Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-10-12
Harris 'Tcrriblc ssrape.

TRUE STORY BY HIS OWN MAMMA.
Harry is always engaged i'll some mis-
chief: and his pranks are so laughable
hat can seldom keep sober face
ling enough to punish him. Nearly a
va,r AGO there came a strolling theat-
r;aaI troop to town. They played ira,
yedy and comedy, performed panto-
mines. and did the negro minstrel
business to perfection; so the boys
thought. But what my son Harry most
slmired was the play of Toodles.
This he determined to reproduce IN his
own theatre with new and un-heard-of
Effects.
There was new scenery painted on an
| I'D sheet, with straws from new
broom. by Bunkey Burnett; intricate
stage mechanism whitfield out with a
mex knife, by Blousey Shaw; old Gus
| tunes made to look as good as new, by
Tommy Bonnerbump, assisted by his
.ister-in-law, Sally Threadneedle; new
| 4ppointments by Tim Pennyfeather;
new and original music, to be perform
I'd on new and very original instruments
| BY the orchestra, under the direction
Of Pat GIOVANNI, an Italian from Ireland,
the whole play to be produced under
| the supervision of Harry Bateman,
| sage-manager
The above stupendous bill wound up
. With the following -
' Tickets purchased Of spectators
81 the sidewuH acW be REFUSED at the
sJor !t!n
The stage was erected in the wood
he'd. and reposed on four saw-horses.
The floor consisted of two old barn
l0ors spliced together. The drop cur
tain was a second hand horse-blanket.
The parquet and dress-circle were
filed with large sticks of wood, too
uugh to split, set up on end. These
were called chairs. What the manage
-ent called galleries were two window
Ills. These were usually occupied by
mall boys at quarter price. One PM
ate box this theatre had for the use of
the aristocracv 1t consisted of a sec,
midland cupboard or wardrobe, and
was mounted on wheels. Purchasers
this private box were allowed the
pHvilege Of having it placed III any po-
,.cIon they wished.
Two '|hoTid big boys once de
handed that the private box should be
paced in exactly the middle of the
stage. To this the whole management
.ected The two horrid big boys
,vitted them of " going back on their
Erd, and triumphantly held up the
engagements own bill and pro
canine, which read in huge letters
II PRIVATE BONES PUT IN ANY
i POSITION DESIRED. The manage
i -eut had to succumb. The whole
company, male and female, were order
l q ont tomove it. After great difficulty
Il nal several mishaps. it was hoisted
4to position. When the play COM
lenced, the company found that it OBJ
tructed the stage so much that there
Tls not room for them all to perform
d, once. Sopart Of the actors had to
.i down and play IN the parquet.
Inns made the attaches of the theatre
very much yexed, but the audience was
gely pleased, and during the per-
-ilcc We're couyulsed with laughter.
imagine for instance the same thing III
Boston at the Globe, or in New York at
Nblo'sl
The play was Toodles, and was re
we'd with great applause. When that
was over the company did the
1gger- minstrel = business. Harry S
re neck, and hands We're made as
TX as black could be, with burnt
Meanwhile Harry confded to the
-es-man and the banjoist the plan he
i formed to get square with the
i occupants Of the private box. They
.Agly promised to assist him. The
-eut the performance was over
Try and his partners rushed for the
i 'a-e box, violently shut the door,
14ed It with a broom-handle, and
hcked the whole concern over.
ieI, the two aristocrats inside gave
II rage, and threatened to lick
whole company like blazes ~
-rn You catch us, the boys shout
hen they beat retreat, each one
aa different direction.
i Harry Iau INTO the cellar, fast
Tue door, and the crouched down
raeE
-rw moments the late occupants
private HlE arrived at the cellar
vengeance But the door
toni ,o be easily broken. They
A-. hopes If wheedling him ont
"ea ai friendship, and at last
inner -l nails fastened hIm i'm.