Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1934-09-06
Wonder Baby
By WALDO THAYER
@. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
WNU Service
sc o" The word was a whitening


positive WOW, and think what real
child star could do for us right now!
With Shirley Temple the years big
hit and every one hollering for clean
pictures, it's just what we need most"
Modified, Fiberg conceded:
"Vell, maybe it amt so bad idea.
When is it she's coming?"
"Today-she's here now. I wanted
you to see her before anybody else
snapped her up"
"Okay." The producer rose with a
decisive air.
Together they entered a miniature
auditorium. In the last row of seats
facing the small stage a child with
fluffy golden hair sat with her father.
'Mr. Dugan," Garrison said, ''this Is
Mr.. Joseph Fiberg, our production
chief. He's going to hear Virginia"
Almost peremptorily the father mo-
toned Virginia toward the stage.
Dugan addressed the producer:
"If you don't mind, I'll sit up front
there. It'll give her confidence"
O10LlASt1y OuSdA CdllCu OuSs
"All right, Virgie-begin."
From the stage came a grooming,
childish voice that yet held an ele-
ment of wise impishness. you're
Gonna Lose Your Gal" was her song.
She sang with charm, an originality,
fresh insouciance such as none
present had ever heard before. AS
the last note faded away, Fiberg was
on his feet, crying:
"Lightsl amt needing no more
Right now l give it to her contract
at five hundred a week, and We start
her foist starring picture immediate"
In fifteen days everything was
ready. Dugan guarded the childs in
terests but made no unreasonable de-
mands, insisting only that he be al
lowed to conduct Virginia's rehearsals
in private.
When actual production commenced,
the father was always present and
remained close by the child.
On the sixteenth day Dugan and
Virginia failed to appear. Work was
at standstill. Repeated calls to the
Dugan home were unanswered. At
last, as Fiberg fumed impotently, his
secretary entered to announce that a
man was phoning him long distance,
about Virginia.
Snatching the instrument, Fiberg
answered crisply and heard in meas
ured tones:
my name doesn't concern you, but
I am now Virginia Dugan's guardian.
Her father was shot to death in a
gambling game this morning. Accord
ing to his will, must Immediately
withdraw Virginia from all perform
ances."
Briefly the producer was left
speeches.; then words cascaded from
him:
what! You mean she amt gonna
go on Wit dis picture after two hun.
bred t'ousand dollars we're spending
on it already? Listen, 1 got 1t a con
tract what's absolutely legal and de
klu SOL W IL anu IL bn0 QOA
I can go to court and"
"Chuck it, ]. L. I" voice at his side
cut in coolly. Fiberg whirled in his
chair, to face Garrison.
Slowly the producer replaced the
phone and waited for Garrison to con
tinue.
"I've been working" the latter said
con private investigation. Trying
to dig up background for press stuff
on the youngster / found more than
I'd expected-plenty more; but toe
late to reach Dugan before he was
plugged.
II was wondering If the kid inner
tied her talent, so looked up the old
mans past history and there was the
answer, sure enough. Twenty years
ago, ]. L., Dugan was big headliner
in English vaudeville"
He paused slightly. Fiberg swal.
lowed once and murmured: go on
"Just after the war he retired and
came to America. He'd saved a small
fortune, but had a weakness for cards
and lost most of 1t gambling. In
1925 he met wealthy young widow
and persuaded her to marry him
Then six years ago Virginia was born
and the wife died, leaving her money
to relatives. He took the kid into the
desert; until six months ago they lived
there, with an old deaf-mute Indian
woman. He spent that time training
the kid in pantomime and keeping
her away from people. Virginia car
only say about ten words"
For long moment F1berg stared al
the other man, mouth wide. Finally
in thin gasp, he managed:
"Vhat-vhat are you talking about
It don't"
Twenty years ago." Garrison In
terrupted evenly, "virginia's father
was billed all over the British empire
as The Great Dugan, Worlds
Premier Ventriloquist.'