The times., 1899-12-03
PRESS AGENTS ROUND TABLE.

One of the local newspaper friends OF
Fritz Thayer. who now is in advance
of "A Chinese Romance" is responsible
for bit Of repartee which is said to have
originated in the mind OF that gentleman.
according to the authority quoted Mr.
Thayer was the agricultural editor of a
Lincoln weekly at the time of the Incl
dent a typical rustic entered his office
late in the first month OF his occupancy
and, despite various evidences OF restive-
ness on the part OF the victim, insisted
upon relating score OF his accomplish
ments There were tales Of great turkeys.
o6 huge pumpkins, OF tiny eggs, and OF
other products of the sort. Finally. the
visitor launched into description of the
foliage about his place. Why" he re-
marked. I've just raised a lilac bush
thirty feet high"
Mr. Thayer whistled
Thirty feet" repeated the man. en-
phatically. What do you think OF it2'
Well. replied the agricultural editor,
4 wish I could lilac that"
But then. Of course. Mr. Thayer's at
traction Is in town this week.
Il was over the vine and nuts OF a
81 the Grand recounted an anecd0te cCn-
hded 10 his care by John Rausome when
last that comedian was in town The tale
concerns a bit Of Mr. Ransome's history
thar is not known generally. but inasmuch
as the player IN question heads the new
Burke d Chase bill. there is scant prob
ability thar he viii object 10 IT'S repetition
Hence:
Some years ago the present-day mono
off IN
Erow golden fruit on a managerial tree.
Dropping the metaphore Mr. Ransome
had formed an organization Of minstrels
and with these performers was undertak
ing tour Of rhe South Returns were not
great and troubles were many. the ma
J0Tity Of these worries being caused by
certain Dave Hendricks. one OF the end
men, Mr.. Hendricks was the chief re-
liance Of his employer. his popularity and
his real ability making him quite a fea-
ture. Unfortunately, however. the knight
of the burnt cork was inclined 10 a fond
ness FOR his cups, and ii was difficult TO
count upon his services at any time Nr.
RausCme tolerated the intermittent ap-
Uearaucss OF his principal until the COM
pauy reached Richmond, and then he de-
JeHmined upon drastic measures.
Funds were low and il had become nee
assary that the first entertainment should
%
stre for the remainder Of the week. a
really creditable show was impossible
without Mr. Hendricks assistance. Ac-
c0rdngly. after due pondering, the di-
rector Of The troupe contrived TO beguile
Ibe comedian into his own room and. lock
ing the door from the hall, went his way
in peace The mornings parade was a
notable success. the advance sale was ex-
ceedingly promising. and, after ten hours
fnF hn 81 r.srr sad TA
the hOstelry in the best of good humors.
lie approached the entrance TO his apart
ment and listened. All was quiet. The
way was as securely blocked as he had
left it, Sure that his plan had been a
triumph and feeling a triie conJriJe Mr..
Ransome drew forth a key and admitted
himself
He was confronted by Mr.. Hendricks.
That Incorporate gentleman had heard the
sound of approaching footsteps and had
Teeled forth-reeled, For during the abb
senee Of his chief the prisoner had man
aged 10 procure drink in some fashion or
other and he was wholly under its infu-
ence. Mr.. Ransome could not guess the
method by which the smuggling had been
accomplished. The window was far above
the ground Mr.. Hendricks had never been
known TO carry liquor about his person,
and there positively was no Way Of reach
ing him. The manager Immediately began
attempting 60 sober mis- human reliance and
gave up all guesses as 10 that bibElOus
chaps modus 0perandi.
lt was not until the company had dis
banded THAI its owner was enlightened on
This point. He was supping with Mr. Hen
bricks one night and happened 90 speak OF
the Incident He recounted all the pre-
cautions he had taken and wound up by
remarkins, 'I'd give $40 old man, TO know
how yOu got that stun
Well replied Nr. Hendricks remin-
5Ecenuy. Il shall not work for you again
and I don mind telling The whole affair
aas very simple. After you had gone I
merely rang for q boy Then ] slipped a
i've spot under the door with q note or
instructions. The lad went away. return
ing with a bottle and pipe. The stem OF
The pipe he stuck through the keyhoIe and
INTO nay mouth Then he poured the liquid
iu the bowl Ten. please
And the Grand press agent SAYS that
Dir Rausome thought the device worth
thar price.
COMING EVENTS.