The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1878-01-06
Ghe 8ulletin.
PlzARR0.
A Sensational Incident from Rn old
Players Notebook.

A Sensational Incident from AN old
Players Notebook.
Pizaro was one Of the mort popular Of
stock plays. My brother LENS ROlla was
his best tragic character; when dressed for
the part, he looked every inch an Indian
chief. Once We produced this tradegy
with real Indians for the Peruvian army.
The effect was very striking, but there
were some unrehearsed effects not set down
In the bills. had bargsined with . chief
for twenty.four Greek Indians TO furnish
their own bows, arrows and tOmahswks)
at fifty cents each aud q glass of whisky.
Unfortunately Tor fhe performance, the
whisky was paid and drank In advance,
causing q great degree Of exhilarstion
among our ne W supes.
They were ranged at the back Of the
theatre building. in On open lot, during
the performance of the first act and on the
commencement OF the second they were
marshaled into the back door and posted
upon the stage behind the scenes. The
entrance Of Rolla was the signal for
"shout" BY the company, carpenters and
scene shifIers; the Indians, supposing their
time bad come, raised such 9 yen as am
sure had never before been heard inside of
theatre. This outburst being Quelled,
the scene between Alonzo, Cora and the
Peruvian chief was permitted to proceed
toits termination uninterrupted but when
the.scene changed to the Temple Of the
SUM-" disclosing the troops Of Roils, (his
"braye associates, partners Of his will,
his feelings and his iame,') drawn up
on each side OF the stage In battle array,
the plaudi,s oil the audience were answered
by hoops and yells that might be and no
doubt were heard mile of. Order being
partially restored. Rolls addressed his army,
and was greeted with another series OF
shouts and yells, even louder than those
which had preceded. Now came my turn
TO take part In tue unique performance.
as High Priest OF the SUM-" and 'ollvwed
by half dozen virgins and as many priests,
with measured stsp, timed TO slow music,
emerged from behind the seen and with
solemn march" perambulsted the stage, In
dumb show called down blessing on the
swords Of King Ataliba and General Rolla,
and In the usual impressive style. looking
up into the 'front.' gallery, commenced the
" Invocation OF the Sum- Before the time
tor joining in OF the chorus found / was
not entlre.y alone in my singing. A humn.
ing sound, ut first low ana mour. iul, and
rising gradually to forte. greeted my ear
and when our chorus did Join In the strain,
IL wss quite oyerpows'ed by the risiog
storm Of tortis.ino sounds which We're
issuing from the stentorisn lungs OF the
savsges; In short, the Indians were pn.
pairing Tor battle. by executing 10 their
most approved style the Creek " war sosg
and dance" To attempt stopping them We
found would be vain task; 30 that after q
moment or two Of hesitation, the virgins
IN ale preeipltats retreat 10 their DIRE ssing
rooms where they care ully locked them.
selves in. The hing, Rolla and Orano
stood their ground and were compelled to
submit to the new order Of thisgs. The
Indians kept up their song and war dance
for full half I'll hour, performing the most
e extraordinary feAts ever exhibited on .
stage, in their excitement Fcilping King
Altaliba taking of his wig, demohshing
the altar and burning up the sun! As for
Lem and I (Rolla and the High Priest). we
joined in with them, and danced until the
preparation fairly rolled from our bodies
in large streams, the sayages all the time
nourishins their tomahawks and knives
around our heads, and performing other
little playful antics, not by any means
agreeable or desirable. At last, TO put an
end to scene which was becoming more
and more tiresome as it preceded, an
order was given to drop the curtain. This
stroke Of policy did not stop the ceremonies,
which proceeded without intermission
until the ssyages had finished their song
and dance, when, each receiving bis
promised half dollar, they consented to
leave the house, and our play proceeded
without them. Next night the same troupe
came to the theatre and wished to assist In
the performance Of Macbeth, but most
l. -