The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-29
AN OPERETTA IN 4S HOURS.
BARON HAMMERsTEIN BETS 500 THAT
HE CAN COMPOSE IT

| His Friends Cheer Hin, In His Task by Set
ting nm Organ Grinder Under His Window
He Began Work Yesterday Afternoon.
and Was sun Healthy at Midnight.
An italian wheeled piano. organ up to the
| Twenty-n ninth street side ofthe Gilsey House at
| 4o'clock yesterday afternoon and began grind
ing out Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me a Bow
wow"
He had Just finished the prelude when q
window on the fourth floor went UP with a
bang. and the face OF short. stolid man. with
closely cropped. pointed beard. looked out and
the man began gesticuating.
The italian kept on grinding and the man
in the window worked his arms furiously and
used language the organ grinder did not
seem to understand.
Then the man in the window threw out
nickel to the Italian. who. doubtless thinking
his efforts were appreciated. kept on grinding.
The man in the window threw out more coin
and tried to wave the organ grinder away. He
wouldn't 60 and tho man left the window. re-
appearing with pitcher and an expression Of
determination.
He pointed over in tho direction Of Hoboken.
and making a motion as Tito drop the pitcher
scared the Italian away.
The man In the window was Baron Oscar
Hammerstein. the theatrical manager, and he
was endeavoring to compose one-act op-
eretta, which he had wagered to complete
against time.
The Baron had an argument with Gus
Kerksr. the musical director. in which he
maintained that q composer OF real genius
could sit down and reel of an opera In day.
why" said the Baron. :" I could write one
myself in day or two"
Kerker simply laughed.
Well. I'll tell you what I will do. I'll bet
500 that l can write an operetta in forty eight
hours that will be worthy Of production in any
New York theatre" and tho Baron supple
mented his remark with the flash OF q brand
new 500 bill
'I'll take you." said Kerker. producing an
other S10O.
Articles OF agreement were regularly drawn
up. and the Baron found himself bound to
conceive the plot design the scenery and
costumes. write the words and music OF one
act operetta to be named by Mr.. Kerker and
to accomplish tho whole within forty-eight
hours"
Yesterday afternoon was the time appointed
for the Baron to begin composing. and at 3
O'Clock party OF theatrical men gathered in
the Gilsey House to start him of.
The Baron agreed to be locked up in room
with piano and all the materials necessary
for turning out the operetta- Rooms 40 and
90 were engaged. and a committee started on
kerker proposed the title should be Tho
Koh- Moor" and the Baron accepted 1t with
confident smile; He entered the room, and;
when satisfied that everything was provided
for his comfort. said he was ready.
He was thoroughly searched and at 1920
Baron's room. which was so, Jack Hirsh was
In IS to sksep the e. de
It was stipulated that he SHOULD rot have
save through Hirsh The baron had scarcely
got to work when John Russell and Ariel
They walked Guistfy into tho hotel. leaving
the grinder under the Baron's window.
The committee arrived with piano. and the
Baron bar 81 and his watcher moved into rooms 25e
AT At6 O'clock tho Baron stoned for dinner and
Watcher Hirsh said he wore troubled look.
The floor was Uttered with paper and the Bar.
on's hair was tonsled.
by the reporters, said that there were ali sorts
OF noises in the Barou's room. but he was as-
suIed that the Rnrons health was not falling.
musician when the operetta Is completed. and
then 1t is to be submitted to a committee con-
sisting q 4. NJ. Palmer. Leander Richardson.
eide whether it 10 worthy Of production in any
first-class New York theatre. II they decide
that 1t Is not then the Baron loses his 800. SO
1t all depends on his genius to win the money.
Just after midnight Sun reporter saw the
Baron. Ho said he had already evolved half
dozen schemes for his operetta-
mond fields In South Africa; place he knew
nothing about Whenever he was confronted
BY. situation nt he would i I,t ballet ;,
may have to commit before 5 O'clock to- NOR
0tePf ns ccSd to would be IS as ss
myself In the bathtub."