The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-21

Did you ever talk 10 a real show girl
 q ask her a thousand questions of how
 i'd where she began her career before
 e fortlights of a moving picture show
 ou are already prepared to hear the
 tiful tale of an unhappy home, and We
 ,e always too ready to believe the home - ..ives the opportunity for such rebuke = but often the criticism of home Is only : an excuse for taking an uncertain step, { and an explanation Is needed to cloak a misguided will Probably the influence ss parents and love of brothers and sis ters are bountiful-and youth is only fli- Ing a desire to view life under the glitter Of the stage.
 :. When that sport if left with promises Of future greatness and luxurious re- wards, and the stern reality is apparent, then it is that the wanderer turns back ward glance. Be it ever SD humble. home fingers in the thoughts of every human on the face Of the earth. and in hours of disappointment the native tear bulges forth and gives recompense for the sorrow. The panorama that was born in an idle dream of sudden success, the stern reality that the life of star is a rugged path, causes the young stage lover to turn backward truly and whls per, make me child again, just for tonight"
 But in a pleasant chat with this H.te ''show girl" l found her love for homo and mother the dearest thought ol earth. Leaving a widowed mother anu sisters, Frances F, Aldrich of Washing r, ts i, To ish dream that she would be an actress some day, and make her own money Thus, three months ago she left that home kissing her loved ones goodbye, to join a musical comedy company. She he- gan her career on the stage at Danvi.le, Va, end plays a simple part, in very simple show. There is nothing to develop talent, but to dance and sing the pro gramne, and Frances admits she cannot sing. so she dances.
 In that dance is pictured modest, timld nttle girl, who is proud to say she is 9 southern giil, working for her living, foi she has not left a home of plenty, She scarce looks her ase-21-though she las a natural dignity and graceful use of Ensllsi.. having been educated In tfe public schools of her city. l have ejmost forgotten to tell you Frances Aldrich' is her stage name, though she vhispered her real name to the writer-it tf one you and | know, and we had mu- tual friends. for she has been raised in a gentle home.
 When questioned If she were really happy, at the same time pointing out to her the terri le temptations of her posi- ton, she earnestly said. "I know them, they have been told to me time and time again. The one thing that makes me stronger and braver is the fact that with my mothers parting kiss. she sad F Frances, I can trust you with the world, know you are lady, you have gone t. get the experience you have always hoped for This is worth more to me than the glitter of gold or the temptation for making a froic of my business op- rortunity."
 Miss Aldrieh describes the opportunities for+Sevil Influence far greater to a girl "A a store. where each girl tries to rival the others in dress. She has no time for play Having her own clothes to make, the carries her sewing bag behind the scenes. She speaks especially we'll of her company manager whom she says re- ., ects and commands the respect of hs co-workers. The environments of the stage and behind scene is not the real harm, said Miss Aldrich. The main of- lenses we have are from the idle men on the street, who. when they see a young girl unaccompanied at once approach her offensively-offensive to a lady-but to a silly girl they are adroit enough to have their attention to lead her 10 a down. fall.
 "I expect to do good work some day., she said and if cannot make a good ac- tress I will make a good man a good ufifo ,li itata has taught me resistance. strengthened my own purpose and offers me the op- portunity to help others When asked If she could not make better elsewhere, she stated she could never undertake clor- ical work on account of her health. Sho needed active outdoor exercise. To wort, in a store would mean less money and better clothes. because one must dress as others or the service cannot be rendered. even shoppers seek for the girl wh9 makes the best appearance, naturally one girl feels hacked if sho cannot ap- pear as well dressed as others, and ther, the danger lies"
 ''As to pay for stage work, beginner like myself is paid s15 a week .railrna, fare and hack hire with costumes fut. nished Our board to LIS averages aboui V week each, with a balance of s ( week to. us Our dress is simple for two reasons. We cannot afford otherwise and as to myself I never like to prescn, stage appearance. I attire myself fol the simple life that one circumstanced as myself should lead. l have no desire tt attract attention only to succeed Ther If I am a success I will soon be give an opportunity to receive higher train. ing I am in the chart class now.'' Ont could see in this beautiful girlish face s radiant hope as she turned to gaze or the great world; that life held to her [ grand picture of success She wants {, be star and she prefers comedy, all, one can almost imagine she has the req tragedy. She has a fine sense of the ridit ulous and a quaint little way of givinc Information, laughs showing deep dim ples on each cheek and warns one, "Youl 6o1p o hpfald my Sllccess some da, a