The Washington times., 1931-02-02

S1 NOA4ASs
back to the dressing-room and
changed to my street clothes,
putting on one of my stock
ings wrong side out. in the ex-
element, without knowing it
until I got home and my
mother reproached me for my
careleSSness.
Thirty-five a Week
"I've got a job, mother" I
squealed, as I flung open the
door. I'm on the stage. Thirty
five week. I'm a principal in
The Girl at the Gate!" I
didn't know any more what a
principal was than 1 had when
I talked to the Graunans about
being a quick-change artist.
But my mother was duly i'm
pressed, despite my hyterics.
well, we'll, honey" she calmed
me, taking me to her ample
bosom and smothering me with
kisses, I'm so glad. dear. Maybe
your dreams are going to come
true. I hope so, dear, for your
own sake"
My father, too i'll to move
from his bed, patted my hand
and also wished me success.
Until nightfall I walked
around the house simply bub-
bling over with exuberance.
Every few minutes I would call
up a different girl friend and
tell her of my good fortune.
Our telephone bill that month
must have been something ter
rible.
Then the first of my worries
began. We had a woman lodger
who used to be in the show
business, but who had been
employed in an office down
town since her husband died a
few months before. She was
a perfect old kill-ioy.
The first thing she said after
I had informed her of my good
luck caused me to lose another
good nights sleep.
why, child" she said, you
haven't got any symmetricalS.
How do you expect to make
good in the show business with
out them? You'll have to get
some, or else you won't click"
Now I had not the slightest
idea what symmetricals were.
But, as I have said before, I
always have had that queer
little touch of pride inherited
from my father, that would
never allow me to admit my
ignorance in the presence of
others.
They are Ordered
"Oh, that's all right" I said,
in a matter-of-fact voice. I'm
going to get them in the morn
ing, I ordered them as soon as
I got the job"
Then I broke away from her
as quickly as I could, de-
termined to get me some SYM
meterials, whatever they we're,
right away quick, if not a lot
sooner.
without saying a word to my
mother. I put on my hat and
went down town. I walked
into a theatrical costume place,
which kept open evenings, and
went to the proprietor. a
woman, with what I considered
my best air of sophistication.
I'm in the trade" I assured
her. In The Girl At the
Gate I need some SYM
metricals, and I must have
them at once. How much do
they cost?"
We'll" she replied, apparent
ly amazed at my cyclone man.
ner of approach. What kind
do you want? Wool of cotton?
The wool cost SIS. The cot
ton, SO. And, I'll have to
make them to order. I can
have them for you by tomor-
row might"
81 Not a word did she utter
that might enlighten me as to
their purpose. But, I drew
forth a dollar and gave it to
her as a deposit on the cotton
ones, telling her I would pay
the balance when I called for
them the next day. Then I
started to walk out.
Measuring Process
How can I make them if I
don't measure you?" she re-
called me. I stopped and she
drew out a tape measure and
began measuring my calves.
Even then I wasn't sure what
it was all about, but I was pay
ing my good money and ask
ing absolutely no questions.
Nor did I know where I was
going to raise the other eight
dollars.
went home and told my
mother where I had been. AL
ways practical, she said it would
be a good plan to make in
quiries; to find out the use Of