The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-17
STORY ON ANTHONY HOPE.
The Paris Agent Starting to Boom the
English Author.
Musical CnlIrier.

Acton Davies tells another good Hope
story Here's a tip for the matinee girls who
intend to fall in love with Anthony Hope.
If you want to make Mr.. Hope cross all you
have to do is to eXclaim suddenly, "Broiled
Philadelphia chicken" and If Major Pond,
his manager, happens to be within earshot
at the time he will Immediately throw
cat fit. There's a story mixed up with that
broiled Philadelphia chicken. Mr.. Hope last
week played one night stands. 1t is true
that one of these one night stands was in
Boston, but that didn't help matters at all.
Persons who met Mr.. Hope on his way to
Boston last Wednesday remarked how fine
and hearty he was looking. And yet at the
same hour a day later when Hope boarded
the New York train to go to Willimantic,
his next stand, he looked almost an old
man. His color was gone, and there were
circles round his eyes. Whether the two re-
ceptionS he had had to attend twelve
hours of Major Ponds consecutive CONVEX
sation had brought Hope to this condition
none can say. But, comparatively speaking.
he looked a wreck, and no sooner was he on
board the train than he and the major way
laid the waiter of buffet car and ordered
an elaborate breakfast. Broiled Philadelphia
chicken was the star attraction of the bill
of fare, and the major, in his loudest tones,
ordered that two broiled PhiladelphlanS
should be sacrificed at once.
Having had nothing to eat since the night
before, the author and the manager awaited
their meal expectantly. AT the end of the
first hour Mr.. Hope looked up and inquired
good-naturedy: Don't you think it's
about time for that chicken?9 For answer
was the making of a. firSt-rate dialect story
in the sounds which emerged from that vi
cinity within the next few minutes. Pres
entity the major came back looking so
pleased with himself that Hope lay back in
his chair and hoped once more. Another
half hour passed Again the major repaired
to the kitchen. This time Hope made notes
of the conversation on the back of his cuff.
Ten minutes later came the waiter bear
ing three-foot tray. Hopes eyes were
dancing, the major smacked his lips as he
grabbed the carving knife. Just then from
the end of the car the conductor cried:
"Willimantic!" Surely the parting between
the Princess F'lavia and Rassendell was
mere farce comedy to Hopes adieu to that
chicken His first impulse was to seize "a
drumstick and to run, but the major re-
strained him.
The managers practiced eye had noticed
a crowd of Willimantic bellies on the plat
form intent upon catching a glimpse of
Hope gratis. 1t would never do for his star
to make his debut in Willimantic drumsttck
in hand So, gently but firmly, he persuaded
Hope to renounce the chickens leg in favor
of his satchel Hope, however, as he left
the car, had the good taste to do his swear
ing under his breath.
on the platform the major met the waiter
who thrust the bill into his hand The
major stamped on it and said he'd see him
in Philadelphia first Neither of them had
had one mouthful, and he was going to re-
port the matter to Chauncey Depew
1t may interest Mr.. Hope to know, now
drummers bought his chicken at an advance
on regular rates, and one of them, with
gallantrv worthy of the Dolly Dialogues"
hero himself had the wishhone of Mr.
Homes chicken polished, and presented it
to his sweetheart as a souvenir.