The Washington times., 1938-04-06

in America. Off he is not bad
eyed and with a pallor which
to some people.
His brand OF humor is slapstick
and pretty rough in lines-when
he can get away with it--but rough
or refined, he writes his own
stuff.
In December, Jack could look
back at eight barren months in
which he had not spoken a line
or socked a Stooge for money.
That is a lot Of time to be out
OF work, even for an actor.
There seemed no break in the
skies either. They were beclouded
by the fact that he had been
canned from Round We Co." the
hit Broadway musical, for falling
flat on the stage in the midst OF
one of his most hilarious scenes,
drunk.
He sat up in his room one morn
ing i'll the Rockbound Hotel, tell
ing himself that, willy nllly, he
was going to end it all this very
day. To hell with living. He was
at the point of considering ways
and means, when there was a
knock on the door.
The knocker was a bell boy. He
had a day letter. 1t was from
Jake Schwartz, Hollywood agent
and close friend of Jacks. 1t
read:
IF you can scrape up dough
and stay sober for six months
there is a part out here for you.
! guarantee it. You must get
here in 10 days. Suggest if
everything fails you use thumb"
He laughed holloWly at Jake'S
low humor in telling him to hitch
hike to Hollywood and then he
went down to Cade Winn's office
and put the proposition to him.
He offered him 10 per cent of his
Salary-if he should land the part.
If I was handling you on a per-
centage basis" Cade told him,
I'D owe myself thousands. And.
Jack, 1 just haven't got the money
to advance you. Wait minute.
Let me think"
He thought. "I remember. A
friend of mine is driving to Los
Angeles. Unfortunately, she is
widow. Now, if you were only
woman or she was man, it would
be easy. I'd just recommend you
and off you'd CO."
Who is she?" Jack asked. And
what's her address? Give me a
shot at her"
Cade looked at him a long time.
Gall right" he decided. Il don't
think i will do any good, but as I
know you don't make passes at
women, I'll write you a note to
her. Her name is Lanier, Mrs. Ed
ward Lanier."
CALLS ON WIDOW
An hour later, shaved and in his
best suit. in which you could see
yourself only dimly, he was ring
ing her apartment bell. She was
dark and gladly built. Her eyes
were sad and they told she knew
a lot about life. Jack judged she
was about tWenty-SiX.
Jack handed her Cade'S letter
and his own telegram and while
she was reading them, he was pre-
pairing his talk.
Il a almost know you, Mr..
O'Dale," she said. Il have seen
you several times on the stage.
The last time was in, Round We
Co. And Mr.. Vim says you are
a perfectly safe companion and
you could give me the protection
any woman needs in a trip across
the country"
"Ye-yes," Jack said. That's
what I had in mind. Protection
That's all I could give you, Mrs.
Lanier. This is how it is. i have
chance to get a great part in a
Mammoth picture if I can get out
there within 10 days. But haven't
worked for eight months. I'm
flat. I couldn't even pay tor the
gas-unlesS you wanted to take a
chance and trust me-
oh that would be all right"
Mrs. Lanier said. I'D be willing
to have you along just for protec.
ton. And I have to be in Los
Angeles week from today
Only"
Il see your point" Jack admit.
ted. We'll, guess there's no way
to get around it," He started for
the door.
But have to be in Los An
geles in a week! My husband haC
some property there. He bought
1t on speculation three years ago
a year before he died. 1 can sci
1t for a big profit, but must b
there" Jack shrugged his should
ers. And can't get anybody
else"
a terrible through mad come Il