The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-25
EVENING STORY
Jerkwater Jazz.

BY ARCHEY CAMERON NEW.
Andy Scobell, property despot at the
Olympia, sat in the back alley, his
chair tilted against the stage door.
putting contentedly at his old briar
pipe. 1t was Sunday evening and
Andy's mood matched nicely the
serenity of the early twilight peace.
And then trouble in the irate form of
O'Brien, the orchestra leader, stalked
up the alley and confronted Andy:
whats it mean is Sunday night
stuff" demanded O'Brien, thrusting
two fists into his trousers pockets and
glaring at Andy. Here I was takin'
a nice iii snooze, an tn wife comes
an jabs me and says. Mr. Forrest
says y must come t tn theater right
away. What's the idea? Special show
fer tn visitin' rajah, r a peace rally
of tn Hibernians?"
Andy exhaled a long cloud from
each nostril and grinned.
Neither" he replied briefly. TOR
act wit human fleas. Needs special
rehearsin'.''
Tornado Tessie?" repeated O'Brien,
puzzled, scratching his head. Never
heard of her."
Not under that name y haven't"
explained Andy. It's Miss Fay ST.
Jacque, and her first time at this
theay-ter." Andy grinned in retro
spection. 'She's a bear for speed that
kid. But 81 e's mighty nice. You'll
like-her. Better get a. move on Her
company's been here almost five
minutes now. Chances are they're all
ready, they're that quick. VII find
her music on tn table near tn
SWITCH
O'Brien opened the door, and at the
same time opened the secret of Andy's
kindly praise. For he knew Miss st.
Jacque had been liberal to the erst-
while demon, when he saw full-set
stage, brilliantly illuminated with
lavish waste of foot, border and spot
lights. The only other person in sight
was Gregory, his chief violinist, who
vas porting anxiously at the score
on the table O'Brien took one-look,
and yelled.
"Whatthell?" he shrilled. what is
this-music or stage directions for
storm scene?"
at has got lot of jazz to it," adj
mitted Gregory, sadly
Jazz" echoed O'Brien. 1T can't be
done-and that's all. TIL only thing
that could play this stuff'd be an cleo
trio fan, r dynamo 1 resign"
"Oh, please don't"
O'Brien received another shock, for
he suddenly found at his side the dain-
test, prettiest little girl he had faced
in many moons. And her voice was
soft and purring, not at all like this
emusic.
1T isn't hard" she assured him,
with smile. We've danced to it
eight times a day often-all the way
thru. It's a little fast, but"
"A little fast" gasped O'Brien.
cIutching at the table for support Its
too fast for me, Miss Jacks / cant
do it-thats all
But l must have some one" she
pleaded. in sudden alarm The girls
are getting ready-and we open here
Begin yer pardon, boss" Gregory
interrupted to O'Brien. Maybe Tripp
can do it; he's not working now"
George Tripp?" protestingly. Ban
He's a funeral director"
Il think he can do it, tho" persist
ed Gregory. He's down in the coun-
try now-at Bush Falls thirty-f1ve
minutes ride. Got phone too. Cal
him up
IN try it," O'Brien reluctantly gave
in II can do tn second violin, but
lead-never Where's at phone?"
Let me go with you, please"
urged the little dancer. her eyes
sparkling with newborn hope I'm
| SO anxious
Come on" granted O'Brien, and
he led the way graciously thru the
darkened theater to the lobby. He
soon raised Trip on the wire and
heard his voice. then explained briefly
what was wanted.
Down therein the bush?" he
was heard to protest, after a few min
! utes- Y can't do it A pause. But
haven't seen thus score. 1t looks
like tn dots and dashes of tele-