The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-04-09
She Found Her
Vocation
By EUNlcE BLAKE

Helen Warfield when nineteen years
of age, by the death of first her father
and a few months later her mother,
found herself responsible for the sup
port of herself and several brothers
and sisters very much younger than
herself. What should she do to feet
and clothe her little ones? She had
shown some talent in private theatre
Gals for histrionics and had been told
that she would achieve success on the
stage. An old friend of her mother
offered to advance a certain Jul by
which she might receive some educa-
ton as an actress, and Helen availed
herself of it. taking lessons of an elo-
c%utionist
Her instructor did not encourage her.
He told her that her e%nunciatiOn was
peculiar to herself and that it was IN
attractive. AS for her action, especial.
ly her facial expression, it was all that
could be desired. But she could not
hope to please with that alone, and her
en%unciation would SO repel IN audi
nee that her valuable qualities would
not be appreciated.
Helen's friends told her that this was
rubbish. She had pleased private au-
diences and she would with the same
gifts please the public. Helen believed
them because she preferred to believe
them. She did not know that intimate
friends, even If competent critics, will
seldom give an unbiased criticism. As
for professional critics, while they may
judge as to what is artistic, when 1t
comes to judging what the public will
fancy they are as much at sea as any
n else.
Helen, encouraged by her friends,
persevered. After a hasty preparation
she attempted, with the assistance Of
friends, to get an engagement. She
was offered parts in which she would
have but a few words to say, but she
felt that they would give her no Oppor-
tunity to show what she could do, and
she pushed on for something better.
Finally, at the earnest solicitation Of
a friend, she was given a trial. 1t was
arranged that she should understudy
for a part that would test her powers,
and the person whom she was under
studying agreed to give way to her as
soon az she was ready to make the
trial.
In due time she appeared in the role
she had been preparing for. She made
q dismal failure. She felt her part,
acted her part, but she could not speak
her part. As her p%receptor had warned
her, her enunciation spoiled the whole.
what shall l dot" abe moaned. ~
have spent the money furnished me to
study and have failed"
II have heard" said her instructor,
that these men who show moving
photographs are beginning to give little
plays. II you are in need Of money
you might make something in that
way"
Helen's heart sank within her.
What-give up her dreams Of having
her name posted in enormous letters
as a famous actress. to be photo
graphed for a ten cent show! Horrible!
Nevertheless. going home to a lot Of
hungry children. with nothing to buy
food for them, sent her the next day to
a studio where a picture play was just
beginning to be made ready for pres
entation to the public. Although the
manager had no experience at that
early date in producing such plays, 1t
occurred to him that the chief feature
In them was the acting especially the
facial expression. Beauty was also an
advantage. 'and*Helen was comely..
"I1et me see you look like a thief
caught red handed" he said.
Helen obeyed.
"Good! Now laugh. Good againl
Look at me with naughty contempt
Excellent! You are condemned to
death. You are an innocent girl listen
ing to the first words Of love. That
will do. You have the power Of ex-
pressing BY your face what you feel.
In your case words are not needed.
What salary do you expectT
"Whatever you choose to pay"
81 will start you at $25 a week. but
I am sure you will soon he worth moro
than that"
Helen was surprised. How easy vas
the getting Of this situation compared
with her efforts to secure q trial at
which she had failed! The manager
advanced a weeks salary, anxious to
bind the bargain and fearing some 9TH
er manager would get her away from
him.
He gave her q part in the play that
he was about making photographs for.
ana It wal at once evident that she
would make a great success. And she
did.
Helen Warneld within a few months
was receiving 500 a week and is now
a prime. movie favorite. She has seen
the day when famous actors and
actresses are proud to perform by pho
togrsph. She has a genius for In.
~terpreting humanity by expression.
though she has no gift whatever for
rendering It In speech. The plays Sc
lected for her are such IA may be rem.