The Washington times., 1931-02-02

Half an hour before that
time I was waiting at the
stage door. A dozen times in
the next hour I 5 had seen
Broncho Billy walk in and out
but he paid no more attention
to me than if 1 had been a
fire hydrant.
Finally, I could stand the
suspense no longer. And, upon
his temperance, I tim dly
stepped forward and handed
him the card Rock had given
me the previous afternoon.
This gentleman told me to
come here for a tryout," man.
aged to blurt out.
Broncho Billy gazed at it a
moment, then looked at me as
though for the first time he
had realized that I was not
some inanimate object.
oh" he said. That's what
you're waiting for, eh? I don't
think you are the type, but
come on back stage"
Fairly walking on the clouds,
dizzy with excitement and with
my heart playing leapfrog with
the back of my tongue. I fol-
lowed. The entire cast, some
20 odd girls, arrayed in tights.
were being put through their
PAGES by one of his assistants.
They were all of the bur-
lesque type so popular in those
days. Big of limb and hip and
bust and far older than myself,
they presented a jaded appear
ance, which, with their obvious
sophistication and audible wise
cracks, made me feel still more
self-conscious.
Gets First Pair of Tights
Dazed as I was, I could sense
that they were jealous of me,
that my youthful freshness and
bloom made them envious and
that would be dependent
upon my own resources if
was to learn the tricks and
trade Of a chorus high-stepper.
I was taken in hand by an
elderly matron, who led me
into a dressing room and ar
rayed me in my first pair Of
tights. AS I recall it, they we're
light green in color. with an
orange middle of ruffled satin
and a, headpiece of dropping
feathers, intended to give me
the appearance of a poll-par-
rot.
Another assistant took me in
hand and directed me to watch
the other girls a few minutes,
so I could gather some idea of
the steps. Happily, for me,
they were easy and. with my
confidence somewhat restored,
assured him that could Gupli-
cate them.
AL right! Go ahead. then"
he directed, keeping time with
up-and-down motions Of his
hands. "One, two; one, two;
one, two," and I broke into the
steps so handily that he i'm
mediately placed me in the line
up with the other girls.
We continued placticing for
more than an hour, and, ap-
parently. we were getting along
first rate. Then the other girls
were dismissed for the lunch
kour anf Broncho Billy, him
self, asked # I was ready for a
voice try-out.
She Doesn't Fall
"Oh. OH" I said to myself.
"Here's where / fall flat"
But I was game. After they
had wheeled out dilapidated
old piano. they handed me
sheet of music and the pianist
ratified off the. prelude to Alex
ander'S Ragtime Band. then at
the height of it's popularity.
In cracked tones and off key,
/ sang the first verse and was
just starting the chorus-really
getting warmed up to my work,
you know-when Broncho Billy
gave the signal to stop and,
turning to me with a rather
panied expression, said:
"As a singer, you're no Jenny
Lind: no Swedish nightingale,
but guess you'll do in a pinch.
You got looks and you dance
pretty well. You're hired.
Thirty-five and you pay your
own on the road. Come back
at nine tomorrow. Got to re-
hearse another week before
we open up"
And, with that, he turned
away.
I stood rooted in my tracks,
too happy, too paralyzed with
10y, to move. Rose La France
was an actress at last. A real
actress with a job, and every
thing; with a real salary, and.
in one more week. she actually
would be on the stage, ready to
receive the acclaim of her pub
lie.
Finally, came to. I went