, 1889-06-21
A HANGING POSTPONED.
cHANFRAUS TWO EFFORTS TO PLAY
A PENNSYLVANIA TOWN.

A big House Prevented by the FaiIure to
Hang a Man rs Per PruEramme-Kit
IndulEinE in a Rage-Tho Handy and
AnabIe Rural Manager.
Some few years ago l piloted Frank
Chanfrau over the Pennsylvania circuit,
and rs it was my first experience on the
road ! was particularly anxious that
the tour should be n success, not only for
my immediate benefit, financially, but
also for the purpose of creating n repu-
tation with other stellar attractions whom
/ proposed 10 take over the same terri
tory later on. / also desired to stand
well with the local managers, enabling
me-, rs it would, to make advantageous
arrangements as 10 terms, etc, etc.
AFPEAsING KITS WRATH.
The Country" manager, rs n rule, is n
peculiar individual. combining. ms he
often docs, the various duties of janitor,
bill poster, ticket seller and scene shifter.
He is usually n clever fellow, and rs his
expenses are almost nothing, he easily
earns n handsome income, no matter
how small the business may be for tho
star or company, his share Of the receipts
being quito all profit.
But where he particularly shines and
brings his latent talents TO the fore, is
his readiness to account for a bad house
tand he has many of them during the
season. with a prompt and reasonable
excuse, so that in the event of business
being unsatisfactory he may calm down
the irato manager and disguised star,
and induce them to again visit the vii
lage OF some future occasion. The fol-
lowing is n true illustration. We had
played all through tho coal regions,
Kit proving a magnet, and we were
piling up the dollars. We continued the
tour into the western portion Of the
state, but on reaching Dockhnven we
found that we had met our Waterloo.
l forget now just what our receipts
were that night, but it was in the vicin-
ity of sic or S15.
Chaufrau was simply mad. 1t was his
first visit TO that town, and he vowed it
would be his last, and, after the per
Torrance, when the local manager Joined
us at the hotel, the genial Frank did not
mincc his words, and. it is well known,
that his curses could be "both loud and
deep ON occasions.
what kind of a town is thisY' said
he; docs anybody live here? Do they
ever como TO the theatre? Here we bring
you n New York success, with n first
class company, and we don't play to
enough money TO pay for hauling the
baggage"
"Now, my dear Mr.. Chanfrau," re-
piled the man Of tho opera house, ''you
must know that we have had n show here
every night for tho past six weeks, and
our people are drained of money. Why,
Coolers & Sapman's" company last
night didn't take in So, md Pills Sob
Inns" had 10 leave their trunks for their
hotel bills. Ordinarily, this is n first
class town, and you IN play to big
money. You made n hit tonight, and
will be the talk of the town. Now, if
you could he here on Friday tho house
wouldn't be big enough 10 hold the peo-
pie"
What cyclone is going to occur them"
asked Chanfrau.
why, were going TO hang n man here
next Friday, and all the people will come
from miles around. You come back and
play, and I'll give you 90 per cent. of the
receipts and haul your baggage free.
What do you sayY'
Chanfrau looked Mt me and / looked at
Chanfrau, and as he seemed to acquiesce
| accepted the proposal, and then and
there signed contracts for tho return
date.
The mex day l wired several towns,
changed dates, Cancelled tho Friday
night where we were originally booked,
and, at much trouble and some expense,
arranged matters so that we could give
the good folks of Lockhaven and vicin-
ity one more opportunity to witness
Tho Arkansas Traveller
Friday camo and we rode all day,
making n long jump, and arrived about
Z o'clock. AS it was too late for supper
we hurried TO the opera house.
One thing struck me ut once rs being
curious, and that vas the total absence
of people on the streets. Not n man,
woman or child was in sight, and the
own seemed like n city of the dead,
when l had naturally looked forward to
n gala night-storcs open, citizens
~promcnading up and down tho main
street and every seat in the house sold
before our arrival.
At $3.50 o'clock, and with nobody in
the theatre, l mildly suggested TO the
manager that he had better put out his
gas, rs we would give no performance,
and asked him to come with me and ex-
plain matters to Mr.. Chanfrau. He did
so and we proceeded to Franks dressing
Mt once.
What is the matter now7 Where is
that man you werc going to hang todayg'
said my furious star.
why, Mr.. Chanfrau," replied the
local director, 1--WE postponed the hang
ing for another month. "-Boston Globe,
Evening Dress.