We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
n
a China Shop
Mr. Seiter Cut Loose Early
From the Cut-Glass Profes
sion and Stampeded to
Hollywood
By HERBERT CRUIKSHANK
BUT for the grace of God and a roving disposition William A. Seiter might have rounded out his career and his figure as a big glass and crockery man. Had he followed in the parental footsteps, he in turn would have become a pillar of Westchester County society, president of the Siwanoy Golf Club, an officer jof the Twelfth, a gentleman, a good judge of Bourbon and the pride of Mount Vernon, X. Y.
For little Willie was born with a gold spoon in his mouth. Or, if not precisely that, at least his earhest clamorings for food and drink were stilled from a genuine cut-glass bottle taken right out of stock. In these decadent days when the youth of the land set up housekeeping with a corkscrew and a can-opener, many of the ancient graces have departed. And a generation that spears its delicatessen food from paper plates has no need or memory of the old and stately house of Higgins and Seiter which for a generation beautified the banquet halls of culture with the fragile beauty of rare china. The Seiter end of this once renowned firm was Hill's pa. And but for the aforementioned roving disposition and a sense of humor Bill would have remained where he started — in the respectability of business. They do tell that the famous bowlegged floor-walker who requested the lady customer to "Walk this way. Madam," was an employee of the firm. And
Confidence? Bill Seiter has it, and to 8pare. He is neither confounded hy nor jealous of his wife's success. He's often referred to himself as Mr. La Plante. But no one else ever has.
Seeley Photos
it seems that Bill was fooling around the shop when the historical episode occurred. In any event, a snicker lost a sale. And. a sense of humor has no place in the cutglass industry.
Thus it occurred that Bill passed up the prospect of a five-thousand-dollar-a-year job in the revered capacity of buyer, and wandered Westward on the much-vaunted
tide of empire. The Pacific stemmed the tide so far as William was concerned, and he paused among the vacant lots which were to be Hollywood.
Of his career at the time Bill tells many tales. Some of which are doubtless based on fact. Others of which are good stories anyway. But after fooling around hither and yon, mooching meals, and sleeping where the sunset found him, his broad shoulders jostled Opportunity. A mealy-mouthed, flat-breasted, uninviting Goddess she was. But a few crumbs are better than a whole loaf, and as Bill had been loafing for some time, he welcomed the chance to ride into a new career as a Christie cowboy. His first day as an actor almost proved his last. For the merry mustang astride of which Bill rode to the rescue, (Continued on page 80)
33
kHB