The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-02-14
SIZE YELLED "RArsr"
a Wild Feminine Cry of Alarm That
Produced Panic in a Theater.


Produced Panic in a Theater.
From the Philadelphia Press
A big brewery rat. lean, hungry, and with
business In his eye, cams unannounced into
the Grand opera house the other night dur
ing the first act OF the Gladiator For
the space OF about ten minutes the mon in
the large audience had more fun than some
people have hay. and the women struggled
between mysteries and a desire to climb to a
high elevation. the episode bore a resem-
blance to the play itself, inasmuch as there
was vigorous beginning, short reign Of
excitement, and bloody tragedy at the
end
The raj. which was evidently Of the
brewery species, because it had whiskers
curled into shapes resembling handles
TO beer mugs, up 10 that
time had been boarding in the malt
bins attached TO a nearby brewery. 1t
hasn't been very good winter for malt.
however, and the rat started to skirmish
for food on the outside. With this end in
view he wandered into the theater lust as
the cruel empress had ordered Nero" to
kali lovely "Neodamia, the heroine in the
tragedy.
In the front seat. close to the big fiddle.
were seated Joseph Bailey, well k1own
young man about town, and Con Cooney, a
pressman, who intended To go to his work
after the theater, and as a result had well.
filled dinner basket between his feet. There
was mince pie in the basket, and, like all
epcures, Mr.. Cooney had cheese there as
well. That chunk of cheese drew the rat to
his death. He came close to the basket,
shifted couple of times, and In shifting
moved Cooney's hat so that it fell Off the
basket.
just at that moment a pretty little
blonde seated in the box looked down and
saw the thieving rodent. With a silverY
yell Of rats" she threw decorum TO the
winds and jumped upon her chair, at the
same time giving an impromptu skirt
dance. The cry OF a arm aud the actions
of the startled blonde were greeted with
bewildering astonishment by the men, but
was understood at once by the women. In
twinkling the air was filed with smoth-
cred screams and the swishing and rustling
OF silSen skirts. The women jumped on the
seats, and one excited woman started to
climb uD into the box nearest to her.
The rat, realizing that he had made the
mistake of his life, scampered up the main
aisle as II an army OF cats were Oh his trail
So far as the rat was concerned, it might Just
as well have been an army Of cats. for Mr.
Cooney and Mr.. Bailey had
organized themselves into band
of avengers, and were thunder
ing up the aisle In close pursuit. Around
n
lap, and Joe and Con redoubed their efforts
amid the yells from the gallery, applause
from the men in the pit. and signs of grati-
tude from the women. Down the side aisle
sped the trio, and up the center again. Just
at the entrance TO the orchestra circle Mr..
Bailey made tremendous kick at the flying
rat. and the toe Of his boot came in contact
With the funny bone of Mr. Cooney's shin.
1t didn't hurt the boot bit, but Cooney
gave up the chase at once. The rat darted
down toward the stage, and one excited in
dividuel, who happened to get passing
glimpse, yelled:
80, it's going up on the stage"
All this time the actors had kept on with
the play, but the announcement that the
stage was likely to be visited by rat
proved too much for "Neodamia." Despite
the fact that her life was in danger from the
jealousy of the empress. she jumped nimbiy
to divan, and the swishing and close haul
ing OF the Roman gown showed plainly that
rats and actresses also clash naturally.
By this time the rat had grown weary,
but Joe, the avenger, was Just warming up
TO the event The chase led close to tho spot
where Mr.. Cooney's lunch basket was, and
when directly opposite ice made flying
leap. One foot demolished both Cooney's
hat and lunch basket, but the other foot
went straight to the mark and the despair
ing squeal that followed indicated a sudden
death in ratland.
When the excitement had subsidized and
Mr.. Cooney had gathered up the fragments
of his basket and hat the generous audience
rendered round Of applause to Mr.. Bailey
and MIR. CooneY that made the chandeliers
tremble. Then "Neodamia" climbed down
from her perch and the performance pro-
ceeded.