The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-05-09

about Jarvis Street Songs" 1t
was not the things themselves.
They were crude enough. in spots,
but 1t was the new sense in jar
Wis that made him see and under
stand human suffering. She felt
An Irresistible impulse to take the
next train and 60 to him. Would
he be glad to see her? For the
first time she wanted him, eager
". But this impulse passed, and
weeks stretched into months. She
worked steadily at the book,
which grew apace.
Jarvis certainly had marticu-
lated in the school of experience,
and he entered in the freshman
class.
The week when things reached
the lowest ebb he was summoned
by postal from an acquaintance,
made during one of his night
prowls, an old English cabman.
When he arrived at the address
Indicated he found the old man
sick in bed with rheumatism. He
wanted Jarvis to drive his hanson
for week, on a percentage, until
he could get about again. There
was no choice. 1t was that or the
park benches, so Jarvis accepted.
Old Hicks fitted, or rather misfit-
ted, him in a faded blue tailed coat
and topper. Jarvis looked like
an otto Cushing cartoon of Apollo
in the attire, but he never once
thought of that. He hitched up
the bony old horse, mounted the
box, with full instructions as to
traffic rules, and headed for the
avenue. He found the new trade
amusing. He drove ladies on
shopping tours, took nurses and
their charges around the Park.
He did not notice that his face
and manners caused many custo-
mer to stare in establishment.
When one woman said audiby to
her companion, Good heavens!
what a handsome creature" he
never dreamed she referred to
him.
II was the fourth day Of his
employment as cabby when a
summons came from the Frohman
offices bidding him appear at the
theater at eleven o'clock on the
following day. 1t was embarras-
sing. Old Hicks was entirely de-
pendent on what Jarvis brought in
at night. and they could neither of
them afford to have the cab idle
a full day. So he decided to stop
at the theater in the morning, and
then deduct his time off duty.
Promptly at eleven the cab ar
rived at the Empire theater and
Jarvis descended from the box. He
gave the boy a cent to hold his
horse, although nothing except a
bushel of oats could have urged
the old bonerack into motion. Up
to the booth window he marched,
and presented the letter. The boy
Inspected the old blue coat, the
topper, and the worn gloves.
character costume" he grin
ned; then he opened the letter
and his face changed.
Excuse me, sir, I'll see IL Mr..
Frohman will see you"
He was out and back, almost at
once, bowling and holding the door
open.
Right ahead, into the private
office" he said, Importantly. A
clerk took charge of our hero at
xho % 1oar opp GUN n; N ~ Pnrpna l1y
"Mr. Jarvis Jocelyn, Mr.. Froh-
man"
Jarvis entered the big room
and crossed eyes with the man at
the far end. What Mr.. Frohman
saw was a tall, splendidly set-up
youth, with head held high, and
a fearless. free carriage, attired in
the very strange and battered ha-
biliments of a cabby. What jar
Wis saw was a fat little man, with
a round face, sharp twinkling eyes.
and a genial mouth. The whole
face had a humorous cast, kind
ly expression.
"You are Jarvis Jocelyn?" said
Mr.. Frohman, as Jarvis reached
him.
II am"
"You wrote a play called Sue
cess'?"'
81 did"
"I've read your play"
That's good."
well, the play isn't" From
man interrupted. at is extremely
bad, but there are some ideas in
1t, and one good part"
"The woman, you mean"
1.-THE woman nothing. She's a
wooden peg to hang your ideas on.
l mean the man she married."
"But he's so unimportant," Jar
Wis protested.
HE was important enough to
get this interview. | never would
have bothered with you, or with
your play. if it hadn't been for
that character. What do you do
besides write plays?"
"Juts at present / drive a cab"
Jarvis answered simply.
you don't say? How does that
happen?"
Il was up against It for money,
and I took this to oblige a friend
cabby who has rheumatism"
"'Pon my word, How long
have tou been at it,"
This is my fifth day"
Business gopd?" the mana
gers eyes twinkled. Jarvis smiled
gravely.
Il have been wishing It would
RAIN" he confessed.