en Andrew Carnegie consented to
give one of his speeches in front of the camera, with a phonograph
attachment, the other day."

"Did he, really?" cried Alice.

"He certainly did. And a lot of the best actors and actresses in this
and other countries aren't ashamed to be seen in the movies. They're
glad to do it, and glad to get the money, too, I guess," he added,
with a grin.

"I think it would be the very thing for your father. Of course, if
his voice had held out he might like it better to be an actor on the
real stage. But in the movies he won't have to talk. He'll just have
to act. Then, when his voice gets better, as I hope it will, he can
take up the legitimate again."

"Oh, I know his heart is set on that!" exclaimed Alice.

"But don't you think he'd consider this?" asked Russ. He was very
anxious to help--Alice could tell that.

"I--I'm afraid he wouldn't," confessed the girl. "He thinks the
movies too common. I know, for I've heard him say so many times."

"They're not common!" defended Russ, sturdily. "The moving pictures
are getting better and better all the while. Of course some poor
films are shown, but they're gradually being done away with. The
board of censorship is becoming more strict.

"Common! Why do you know that it costs as much as $20,000,
sometimes, to stage one of the big plays--one with lots of outdoor
scenes in it, burning buildings, railroad accidents made to order,
and all that."

"Really?" cried Alice, her eyes now shining with excitement.

"That's right!" exclaimed Russ. "I'm just at the beginning of the
business. I've learned the projecting end of it so far. Almost anyone
can put the film in the machine, switch on the light, get the right
focus and turn the handle. But it's harder to film a real drama with
lots of excitement in it--outdoor stuff--cattle stampeded--the sports
of cowboys--a fake Indian fight; it takes lots of grit to stand up in
front of an oncoming troop of horsemen, and snap them until they get
so close you can see the whites of their eyes. Then if they turn at
the right time--well and good. But if there's a slip, and they ride
into you--good-night! Excuse my slang," he added, hastily.

"Did that ever happen?" she asked, eagerly.

"Well, if not that, something near enough like it. I've heard the
operators--those who take the negatives--tell of 'em many a time.
That's what I'm going to be soon--a taker of the moving picture plays
instead of just projecting