Middletown transcript., 1892-05-12
TRICKS OF oFDEADHEADs.
sUBTERFUGEs EMPLOYED BY PEOPLE
TO GET FREE SEATS IN
THEATRES.
From Philadelphia Press.

THEATRESs
From Philadelphia Press.
Frank Howe. Jr., manager of the
Park Theatre, has queer fad in the
way Of paper weights. He uses
various odd and unique objects for
that purpose, and among them is a
revolver, whose external appearance
is simply murderous, but whose inter-
nal arrangements are so badly put
together that it is useless for any pur-
pose save that to which he puts il. He
was sitting in bis Office at the Park
Theatre few days ago when q tall
| and slender gentleman, with his coat
tightly buttoned around his neck as
though to conceal the absence Of a
collar, entered and requested pass
for two on. the ground that he was .
manager of theatrical company nov
playing close to Philadelphia.
Mr.. Howe whirled around in bis
chair, absorbed the appearance Of bis
visitor at a glance and carelessly
picked up his paper weight. At this
movement the visitor fell upon bis
knees and shrieked, No violence,
Mr. Howe. I pray you, no violence
I'll confess everything. I'm not in
the business and | never was only
don't shoot, don't shoot" !"
every well" said Mr.. Howe sterniy.
but there was suspicion of q smile in
the corner Of his mouth. /" I will re-
| frain from any rash act on condition
that you promise never to ask man.
ager for a pass again"
The visitor assented to this and
skunk out of the Office, while Mr..
Howe laid down. his paper-weight with
chuckie.
This is q fair sample Of the dead
heads with which theatrical managers
have to contend. There is an old
saying, "Once . dead-head, ALWAYS q
dead-head," and it comes very nearly
being true, for man VINO has once
L .
been affected by the free psss mania,
seldom RECEIVERS from it. There il
scarcely any length to which these
fends will not 60 to obtain admission
| to theatre without paying for it,
and people who would not stoop to
deception in their business or any
artful dealings, will not hesitate to
employ the lowest means in the world
in order to obtain this coveted, yet
trifiing favor.
81 remember" said Mr.. Howe !" q
young woman who has visited the
Park Theatre nearly every matinee
this season. I discovered the fact
that she tipped certain usher in the
house for the piyilegeof occupying Q
reserved seat which she had moi
bought. / watched her carefully and
| discovered that she always purchased
an admission ticket for so cents and
frequently brought several of hel
young lady friends with her. She
always bought all the tickets, simply
admissions, and it was always the
same. II always seemed to be her
treat, and while she was conducting
her negotiations with the usher at the
head of the aisle, her friends looked
| rather shame-faced, but she went al
her business with boldness born o.
success. / also noticed that she alway'
handed the usher q seat check, which
I knew she had not bought. 1t wai
some time before / discovered thai
these checks sometimes were Chestnut
Street Opera House checks, Walnut
Street Theatre Checks, sometimes
Chestnut Street Theatre checks, OF
sometimes Park Theatre checks
but shey always were for seats OF
some other date than that on which
she presented them.
When was sure that my suspicious
were correct. transferred the usher
at one matinee to the balcony and puI
new one 10 bis place, and as / anti
cipated. the young lady appeared Al
usual with two friends. She boughl
three admission tickets, walked conf
IDENTIFY to the aisle where her particular
usher was stationed and stopped il
amazement at the sight Of strang'
face.
She hesitated q moment and tool
the seats in the row to which she wal
entitled by virtue of her admission
tickets; but she was uneasy. Sht
called the usher and endeavored tc
make the usual bargain with him
but he refused, and she was obliged tt
remain in the last row throughout tht
entire performance. Finding that my
suspicious were correct regarding thu
first usher, he was discharged. But
it would surprise many people in
Philadelphia should the young lady,
name be given, as she enjoys an ex
cellent social standing, and probably
would mot use deceit for any pur.
pose save to obtain an excellent sea-
for practically nothing at matinee