Costly Tears And Laughs

COSTLY TEARS AND LAUGHS

How W.K. Vanderbilt, Jr., Rewarded Coquelin, the Actor.

A delightful little story is going the rounds apropos of W.K. Vanderbilt, Jr., who has been much in evidence in Paris, says the New York World. One day this rich American was cruising in the Mediterranean and arrived at Constantinople at the moment when Coquelin was playing there. He invited the actor to come on board his vessel. Coquelin did, and recited some monologues there.

Vanderbilt congratulated the artist, adding: "You have made me cry six times and laugh twelve times. I estimate each burst of tears at $100 and my laughs at $200 apiece. Hence I owe you $3,000." And he presented that sum to Coquelin.