REMARKABLE POPULARITY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10058, 1 June 1910, Page 4

REMARKABLE POPULARITY.

Seldom in the history of the English music-hall has there been such a popular comedian as Mr Harry Lauder. He has been hailed with delight all over the country, and America is no less pleased with this wonderful humorist from Scotland. It is not so very many years ago that Mr Lauder was a mill boy earning the magnificent salary of two shillings a' week. One day a singing competition waß held among the mill boys, and the futme *'star"won the match. From that time forward he was regarded as a hero by his fellowworkers, and one bold spirit prophesied that youDg Lauder "would have five pounds a week before he died.'' How astounded that prophet would have been could he nave known that before many years his friend would have been offered JMOUO a week! Some idea of Harry Lauder's popularity may be gained from the fact that when, some time ago, it was announced from the 7 stage of a London music-halt that he was ill and could not appear, the audience rose to a man, and insisted that the manager should send him a telegram of sym • pathy. Mr Lauder has appeared before many kinds of people, but probably the most curious audience was In an asylum in America. Here he ?ang to a! thousand lunatics. They enjoyed his "turn" immensely, and joined heartily in the chorus of "I love a Lassie." After the entertainment one patient took Mr Lauder aside and whispered in his ear: "For my sake, don't make faces or do anything, to make them think you're a bit off, or they'll keep you here!"