Quotes

He was a little general - Tony Pastor. His hair was black, so was his mustache which was waxed and rolled into straight, fierce points. Knowing now what I do about hairdressers' secrets, I am inclined to believe that Tony aided nature in the glossy blackness of his hair and mustache. [He] was always dressed with exquisite taste, wherever you found him. His manners were suave and distinguished, and his family life was a beautiful one. Mrs Pastor left the stage when she married Tony and she was his companion everywhere he went - a gracious, lovely woman. And what a showman her husband was! And what stars he made in that neat little theater of his!

One afternoon, while mother was out, a friend of ours - Mrs.Rose - who lived in the same house, said she had a caller for whom she would like me to sing. I consented. I never needed much coaxing to perform - whatever the time or place. So I went up to her suite and met a soldierly-looking little Italian who listened critically while I sang my little repertoire of concert songs. Then he suddenly turned to me and said, 'How would you like to sing those songs every night in my theater for seventy-five dollars a week?' I had no idea who he was, or what his theater was like, but I was absolutely calm as I accepted the astounding offer.