The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-07
FORCED 70 0DRNAND|ZE.
Amusing Incident VITA . Pathetic
side which Occurred In = spo-
kane Thsatsr-Little Darkey the
victim Of Novel Practical Joke.

THE present Western tour OF the Neill
Stock Company has been 80 successful
that It Is especially gratifying to the
ORGANISATIONS many friends. who were
somewhat doubtful when the company nrst
started out. feeling that the large amount
of scenery, paraphernalla and accessories
that It was necessary to carry over the
country, together with the large weekly
royalties demanded by the authors OF the
many high-class plays that the NELL conn
pany presents. might create an expense
that the receipts would not warrant
The tour IL q new experience to many
members Of the company, as during the
past five years It has done no travelling
whatever. It has largely been the novelty
Of moving from town to town that has
kept the members interested and some
what Of q recompense to them for the
labor and Inconvenience. Contrary to
earlier predictions, the company Is adj
mitted to have played to larger houses
than any dramatic organization that has
come to the West In several years, which,
of course, has reconciled the actors to
changing hotels and catching late trains.
During New Years week the company
was playing an engagement at the Audi
forum, In Spokane, where an amusing,
yet pathetic, incident occurred.
In the second act Of Lord Chumley," In
the attic lodgings, Chumley has chop
served for his breakfast. Joseph Hodge,
man. Mr.. Neill's property man. concluded
to keep q sharp eye on two pickaninnies
who were hanging about the stage. In
spite Of all his care, however, the tndis-
pensable chop suddenly disappeared an in
slant before the rising OF the curtain. AZ
its absence would spoil very important
bit Of stage realism, the services Of the
entire stage. force were enlisted. and
ms t Sss Fl sSs Mr. Ss h.s @
Guilty. Another chop was procured and
the performance went on.
y UT the working force OF the theater
ana made Vsor ens ssarch e for n he cui
prit. AS the curtain fell for the last time.
and the crush Of faahionabls society be-
'Hyah. Mistah Neilli Hyah's the thief
upon the stage q forlorn. ragged, bare
so you stole ny chopT Inquired Mr..
r. darksy squ ,. neg. and "a, Sas his toes
what i are You 1s doing l hsreF How did
you get in?" asked Mr.. NeilL
II b'longs hyar-I works hyar," an
swsEsS the S cn,ida az; Seantly droc cur.n
don't stay down right smart, no how. an
Use ,sased ter set on der roller and keep
A look Of establishment overspread Mr..
Neill's face. but glance at the stage
hands showed that this remark occasioned
no surprise among them.
why did you take the chcp?" asked Mr..
Neill.
" Case done been hungry" said the
boy:
Hungry? Are you hungry yet?
The boy grinned and squirmed, and
tried once more to bury the toes OF his
shoes In the carpet.
You've been = bad boy and must be
punished, said Mr.. Nelll. And the SEN
tence Of this court IL that you be taken
hence to my dressing room and there made
to eat until you can't hold any more. Take
him away. Edwin"
Mr. Neilrs valet was dispatched to the
nearest restaurant. and soon the little
carlsey was seated before a large tray of
wholesome, II not luxurious. edibles. The
members Of the company gathered around
to watch the novel sight: and as the food
rapidly disappeared 1t was hard to say
which was the larger-the boys ever-fill-
ing, yet never-empty, mouth--or the eyes
with which he still devoured what was still
before him.
Finally there came time when he could
eat no more, and still there was something
left of what had been provided. He sighed
heavily and looked anxfously at Mr.. NELL.
Use pow'ful sorry. boss"
Sorry for what?"
Use done ct ev'ry bit I kim" and the
boy eyed the remainder Of the repast visit
Cant eat any more?'' thundered Mr..
Neill. This is a vile excuse to escape