The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 214: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

see Clinton H. Stagg A Tragedy of ‘‘ Small Time’’ Vaudeville. OR three whole days Charlie Jayson and Molly Trainor had been booked in the same theater before either was aware of the other’s existence except as automatons in the same puppet show, which proves that true love has no advance agent, and follows the lines of the part in nine cases out of ten. Charlie Jayson had four dogs and a monkey that were just a little bit above the level of the “ four-a-day,” but hadn’t yet appealed to the super- cilious eyes of the “ two-a-day ” man- agers and the big money. Molly, in a simple frock that set off her girlish figure and accentuated the childlike beauty of her face, sang old- time songs with a pretty wistfulness that brought tears to eyes and old dreams to minds that had grown cynical. But Molly hadn’t landed the big wheels, either. The dingy back stage of a four-a- day, five, ten, and fifteen theater, seems a queer place for Romance to crook her beckoning finger, but you must remember that Romance never 684 did allow the scenery to spoil the play. In fact, where reality is tHe most tawdry she loves to step in and give her Midas touch of pure gold. The goddess had come, without cue, back stage in the Orpheum on the fourth day. Charlie had his “ troupe ” gathered around him while Molly. waited for the Three Smasher Sisters to do their last toe fling and exit with many screeches of exultation and some music. Molly was humming the chorus of her opening song when she felt a pull at her dress hem. She looked down and smiled into the wizened face of Socrates, the wise old monk that played second lead in Charlie’s act. Then she gravely shook the proffered hand of Socrates, who was really but a guise of Romance. She looked up to the proud face of Charlie Jayson. “Isn’t he just too cute for anything?” she murmured. “Big time boy!” asserted Charlie with much pride. And he noticed that her eyes were the prettiest blue he’d ever seen. Mighty fine nose, too. COMmiIcloe S CO@ =