Considering the stellar position she has held for years, and her present-day affluence, many movie fans may think that Mary Pickford was kissed by the fairies when she was born. Not so. Life’s hard realities--the understanding of her little family’s struggles to make both ends meet when she was even as young as Jackie Coogan at the time of his first appearance with Charlie Chaplin in “The Kid”--that was her fairy’s kiss--that and her mother’s great love for her. Of course, such idolatry as Mrs. Smith gave her first-born might have made of her a simpering silly, or worse. But Gladys Smith (as Mary Pickford was born) was pretty--and she had talent and brains. So what wonder if Mother Smith often sat all through the night at her child’s bedside, not wanting to sleep, but only to worship her beautiful daughter? Mary told me her story in our early intimate days together in the movies. With her little gang she was playing in the streets of Toronto where she was born, perhaps playing “bean bag”--she was indeed young enough for that. [Illustration: From “Wark” to “work,” with only the difference of a vowel. (_See p. 185_) ] [Illustration: Biograph’s one automobile (note D. W. G. on door), in front of Old Redonda Hotel. (_See p. 185_) ] [Illustration: Annie Lee. From “Enoch Arden,” the first two-reel picture. (_See p. 195_) ] [Illustration: Jeanie Macpherson, Frank Grandin, Linda Griffith and Wilfred Lucas, in “Enoch Arden.”] [Illustration: The vessel that was towed from San Pedro. From “Enoch Arden.”] [Illustration: The Norwegian’s shack, the scene of Enoch’s departure. From “Enoch Arden.”] In frock coat and silk hat an advance agent was looking over the prospects for business in the town, and at the same time looking for a few kids needed in his show. His eye caught pretty little Gladys Smith. Would Mama let her play at the opera house? “Let’s ask Mama.” Mama, the young Mrs. Smith, consented. Seeing that, a very few years afterwards, through an accident on the St. Lawrence River boat on which her husband worked, Mama was suddenly left a young widow with three tiny youngsters to support, her consent that day proved to be one of those things just meant to be.