Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-03-22

I who managed to stuff the last bite
of his doughnut into his mouth and
smile so hopefully at the teacher
that she chose him. Once outside
the dining room, with the doughnut
wholly masticated, he Immediately
recovered his dignity and sedately
led the way out through the dark
hall again and up fight OF stairs.
1t was rather disconcerting-this
impressive dignity. 1t almost took
away the visitors breath.
what is your Nance" he began
in a family patronizing voice,
which changed into one OF hearty
friendship, as he encountered the
small persons calm, critical
glance.
Chester" said the boy politely.
Chester Hermann"
well, Chester's nice name,
and are you on the stage, too"
Yes, I'm not playing at pres
ent," explained Chester casually.
I'm just rehearsing." Then, with
an obvious note Of pride-"This is
my first production"
"Oh, l see," said the visitor,
putting slightly, as he was led up
the third fight Of stairs. Then
you're just starting out on your
career"
mot at ALL" contradicted Ches-
ter quickly, stopping on the land
ing, and throwing back his small,
well shaped head. I've been on
the vaudeville stage for years
doing a song and dance act, but
this that I'm rehearsing for is my
first production"
SAY, Chester" asked the visitor,
descending humbly to the magnifi-
cent level of the boys ten or eleven
years, "ars these classrooms you
spoke Of up on the roof. and how
does your school happen to be in
a church,
But here Chester opened a door
and proceeded to leal the way
through a series of busy class
rooms, in which tiny stage tots
were explaining how many times
three was contained in four, in
which older girls and boys were
discussing the Civil war, and in
which others were making siren
uous and successful efforts to imi-
tate the teachers pronunciation of
French nouns. All Of the children
were uniformly good looking.
There was not an ugly ducklins to
be found in one OF the class rooms
Most of them are distinct types, SC
that it is quite understandable how
the theatre managers find the
school such an excellent source OF
stage material.
Little Russell Hewitt and Jear
! Bailey, who play James children in
the recent Theatre Guild produc-
ton of Jane Clegg," were chosen
from this school, and so were
Ethel Fisher and Dorothy Hers
kind, the two little girls who dance
in Highland costume in the new
musical comedy, The Night Boat.
When they are not on the stage
they are hard at work. studying
history and algebra. Helen
Chandler, who played in The
) Light of the World" and who viii
be with John Barrymore in Rich.
ard ILL.," also attends the school
and one might mention a host o.
others, all of whom can boast a
least one Broadway engagement t
their credit.
There's jamie Lee" said Ches
! ter. pointing to the well known
, little film star. as We entered thu
second grade class room.
jamie, who is a very precociou
little mite of eight years, witt
curled bangs and eyes which Civ,
; the impression of being made up
=, promptly made a face at Cheste
) and then smiled to show that sh,
didn't mean it. Both jamie AM
her sister, Katherine, are the env.
: of all the other children in tn
7 school, for while nearly every chile
: there can boast stage experience
few have enjoyed the delightful
3 pranks that the Lee sisters are al
l lowed to carry off, free from par
entail discipline, in the movies.
| The Professional Children
: school provides no training for tn
stage, as has often been reported
According to the principal, Mis-
: Jane H. Hall, its aim lis to NEE
! the educational needs of childrel
= in the dramatic profession, to reg
!. ulate the hours so that a child ca
4 receive schooling while working
e to cooperate with the board of edu
i cation in enforcing the compulsor
education law, and with the Gerr
h society in making recommends
:. tons for permits based upon a,
e tendance and scholarship"
The school is run after the pal
t tern of the public schools, althoug
/. its courses are a trif1e broader, an
S its pass mark is higher. 1t is
u per cent. At present there ar
d three departments-primary inter
a mediate, and senior, the latter ir
e Guiding two years of high schoo
It while it is planned to add the thir
S and fourth years soon. The chi
! dren come at 10 o'clock in til
t morning and work until $50 whe
/ they are released for half a
d hours play until the school close
at 3 o'clock. Then they go HON
e for nap until their evening wor