The Washington times., 1931-01-29
Continued From Page y


rented rooms, our expenses had
mounted to the breaking point.
Where relief from any additional
financial strain was to be sought
was problem over which we all
brooded daily.
Every penny of my pitifully
small wage went into the common
fund. I felt my responsibility so
enormously that when I received
q summon to the managers Of
flee one evening after hours I re.
sponded in a whirl of trepidation.
Was I to be discharged? What
had I done to be reprimanded?
When I went in he was alone,
in the t of lowering the window
shades. He was brisk, dominat-
ing man. over-chummy with the
other girls generally, the type
Which some girls rave over, and
which others instinctively a. Tor.
Come in, Alma" he said
kir :,ly. He stepped forward anS
gently closed the door, I stood 50
herly facing him.
"Sit there!" he directed, point
ir.g to his Gecretary's vacant chair.
I complied.
How do you like it?"
Boss Sets a Trap
what? My job?" I inquired.
'1'm crazy about it,"
II don't mean your stock room
job" he laughed. II mean that
chair. How would you like to
work in here?"
1 gszed at him uncertainty.
"rve been watching you," he
went on. You're not made for
the stock room. I'm looking for a
new secretary, SOMEBODY built and
l0oks just like y
I'm not a stenographer. I'm
not even q typist. I -" I was
COO greatly astonished to proceed.
He smiled and put his arm
around my shoulders in familiar
manner. That is not so i'm
Rortant," he said. You can bluff
ct it, can't you? You know what
! mean, don't you?"
And, before I was aware of his
intent, he held me in tight en-
brace.
scratched him and I bit him.
I fought him like tiger.
Finally, after I had fairly
clawed his eyes Out-blOod was
streaming from the scratches
had inflicted on his face and
handS-he gave me a great
shove and knocked me off my
feet. fell in a painting heap
on the floor.
ooh, WELL" he grOwled. eff
that's the way you feel about it,
you can go to -! I only put
you in the stock room to give
you q chance. You're fired!
Here is your pay"
Sick at Heart
He seized a pad, Scribbled a
few words on it and handed it to
me. I took it and stumbled away,
thoroughly disillusioned and sick
ened by his treatment.
Years later, after I climbed to
fame in the movies, through my
lead in "Humoresque," I became
acquainted with his successor and
just for curiosity's sake I asked
him to show me my former SER
vice record.
discharged for being drunk, !"
was scribbled on the card.
That same day my mother
went to the hospital, leaving the
house alone in my absence, tax
ing a street car because she had
insufficient funds to ride in a
taxi. I was frantic when I re-
turned and found she was gone.
ran all the way to the insti-
tuition, more than mile from
our home, and was escorted by a
kind-hearted attendant to her
bedside in a free ward where she
had been placed for observation.
A nurse had brought her a tray
Of food, delicacies which had not
appeared on our family table for
weeks.
A Mothers Warning
My mother had hidden the
choice bits in a napkin under her
pillow. On these, amid tears, I
feasted. while she smoothed my
hair and murmured reassurances.
Between bites and sobs
poured out my whole story of
woe. shall never forge+ my
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