The San Francisco call., 1896-11-27
LAID ASIDE THEIR
HARPS AND FOUGHT
Minstrels Who Could Not
Agree on a Question
of Art.
shephard's Likeness Causes
Trouble B tween Him and
Thatcher.
One Had a Bust and the Other Had
None, Which Caused Ill Feeling
and Blows.

Burt Sheppard and George Thatcher,
the far-fameu minstrels, have not spoken
as they passed by since they appeared this
week as rival stars al the Orpheum. Burt
had held the fort for week before George
came to gladden. the Thanksg wing bill,
tand from the moment that Burt stood in
he wings and was observed to snort with
scorn as Georges jokes aroused roars of
laughter the employees of the Orpheum
realized that things were strained be-.
tween the black-faced stars. They have
grown more strained every day, and last
night they broke. If the accomp ished
and far-famed gentlemen did not wear
coatings of burnt cork over their expres-
sive features the fact that they both sport
hne black eyes would be apparent to the
entire audience for a week TO come at least.
When two rival minstrels, who enter
tain fine s orn for each other, are play
ing in the same house, a cause for blows
is not far to find.
The rivalry between Burt Sheppard and
George Thatcher came to head last
night, however, in a totally unexpected
way. 1t all ceptered round a beautiful
black-faced bust of Shepard, which has
just been added to art collection of
vaudeville celebrities that adorns the en-
trance to the Orpheum behind the box
office, genera ly known as the lobby.
A few months ago Thatcher and
Sheppard were playing as rival stars
at rival houses in Milwaukee. Both
gentlemen were visited by the agent
OF papier mache bust manu-
factory, who represented the great advan-
tage and glorification that would accrue if
the Ministries had themselves duplica ed
in papier mache for the adornment of the
hsQf fpra w hn- "a
denlEg with The light OF their presence.
These establishments did not fall on
deat ears; both Sheppard and Thatcher
consented TO pose. They paid the agent
of the factory his price, and received as
surances in return that the ST tings had
been such a complete success hat cold
marble busts would not be a patch on the
oeautiful thing in pressed paper that
they were presently to receive.
Months went by, and tte minstrels
toured different routes through the
length and breadth of The land. but the
paper busts tarried so long thal Sheppard
and Thatcher both began 10 fear that the
mooth-tongued agent had beaten them.
A couple OF days ago Sheppard anged
is opinion. for he receive from Miiwau-
bee per freight train speakingly life ike
kust of him self. black face and all, in
Dressed pa per. Knowing his duty to an
pdmIring public. Sheppard at once had
dut dIL LTSd>uFe QeDOSiIeQ IN the lOODy oil
the Orpheum, where last night it caught
t he jealous eye ofThatcher. 1t happened
at that nj moment that SheI hard was loung-
ng in the lobby. ana could overhear
iThatcher's remarks.
pretty poor sor. of bust" observed
Thatcher, solIloquizing to himself.
Pretty 81 W work never to get bust at
ALL" observed Sheppard, in a counter
soliloquy. "Some people are so slow that
thew never get there at ALL
''Do you mean me, sir p asked Tha tcher.
.'Oh! was just remarking upon your
slowness. even in getting your bust You
posed at the same time l did" replied
Sheppard.
al may be slow in getting my bust, but
I'm ali right when it comes to tghting,"
| replied Thatcher, and the next thing the
spectators heard was the dull, sickening
| thud of blow on Shephard's ample
cheek. After that things were pretty
lively for second or two and people in
the rear of the audience crowded into the
lobby to see the fight. The com batants
were finally separated and being good fell
lows at heart they shook hands in sports
maniike style and the last thing heard of
them was In the annex, where SHEPPARD
was overheard remarking, Never mind.
old fellow, your bust will be here in few
daysh