The Washington times., 1932-05-28
Talked Of Past

dIkGO> VI dSl
She was, 1 should say. about
80 years of age. Her eyes were
hazel and she was inclined to
be stoutish. Everything about
her suggested a stage training.
Her diction. Her walk. Her
manneriSmS. And, I might add,
her very definite charm.
She wasn't prosperous when
I spoke to her that morning.
Far from it. The dress she
was wearing had seen plenty
of service. Her hat seemed to
be the latest thing from the
Bronx, rather than Paris. And
her shoes looked worn, even
though the heels were straight.
All in all, then, she appeared
to be just another Of the hun
dredS Of former actresses who
made the rounds of the theatri-
cal agencies in those days.
Their routine never varied.
They walked into an agency.
offered a CHEEKY good morning
to the girl at the desk, smiled
somewhat sadly as they heard
the familiar cry of nothing
today"-and walked out again.
Once in a while-a great
while-there would be a days
engagement somewhere. or a
few of the women would be
sent to a theatrical office as a
type for a new play. One
might get the job, and the
others would get the air. Then,
the next morning, the rounds
would begin all over again.
Same Old Story
Such a character was Daisy
Lee. And when she seemed to
think that I should be familiar
with her history, couldn't help
smiling.
"I'll admit" told her, that
I would like to know everyone's
history. But you will admit,
Miss Lee, that that's rather a
tough assignment. After all,
do meet great many people in
your profession. And would it
surprise you to learn that they
all think their individual history
Is most important in the scheme
Of things?"
She laughed.
mot at ALL, she replied. NO
body knows more about the van
ity Of stage people than do.
But I-well, flatter myself that
I'm just a trifle different from
the rest. You see, even though
you don't know it, I was one of
the queens of my day. And be-
fore I die, I expect to be hailed
Just as I once was"
That was almost enough for
. me. 1t was the same old story
all over again. Eternal hope, and
all that sort of stuff. The wom-
an had probably amounted to
something for a few seasons in
years gone by. When youth
went, her future went with it.
II have no doubt about it,
Miss Lee" I assured her politely.
"As far as I'm concerned, you're
still queen. Good luck to you"
I walked inside to see the art
lists representative who owned
the office. I sat down and
shook my head.
Knew Her When-
always feel sad when I meet
a dame like that" I muttered.
"Just met a woman out there
whose name is Daisy Lee. You
know her. I suppose. Well.
she gave me the usual routine
about being a big shot in her
time. But she hasn't given up.
Expects to become queen
again before she passes out.
Something touching about all
that, George. Especially when
you know she hasn't a chance
AL OCA ulA11AOLl.
The agent nodded.
you're right, Mark" he re.
turned, but she has more of a
history than you think she has.
I happen to know her entire
story-and from others in addi-
ton to herself. She was far
from being a mug in her palmy
days.
"Daisy came from a small
town and hit the Broadway
crowd of her day right in the
middle of the eyes. When she
tells you she was a queen,
she's not slipping you any con.
AS I understand it, she had
half the male population of
the town plenty goofy about
her. She never was one of our
truly great actresses, but she
had oodles Of appeal.
I'm no time at all she was
right in the middle of the
heavy dough. The men fought
to send her gifts-and Daisy
was no chump referee. She
took anything that came her
way. But there was one big
fault. She spent it just a little
faster than 1t came in.
Spent 1t Fast
'They tell me now that she
couldn't get rid of her money
fast enough. Any time that girl
got five cents in yalue fnr 6ne