The Red Cloud chief., 1881-02-03

out separately. The first row il set up
with q distance Of three Or four Zee;
between each billow: and the second
row - set 50 n 10 show IN the open
ings left BY the first Small boys fur
nish the motive power. The wayes
are rocked back and forth. not from
side 10 side; and the enec. - ven
good The noise Of water rouiaE upon
! u beach l. vel initiated ia : simple
manner 4 box Of light wood - lined
with tin By putting two or three
ounces Of bird shot into tins and cau--
iDg IL TO roll around. the desired sound
l. produced.
FIre scenes are sometimes danger
Gus; but with proper care they NAV DC
rendered comparatively safe. That
they are not 80 hazardous a l. general
~ supposed by the uBiHitia;si beholder
may be learned from The following de-
scription: One of tie most faml a Ire
scenes IL that which occurs Ia the
Stree. of New York." IN which 4
three story house burns down, the roof
caying in. the shutters falling. and the
walls breaking with & wonderful sp-
pearance Of realism The house i
painted on three separate pieces. the
top a Of which Is swung from the
nies; this constitutes the roof. Upon
the second is painted half tire wall. and
II is joined 10 the bottom piece in an
irregular zig-zag line. The simple
dropping in succession of these pieces
TO the stage produces the falling Of roof
and wall. The iTe itself is represented
by chemical red ire and powdered lyco-
podium used separately, the former TO
give a red glow and the latter TO repre-
sent flames. The shutters, which are
10 fall, are fastened to the SCENE with q
preparation called quick match"
This l. made of powder. alcohol and a
lamp wick. The window frames and
sashes are made of sheet iron. They
are covered with oakum soaked in
alcohol or naphtha- These sashes and
frames are nOt fastened 10 the canvas
scene Al ali, but are placed a short
distance behind il upon Platforms.
The quickest possible touch Of
flame ignites the oakum. and. in
3 moment. the FIRE runs around
the sash and nothing is apparently left
but the blackened and charred wood.
Steam is used 10 represent smoke that
issues from the ~craunies in the walls of
the burning BUILDING; and an occa-
sIOnal crash. followed by the igni-
ton OF 3 little powder 10 produce u
sudden puff OF smoke. gives the spccta-
tor an idea Of a fallen r3fter. Behind
the entire scene is placed "A very large
endless towel upon which Is painted a
mass of flames This j. kept In con
slant upward motion; and. when viewed
through an open window in the house.
gives a good idea Of the supposed IA
ging furnace within. Add 20 these
things q real fire engine on the stage.
a host OF yelling supernumerarIes in
discarded fremen's uniforms. and the
spectator IL easily illed with 4 sense of
tremendous danger. Nevertheless he
only flames upon the stage are those
arising from the burning of lvco-
podium in u flash torch and the7
are only allowed to blaze up 10 a sec
ond or two ~ a time. Fires in the
aters, resulting from a fire scene. are
usually caused By careleSsness in hand
linz the powder which is used 10 pro-
duce puifs of smoke.
The amount of labor and care be-
slowed upon the production of scenic
effects Is something of which the I'M
initiated public knows little; bat the
above account gives q general dis
cription Of how the most elaborate oncs
are produced. ". \. Tribune.