Pictures and the Picturegoer (October 1915 - March 1916)

I PIC HI* I \R M 'RAGS Film h aturing A/arj I' trolled by ./. />. WalArt's IVor/a'i Films, Lid. ry adapted by PATRICK GLYNN. A GIRL in trousers does uol look very artistic, but "Bags" was an exception A. saucy, pretty face, a ma-. of hair falling loosely over ber shoulders, a pair of lioots which once adorned her drunken father's feet, and a pair of trousers which still showed tin' beer staius caused by a previous owner marked the personality of the strange, w ilful. but lovable oharacter R It was easj to Bee the girl had no mother, nnd thai the father didn't count as a controlling influence, Paul guson lived amidst the 1 >:i < 1 dreams caused bj Frequent overdoses of beer, and took little bead of his wild sevenj teen year old i aughter, \\ bo,"on her side. tolerated her father w it Ii good humoured contempt except w hen be. became \ iolent or abusive. These occasions marked fights in which " Rags " emerged as the victor, for the girl had plenty of .training in fighting in the uncouth mining camp where her lot was cast There were many amateur pugilists iu the camp, ami when " Bags " found herBelf compelled to fight she rolled back her torn sleeve with a businesslike air. and the little tists heat a tatoo on the unlucky opponent > head with the scientific precision of a .lack Johnson. Although she stood up to her worth rather with the air of a world champion, she allowed do « ■ 1 1 • • else to int. Tier,' with him, On this occasion a messenger bad ran to the but which constituted her and her rather'.-, home. It was a boj thai the girl had protected en several occasions from the bullying of older companion-, and t he urchin to testify hi gratitude, became her messenger \\ it bout -al " Saj . ' Etaga,'" called the boy tin mgh the half-open door: "your dad is in trouble in of ike Sullivan's saloon. They -a\ he stole some one's change off the counter, and they're pitching into him hot." The girl dashed out. her eyes flaming with resentment, and her towsled hair flying behind her shoulder-. The saloon was only about two hundred yards from the hut. and " Rags'' covered the distance in record time. She arrived in time to see a sciitHe iii which her tipsy father was gradually being beaten to the wall. With " Bags " to think was to act. Seizing a chair, she swung it round her head, and thine he'rsejf into the thiek of the fight. Even in tinroneh assembly her sex saved her from unfair or violent treatment. Men drew back nut of her way. although respect for her prowess had a yood deal to do with their hesita tion. She -">ii reached ber lather. and dropping the chair, seized her -ire b> the Bcrnff of the neck. " He. she screamed," what ha\ been doing now J Win can't yew l< the drink alone, yon old beast.1 '"It ain't drink this time B interrupted one of (he men. whJseangrj face sh owed that he had cans* x'.il feel ing injured; "he stole my money .^ft' the counter when I ordered a drink. " The angry man turned to the thief, w I muddled senses left bira n6 chance of a fan fight. " Gojue on outside, von loafer., and I'll bike tli(! \abv of pij money , iff \ our can "Yew leave my m\ father al CHAIB SHS , , , FL1 i , .sorea_iL a the girl, rolling back fjei ■ sleeves. "If yew hil him..vew hit ie « U, I'll hit yOU. (on. 'if ,,, i, H.te, fere." ^Fowled the man. sulkily; The oth -led round. -oiue ei'iimiiie al the'sideHsplitting antics of tjre uirl a.she Banded and circled round the be wildered man, who hesitated between shan lit ing a mere girl and hi!> desire to punish the thief. "Come on." yelled " Bags," valiantly. '■ Hit. me; 1 dare yew too. " '*' Goon, 'Rags! ""encouraged several of the crowd. " You can lick him." Her opponent drew back, a gleam of admiration in hi eyes. "Gee. you're hoi stuff " but I don't fight women. I'm wbil 1 i lapsed Slld dBiil tie' salo bill " Bags ' had i:<>: finished. In her father's (ja'nd a b i ciirren whii ped from'l n his lin sing She ffiu ssed riglitry that ; i man's . taking the mom ... she it before {1 lamb. " Tit exclaimed. ■ is Vo . ■ye on it in future." With grim pleasantry she turned again on her father. " Ivow >e\\ '_ei hoin commanded, "yew jest bin qnite long enough in this sab on." " You'll never be a lady like yon; mot! e .' protested her father, weakly