The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-12

was never so much struck by feSenl-
blance. BY the way. may | ask you
hand you the change Tomorrow
with pleasure said the resem-
blance. beaming with good feeling, and
the can was filled. In time this sort
of thing wore out with the old printer
and he thought the idea might lie
worked once or twice by his assistant.
So the other old man was sent to Halter
for oil He did 1t all right. Then it
came the shiftless fellows turn. and he
hustled out with the can as if the mis-
sion was the simplest thing on earth.
Don't make any mistake" called the
old man: remember he looks like Daily.
Augustin DAILY, the theatrical manag
err
Entering the little grocery he fairly
threw the can at the beaming pruprie-
tor, and plucking up handful of sweet
raisins, blurted out between chews:
Fill it up. boys. you look like Gus
Tindaly, the clubsWinger.
These stories are told about Ezra
Kendall: He was playing at Proctor's
in New York. and when his week was
up Weber and Fields sent for him aud
offered him an engagement al their
music hall.
How much do you WANT"
Two hundred and fifty" replied
Kendall.
IN give you 5000"
Not a cent less.
why, you don't have to pay railroad
fare or anything else"
That makes no difference.
well, money talks in this world"
DO you think it does? Try it and
see"
Well. | have tried it,
Not the right way. Just tack two
500 bills on the scenery and see what
kind of a hit it will make for 20 min
utes. What you want is the flesh and
blood"
Mr.. Kendall also has a keen eye for
business-that particular kind of a keen
eye that leads to placing a higher value
to the bird in the hand than a whole
flock in sight. Here is an illustration:
He was starring through Michigan
during the worlds fair, and Mike Lip
man was running theater IN Chicago.
1t happened that Mike had an open
week, and he thought Ezra just the
thing, so he telegraphed
Can you play a week? Have week
open through disappointment. Bust
ness big.
Ezra replied:
Yes. Send terms"
Mike replied
II take first thousand. you take sec
ond. and then we viii divide. Business
great"
Kendall answered:
have the rest"
Now. who will dispute the assertion
that the commercial idea is drawing
high art from the STAGE
Theatrical life as seen by playgoers
is vastly different TO the prosaic exist
ence led by the artists behind the
scenes. With them it is a business
that means their livelihood. as well as
that of those dependent upon them.
The smiling face of the soubrette often
conceals a breaking heart while the
comedian who convulses the audience
with laughter is generally a most mo-
rose and melancholy parsonage. Elton,
a famous London comedian, once called
on a physician for treatment or an at
tack of melanchoia.
Go see Elton" said the physician,
The will make you forget your trou-
bles.'
Alas" replied the comedian. II am
Elton"
Stage banquets, where the lords and
ladies feast, are often the cause of
envy to the spectators. As a rule a
stage feast is the handiWork of some
clever property maker and the tempt
ing turkey. the vegetables, as well as
the crusty loaf of bread are PAPER
mache limitations of the original.
Fanny Davenport always uses real
champagne at her stage suppers: others
champagne cider, ginger ale on plain
soda, with a champagne label put ON
the original package. For ordinary
wines and WHISTLES. cold tea. burnt SUI
gar and water and plain water are util-
lied, and many times an empty bottle
and tin cup will serve a comedian TO
reach a state of intoXication by the
clever manner he manipulates the bot
tie and cup.
The late James Lewis, the leading
comedian for years at Augustin Days
theater New York. was at one time
starring in a repertoire of Days sue
cesses. In one play he made his en-
trance with a bottle of whisky. which
he drank Or the stage. The bottle was
placed by the property man of the
theater on a chair near Mr.. Lewis en-
trance. On one occasion in Pittsburg
at the Grand Opera house. through
some mistake, the whisky bottle was
removed and a bottle marked turpen-
tine substituted. Not looking at the
bottle. Mr.. Lewis made his entrance,
but his first drink from the bottle
caused the audience to howl with de-
light. for the WV faces and grr1attS
made by Mr.. Lewis surpassed anything
ever seen by the oldest playgoer. Mr..
Lewis finished the scene with the au-
dience conVulsed. and when he stag
gered off the stage had To respond 10
half a dozen recalls. The stage man
ager met him as he came off and said:
Jimmy. you outdid yourself. You
made a wonderful hit
Hit" exclaimed Lewis. DO You
know what I've been compelled 10
drink? Turpentine. Send for a physi-
clan at once"
The property man was summoned.
and investigation showed that the bot
tie contained the usual cold tea. the
only turpentine being the label. Nh
Lewis said:
We'll. imagination is a wonderful
thing. Every drink l took from that
bottle seemed to burn my throat out.
/ could even smell the turpentinv ATT
err this I'll take no chances: Ill have
whisky" And he kept his word.
1t is said that James ]. Cerbett is
making conscientious and praise
worthy attempt TO succeed as an actor.
No company that travels is so COM
pletely equipped as his Naval Cadet"
organization, and those who go 10 his
entertainment expecting To see a