New-York tribune., 1920-02-29
TRAINS Of a catchy jazz tune
a fioated up from the orchestra
y pit and into the wings of

< pit and into the wings of
Mount Vernon's vaudeville the
ater. On the stage cavorted
Frisco and his derby hat. assisted by
several barefoot maidens in classic cos
tune. A woman watched" from the
wings, her bright. laughing blue eyes
sightless-unable to hear the strum
ming of the violins, the brassy blare
of the trumpets and the deep boom Of
the bass drum. Yet she swayed in per-
feet time with the music, expressing
her pleasure in happy laughter. The
youngsters, their bit over, futtered off
the stage and gathered around Helen
Keller, thrilled at meeting the won
derful woman who, by her patience
and indomtable spirit, has overcome
the severest physical handicaps against
which a,human being can be asked to
labor.
Helen Keller ran her sensitive fn-
gers oyer the costumes of the dancers.
She felt their feet and found them bare.
Then she stopped over and pressed her
lips against their cheeks and hair
Every one knows that Helen Keller has
been Il happy, courageous woman, but
now in her debut on the vaudeville
stage. IN her backstage intimacy with
the performers in the day, she is
happier than she has ever been before.
1t is not necessary for her to tell one
that she has entered upon an adventure
in a fairy world and that she is having
great fun. All that is necessary is to
watch her talking with the actors. who
are eager to meet her; to observe her
on the stage when she demonstrates
her ability to talk and answer ques--
tions with rapidity and brlllIance or
wit that startles the audience. She
has studied at college; she~ has lee
tured; she has heard opera singers by
feeling their lips with her finger tips;
she has written books; she has met
famous men and women In the world,
but now with her lifelong teacher and
friend, Anne Sullivan Macy, she has
made her debut in vaudeville and is in
A magic world. The Palace audiences
are seeing her in "The Sweetest Love
Story in the World" The act was ar
ranged by George Alfred Lewis. Mrs.
Macy has devoted many years OF her
life to the education and training OF
Miss Keller, and the love story is the
affection teacher has for pupil and
pupil has for teacher.
Miss Keller is graceful woman,
taller than the average, with laughing
blue eyes and soft brown hair She can
distinguish between her friends by her
sense Of touch and never forgets the
names of people or the occasion upon
which she meets them. Either by
placing her tinger-tips on the lips of
the speaker or with the assistance Of
her teacher, that equally wonderful,
motherly woman, she is able to carry
on a splendid copversation, words and
IDEAS coming so rapidly to her at times
that it is difficult for one possessed of
all the five senses to keep up with her.
We sat in a small sitting room near her
dressing room and chatted. Helen sat
directly in front of US and 70 her right
was Mrs. Macy, who transmitted our
remarks by spelling them into the palm
of Helcn's right hand. using the regu-
lar sign language. Helen talked Of the
movies, of vaudeville, Of money, Of jazz
and of happiness.
why have l gone into vaudeville ?
To make money, that Is the reason. I