The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-01-10
VARIETY ACTRESS
GIVES Her VERSION

HC lCoo tbS loiio"
ing version of the variety actress,
believing it will prove of interest
to those unfamiliar with this sort
of entertainment, and doubly so to
those who know something about
it. The only comment necessary
is that it is the bare facts" and &C.
ances that exert no little influence
in putting them under the ban.
Other argument on the question
can readily be supplied by the
reader. No offense need be taken
by the minister or layman at the
term, "brainless creature" That is
obviously meant for the editor, who
is hopelessly calloused to such en-
dearments.
Editor. Press-Kindly publish
this article, as l think it no more
than right to take step in this
matter Of closing the variety the
aters and putting so many poor
girls out of work who have earned
their living playing in them. Now,
the so-called good people are TAX
ing the bread out of our hands and
are really trying to push us farther
beneath instead of helping us. You
good people would not employ us.
Oh no, a variety actress is out of
the question. She may have in
fuence over your husband or
sweetheart, as she is chic and you
are awkward and don't understand
the ways of the world as she does.
But is this variety actress really
so bad as you picture her? Have
you ever thought of this, you who
have said so much about the va
riety theater? Do you know what
you are talking about?
No, you brainless creature, you
are ignorant of bare facts, and
when you read these inspiring
words, from me, a variety actress
at the Comique theater, you will
wonder at what | say. l am not a
church member, but | am a
Christian deep in my heart. A
church will not clear me from sin.
Only my prayers to my God in my
lonely little room, that is the right
way, and l know that my girl
chums do the same. Now this poor
girl, who makes her living in an
honest way, yes honest | say again,
you are letting her face starvation,
and if this poor girl gets into
troublesome circumstances you
wonder-you who do more wrong
ha ,,o,inty
tress in a year because she is
smart and knows how to hold her
own. Live and let live, l say.
Who was the first to help San
Francisco sufferers? Why, the pro-
fession of this very variety theater
actress. You who build beautiful
homes for your families, you don't
care, good preachers, how many
suffer or who you throw out OF
work. Your churches must be fill
ed with lots of hypocrtes, but my
associates hearts are big and
white. l am talking of facts and
you shall know how you have tried
to down me, but you shall not sue
coed.
w uO SlNcS lilC NullCt avn too
any credit? No one. She hides
nothing, but half of your church
members don't know the sermon
you have preached when they get
home. They have watched the
new silks and satins of their
neighbors AS long as you have
gone to church someone says, ooh,
isn't he or she a good church men,
ber?" | know. Ny grandfather
was a preached and my father a
school teacher. | come from good,
educated people from the old coun-
try, but my father died when | was
mere child and / had to earn a
living and support widowed and
invalid mother with my voice.
Ever since | can remember ! have
earned a living for myself and
darling mother, first singing IN
churches, but the salary was so
small it would not keep a canary
and so | have been singing every
where in the country. | have play
ed many engagements for Mr.. Hol-
land, proprietor of the Comique,
and he has always proven himself
a father to all, so you shall not run
us down. Remember, live and let
live is the substance of the golden
rule. Virginia Evelyn Hayden, va