Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-09-29
TWO DAYS FOR AN OPERA
Wager That One Can Be Com
 posed In That Time.
OSCAR HAMMERsrBINs HARD JOB.

Ono Hundred Dollars Tut Up by Gustave Could Not Write an Acceptable Opera In Forty-sight Hours-
 NEW YORK, Sept g. -Baron Oscar Ham, merstein, the theatrical manager is en- deayoring to compose one act operetta, which he has wagered to complete against time.
 The baron had an argument with Gus kerker, the musical director, in which he maintained that composer of real genius could sit down and reel off an opera in a day.
 ''I'H tell you what will do. I'll bet SlOO that l can write an operetta in 4S hours that will he worthy of production in any New ork theater.' And the baron supple mcnted his remark with the flash of a brand new SlOO bill.
 I'll take you, H said Kerker. producing another SlOO.'
 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 a one act operetta to be named by MT. kerker and to accomplish the whole within IS hours"
 Yesterday afternoon was the time ap- pointed for the baron to begin composing. and at o'clock a party of theatrical men gathered in the Gilsey House to start him off.
 The Title win Be "Koh-I-Noor."
 The baron agreed to be locked up in a room with piano and all the materials necessary for turning out the operctta- Rooms were engaged, and a committee started on a hunt for piano. kerker proposed the title should be The r Kohl Moor. and the baron accepted it with a 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 3.sl o'clock George I.edercr turned the key ot the haron'S room. Jack Hirsh was placed in an adjoining room 10 keep the baron under surveillance and to attend To any oi his needs.
 IL was stipulated that he should not have any communication with anybody therc- after save through Hirsh The baron had scarcely got towork when John Russell and Ariel Barney were noticed walking UT Broadway with an organ grinder in tow.
 They walked quietly into the hotel, lcav ing the grinder under Ihe baron window
 He had his room changed for an inside one. The committee arrived with a piano and the baron and his watcher move,l into other rooms.
 The Aaron Hard at Work
 Bt 6o'clock the haron stopped for dinner . and Watcher llirsh said he wore a truu blrd lonk. The floor was littcrrd with pa per and the barun's hair was tousled At II o'clock Uirsh. who would not k seen by tho reporters. Na:d that thcrr wer, all soINS of noises in the hlrun's ruom bu he was asSurcd that the l,arun's health wa not failing
 The baron will have the assistance uf : musician when the oVcretta is completed and then II l. to bc submitted to a commit Zee consisting of A NJ Palmer. I.eaude Richardson, Jesse Williams and .I l. C Clarke, who will decide whether il i worthy "f production in any first class New York thcater. 1T they decide that it k not then the baron loses his Sl0N. so it all de bends on his grHiu~ to win the money
 Just after midnight the baron said h hal already evolved half dozen scheme. for his operation.
 The >cerl, ,t i, w.,~ |" he in the Kali diamoud tivl~ iu S nth Africa. a plaC, h kuvN uothiu. about Whenever he wa confronted hN situation. he would intrc duCr hailet
 Il have already committed three rnul ders. he said, and l don't know LO, many uorc l may have to commit b1for nl r;siug but it looks to me now Us if th pl'AeIrtrst thing l could io would b | drown ny sClt IL the batLtub"