The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-03-28
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Pocahontag in Confusion
by Jane Osborn

nspILY Saunders had tortured
her brown ctrls into two pug
nAciohs pigtails that stood at
right angles above each ear. For
want Ola dressing robe she wore
biloxi academic gown that had
been left hanging in the locker
room % the college gymnasium by
one Of the seniors. Then she pull
81 one OF the plgtails around the
back OF her head and one across
the front, fastened them down by
hairpin here and there
and Struggled into the con-
tines OF a wig made Of horsehair
that WAS supposed to transform
her into a full blooded Indian.
But 1T did not. For Polly's skin
was OF the pink-and-whue variety
that only looked fairer beneath
the shadow OF the straight black
locks
Polly was a sophomore In col.
lege and was about TO make her
debut ION the college stage as
Pocahontas In a play written by
~ me- ciasshlateS'
where's the makeup MANI"
she called from the curtained-or
section Of the locker room where
she was making her hasty toilet.
Makeup man! Why, there
tsnt any such ANIMAL answered
King James In a high treble from
the next dressing room. "They
only have a makeup man for big
piays-not for little class plays
ike this. You're supposed 10
make Yourseli up"
This was d~istress,nr e~snec,s,Iv
Us in the Various make.up eouip-
uient OF the several actors In the
play therefwas nothing that would
do In any way to transform Polly
Saunders into a coppery Indian.
She was the only Indian in the
land at tie time that Pocahontas
vent hitfer with John Rolfe: and
even II II was a humorous little
farce Pocahontas had to Cook real.
For a; few n,onents poIlv a.,
eribed wild circles tbromGh tLo
dressing rooms Of the gymnssinm
in5searct Of sometime that would
help her. Then abe fonnS a hox
coftaInins dressing for t.n Shaos
both IiauId and neste sha us
ried baekt 10 her iittIs %rejreor -.
the wall and did what she co,SJ
size was nra,sed ~ not for SI he.
perfect make.np. at least for her
resourcefnlnesa If wos ! ma t
take of the comm,,tea t Jn u
had not been toid ~ vat rna out
Isdtsn ner sOt0 " set Feal
-. So
psi rtt1as afternoon, ana
Nm IL maae arrangements to
6otIssa g ~eeK eno leaving
oatsse lmmeolately after the
~ a.s satcnlIs a . O'Clock
4 snu tesen1hg nome by . or
ns 70 q! u was especially
sss!ns Fs9lrnins 10 her
assss room al tne close OF the
an9saa az whien the ap-
Atu apPreciation mad made
ioIsotten llnes and occa-
sS5 !. sIuDarFassment 10
ste lnaian complexion
htt ~ easItS WIN a orush and
goIsoh' aiah come OF so
gstas soiiy trleo 70 WASH 1t, but
na ssTt;s diu 20. 9I1ge IL -.
hoL soiu9le IN A2o," said
ieHllnlne John Rolte still In
poLnteu pearo. assisting the
princess 70 the end. You
ns ~ nave cold cream
you ought 10 nave known
n walled Polly. Il
80 ANXIOUS 70 be ready In
JUST put ~ on any way. And
nov now can go home with a
ayssllAe thls!
AneE Wasn, even time to hurry
w me aoFmltory, Tor Polly
800 eaten a. O'Clock train.
Put mere was time for one OF the
mempeIs OF the committee to Go
tgtns eoTmltory Tor a heavy veil.
MnlIe foliy hurried out Of Poca-
a91tsS . G4otnes into her own.
ald Sot take a seat in the
TO car, as n had been advis-
eS her careful parents always
20 az, because she thought she
Wonla ne less conspicuous in the
coac1' me man at the ticket
otneeHnaa stared at her and so had
conductor who helped her
aooAra, ana later punched her
tseKeb and there was nothing Of
aamlrauon IN the stare. Il was
enongnst 70 convince her that even
tnfoughsthe chiffon veil her red
disnspFown complexion with its
eoaIlng o. powder that she had