Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-09-07
PENNA.. WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER Z. 1881

on the stage. IL Is slmliaf 10 the wlnu
machine in construction. A wheel with
paddles set at an angle of about forty
five degrees to the radii is the main part
of the machine. Upon the top of the
wheel one end of stout piece of wood Is
pressed down by fastening the other end
to portion of the framework. When
the wheel is turned, the stats passing
under the stationary piece produce a
rattling crash. The principle Of the ma
chine is illustrated by the small boy who
runs stick along paling fence and is
gratifed by introducing into the world
an additional morsel of hubbub.
There is nothing that can be so well
counterfeited on the stage as moonlight
scenery. And yet there is nothing which
requires more work. The artist begins
the task by painting moonlight scene.
In daylight such scene is a CHASTITY
sight. 1t is done in cold grays and
greens, in which Prussian blue and
burnt umber play an important part
and the lights are put in with white
slightly tinged with emerald green. The
strong moonlight of the foreground is
produced by calcium light thrown
through green glass. The winter light
upon the scenery at the back of the stage
is obtained from ''green mediums" a
row of argand burners with green CHM
neys. These are placed upon the stage
Just in front of the main scene, and are
masked in" from the view of the audi
ence by ''ground piece" A row of
them is often suspended from the ''1ies,
in order to light the top of the scene.
This upper row is masked in by "sky
borders" Thus a soft green light is
thrown over the entire distance, while
its source does not meet the view of the
spectator. A usual feature of stage moon
light scenes is water, because it affords
an opportunity for the introduction of
the ''ripple"-a charmingly natural stage
effect. The main scene in a moonlight
view is always painted on "drop"-that
is, scene made like the curtain let
down between the acts. The position
of the moon being determined, immedi-
ately under it. beginning at the horizon,
a number of small irregular holes is cut
in the drop. These are then covered on
the back with muslin and painted over
on the front to match the rest of the
water. Behind these holes is placed an
endless towel, about eight feet in length
running around two cylinders, one at
the top and one at the bottom. The
lower cylinder has crank by which the
towel is turned. In this towel is cut
number of holes similar to those cut in
the drop. A strong gas burner is placed
between the two sides of the towel.
When the machine is turned the flashing
of the light from the passing holes in the
towel through the stationary ones in the
drop produce fine ripple. 1t is always
better to turn the towel so that the holes
pass upward, as that helps to make the
mimic wavelets seem to dance up toward
the sky. Instead of towel large tin
cylinder has been used, but it is cumber-
some and noisy. 1t is necessary to turn
this towel with great steadiness f; other
wise the ripples will go by fits and starts
and entirely lose their natural appear
ance. Stars are easily put into the sky.
Each twinkling orb consists of spangle
hung upon pin bent into a double
hook. The slightest motion of the drop
causes these stars to shake and the fash
ing of the light upon them produces the
twinkle.