Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-21
HELEN MCMAHON
The Little "Scarecrow" :"

'rhe girl who works can make lots of
money on the stage, IL she grinds hard"
said Helen Mcmahon. the little Scare
crow. who plays such strenuous part
IN vaudeville. Dressed in suit OF tat
tered rags, her small head tied up in
such a manner that 1t is quite impos-
sIble TO distinguish her from a dummy
or an Egyptian mummy. one can scarcely
imagine that she is alive. How she man
ages to breathe inside this wonderful gar
ment is a mystery. The whole point in
imagtnes she is in reality the empty bum
die OF old clothes that she represents.
She is lifted bodily by her partner on the
stage and flung over the heads of the or
chestra into the first available space
among the audience, landing with a
heavy thud and in a variety of positions
which convince one that she is a dummy.
Yes, have had some odd experiences"
said she. smiling brightly. She is ex-
ceedinly pretty. by the way. very small
and sIenderIy built "The other day, for
instance. when I was dancing with my
partner-he is my husband. as well as
stage partner. you lCnow-a large pin was
sticking right into me! / am so muffled
up IN that heavy padded suit that can
not see and cannot speak. Under the
suit heavy pad is tied across the whole
OF my face. as 1 am thrown about so
much Every time my husband caught
me by the back OF the shoulders and
swung me over his head the pin went
into his hand and also into me! He has
60 catch me just In that particular place.
80 we both had TO bear the pain OF 1t
II
utter sound. Of course"
Don't you ever have an accident when
he throws you down into the orchestral
mot often. / generally fall in the
same position, and anyhow / have un-
limited confidence in my husbands skill
IN throwing! OF course. am absolutely
helpless, tied hand and foot. blind and
dumb for the time being. Today landed
on my funny-bone. and In the middle of
the act got kick on the face. too But
these ara only little details. and 1 enjoy
my work very much. We have such a
pretty baby. lust few months old, and
very healthy. Here ne comes with his
nurse. Isn't he cute?'
The baby certainly was very cute. and
aeemed none the worse for his life OF
travel. II wish that could spend more
time with him." said the pretty little
mother regretfully. but my work comes
FIRST When he was months old /
went back 10 this acrobate dance work,
and he and his nurse and his father and
have been travelling ever since.
II had rather an unpleasant experience
once" she continued II was on the bill
1t 8 theatre when that famous monkey.
consul WAS performing there, Be-
faesa my acts / had TO make quick
change. and, running down a dark pas
sage passed a man who was carrying
lhla great brute Ia his arms. The horrid
creature shot out a great paw at my hair
aad tore out a handfull / gave such a
scream that they heard me right through
the theatre
Your work must have lots OF trials and
hsrd fimesr
~ suppose It has-but then II you are
Aeea on your work. you don't mind these
things. I don't let my mind dwell on
the gloomy side At all II I lost my
nsIfe during the performance I should
rFctably have bad accident ana all
fIA time. anyhow. ] run risks OF broken
hepes-bul ] don't allow myself 70 think
Qz ihaL So I set along all right. The
GIL no works Tor her living must expect
fIals ana ups ana downs. But IL she has
EzIf and q capacity Tor hard work. she'll
~ along All right I'd hate 20 give up
ms HeIk Really one r. FAR happier
saFnlns 8 sood salary. and following an
Interesting occupation than ldllng away
Daaa time as 50 many women do