonelOlcottandtheafterwardfamousMadamBlavatsky，tryingtostartaBuddhistcultinthiscountry；Mrs。FrancesHodgsonBurnett，withherfootonthefirstrungoftheladderoffame，whoatthetimelovedmuchmillineryfinery。Onedaymyfathertookheroutsailingand，muchtothelady"sdiscomfitureandgreatlytoRichard"sandmydelight，upsetthefamousauthoress。AtalaterperiodtheJosephJeffersonsusedtovisitus；HoraceHowardFurness，oneofmyfather"soldestfriends，builtasummerhomeverynearusontheriver，andMrs。JohnDrewandherdaughterGeorgieBarrymorespenttheirsummersinanear-byhostelry。IcanrememberMrs。

Barrymoreatthattimeverywell——wonderfullyhandsomeandamarvellouslycheerymanner。RichardandIbothlovedhergreatly，eventhoughitwereinsecret。HerdaughterEthelI

rememberbestassheappearedonthebeach，asweet，long-leggedchildinascarletbathing-suitrunningtowardthebreakersandthendashingmadlybacktohermother"sopenarms。Aprettyfigureofachild，butmuchtooyoungforRichardtonoticeatthattime。Inafter-yearsthechildinthescarletbathing-suitandhebecamegreatpals。Indeed，duringthelatterhalfofhislife，throughthegooddaysandthebad，therewereveryfewfriendswhoheldsocloseaplaceinhissympathyandhisaffectionsasEthelBarrymore。

Untilthesummerof1880mybrothercontinuedonattheEpiscopalAcademy。ForsomereasonIwassenttoadifferentschool，butoutsideofoursupposedhoursoflearningwewereneverapart。Withlessthantwoyears"differenceinouragesourinterestsweremuchthesame，andIfearourinterestsofthosedayswerelargelylimitedtoout-of-doorsportsandthetheatre。Wemusthavebeenveryyoungindeedwhenmyfatherfirstledusbythehandtoseeourfirstplay。OnSaturdayafternoonsRichardandI，unattendedbutnotwhollyunalarmed，wouldsetforthfromourhomeonthisthrillingweeklyadventure。Havingjoinedourfatherathisoffice，hewouldinvariablytakeustoachop-housesituatedattheendofablindalleywhichlayconcealedsomewhereintheneighborhoodofWalnutandThirdStreets，andwhereweateamostwonderfulluncheonofEnglishchopsandapplepie。AstheluncheondrewtoitscloseIrememberhowRichardandIusedtofretandfumewhilemyfatherinamostleisurelymannerusedtofinishoffhismugofmustyale。Butatlastthethreeofus，handinhand，myfatherbetweenus，werewalkingbrisklytowardourhappydestination。Atthattimetherewereonlyafewfirst-classtheatresinPhiladelphia——theArchStreetTheatre，ownedbyMrs。JohnDrew；theChestnutStreet，andtheWalnutStreet——allofwhichhadstockcompanies，butwhichontheoccasionofavisitingstaractedasthesupportingcompany。

ThesewerethedaysofBooth，Jefferson，AdelaideNeilson，CharlesFletcher，Lotta，JohnMcCullough，JohnSleeperClark，andtheelderSothern。AndhowRichardandIworshippedthemall——notonlythesebuteverysmall-bitactorineverystockcompanyintown。Indeed，somanyfavoritesofthestagedidmybrotherandIadmirethatordinaryframeswouldnotbegintoholdthemall，andtoovercomethisdefectwehadourbedroomentirelyredecorated。Thenewschemecalledforagraywallpapersupportedbyamaroondado。Atthetopofthelatterrantwoparallelblackpicturemouldingsbetweenwhichwecouldeasilyinsertcabinetphotographsoftheactorsandactresseswhichforthemomentwethoughtmostworthyofaplaceinourcollection。Astheroomwasfairlylargeandasthemouldingsranentirelyaroundit，wehadplentyofspaceforevenourveryelasticlovefortheheroesandheroinesofthefootlights。

EdwinForrestendedhisstagecareerjustbeforeourtime，butIknowthatRichardatleastsawhimandheardthatwonderfulvoiceofthunder。Itseemsthatoneday，whilemymotherandRichardwerereturninghome，theygotonastreet-carwhichalreadyheldthegreattragedian。AtthemomentForrestwassufferingseverelyfromgoutandhadhisbadlegstretchedwelloutbeforehim。Mybrother，beingveryyoungatthetimeandneververymuchofarespecterofpersons，promptlyfelloverthegreatman"sgoutyfoot。Whereat(accordingtomymother，whowasalwaysamosttruthfulnarrator)ForrestbrokeforthinavolcanoofoathsandforblockscontinuedtohurlthunderousbroadsidesatRichard，whichmymotherinsistedincludedthecurseofRomeandeveryotherfamoustiradeinthetragedian"srepertorywhichinanywayfittedtheoccasion。

NearlyfortyyearslatermyfatherbecamethepresidentoftheEdwinForrestHome，thegreatestcharityeverfoundedbyanactorforactors，andIamsurebyhiseffortsofyearsonbehalfoftheinstitutiondidmuchtoatoneforRichard"searlyunhappymeetingwiththegreatestofallthefamousleather-lungedtragedians。

Fromhisyouthmyfatherhadalwaysbeenaclosestudentoftheclassicandmoderndrama，andthroughouthislifenumberedamonghisfriendsmanyofthecelebratedactorsandactressesofhistime。InthoseearlydaysBoothusedtocometoratherformalluncheons，andatallsuchfunctionsRichardandIateourluncheoninthepantry，andwhenthegreatmealwasnearlyoverinthedining-roomwewereallowedtocomeinintimefortheice-creamandtosit，figuratively，atthefeetofthehonoredguestandgenerally，literally，onhisorherknees。

YoungasIwasinthosedaysIcanreadilyrecalloneofthoselunch-partieswhenthecontrastbetweenBoothandDionBoucicaultstruckmyyouthfulmindmostforcibly。Booth，withhisdeep-set，bigblackeyes，shaggyhair，andlankfigure，hiswonderfullymodulatedvoice，rolledouthistheoriesofacting，whilethebald-headed，rotundBoucicault，histwinklingeyessnappinglikeafox-terrier"s，interruptedthesonorousspeechesofthetragedianwithcrisp，wittycriticismsor"asides"thatmadetherestofthecompanylaughandevenbroughtasmiletotheheavy，tragicfeaturesofBoothhimself。ButtherewasnothingformalaboutourrelationswithJohnSleeperClarkandtheJeffersonfamily。

Theywerereal"homefolks"andoftenoccupiedourspareroom，andwhentheywerewithusRichardandIwereallowedtocometoallthemeals，and，evenifunsolicited，freelyexpressourviewsonthemoderndrama。

InlateryearstoourPhiladelphiahomecameHenryIrvingandhisfellowplayerEllenTerryandAugustinDalyandthatwonderfulquartet，AdaRehan，Mrs。Gilbert，JamesLewis，andourownJohnDrew。SirHenryIalwaysrecallbythefirstpictureIhadofhiminourdining-room，sittingfarawayfromthetable，hislonglegsstretchedbeforehim，peeringcuriouslyatRichardandmyselfoverblack-rimmedglassesandthen，withequalinterest，turningbacktotheashofalongcigarandtalkingdramawiththefamousjerky，nasalvoicebutalwayswithamarvellouspoiseandconvincingauthority。HetookagreatlikingtoRichardinthosedays，senthimachurch-warden"spipethathehadusedasCorporalBrewster，andmademuchofhimlaterwhenmybrotherwasinLondon。

MissTerrywasamuchlessformalandforbiddingguest，rushingintothehouselikeawhirlwindandfillingtheplacewiththesunshineandhappinessthatseemedtofairlyexudefromherbeautifulmagneticpresence。AugustinDalyusuallycamewithatleastthreeofthestarsofhiscompanywhichI

havealreadymentioned，buteventhebeautifulRehanandtheniceoldMrs。Gilbertseemedthoroughlyawedinthepresenceof"theGuv"nor。"Hewasamostcrusty，dictatorialparty，asIrememberhimwithhissearchingeyesandravenlocks，alwaysdressedinblackandalwaysfailingtofindvirtueinanyactororactressnotamemberofhisowncompany。IrememberoneparticularlyacriddiscussionbetweenhimandmyfatherinregardtoJuliaMarlowe，whowasthenmakingherfirstbowtothepublic。Dalycontendedthatinafewyearstheladywouldbeabsolutelyunheardofandbackedhisopinionbybettingadinnerforthosepresentwithmyfatherthathisjudgmentwouldprovecorrect。However，hewasverykindtoRichardandmyselfandfrequentlyallowedustoplayaboutbehindthescenes，whichwasaprivilegeIimaginehegrantedtoveryfewofhisfriends"children。Onenight，longafterthis，whenRichardwasareporterinNewYork，heandMissRehanwereburlesquingascenefromaplayonwhichthelastcurtainhadjustfallen。

ItwasonthestageofDaly"stheatreatThirtiethStreetandBroadway，andfromhisvelvetboxattheprompt-entranceDalystoodgloomilywatchingtheirfooling。WhentheyhadfinishedthemocksceneRichardwentovertoDalyandsaid，"HowbaddoyouthinkIamasanactor，Mr。Daly？"andgreatlytomybrother"sdelightthegreatestmanagerofthemallofthosedaysgrumbledbackathim:"You"resobad，Richard，thatI"llgiveyouahundreddollarsaweek，andyoucansignthecontractwheneveryou"reready。"Althoughthatwasmuchmorethanmybrotherwasmakinginhischosenprofessionatthetime，andinspiteoftheintenseinteresthehadinthetheatre，heneverconsideredtheofferseriously。

Asamatteroffact，Richardhadmanynaturalqualificationsthatfittedhimforthestage，andinafter-years，whenhewasrehearsingoneofhisownplays，hecouldandfrequentlywouldgouponthestageandreadalmostanypartbetterthantheactoremployedtodoit。Ofcourse，helackedtheeaseofgestureandtheartoftimingwhichcanonlybeattainedaftersoundexperience，buthisreadingoflinesandhisknowledgeofcharacterizationwasquiteunusual。InproofofthisIknowofatleasttwomanagerswho，whenRichardwantedtosellthemplays，refusedtohavehimreadthemthemanuscriptonthegroundthathisreadinggavethedialogueavalueitdidnotreallypossess。

Inthespringof1880RichardlefttheEpiscopalAcademy，andthefollowingSeptemberwenttoSwarthmoreCollege，situatedjustoutsideofPhiladelphia。Ifear，however，thechangewasanythingbutasuccess。Thelifeofthebigcoeducationalschooldidnotappealtohimatalland，inspiteoftwoorthreefriendshipshemadeamongthegirlsandboys，hedependedforamusementalmostwhollyonhisownresources。Intheafternoonsandonholidayshetooklongwalksoverthecountryroadsandinsearchofadventurevisitedmanyfarmhouses。Hisexcuseforthesecallswasthathewaslookingforoldfurnitureandchina，andhefrequentlyremainedlongenoughtomakesketchesofsuchobjectsashepretendedhadstruckhisartisticfancy。Oftheseadventureshewroteatgreatlengthtohismotherandfather，andtheletterswereusuallyprofuselydecoratedwithillustrationsofthemoststrikingincidentsofthevariousescapades。SeveraloftheseSwarthmoreexperiencesheusedafterwardinshortstories，andboththelettersandsketcheshesenttohisparentsatthetimeheregardedinthelightofpreparationforhisfuturework。InhisstudieshewasperhapslesssuccessfulthanhehadbeenattheEpiscopalAcademy，andalthoughheplayedfootballandtookpartinthetracksportshewasreallybutlittleinterestedineither。Therewerehalf-holidaysonWednesdaysandSaturdays，andwhenmybrotherdidnotcometotownIwenttoSwarthmoreandwespenttheafternoonsinfirstcookingourlunchinahospitablewoodsandthenplayingsomegamesintheopenthatRichardhaddevised。ButasIrecalltheseoutingstheywerenotveryjoyousoccasions，asRichardwasextremelyunhappyoverhisfailuresatschoolandgreatlydepressedabouttheprospectsforthefuture。

HefinishedthecollegeyearatSwarthmore，butsounhappyhadhebeentherethattherewasnothoughtinhismindorinthatofhisparentsofhisreturning。Atthattimemyuncle，H。

WilsonHarding，wasaprofessoratLehighUniversity，anditwasarrangedthatRichardshouldgotoBethlehemthefollowingfall，livewithhisuncle，andcontinuehisstudiesatUlrich"sPreparatorySchool，whichmadeaspecialtyofpreparingboysforLehigh。MyunclelivedinacharmingoldhouseonMarketStreetinBethlehem，quiteneartheMoraviansettlementandacrosstheriverfromtheuniversityandtheironmills。Hewasabachelor，butofamostgregariousandhospitabledisposition，andRichardthereforefoundhimselflargelyhisownmaster，inabig，roomyhousewhichwasalmostconstantlyfilledwiththemostcharmingandcultivatedpeople。TheremyuncleandRichard，practicallyofaboutthesameagesofarastheirviewpointoflifewasconcerned，keptopenhouse，andifithadnotbeenfortheoccasionalqualmshisinnatehatredofmathematicscausedhim，Ithinkmybrotherwouldhavebeencompletelyhappy。Evenstudiesnolongerworriedhimparticularlyandheatoncestartedintomakefriendships，manyofwhichlastedthroughouthislife。

Asisusualwithyoungmenofseventeen，mostofthesemenandwomenfriendswereseveraltimesRichard"sage，butattheperiodRichardwasaparticularlyprecociousandamusingyouthandadifferenceofafewdecadesmadebutlittledifference——certainlynottoRichard。FinleyPeterDunneoncewroteofmybrotherthathe"probablyknewmorewaiters，generals，actors，andprincesthananymanwholived，"andIthinkitwasduringthefirstyearofhislifeatBethlehemthathebeganthefoundationfortheremarkablecollectionoffriends，bothastonumbersandvariety，ofwhichhediedpossessed。Althougha"prep，"hemademanyfriendsamongtheundergraduatesofLehigh。HemadefriendswiththefriendsofhisuncleandmanyfriendsinbothoftheBethlehemsofwhichhisunclehadprobablyneverheard。

EvenatthatearlyagehecountedamonghisintimatesWilliamW。Thurston，whowaspresidentoftheBethlehemIronCompany，andJ。DavisBrodhead，oneofPennsylvania"smostconspicuousDemocraticcongressmenandattorneys。ThosewhoknewhimatthattimecaneasilyunderstandwhyRichardattractedmenandwomensomucholderthanhimself。Hewasbrimmingoverwithphysicalhealthandanimalspiritsandtookthekeenestinterestineveryonehemetandineverythingthatwasgoingonabouthim。Andinthebroadestsensehesawtoitthen，ashedidthroughouthislife，thathealwaysdidhisshare。

DuringthoseearlydaysatBethlehemhisletterstohisfamilywerefullofhissocialactivities，withoccasionalreferencestohisworkatschool。Hewasalwaysgoingtodinnersordances，entertainingmembersofvisitingtheatricalcompanies；

andonFridaynightmymotherusuallyreceivedatelegram，sayingthathewouldarrivethenextdaywithapartyoffriendswhomhehadinadvertentlyaskedtolunchandamatinee。ItwasafteroneoftheseweeklyvisitsthatmymotherwroteRichardthefollowing:

MondayNight。

MYDARLINGBoy:

Youwentoffinsuchahurrythatittookmybreathatthelast。Yousaycomingdownhelpsyou。Itcertainlydoesme。ItbringsarealsunshinetoPapaandme。

Hewassayingthatto-day。IgaveNollyasortofholidayafterhermiserieslastnight。WewentdownstreetandgotPapaapresentforourweddingday，apicture，afterall，andthenItookMissBakersometicketsforaconcert。Isawherfatherwhosaidhe"mustspeakaboutmynoblelookingboy。"I

alwaysthoughthimageniusbutnowIthinkhimamanofpenetrationaswell。ThenNollyandIwentovertoseetheRussians。Buttheyarecloselyboxedupandnotallowedto-daytoseevisitors。Sowecamehomecrossandhungry。

AlleveningIhavebeenwritingbusinessletters。

PapahasgonetoareceptionandCharleyishardatworkathisdesk。

IansweredMr。Allen"sletterthismorning，dear，andtoldhimyouwouldtalktohim。Whenyoudo，dear，talkfreelytohimastome。Youwillnotperhapsagreewithallhesays。Butyourownthoughtswillbehealthierforbringingthem——asI

mightsay，outofdoors。Yousawhowitwasbycomingdownhere。LoveofChristisnotamelancholynoramorbidthing，dearlove，butoughttomakeonemoresocialandcheerfulandalive。

Iwishyoucouldcomehomeoftener。Tryandgetaheadwithlessonssothatyoucancomeoftener。Andwhenyoufeelasifprayerwasaburden，stopprayingandgooutandtrytoputyourChristianityintorealactionbydoingsomekindness——evenspeakinginafriendlywaytosomebody。Bringyourselfintocontactwithnewpeople——notJohn，Hugh，UncleandGrandma，andtrytoacttothemasChristwouldhaveyouact，andmywordforit，youwillgohomewithanewlightonyourownrelationstoHimandanewmeaningforyourprayers。

Youremembertheprayer"givemeagreatthoughttorefreshme。"

Ithinkyouwillfindsomegreatthoughtsinhumanbeings——theywillhelpyoutounderstandyourselfandGod，whenyoutrytohelpthemGodmakesyouhappymydarling。

MAMA。

ItwasinthisyearthatRichardenjoyedthethrillofseeinginprinthisfirstcontributiontoaperiodical。Thedateofthisimportantevent，important，atleast，tomybrother，wasFebruary1，thefortunatepublicationwasJudge，andtheeffusionwasentitled"TheHatandItsInmate。"ItspurportwasanoverheardconversationbetweentwoyoungladiesatamatineeandtheeditorsthoughtsowellofitthatfortheprivilegeofprintingthearticletheygaveRichardayear"ssubscriptiontoJudge。Hisscrap-bookofthattimeshowsthatin1884LifepublishedashortburlesqueonGeorgeW。

Cable"snovel，"Dr。Sevier，"andinthesameyearTheEveningPostpaidhim$1。05foranarticleabout"TheNewYearatLehigh。"Itwasalsointhespringof1884thatRichardpublishedhisfirstbook，"TheAdventuresofMyFreshman，"aneatlittlepaper-coveredvolumeincludinghalfadozenoftheshortstoriesthathadalreadyappearedinTheLehighBurr。Inwritinginacopyofthisbookinlateryears，Richardsaid:"Thisisacopyofthefirstbookofminepublished。Myfamilypaidtohaveitprintedandfindingnooneelsewasbuyingit，boughtuptheentireedition。

Findingthefirsteditionhadgonesoquickly，Iurgedthemtofinanceasecondone，andwhentheywereunenthusiasticIwashurt。SeveralyearslaterwhenIfoundtheentireeditioninourattic，Iunderstoodtheirreluctance。Thereasonthebookdidnotsellis，Ithink，becausesomeonemusthavereadit。"

Inthesummerof1882RichardwenttoBoston，andinthefollowingletterunhesitatinglyexpressedhisopinionofthatcityanditspeople。

BOSTON，Wednesday。

July1882。

DEARFAMILY:——

IleftNewportlastnightorratherthismorning。IstoppedatBeverlyandcalledonDr。Holmes。Hetalkedagreatdealaboutmamaandaboutagreatmanyotherthingsequallylovelyinaveryeasy，charmingway。AllIhadtodowastolistenandIwasonlytoowillingtodothat。Wegotalongsplendidly。

HeaskedmetostaytodinnerbutIrefusedwiththanks，asIhadonlycometopaymyrespectsandputofftoDr。Bartol"s。Dr。Holmesaccompaniedmetothedepotandsawmesafelyoff。OfallthelovelymenIeversawDr。Bartolistheone。Helivesinagreat，manyroomedwithasmanygables，house。Elizabethan，ofcourse，withimmensefireplaces，brassanddarkwoods，etchingsandengravings，withtheseaandrocksimmediatelyunderthewindowandtheoceanstretchingoutformiles，lighthousesandmoreElizabethanhouseshalfhidonthebank，andshipsandsmallboatspushingbywithinahundredrodsofthewindows。Istayedtodinnerthereandwehadaveryjollytime。ThereweretwootheryoungmenandanothermaidenbesidesMissBartol。Theytalkedprincipallyaboutthestage；thatis，theBostonStockCompany，whichistheirsolethoughtandknowledgeofthedrama。TheDr。wouldstrikeoffnowandthentophilosophizingandmoralizingbuthisdaughterwouldimmediatelysituponhim，muchtomydisgustbuttotheevidentreliefoftherest。HiswifeisaslovelyasheisbutIcan"tgiveittoyouallnow。WaituntilIgethome。

Theyounglady，theyouthsandmyselfcameuptoBostontogetherandhadaspleasantaride，astheheatwouldallow。

IleftthematthedepotandwentuptotheParkerHouseandthentotheArtMuseum。Thestatuaryisplaster，thecoinsarecopies，andbytheway，Ifoundoneexactlylikemine，which，ifitisgenuineisworth，"wellconsiderable"，asthepersonageinchargeremarked。Thepicturesweresimplyvile，onlytwoorthreethatIrecognizedandprincipallyMilletandsomecharcoalsketchesofHunt"s，whoistheApostleofArthere。Thechinawasveryfinebuttheyhadacollectionofoldfurnitureandarmorwhichwasbetterthananythingelse。

Freshfromorrathermustyfromtheseantiques，whoshouldI

meetbutthecheerfulDixeyandPowers。WehadaveryjollytalkandIenjoyeditimmensely，notonlymyselfbutallthesurroundingpopulace，asDixeywouldpersistinshowingtheyouthfulsomenew"gag，"andwouldbreakintoaclogordialectmuchtothedelectationoftheadmiringBostonians。I

amstrandedherefortonightandwillpushontoNewportto-morrow。I"llgoseethe"babes"tonight，asthereisnothingelseinthecitythatisworthseeingthatIhaven"tinvestigated。IlefttheNewburyportiansingriefwithregret。Imetlotsofnicepeopleandeveryonewassoverykindtome，fromtheauthoressestotheservingmaids。

Good-bye。

DICK。

CHAPTERII

COLLEGEDAYS

Inthefallof1882RichardenteredLehigh，butthefirstyearofhiscollegelifevariedverylittlefromtheonehehadspentinthepreparatoryschool。Duringthatyearhehadmetmostoftheupperclassmen，andtheonlydifferencewasthathecouldnowtakeanactiveinsteadofafriendlyinterestinthelifeandthesportsofthecollege。Alsohehadformedcertaintheorieswhichhepromptlyproceededtoputintopracticaleffect。Perhapsthemostconspicuousofthesewashisbeliefthatcane-rushesandhazingwerewhollyunnecessaryandbarbarouscustoms，andshouldhavenoplaceinthecollegeofhisday。Againsttheformerhespokeatcollegemeetings，andwrotelongletterstothelocalpapersdecryingthecustom。Hisstandagainsthazingwasequallyvehement，andheworkedhandinhandwiththefacultytoeradicateitentirelyfromthecollegelife。Thathisstandwaspurelyforaprincipleandnotfromanyfearofpersonalinjury，Ithinkthefollowinglettertohisfatherwillshow:

BETHLEHEM，February1882。

DEARDAD:

YoumayrememberaconversationwehadatSquanabouthazinginwhichyousaiditwasaveryblack-guardlythingandacowardlything。Ididn"tagreewithyou，butwhenIsawhowitreallywasandhowsillyandundignifieditwas，besidesbeingbrutal，Ithoughtitoverandchangedmymindcompletely，agreeingwithyouineveryrespect。Alargenumberofourclasshavebeenhazed，takingitasagoodjoke，andhavebeenlaughedatbythewholecollege。Italkedtotheboysaboutit，andsaidwhatIwoulddoandsoon，withoutmucheffect。Wednesdayajuniorcametome，andtoldmeIwastobehazedasIlefttheOperaHouseFridaynight。AfterthatagreatmanycametomeandadvisedandwarnedmeastowhatIshoulddo。Idecidedtogetaboutfiftyofourclassoutsideandthenfightitout；

thatwasbeforeIchangedmymind。AssoonasIdidI

regretteditverymuch，but，asitturnedout，theclassdidn"tcome，soIwasalone，asIwishedtobe。Yousee，I"dnotaverygoodplacehere；thefellowslookedonmeasasortofspecialobjectofridicule，onaccountofthehatandcane，walk，andsoon，thoughIthoughtI"dgotoverthatbythistime。TheOperaHousewaspartlyfilledwithcollegemen，alargenumberofsophomoresandafewupperclassmen。ItwasprettygenerallyknownIwasgoingtohavearow，andthatbroughtthemasmuchastheshow。PoorRuffwasinagonyallday。HesupposedI"dgetintothefight，andheknewhe"dgetin，too，soonerorlater。Ifhedidhe"dbeheldandnotbeabletodoanything，andthenthenextdaybeblamedbythewholecollegeforinterferinginaclassmatter。Hehadn"tanymoneytogetintotheshow，andsowanderedaroundoutsideintheraininagreatdealmoreexcitedstatethanIwas。

Howewentallovertownafterputtingonhisoldclothes，incaseofpersonaldamage，insearchoffreshmenwhowereathomeoutofthewet。AsIleftthebuildingamangrabbedmebymyarm，andtherest，withtheseniorsgatheredaround；theonlyfreshmanpresent，whowashalfscaredtodeath，clungasneartomeaspossible。Iwithdrewmyarmandfacedthem。"Ifthismeanshazing，"Isaid，"I"mnotwithyou。There"snotenoughmenheretohazeme，butthere"senoughtothrashme，andI"dratherbethrashedthanhazed。"Yousee，IwantedthemtounderstandexactlyhowIlookedatit，andtheywouldn"tthinkIwassimplyhotheadedandstubborn。Iwasverycoolaboutitall。Theybrokeinwithallsortsofexplanations；hazingwasthelastthingtheyhadthoughtof。No，indeed，Davis，oldfellow，you"remistaken。Itoldthemifthatwasso，allright，Iwasgoinghome。Isawseveralofmyfriendsinthecrowdwaitingforme，butasIdidn"twantthemtointerfere，Isaidnothing，andtheydidnotrecognizeme。Whenamongthecrowdofsophomores，thepoorfreshmanmadealasteffort，hepulledmebythecoatandbeggedmetocomewithhim。Isaidno，Iwasgoinghome。WhenIreachedthenextcornerI

stopped。"Igaveyoufairwarning，keepoff。ItellyouI"llstrikethefirstman，thefirstone，thattouchesme。"Thenthefourwhohadbeenappointedtoseizemejumpedonme，andIonlygotonegoodblowinbeforetheyhadmedowninthegutterandwerebeatingmeonthefaceandhead。Iputmyhandsacrossmyface，andsodidnotgetanyhardblowsdirectlyintheface。Theyslippedbackinamoment，andwhenIwasreadyIscrambledupprettywetandmuddy，andwithmyfacestingingwheretheyhadstruck。Ithadallbeendonesoquickly，andtherewassuchalargecrowdcomingfromthetheatre，that，ofcourse，noonesawit。WhenIgotuptherewasacircleallaroundme。Theyhadn"tintendedtogosofar。Themen，exceptthosefourwhohadbeatenme，wereratherashamedandwishedtheywereoutofit。IturnedtoEmmerich，apostgraduate，andtoldhimtogivemeroom。"Now，"I

said，"you"renotabletohazeme，andIcan"tthrashtwelveofyou，butI"llfightanyonemanyoubringout。"Iaskedforthemanthatstruckme，andnamedanother，buttherewasnoresponse。

Theupperclassmen，whohadjustarrived，calledoutthatwasfair，andthey"dseeitfair。Goodnough，PurnellandDouglas，whodon"tlikememuch，either。Ruffwasbesidemebythistime。

Hehadn"tseenanythingofit，anddidnotgetthereuntilheheardmecallingforafairchanceandchallengingtheclassforaman。Icalledoutagain，thesecondtime，andstillnoonecame，soItookoccasiontoletthemknowwhyIhaddoneasIdidinashortspeechtothecrowd。IsaidIwasapeaceablefellow，thoughthazingsilly，andasIneverintendedtohazemyself，Ididn"tintendanyonetohazeme。

ThenIsaidagain，"Thisisthethirdtime，willoneofyourmenfightthisfair？Ican"tfighttwelveofyou。"Justthentwoofficerswhohadcalledonsomemill-hands，whoarealwaysdyingforafight，andacitizentohelpthem，burstintothecrowdofstudents，shoulderingthemaroundlikesheepuntiltheygottome，whenoneofthemputhisarmaroundme，andsaid，"Idon"tknowanythingaboutthiscrowd，butI"llseeyou"reprotected，sir。I"llgive"emfairplay。"OneofficergotholdofRuffandprettynearshookhimtopiecesuntilI

hadtointerfereandexplain。Theywereforformingabody-guard，andwereloudintheirdenunciationsofthecollege，anddeclaringthey"dseemethroughifIwasastrangerto"em。

Twoorthreeofthesophomores，whentheysawhowthingsweregoing，setupayell，butGriffinstruckoutandsentoneofthemflyingonewayandhishatanother，sotheyellsended。HoweandMurrayStuarttookmeuptotheirrooms，andRuffwentoffforbeefsteakformyeye，andtreatedthecrowdwhohadcometotherescue，atDixon"s，tobeer。

ThenextdaywasSaturday，andastherewastobeameetingoftheAthleticAssociation，ofcourse，Iwantedtoshowup。Thefellowsalllookedatmyeyeprettyhardandsaidnothing。I

feltprettysurethatthesympathywasallwithme。

Fourmenareelectedfromthecollegetobeontheathleticcommittee。Theycanbenominatedbyanyone，thoughgenerallyitisdonebyamanintheirownclass。WehadagreedthedaybeforetovoteforTolmanforourclass，sowhenthepresidentannouncednominationswereinorderforthefreshmenclass，Tolmanwasinstantlynominated。AtthesametimeoneoftheleadingsophomoresjumpedupandnominatedMr。Davis，andanumberofmenfromthesameclasssecondedit。Ikneweveryoneinthecollegeknewofwhathadhappened，andespeciallythesophomores，soIwas，ofcourse，verymuchsurprised。I

lookedunconscious，though，andwaited。Oneoftheseniorsaskedthatthenomineesshouldstandup，astheydidn"tknowtheirnamesonlytheirfaces。Aseachmanrosehewashissedandgroaneddownagain。WhenIstoodupthesophomoresburstintoayellandclappedandstamped，yelling，"Davis!Davis!

voteforD!"untilIsatdown。AsIhadalreadydecidedtonominateTolman，Iwithdrewmynamefromthenominees，amovementwhichwasreceivedbyloudcriesof"No!No!"fromthesophs。So，yousee，Dad，Ididasyousaid，asIthoughtwasright，andcameoutwellindeed。Yousee，Iamnowtheheroofthehour，everyoneintownknowsit，andeveryonecongratulatesme，and，"Welldone，meboy，"asMorrow"83said，seemstobetheidea，onegetstakencareofinthisworldifyoudowhat"stherightthing，ifitisonlyastreetfight。Infact，asoneoftheseniorssaid，I"vemadefivefriendswhereIhadonebefore。Thesophsareashamedandsorry，astheirconductinchapel，whichwasmoremarked，thanImadeit，shows。I"venothingtoshowforitbutaredmarkundertheeye，andsoitisthebestthingthatcouldpossiblyhavehappened。PoorRuffhuggedmeallthewayhome，andI"vestartedoutwellinagoodway，Ithink，thoughnotaverylogicalone。

Unclesaystotellyouthatmyconducthashisapprovalthroughout。

DICK。

Towhichlettermyfatherpromptlyreplied:

PHILADELPHIA。February25th，1882。

DEAROLDBOY:

I"mgladtheaffairendedsowell。Idon"twantyoutofight，butifyouhavetofightacusslikethatdoitwithallyourmight，anddon"tinsistthateitherpartyshalltoostrictlyobservetheMarkisO"Queensburyrules。Hitfirstandhardestsothatthineadversaryshallbewareofyou。

DAD。

AtthattimethesecretsocietiesplayedaveryimportantpartinthecollegelifeatLehigh，andwhileIdonotbelievethatRichardsharedthetheoryofsomeofthestudentsthattheywereaseriousmenacetothesocialfabric，hewasquitefirminhisbeliefthatitwasinadvisabletobeamemberofanyfraternity。Inageneralwayhedidnotliketheideaofsecrecyeveninitsmildestform，andthen，asthroughouthislife，herefusedtojoinanybodythatwouldinanywaylimithiscompleteindependenceofwordoraction。InconnectionwiththisphaseofhiscollegelifeIquotefromanappreciationwhichM。A。

DeW。Howe，oneofRichard"sbestfriendsbothatcollegeandinafter-life，wroteforTheLehighBurratthetimeofmybrother"sdeath:

"Tothecreditoftheperceptivefacultyofundergraduates，itoughttobesaidthattheclassmatesandcontemporariesofRichardHardingDavisknewperfectlywell，whileheandtheywereyoungtogether，thatinhimLehighhadasonsomarkedinhisindividuality，soendowedwithtalentsandcharacterthathestoodquiteapartfromtheothercollegiansofhisday。

Prophetswereasrareintheeightiesastheyhavealwaysbeen，beforeandsince，andnobodycouldhaveforeseenthatthenameandworkofDickDaviswouldlongbeforehisuntimelydeath，indeedwithinafewyearsfromleavingcollege，bebetterknownthroughouttheworldthanthoseofanyotherLehighman。Wewhoknewhiminhiscollegedayscouldnotfeelthesmallestsurprisethathewonhimselfquicklyabrilliantname，andkeptafirmholduponittothelast。

"Whatwasitthatmadehimsoearlyamarkedman？Ithinkitwasthespiritofconfidenceandenthusiasmwhichturnedeveryenterpriseheundertookintoanadventure，——thebraveandhumorousplayingofthegameoflife，thetrueheart，thewholesomebodyandsoulofmyfriendandclassmate。Hedidnotexcelinstudiesorgreatly，inathletics。Butinhisownfield，thatofwriting，hewassomuchbetterthantherestofusthatnooneofhisfellow-editorsoftheEpitomeorBurrneededtobeconsideredincomparisonwithhim。Noless，inspiteofhisvoluntarynonmembershipinthefraternitiesofhisday，washealeaderinthesocialactivitiesoftheUniversity。The`ArcadianClub"devotedinitsbeginningstothe`pipes，books，beerandgingeralia"ofDavis"ssongaboutitandthe`MustardandCheese"werehiscreations。Inallhispersonalrelationshipshewasthemostamusingandstimulatingofcompanions。Withgarbandwaysofuniquepicturesqueness，rarerevenincollegecommunitiesagenerationagothanatpresent，itwasinevitablethathesometimesgothimselflaughedataswellaswith。Butwhatdiditallmatter，eventhen？To-dayitaddsaglowofcolortowhatwouldbeinanycaseavivid，deeplyvaluedmemory。

"Itishardtoforeseeinyouthwhatwillcomemostsharplyandpermanentlyinthelongrun。AfteralltheseyearsitisgoodtofindthatDavisandwhathiscompanionshipgaveoneholdtheirplacewiththestrongestinfluencesofLehigh。"

ButRichardwasnaturallygregariousandathearthadagreatfondnessforclubsandsocialgatherings。Therefore，havingrefusedtheofferofseveralfraternitiesthatdidhimthehonortoaskhimtobecomeamember，itwasnecessaryforhimtoformafewclubsthatheldmeetings，butnosecrets。

Perhapsthemostsuccessfulofthesewere"TheMustardandCheese，"adramaticclubdevotedtothepresentationoffarcesandmusicalcomedies，andTheArcadiaClub，tothefortnightlymeetingsofwhichhedevotedmuchtimeandthought。Thefollowinglettertohisfatherwillgivesomeideaofthescopeoftheclub，which，asinthecaseof"TheMustardandCheese，"gainedapermanentandimportantplaceinthesociallifeofLehigh。