The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-08
|. FGIIhGimGr,
the King of Low Prices,
225 E. Broad ST., Cor. Third,

lowered to cut on the draft from tho
sront Of the Aouse.
But the audience would not be reas-
sured The cause. it was true. did not
seem 10 Justify a rush. Tor neither hams
nor smoke could be discerned from no
front. Still, the audience preferred
make its way out I'm time. Straggler-
from the chorus added TO what was. az
first. only a very moderate degree ot
alarm by pushing hurriedly Through the
alsles. stir wearing costumes and make
up. After them came the baritone and
treasurer. fearful OF having 20 pay for
missing hired costumes.
you fellows there come back and
take of those things before you run
away" was shouted by tho very "oici
that, only a moment before. had been
doing artistic wonders IN the great duet
with Belle Bishop.
There was a laugh a pause IN the re-
treat and some OF those who had begun
10 move suddenly realized that they were
displaying 10 say the least. very little
dignity. The fleeing chorus-men began
20 stink back through the stage box.
Snyder. after A brief disappearance, once
more stood before tho fOotlights and
spoke
Ladies and gentlemen. I am happy -
say that the very small c0nfaeration
has been extngushed. the chorus has
been c0rralled. and the opera will so on
where ii left on
once again the curtaiR arose. showing
the baritone and the prima dona, ready
20 repeat their half-hinished duet There
was lttering among the audience
when they recognized the man who had
Just been among them 'cOralling tho
chorus" ard the baritone himself hav-
ing some difficulty In assuming suiii-
Client grave dcmeanOr, made one false
start. mucn 90 the discontinue OF the
orchestra and their leader. After that
the duet went on.
The audience was IN hopes that Bella
Bishop would sing and act as she had
sung and acted before. and Snyder
shared this hope lie was again IN tho
wings, eagerly watching for a repetition
OF the prima dOnna's rose pantomime
She had lost the bunch which size had 40
first plucked from her corsage but there
were stlll other roses where those came
from.
And al the proper interlude she re-
peated this business" only. this tme,
She took out an the roses that were let.
Then Snyder was happy.
The curtain fell az the end % that act
tust when 10 should fall The applause
was long and loud There were loud
calls for the prlma donna, and when she
had three times appeared and bowed.
the baritone came before the cur
tain. leading-or rather. dragging SNYDER.
Ladies and gentlemen" said inc oari-
tone. "let me present 20 YOU the man
who"-Snvder was violently s,ruggiinr
10 wrench his arm free-"the man who.
by his presence Of mind In letting the
curtain fan ~ the right time Hers
there was a loud tittering both on and
off the stage-"saved US from what might
have been a dangerous confagrati0n."
This announcement was greeted with
enthusiasts applause and cheering. But
the bunglins stage manager had made
his esca -
but YOU did Il twice. you know" tho
STAGE manager was saving 10 the prims
donna when tho conductor came upon
them a few minutes later. standing near
the canvas limestone.
THE second time was 10 make u look
al rleht 20 the audience" said Belle.
"Rnt you meant Il the first time?"
Miss Bishop said Wright. lam 20
have the honor Of escorting you homer
THANK YOU Mr. Wright" was tho
answer. Mr.. SNYDER has already PROM
isod to take me-"
And that answer made Snyder so ham,
py that he had the impudence 70 allud.
10 his bungIe AZ the end OF the first act.
asking Wright " he didn't think the
opera I'D gone very wei after an.
Bnt Wright's disgust was too deep fos
words. He merely bowed and left thesa
Two toLSlnefs --l.-----