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，althoughthecompanycomprisedtwocharmingmissesatleastIknowthattheyeventuallygrewintotwoverylovelywomen，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。Whereataccordingtomymother，whowasalwaysamosttruthfulnarratorForrestbrokeforthinavolcanoofoathsandforblockscontinuedtohurlthunderousbroadsidesatRichard，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。