South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-09


ington society TO dancing in the
chorus OF "A Broadway musical com
edy and 10 Camp Upton are three
distinctive steps. yet Gilbert Edg-
more accomplished them all three,
not simultaneously, but each in turn.
Into Washington society he was
born, and when he was old enough
he fell naturally into the couluon
leadership then followed a series OF
escapades I cannot chronicle here as
they are not family reading. but they
ended with Father Edgmore disown
ing his son and casting him on the
world for support.
Gilbert, taking the line OF least re
sistance. made for the second phase
musical comedy and was destined
10 cavOrt with FIVE other men in the
Maid OF the Mist"
Casually he had mentioned his
fathers name one day. The press
agent, ever ready 20 get newspaper
space fo- his attraction. spoke to the
manager and Gilbert was given the
end position and the author had 20
write in an extra line which Gilbert
was 20 speak while the morning
newspapers each announced, from
five lines to half a column. the fact
that the son Of one OF Washington s
leading statesmen would be with the
Maid OF the Mist when IL opened.
MatZOom was the man who put on
the dances. lie was a little dapper
chap or about %, with curly hair.
His features were sharp and pert.
and his manner, owing to the sudden
success he had attained. overbearing.
His language. never profane. was sar-
castle and very insulting in its in
nuendo. He loved 70 play the gentle
man. and his love for authority was
even greater. He had never in his
chorus had any one OF such social
standing and he instinctively felt that
Gilbert saw through his own thin
veneer Of breeding and took a dis
like TO him from the first moment.
There is a big difference between
bali room dancing and the rather
difficult steps a chorus has to go
through, and as the others were eX-
-perienced in that line. Matzoom put
them through their PAGES rapidly, so
Gilbert did not show 10 the best ad-
vantage.
In one Of the scenes one day the
chorus boys were grouped around on
chairs. AS the leading lady got up
Gilbert inshnctively rose.
What are you trying to do?" Mat
zoon said, sneeringly, Take the
center OF the stage? What do you
mean by getting up?"
Gilbert looked at him in surprise,
then answered.
That is what a gentleman would
do under the circumstances.
Matzoom turned crimson and some
10 minutes later. when they were
going through a rather difficult evo-
luton OF dancing which Gilbert he'd
not mastered, Matzoon very calmly
fired him.
As Gilbert was coming out of the
stage entrance ne ran into the press
agent
"Rehearsals over?" the latter
said
40" said Gilbert calmly. haYe
been fired"
In the managers Office few
minutes later the press agent laid the
matter before the manager. Gilbert
had been asked TO wait outside.
You can't fire him" ne said.
Why he can get us a lot OF press
work. one of the Sunday papers
promised me "a little story with pic
lures, and after we have opened
there are endless little things 1 have
mapped out.
The manager was a shrewd man,
He simply nodded and taking Gilbert
with him went back TO the stage and
called Matzoom over 10 him. He
didn't see lit 20 lower his voice, but
spoke so every one could hear him.
by what authority Ar. Matzoom
90 YOU discharge people I engage ."
"He can't do the steps" answered
Matzoon, hastily.
well that is what I pay YOU for, -
said the manager. calmly, 'to show
these people their steps" and with
out another word he turned and dis
appeared i'm the dark auditorium.
MatzOon swallowed his pride. He
scowled for "a few moments. then a
crafty smile came into his face.
Mr. Edgmore." he said. politely
and IL was "a pOliteness that cut II
was so suave. eff YOU will kindly
stay after the others I will give YOU
all my attention" and from that day
on he devoted most of his time 70
Gilbert.
Right left. balance. kick" Gill
bert heard il even in his dreams.
MIR. EdgmOre, this is not leading
cotllion. This il a serious work,
bat don't despair. I VIII give YOU
all my spare time until YOU get it. "
And again and again the whole com
pany. principals included. had 10 sit