The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-07-06
GOSSIP OF HI TOWN.

Very few Of the twelve hundred people
that attended the opening night of the sum-
mer opera at Wildwood Park had any idea
when the time for the curtain to raise came
and went that the managers of the enter
prise were behind the curtain with per-
spiration standing out on their brows,
awaiting with the greatest anxiety an cleo
trical test that would either mean light for
the stage or a disappointment to those who
had paid their money to see the opening
performance of "Mikado.' One week before
the opening of the season there was moth.
ing in the park to Indicate that July 3
would witness the performance Of ''Mikado."
1t was simply a beautiful tract of wooded
land with nothing to suggest anything but
a grove. Work had progressed satisfactori-
ly on the stage and other necessary work
until. last Monday, when it became APP
parent that the best work that could be
done would not nave the place ready for
the electricians to begin their work Of wir-
ing the stage until a time when there would
be not a minute to spare if it was to be
done at the appointed time. Workmen were
on the grounds during all the daylight
hours, scarcely stopping long enough to eat
or had sent over from a nearby house.
Tuesday. the electricians began their
WOTk, WHICH was very CO-HplCdtCu, OIL az
count of having TO have 80 many different
circuits so the lights could be properly con-
trolled to make the required stage effects.
knowing that their work must be COM
pleted in time for the performance Wednes-
day. All was chaos then to the
everywhere and no people but the work
men could distinguish the permanent wires
f aoor. t T6is 1 Ras T fse c lSlnf ar0u the ON wI 1es
were in when the people began to arrive at
the park last "Wednesday night, Most of
the wires had been strung, but the switch
board-that all important part of the APP
paratus-was not yet in position, and none
of the wires had been connected to it,. In
testing the wires. and some little mistake
might have caused all the work to be use
less. 1t would be almost impossible to find
such an error except by daylight, which
would mean hat the management would be
compelled TO tell the people that there had
been a little haste in advertising the open
depressing effect on the future success of
the enterprise.
have gone up. there was still no light!
Russell Seeds. the manager. went to the
electrical contractor and asked him how
soon he would have the work done. After
surveying the switchboard, which was just
then being raised TO its position. he re-
'sThe wires win be connected in ten min
u~tes-and l think they are all right"
Even the electrician, who knows SO well
tie lItdkS tUdl tftClI-CftS Oilcn tdhtS
when being run over new wires. was not
certain that all was well. The manager
had been fearful all the time that some
thing would be wrong with the wiring, and
this answer. showing the fears OF the
electrician, caused him to stand still in
agony, hardly daring to breathe. The min
utes wore on; $50 came and passed and
the crowd in front of the curtain was
showing its impatience in the way such
crowds usually show IL. Minute by minute
passed and the nails that fastened w the
switchboard were being driven by one man
while two or three others carefully adjust
above. At S:25 the last wire was fastened
and the main switch was grasped with a
trembling hand by the principal electrician.
Those interested IN the new venture We're
grouped around waiting for a flood of light
wnsh the isver snou.t De prouknt aown.
Immediately followed by a gasp from a
dozen threats.
There was no light. The difficulty Nigh,
be simple and easily remedied, hut II
might take a whole day TO lind 1t. With q