Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 175, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 July 1914 — AT THE BOOKING OFFICE OFF-STAGE COMEDIES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AT THE BOOKING OF F ICE OFF-STAGE COMEDIES

ly Will Bradshaw j

WASITACTINGOR REAL LOVE? Margie Walters—(dramatic woman) —Did you read where Winnie King and her hubby— ,■■■—.-•» Tom Finerty (a single)—What—trouble again? Margie Walters^—No, Indeed, , sir. They were just offered a hundred a week apiece in separate shows and they refused to separate. Such devotion in a young couple I never did see. Tom Finerty—Young couple? He’s young, but it’s “grandma” parts for ’tobr-after this."WhaFyott^aean 4 ls, it was fine of them not to separate when they couldn’t deliver the goods. Whpn they played on a bill with me—oh! It that manager wasn’t a kind-hearted old gink they’d be sentenced for life on the small time. Margie Walters —I meant from an affectionate standpoint, Tom. It showed what a loving couple you will find In the show business every so often. . Alys Daly (of the Daly sisters) —I knew a couple like that one timetor two weeks. Then he got an offer of one show a day less —Blooey! Them hams ain’t got no more affection than a chink laundryman, take it from me. Edna Mav Sims (child Impersonar tor) —Didn’t the man spurn the offer to be with his loving wife, Alys? Alys Daly—Lovin’ wife? She’s playin’ In the Bronx and he’B billed for San Diego the last half of next. Dad Wadell —Such family disruption was not the rule in my day. I remember— • .*. Gene Bally (comedy juggler)—Look at me, crowd, if you want to see a sample of connublallstlc happiness. Wife’s playing Chicago and I’m here. Margie Walters—Connubial bliss is

easy under such conditions. If Mr. H. V. Walters had stayed 20 hours’ railroad distance from me we would never have a word. Algy (late of the ’Alls) —I’ll bet you’d get lonesome and write, me young lidy. Margie Walters —Write my husband? Never! I did, however, send him a dozen telegrams when we separated. I sent theqj “charges collect," and all I said in them was, “You mean brute!” Mr. H. V. Walters will ruq the day— Gene Bally—Don’t think my case is anything like that. Cruel fate is what separates us. If someone will tell me how to frame up an act we can play together, something for a comedy juggler and a leading lady—which she Is —I’ll give ’em my chicken farm. Algy—l’ll try to think of a w’y. But first give me a description of the place. If it’s more than a mile from Broadway I don’t want It. Margie Walters —Here’s how Winnie’s case was. Winnie and George were with us in “Oh, Oh, Claudine.” After we were out two weeks they were married. A week later Puton & Takeoff cut down the company to 97 people. When the notice was posted at Ft Wayne Winnie and George went up to read it What did they see? Winnie was let out altogether and they let George do the juvenile and double as the cot nt in the last act Tom Finerty—That was an awful responsibility to give to that ex-bell-hop. Dad Wadell—ln "Midsummer Night’s Dream” I played Bottom and — Algy—l’d ’ate to’ve been there w’en r did it Edna May 81ms —When George and Winnie saw that notice did they carry on something awful, Margie? Margie Walters—Not a-talll They stool clasped in each other’s arms. Winnie looked up into George’s face, her big brown orbs filled with tears. George looked at poor little Winnie, and— — Gene Bally—l got an idea for an act out of this mush. A leadin’ lady befriends a poor juggler from a stranded side-show; That night the hotel burns and the juggler carries her down On one arm—my balancin’ stunt The juggler turns out to be nor old schoolmate — <.. ..

Algy—Keep your old chicken farm! .Margie Walters —Yes, m’ dears, they just stood there looking at that callboard. Dad Wadell —A pretty situation, I’d call it A dramatic moment. Algy—l’d call it a piffle scene, I would. Margin Walters—Winnie drew herself up to her full height; she choked her sobs. "George,” she said, “it seems that we must part.” Algy —It seemed, eh? Margie Walters —“Don’t let me be a burden to you any longer," she cried. “Don’t let me hold you back from the career that is yours. Take the juvenlle job, let me go my w, and, when you are great, all I ask is that you think of me—sometimes.” Edna May Sims—ls I witnessed that scene I’d burst out weeping. I’m that tender-hearted. Dad Wadell —My dear young lady, it you «"w' tup> in “Henry of Navarre" you’d weep. Algy—By jove, you’re a candid ol’ top! Gene Baily—That was George’s chance to act as I'would under the circumstances. , I■. 1 ■. Margie Walters —He did, Gene, George took her in his manly arms and said right out loud, “Kid, you’re not a burden to me. You’ve always played your halfUbTThe sketch. Ned Ward can have the juvenile job—the show will close soon, anyway. We’re both going to quiFnow and go back East, back to your uncle’s farm for the summer.” George King is made of manly material. Edna May Sims —I don’t know Winnie or George, never saw their act, but from those words I’d say he is every inch a man. Algy—Back to uncle’s farm for the summer, eh? ’Oo’d blame the rotter?

I’d s’y the same thing if I 'ad a wife's uncle like ’lm. Tom Flnerty—But George said the right thing at the right time. Gene Bally—My words. Dad Wadell—“Tin death do us part” meant something to them. Tom Flnerty—That George is a wise one. He thought of free board at uncle’s and knew he couldn’t get by next season without Winnie in his act. Edna May Sims —If I thought that was in his mind, I'd hate the villain. Dad Wadell—None can fathom the subtle workings of a man’s mind. Gene Bally—His spiel then at that time did sound a littletjtoo “melo” to be real heart stuff. Algy—l’ll bet 'e ’ad the part re* hearsed. Edna May Sims—How about Winnie? k Alys Daly—She’s a wise old actress, that girl. She knows she can’t get booked next season without Georgie. Booking Agent (entering)—Who wants Saturday night at Yonkers? (Copyright, 1914. by W. G. Chapman.)

"Look at Ma, Crowd, If You Want to See a Sample of Connubiallstic Happiness. Wife's Playing Chicago and I'm Here.”