The Washington herald., 1912-01-14
THE. .SEAMY' SIDE OF SOUBRETTE ROW
The Abode of People of
"the Land of Make
Believe" an Interest
ing Study of Life.
By JAMES FRANK LYMAN.

The Washingtonian hasn't yet
lived who could tell what consti-
tutes the distinctiyeness-one might
say the allurement-of Soubrette
Row. 1t certainly isn't physical
quality, something to be measured
and weighed and jotted down. From
the nosepoint of physical atmos-
phere, Soubrette Row is reminiscent
of cabbage, ham, and other solid,
nourishing foods. From the view
point it presents the physical as
pect of a moderate. modest board
ing-house row, slightly seedy, but
none the less comfortable.
Strolling the short block between
E and F streets in Thirteenth
street northwest, or visiting those
other habitations farther east on
Pennsylvania avenue, the unknow-
ing visitor gets an uncomfortably
stodgy respectabfiity out of what
he fondly calls the home of Bo-
hemia. Bohemia? No, it isn't.
What then
Many Not Illuminating.
MAnz thinks he knows all about subtle
spiritual things, yet his interpretive gaz-
ings along Soubrette Row didn't bring
forth anything particularly illuminating.
He talked OF the rowing spirit OF the
homeless actor-meaning show girl-and
the manner in which it had impregnated
itself throughout the brick and stone
and wood OF the theatrical boarding
1Ouses. Personally can only recount an
Eening that We spent in the envirOns OF
oubrette Row and leave you to Judge
ne people who week by week fit in and
ut making no friends. few acquaintances,
md living, with rare exceptions, as
though a great Chinese wall surrounded
them.
1t was a smash of a musical comedy in
a Washington theater that started all
this. The dramatic critic-who hates
work on constitutional and tempera-
mental principIes-drifted in last Satur-
day night with the announcement that
the show was stranded. the manager
thereof was 500 short and the poor little
and sweep floors and wash dishes for a
living He grew quite sympathetic until
somebody suggested that he write some
thing. Then he put on mis- hat and went
out.
At this juncture Manz and were shot
In six above zero Temperature and told
to find out something. And right here,
let it be said, that II the resurrection was
in progress, Manz would be the last man
on earth to hear Of it.
We went forth and soon were IN the
midst OF that unknown haunt where are
gathered together the perlieus Of all the
sters having a chorus. 1t was like strik-
ing into darkest Africa II you've ever
hung around a closed saloon, while a
vicious looking policeman stood ten feet
away and kept a watchful eye on you,
you can get slight idea of our feelings.
As you've never done that, of course, it
is impossible to grasp the utter desola-
tion Of despair that comes TO q modest
young man when he marches up TO the
entrance-port cochere. they call it for
the same reason that saIoonkeeper refers |
to his place of business as a cafe-and |
yank the moth-eaten bell
There came in response to our ring
blond mustached, rather thin
man who said his name was jackson !
and he was the proprietor Of the place. |
Promptly We asked him concerning the |
poor little chorus girls" Cbusiness of
voice and andante on all r's)
Broke, but Eating.
Kind OF you young men to be SYM
pathetic" he said ironically, but you
want to recall a single thing. Those little
girls have received an Invitation to come
here and stay as long as they see tit. |
True they are stranded. Everybody knew
that the show was gone when it played
Jersey City on Christmas week. But. |
nevertheless. the sobbing and wailing isn't |
necessary yet. The girls haven't gotten |
their salaries, but the will get other |
positions and until they do they will |
remain here as my guests"
Without pay?" Easped Manz, who has 4
a passion for collecting money. |
''Of course" said jackson simply.
jackson started upstairs to the little !
private parlor. There sat a girl who he |
introduced as Evelyn Llewellyn, and who /
explained that she had been doing /
pony turn" in the deceased show Asked /
her prospects the girl cheer
FULLY replied that something would show |
Ip soon.
ITS like this" she explained. "An |
hem choruses is. lookin' for likely |
Iancers, unless they're chucked clear up /
With talent. Everybody tells me I'm a
good dancer and I can land easy. I