The St. Louis Republic., 1900-12-09

WRITTEN FOR THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC
/ The troubles of the operatic impresario
and the theatrical manager pale into IN
significance compared with the trials and
trIbula lions OF the director o, the Hot Time
Minstrels.
This interesting position 1, held BY Mr..
Buck" Pittman-a position that calls for
the exercise of all the flnesse that this up
to-date young man can muster.
In the discharge of his duties Mr.. Pitt
man finds it necessary to handle the socle-
ty-boy stars In mis- company as gently and
delcat.ly as the average youth treats his
very best girl. lie sees every one OF his
soosts personally every few days; "jollies''
them along: gets them to promise to be at
the next rehearsal: has their music ar
ranged ana attends TO the infinite variety
of other details connected with the preI;m-
inaries for Twentieth Century society
theatrical performance.
But even after Mr.. Pittman spends fe GER
ish days. as we'll as restless nights IN th.,
delicate missionary work. unlooked-fo for DIFF
hculties are ever arising TO battle him In
his efforts to perfect the performance, In
advance.
For Instance. he WIFI call a rehearsal for
Monday evening. but Edgar Lakeland has
to lead q cotillion that night and cannot
possibly attend. So Manager Pittman will
Issue invitations TO a Tuesday night re-
hearsal. only to find that Leone Gale has
an engagement 20 dine that he cannot DOS
sibly break. Should he change Il TO wednes-
day. he finds that Wallace Nledrinshaus or
Steve Martin have social functions booked
for that evening that they cannot think Of
cutting out And finally. II he turns TO
Friday night. he finds that John Dauer
must sing with the Eks Quartet. So he
thinks that Saturday will surely do. only
to find that Burt McIinDie plays golf that
afternoon at the Field Club and cannot pos
sibly get back In time for rehearsal.
That was Manager Pittman's experience
for about month in trying to get the show
started He finally got out the notices for
the first rehearsal three weeks in advance.
and in that way managed to get four of the
MINISTRIES on hand by actual count
That called for the exercise OF all Mr.
ffttman's diplomatic energy. Enlisting the
distinguished services OF Mr.. Dewey Hick-
ey as his assistant. he called on all the
absent members and at the second meeting
got them all to show UP" Since then
there has been unbounded enthusiasm at
the rehearsals-so much enthusiasm I'm fact
that the volume of voice procee ding from
the studio of Mrs. Stella Kellogg Haynes
has more than once caused commotion in
that vicinity. Once a big policeman rushed
upstairs to investigate when Burt McKin-
ME was shouting Beware. Beware in his
practice of Asleep in the eap." and more
than one pretty girl stopped she passed
the corner while Wallace Niedringhaus was
singing Il Love You. Dear. and Only You."
and wished she was the you in question.
Several of the tenants in the building have
become seasick from hearing Leone Gale
rehearse The Midshipmte,' while others
have told Steve Martin that THE Story of
the Rose as he sings it. is vastly different
from the tales of American beauties that
they have figured in in the past.
When Messrs. Pittman. Hickey and Dauer
sing their rag-time creations. business in
the Vista block is practically suspended.
The colored porters in the barber shop be-
low. the porters throughout the building.