Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1928-02-03
published by special arrangemcnt with The
Chicago Tribune 6yndicste)


IN TWO ~PARTs-PART
CHARLIE BLUMMER and his Daisy
Chain girls were playing a one night
stand in lewiston when his low
comedian drank too much home made
molasses rum and was taken TO the hos
pital in a condition which made II i'm
possible for him to continue his comic
duties. Charlie went to Portland to find
a man to replace him, and happened on
Willie Means. He had never seen Willie
before, but he despised him on sight, and
felt an almost uncomfortable impulse To
step on his toes. as one treads upon a
worm.
1t is not easy to search out the quality
which made Willie thus instantly ON
temptible, which made men wish to
kick him. He was a small man and his
slight stature gave him q youthful ap-
pearance which his lined and vice-worn
countenance belied. His shoulders were
narrow, his legs were thin, and the I'M
naturally large dome Of his head seemed
likely at any momen to overbalance his
small frame. Beneath his bulging brow
his nose slumped weakly, II his chin
fell inward and became a part Of his
neck, with only a slack wrinkle to mark
the dividing line. His eyes were pale and
blue and redly discolored, and they wat
cred almost constantly; furthermore, the
lower lids were beginning to droop out
ward in that gesture which is the mark
OF weary age. People sometimes took the
time to wonder just how old Willie was.
His face looked as though he might be
fifty: his slight figure was that of a
STRIPPING. His years were, as a matter of
statistics. Just thirty-hve and q fraction
on that night in Portland when he heard
that Charlie was hunting for
a low comedian, and ran Blummer down
For Willie was an actor. Blummer rec
ognized this fact as soon as he saw the
little man. He knew it by Willie's clothes.
His soft black velour hat was cooked at
a jaunty angle, bulky and impressive
above his small countenance Against
tremendous handicaps he managed a
clean collar, and so much of his silken
shirt as appeared in the triangle between
collar and coat was also clean. His suit,
Of a light check, was shrunken to a snug
fit about his thin body, as though it had
been incautiously exposed TO the wealth
er; and the trousers were family COR
rugated with a pattern which Blummer's
experienced eye recognized as that left
by a certain type of woven wire bed
springs. His shoes were cracked and old.
but they were polished, SO that from
head to foot Willie wore a deceptive
elegance; he had an air, and the cane
which he carried gave it conviction. His
manner. Blummer at once perceived, was
grave and formal and composed.
In response to Blummer's questions,
Willie recited some of his professional
experiences. He had, he said, played
every part up and down the scale. But
comedy" he added soberly, was always
my great success"
"Yeah?" Blummer prompted incredu-
lousy. Willie did not look like a come
dian.
Yes" Willie assured him.. "Of curse, -
he added, II have played other parts. 1
understand you are supplied with a lead-
ing man? All, yes. Well. I nave no wish
to displace him.. I only mentioned the
matter to suggest the wide range Of my
experience"
Blummer said frankly; you throw a
good front But l amt got time to fool
with anybody that don't want to work.
We put on a pretty snappy show, and we
need the laughs to fill in between sons
and dance stuff. I'm telling you straight
that you don't look good to me"
Blummer nodded. Can you dance?"
Willie snapped into a few steps, his cane
swinging, his small feet shutting in a
rude rhythm. Good enough for rough
stuff" Blummer assented. Sing any?"
Il can put across a comic"
Blummer sighed heavily and looked
about as though for relief, then YEARLY
decided: well, l got to take q chance on
you. You'll have to hop back to Lewis
ton with me this afternoon"
Willie said gravely: There is only the
difficulty Of costuming myself, Mr.. Blum
mer. I find my professional wardrobe
somewhat reduced. Did the former in
cumbent, by chance, leave any useful
garments behind himp"
Its a tramp part" Blummer told him.
Anything will do. You can wear what
you've got on"
II this reflection on his only suit of
clothes disturbed Willie he made no sign.
II have 10 doubt / can find something"
he replied.
So Blummer got a low comedian and
Willie got a job. This was routine for
Blummer, but 1t was a matter OF moment
to Willie. For he was hungry.
Willie was introduced to the re-
mainder of the company at the boarding
house table. The six Daisy Chain girls
and Mrs. Marnihan were already seated
when Willie and Blummer arrived. Blum
mer said casually; This is Willie Means
He's going to take Dawes place" And
sat down and dove into his soup.
Mrs. Marnihan, q robust woman with
yellow hair and white eyebrows, looked
up at the name and exclaimed: Willie
Means! l thought you was in Chicago"
Her tone could not be called a friendly
one; nevertheless Willie accepted it as
such.
"Ah, Mrs. Marnihan," he replied. TITS
a pleasure to see you again"
She bridled angrily. II can't say as
much. You know you never could fool
me, Willie. You're a little rat, and If
you know what's good for you, you'll
leave my things alone"
Blummer, his attention thus forcibly
withdrawn from his soup, asked angrily;
What's the matter with him?"
Wherever he goes, things get stolen
out of dressing rooms, that's what's the
matter" Mrs. Marnihan replied dedantly.
And he can't deny it, either"
Willie smiled ingratiatingly; there was
something craven and pitiful in his
smile. Now, Mrs. Marnahan-" he pro-
tested. But Blummer cut him of with q
word. leveled a warning foreinger.
you start anything like that in my
company and I'll personally kick you out
Of your pants, Means" he said fatty.
Willie weakly protested: From one
gentleman to another, MIR. Blummer,
hardly think"
shut up" Blummer replied. II don't
A. E~-~J.~ Cl-