davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-05
STAGE cHlLoRENS CLASSROOM :.

angel faced type so frequently seen
upon the stage and flaXen curls are so
numerous as to be almost at n dis
count Probably 80 per cent. of the
boys and girls have played Little Lord
Fduntterou in various stock companies.
Despite their unusual appearance,
there is but little evidence of pre-
cocity among them although, as a
rule, they learn easily and many have
really remarkable memories Their
work in committing parts stands them
in good stead in the school rooms and
there have been but few instances
where a child has failed to keep up
with a class and has been held back
for second year in the same grade.
They seem to feel the same pride in
mastering their lessons that they do
in giving a creditable professional
performance and this idea has been
seized upon by the teachers and &C.
centuated and has brought excellent
results.
II have found the girls to be Just
like other little girls in private life
and the boys just like boys the world
over" said Miss Hall. "They are diff
ferent only when they get together in
little groups and talk about the stage
and acting and their own work. Then
they are for all the world like little
old men and women"
There is cement fioored play
Ground in the yard in the rear of the
school and during the noon hour the
children spend most of their time in
the open. They are as lively and
vigorous as young animals and all
sorts OF sports are encouraged by the
school authorities.
Mary Miles Minter, now known as
picture star wherever movie fans
exist, was one of the first pupils al
the school and one of the brightest
too, so Miss Porter says. Rosemary
Marston, whose blond curls and brown
eyes are familiar to cinema patrons
is another OF the alumni. And so is
Lila Lee. who has recently gone into
the movies, but who was formerly bet
ter known as "Cuddles" Edwards, and
one Of the favorites with audiences who
saw Gus Edwards's revue. George
Price, who played with "Cuddles" In
the revue. sat beside her at the school
and like her he too has gone into the
UITnAG
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-05

the management always refuses to in
dorse a permit for child's profess
sional appearance IL it Is believed that
the school work is being neglected in
any way.
Miss Hall, too, reserves the right to
demand the withdrawal from the
school Of any child whose work is con-
tinually below standard, or whose con-
duct is not in keeping with the spirit
OF the school A certain uniformity of
dress is required of every girl. The
winter garb must be OF plain, dark
blue cloth. In the spring and early
fall white or blue MILDLY blouses are
permitted. Only thirty minutes is
allowed for lunch. II this is not long
enough for a child to go home, lunch
con must be brought or eaten at the
school cafeteria in the basement,
where wholesome food is provided at
cost price. Usually from fifty TO sixty
children eat lunch there each noon.
A tuition fee of So a month is col
leoted from each of the youngsters.
No attempt at profit is made. 1t is
Miss Halls aim to make the school
self-supporting, but II never has been
and is continued solely through sub
scriptions made by grown ups who
have become interested in the unique
work.
There are a few scholarships avail
able for children whose parents are
unable to AFFORD the tuition fees. Seven
OF them, of 800 each, have been given
this year, and Billie Burke and Win
throp Ames are two of the donors
The scholarships cover the cost OF tut
ton and books. the latter being ordi-
narily sold to the pupils at cost, but
for cash only. Were IL not for the
rent which the school pays for the
building It occupies, II would be self.
supporting now. 1t is Miss Halls am.
bit.on to have the school acquire a
building of its own. and perhaps II
may some day. for, in addition to the
Episcopalian patrons of the institution
II has recently attracted the interest
and attention OF the theatrical profess
sion at large. Frank Bacon is one
OF those who has come forward witt
suggestion for yearly benefit which
II is hoped. would result in the grad
ual establishment of a building fund
Gnfroienk ~ mase- naQniDSnsakA
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-05
Stage Children'S School
RevOlutioniZes Juvenile
Life in the Profession
Pupils Number More Than 100 and Include Many Who
Have Won Fame Before the Footights- Here They
Are Just Plain Boys and Girls, Says Miss Hall,
Founder of the Only Institution of Its
Kind in the World

THE school for stage children in
West Forty-sixth street Just
off Broadway in the heart of
the theatrical district has the distinc-
ton of being the only one OF it's kind
in the world. One hundred and eigh-
teen youngsters, most of whom appear
daily either in dramatic productions
or In the movies. are receiving an edu-
cation there which most OF them would
otherwise go without. The school was
started by Miss Jane II. Hall, a
deaconess in the Episcopal Church
and its present supervising principal.
when the amazing fact CHANGED to
come to her attention one day that
dozens Of stage youngsters had reached
the age of IA or 15 years without being
able to read or write.
Miss Hall straightway began an In
vestgation of the situation. After a
few days spent in talking with parents
and theatrical managers and members
Of the Board of Education and the
children themselves she went to the
late Bishop Greer and told him of the
conditions and of her plan for remedy
ing them. Bishop Greer's sympathies
were Immediately enlisted, as were
those Of a considerable number Of his
friends. As a result money was sub
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-05

Freshmen usually take four, and
sometimes FIVE, but the instances OF
men taking six are rare indeed.
Jacob is not taking any snap"
courses, either, as any Harvard man
will agree, for his list includes His
tory 1, which embraces European his
tory since the fall of the Roman En-
pire; English A. the general course
for all freshmen; Chemistry A, the
elementary course; Physics c. for ad-
vanced students only; Philosophy A
and French 2, full course in adj
vanced translation and composition.
This list will easily refute any idea
that the boy has abnormal leanings
toward only one line of work, for sci
ence, languages. history, philosophy
and English are all represented.
What makes young Shankman's
case the more remarkable is the fact
that he intends 10 complete us eo.:-
years work in three years. at the end
of which he is to attend the Harvard
medical school, where he will grad
uate, in the ordinary course of
events, when he is 20 years old. hav-
ing completed a stiff college course
and a four year grind at medical
school at an age when most young
men are just entering their junior
year at college.
I've always wanted to go to Har-
ward, and I've always wanted to be
doctor, and I Will be, too. when l
grow up" said the prospective physi-
clan.
II made up my mind to go to Har-
ward when 1 was just little kid, ana
you couldn't get me to go anywhere
else. 1 just decided in June. when /
was going TO Chelsea High School,
that I'd like to enter this fall, so l
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-05

Among the other we'll known chill
dren who daily toll over their lessons
in the school rooms are Raymond
Hackett who appeared in 1.-THE Cop
perheG9'; NJ trie Vernon, who has been
with Chauncey Olcott and was in "a
Prince There Was; Richard and Lii
liam Ross, who helped convulse audi
ences who saw the dramatization of
Booth Tarkington's "Penrod," and Cor
nish Beck, who has frequently figured
in the casts of Mary Pickford's cinema
dramas.
Because of the hour at which some
of the children get to bed when they
are performing, the school does not
open until 10 o'clock in the morning.
There is a strict rule against hardness
which is seldom violated. Perhaps the
habit of promptness ingrained upon
the boys and girls at rehearsals is
the reason. The primary classes last
until l o'clock. The intermediate de-
partment runs until 2, and the seniors
stay half an hour later. The mothers
of most or the younger children bring
them to school through the crowded
city streets each day and call for them
regularly after school hours. There is
so little extra room In the Rehearsal
Club, however, that the parents are
required TO leave their charges at the
door. There Is cafeteria which is
patronized twice DAN by between $50
and 200 young women of the stage at
the club and the old brown stone front
residences which now accommodate both
club and school are being outgrown
rapidly.
Although supported by Episcopali-
ans. children of many creeds are num-
bered among the pupils. AS a result
care is exercised in the religious In
struction which h given, although IT
forms a daily feature Of the school
programme. Most Of the youngsters
respond readily to this side OF their
training and in no instance has OBJ
lection been made by any of their
parents.
1t Is Miss Halls intention hereafter
to have her children appear in some
form of dramatic entertainment each
season. Their most ambitious effort
in this direction, thus far, has been
the production Of Daddy Longlegs.'
NLhAah - AaAsA AA-A @anna4 yxkAah
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-05

* stating that China and Great
L - Britain have entered into an
agreement under which Tibet is to be
given autonomy under Chinese sover-
eighty recall the troubles Of that an
cient country. so filled with curious
customs and holy places, during the
early part of the present century. par
ticularly the grief of the Dalai Lama,
ruler of the land and religious head Of
the Buddhist faith, when British eX-
petition under Sir Francis Younghus-
band penetrated the country from In
dia in 1904 and fought its way to the
holy city of Lhasa The Dalai Lama
was so overcome by the fact that the
"feet of infidels had trodden the streets
of the forbidden city, that he fed the
country and for many years was a
wanderer in the provinces of northern
China Eventually, however, he re-
turned to Tibet and was again in
vested by the Chinese with all of his
ancient powers.
Tibet is populated by a branch of
the Monaghan race, and although the
thority, the real power Is the Chinese
Vice Regent. the country having been
under Chinese domination for many
years. Some time ago the Chinese
Foreign Office offered to grant the
Tibetans autonomy, and this proposal
10 now understood 10 have the APP
proval of the British Government,
which has always insisted that Tibet
remain northern buffer State in Asia
and not come under the control OF any
OF the great European Powers. The
new arrangement is understood to
place the Tibetans on the same foot
ing with the other races and countries
of the Chinese Republic and will re-
lieve the Chinese OF the task of keep
Ing the country in order. 1t will also
realize the British desire to keep Tibet
as a buffer State between India and
China.
From almost any point of view Tibet
has always been one of the most
curious countries on the globe. 1t is
the most extensive elevated country
In the world, occupying an area OF
some 100000 square miles in central
Asia. bounded on the north by Chinese
Turkestan and the barrier of the
Kuen-lun. Altin-tag and Nan-Shan
mountains, on the south by Upper
Burma. Assam. Bhutan. Nepal and
British Indian, on the west by Ladakh
and Bultistan little Tibet and on
the east by China proper. The eleva-
| ton OF the country varies from 5000
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-05

to $4,000 feet and its climate Is prin-
cipally bleak and cold, although in the
south the summers are usually mild
and pleasant. 1t has a population OF
between 100000 and 100000, the
principal city and capital. Lhasa, hav-
ing some 10000 souls. The religion
of the inhabitants is Buddhism and
they are very devout, the entire coun-
try being overrun with monasteries, or
lamasaries, in some of which dwell as
many as 1000 monks.
For many centuries Tibet was a for
hidden country, and 1t is probable that
no white man ever entered the city of
Lhasa until Sir Francis Younghusband
fought his way into the place in 1904
Thereafter several travellers managed
to penetrate into the country, with
considerable difficulty and at great
danger, and weird tales were brought
out of the curious customs of the
inhabitants. The world is indebted
principally to the explorer Sven Hedin
for information concerning Tibet. He
made three expeditions into the coun.
try, in 1906, 1907 and 1908, and his
work during those three years ranks
among the great achievements of ex-
ploration. He obtained enormous re-
suits in spite of the efforts of Tibetan
Indian and Chinese officials to prevent
him getting into the country.
Another traveller who brought Out
some information about the country
was the Rev. d. f. McGillicudy, pastor
Of st. Stephens Church of Worcester
Mass, who penetrated into Tibet in
1906. In giving his impressions Of the
country DIR. McGillicudy said:
1.-THE population is n mixture OF
Chinese and Tibetans, the races having
intermarried to a great extent, and al
the same time they have solved the
problem Of population. Their solution
is by polyandry or polygamy.
"The custom of disposing of dead
bodies is strange, for their belief 4:
that to bury bodies in the earth is tc
contaminate them. They therefore
slice the flesh from all bodies anc
feed 1t tS the birds. I witnessed this
service for two bodies. The Tibetan,
sdlfully cut away all flesh, and afteI
drying the bones pulverize them ant
feed them to vultures.
1.-THE temples used for centuries are
still standing and are strange lookint
affairs. In front OF many of them ar,
stumps Of trees covered with butter II
which the devotees stick their Offering,
of coins. / went into several OF tn,
temples and took pictures of the in
teriors. showing the affairs and tn,
queer offerings and the lights. which
are always kept burning"
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-05

scribed and Miss Hall was able to
launch the Professional Chlldren's
School in connection with the Re-
hearsal Club at 22O West Forty-sixth
street This was in January. 1914, and
there were but few pupils and only
one teacher. But the echool grew
amazingly from the first and the teach
ing staff now numbers thirteen grad
yates of woInens colleges and the
curriculum includes all the studies of
the elementary grades and high school,
including singing, sewing, French and
dancing.
The youngsters range in age from
years to Is or II, and there are many
~ them who are paid salaries of 800
week and upward in their profess
sional engagements. Invariably the
managers have done everything pos
sible to arrange rehearsals not to in
terfere with the classes of their youth
full performers. In many instances the
children travel all over the country in
road companies, but special arrange
ments have been made by. the school
for uninterrupted continuation of
studies In such cases.
Unique Correspondence System.
Lessons for two weeks ahead are
sent them and they are required TO
spend certain time each day in study.
Written answers to all questions are
mailed to the school for correction at
regular intervals. The plan has proved
| practicable, and in nearly every in
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-05

artificial life that surrounds childhood
behind the footlights.
In large measure the Professional
Children's School has changed all this.
It's authorities cooperate vigorously
with the Board Of Education in enforc-
Ing the compulsory education law and
with the Gerry Society by making
recommendations for permits to work
based upon attendance and scholar
ship. Without these permits, under
present day conditions, 1t would be i'm
possible for a child to obtain a the
atrical engagement with reputable
management.
And the influence Of the school upon
the children has. through them, en-
tered into hundreds Of homes. Unex-
| cused absences are at once reported
t. the truancy department OF the
| Board of Education, although when
absolutely necessary. the youngsters
arc excused to attend rehearsals. But
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-05

would have brought real credit to
grownupS.
While there is complete grammar
school course this year, only two high
school classes are being held at pres
ent. The third and fourth year high
school work is to be added in 1920 and
1921, and this will require additional
space. Besides, the classes are con-
stantly increasing in size with the
opening of each school year.
Course Especially shaped.
Every child receives two lessons in
French each week, and special atten-
ton is given to pronunciation. Diction
classes are also held regularly. Pro
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-05

motions depend entirely upon the indi-
vidual pupils ability to pass the re-
gents examinations.
The first year of primary work is
devoted to the primer, simple number
work and phonics and writing. Then
comes second year reading, dictation of
simple sentences, arithmetic, simple
story writing and more phonics and
writing. The courses of study are
thereafter laid out much in accord
ance with those in the public schools.
The senior class this year is taking
up its second season of algebra and
beginning plain geometry end Latin.
The boys and girls also are translat-
ing French plays, giving several hours
each week to English literature,
ancient and medieval history, current
history and lectures and discussions.
Miss Jean Greer, daughter of the
late Bishop Greer. is at the head OF
the Rehearsal Club, under whose gen.
eral direction the school Is being con-
Quoted. Miss Alice Smith is vice presi-
dent, Thomas S. McLane, treasurer,
and Miss Hall, secretary. The adj
visory board IS made up of William
D~''ii co. NISOl 30 IlcNStS, 4hTS.
Richard Mansfield, the Rev. DR.. Ern-
est M. Stires, DIR. William S. Thomas
and Francis =. Wilson.
Included among the directors are
Miss Susan ID. Bliss, Mrs. Ira Daven-
port Mrs. Henry r. Hoyt, Miss Rosina
S. Hoyt, Mrs Thomas S. McLane, Mrs.
John j. Riker, Miss Marie Russell,
Miss Grace Scoville, Miss Lois Church
Scoville, Mrs. William Sloane, Mrs.
Willard d. Straight, Mrs. James b.
| Taylor Mrs. Brock p. Trowbridge,
Miss Louise Van Ingen and James NJ.
! Varnum.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-05

took the entrance exams, and here /
am"-this with a broad smile. I'm
living at home this year, for I'm too
young to live in the dormitories, my
people say. but guess III come right
over here to Cambridge tolive before
1 graduate. I've got to grow up some
FIRST" he explained.
He'd Like to BE Coxswain.
what would you like to do while
you're in college?" he was asked.
well, I'd like to be the coxswain
Of the university crew." he said, land
I'm going to go out for 1t next year."
And as far as weight goes Jake"
would make an ideal man for the after
end of the Crimson boat, for he's
barely Eve feet tall and built in pro-
portion. His voice will have to change.
though. before he can yell out the
stroke &c q 5oats:! &c st-s:!.c!cs c:-:-
men during big race. for the ordinary
crowd at New London would drown
out his present tones.
They seem to do things at an early
age all through the Shankman family,
for Jacobs brother Myer is a veteran
of the war, still in the Canadian army
at the age of IS. Myer Joined the
Canadian outfit because his Uncle
Sam told him he was too young. And
there are also two sisters. Esther, the
older. is keeping up the family repu-
tation at high school, and Jeanette.
the younger, is following in Jacobs
footsteps in grammar school. "And
she's doing wen, too" said Jacob, so
jeanette may some day be the prodigy
at Wellesley. Jacob is strong for edu-
cation. and wants his sisters to become
scholars Of the type which will reflect
credit IN tho family
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-05

Youngsters who make particularly
good and who are ambitious for more
book learning now are able to avail
themselves of two scholarships, one at
the Pawling School and the other at
the Hotchkiss School at Lakeville,
Conn. Forest Macomber, who at
tracted much attention with Henrietta
Crosman a few seasons ago. was the
first of the stage children to go to
Pawling. His place there is now being
filled by Stephen Davis who had the
part of the bachelors baby in the play
of that name in which Francis Wilson
starred. He later won renown as
Benny in "Pollyanna."
Many Familiar Faces.
The school has numbered notable
children among its pupils. The
features of many of them are known
to many thousands of theatregoers
from Maine to the Pacific coast. A
liberal sprinkling of them are of the
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-05
Tibet's Curious Customs

- ECENT dispatches from Pekin
x stating that China and Great
- Britain have entered into an
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-05
snn Work for a hoy.

Jacob Shackman. still in knee
oreeches. will have his fourteenth
birthday in February. He Is regarded
as real prodigy by his parents and
teachers, for ne passed all his en-
trance examinations with high grades
and has written several brilliant pa
pers on medieval history. His course
Of study is one which few undergrad
yates would dare tackle. for he Is
taking six subjects for his first year
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-05
Youth and Age at Harvard

Backward. turn backward. Time in
thy flight,
Make me a child again Just for tonight (!
Americus times-recorder., 1919-10-14

says. "It is not done on the impulse
of the moment. it is a matter of
study and care and thought. You
can take an old-tlrne Joke from its
tomb, set it on ITS nInu legs. and a
breath of life would be breathed into
it if told in dialect.
"For instance, take the father of
all jokes-the best known of them all
Why does a chicken cross the
street? TO get on the other side.
Anybody would call that pretty bad
if it were said on the stage. The
guilty actor would surely get some
thing going his way. But | would
bet my best accent that the chicken
joke told in dialect would not only
be endured, but it would make them
laugh"
Americus times-recorder., 1919-10-14
South Georgia Counties
To Organize At Moultrie

MOULTRIE, Oct. IA perma-
nent organization for the League of
Counties will be perfected at a meet
ing to be held at Thomasville on
Thursday night. October %, by rep
resentatives of some twenty or twen-
ty-dve commercial bodies in South
west Georgia and North Florida The
call for the Thomasville meeting was
issued by C. W. Cooper of that city,
who was elected temporary president
of the organization at Vadosta several
weeks ago.
The plans of the League looks for
ward to the ultimate organization
of a commercial organization in each
county in this section of the state
and the Florida border counties, hav-
ing similarity of climate, agricultural
production and social and economic
aspirations. These various organiZa-
tions, according to the plan which
has been worked out, are to be linkeo
together in a strong central organ
ization to speak and act for the en-
tire territory in matter of common
interest, The League is the out
growth of the community develop
ment principles outlined by Mr.. W. c.
Vereen, of Moultrie, in a speech at
Valdosta several weeks. The Val
dosta Rotary club took up the idea
and the temporary organization was
formed at a meeting held under its
auspices.
The counties that have been for
mally asked to send three represen-
tative each to the meeting at Thomas
vile on October % are Lowndes,
Thomas, Brooks, Colquitt, Berrien,
Tiff, Cook, Mitchell, Dougherty, De-
eatur, Turner, Grady, Ware, Worth
and Leon and jefferson the latter two
counties being in Florida.
Americus times-recorder., 1919-10-14
CORKING GOOD
SHOWS BOOKED
FOR AMERICUS

Manager Dudley is optimistic over
the outlook for the coming theatrical
season. Some of the best attrac-
tons travelling this season have been
booked The season opens with
ACome Along" for Thursday, October
16, followed by Friendly Enemies
October II. Indications point to big
houses for these two attractions, as
already phone messages from Monte
yuma, Oglethorpe, Ellaville and other
nearby towns are making reserva-
tions. Some of the other early at
fractions which will be seen here are
$50 Long Lefty" Coburn's Minstrels,
''The Naughty Wife," Hickory Nuts
Co.," "Come Along Mary" "Parlor,
Bed Room and Bath" Under Orders y
and others.