The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-26


uncertainty as to his future. It had
been stated that he had permanently
abandoned the West, but in an inter-
view a few days ago with Leander
Richardson in New York he said he
had no such present intention. He also
leib, Friedlander & Co. of San Fran
cisco. had treated him unfairly.
You see said he in explanation,
my former partners out there double
crossed me, l am supposed to be
booked for San Francisco even now,
but 7 have declined to go under the
conditions imposed, and what is more
/ won't return until | can do so upon a
basis that is satisfactory to me. My
former associates. whose interest in my
company and trademark I purchased
several months ago. have placed all
their combinations in the Columbia
theater and they are also running the
California theater. They notified me
very recently that they had concluded
to transfer me to the California, as my
long engagement at the Columbia
would naturally interfere with their at
fractions from the East.
Il communicated to them in return
California. They had already used me
and my associates to build up the for
tunes of the Columbia, which had pre-
Viously been cheap priced and prac
tically deserted theater, and I don't
propose to go through a similar or
even worse experience in connection
with the new deal. The California the
alter is clear outof the way. San Fran
cisco has grown in other directions, and
it is almost impossible TO induce the
peopA to patroniZe this house.
My former partners, I understand,
have given my time to Henry Miller
and 1t is all right. l am quite as we'll
satistied-tirst. for the reason that it
isn't vital for me to act at present and
second, because I fully believe l have
made an equally advantageous deal
with the Columbia theater in Wash
ington, beginning early in April They
have had stock companies in Wash
ington before, to be sure. but they
haven't presented the modern unpub-
lished plays.
Il have secured the rights for con-
siderable number of pieces of estab-
lished merit, and I expect to have
company of the very highest rank |
know ! can always go back to Califor-
MIA with proper material and assist
ance, and so [ am not worried about the
double cross operation
He was quite an unusual appearing
person in many ways as he boarded
the train back in Dakota and sought a
comfortable seat in the smoking car
next to a quiet-looking gentleman, the
ends of whose moustache were curled,
and the cut of whose clothes and gen.
eral aspect might indicate him as COM
ing from one of the larger cities. The
unusual appearing PERSONS eyes We're
merry and gray, lit with a lleenly eX-
preston for all mankind: his face was
very large and very round: his avor.
dupois must have tipped the scales at
300 pounds, and his lips were frequent
ly expanded in laughter when they We're
not puckered in whistling. While
Whistling lively tune he glanced care
fully about the car, and apparently rec
ognlZing no one with whom he might
strike up a converse ton addressed
himself to the quiet gentleman occupy
ing the other half Of the seat with him.
You're the advance agent for show
troupe, amt YOU" said the neshy
young man.
Yes, sir replied the other.
THE brakeman told me YOU was. Do
you want any comedians in your show"
Mother always said that / ought to be
on the stage, because I am so full of
fun. I've got natura! talent for comic
things"
Good comedians are very scarce
said his companion. What's your par
ticular class of comedy"
AT this the corpulcnt traveller took en-,
coura cement at once, and evidently re.
garded it as halfway engagement
for he summoned all his wits 10 prove
his capabilities as a comedian.
Why. you sec" he said, Il live nca