The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-21
PRESS AGENTS ROUND TABLE.

And still the absent minded men provide
the weapons with which to kill space!
Charles f. Power. the goodlooking man
ager of Mrs. Fiske. is the most recent Of
these. and his experience really is worth
repeating. 1t viii take rank with the
story OF the individual who walked down
the street during a rainstorm holding an
unopened umbrella over his head or with
that Of the physician who left WILDE
back-at-one.' sign of his door. returned
at twelve read The plaeard and sat down
on the steps TO wait for himself Briefly.
the business director of the countrys
greatest actress was much embarrassed
and considerably put out By the smallest
possible mental lapse.
Mr.. Power came to Washington from
Boston on Saturday week ago. and de-
voted his first Sunday in this city to see
ing what sights may be seen on that day.
The following morning he reached the box
Office of the Lafayette keenly cogniZant
of the fact that there we're three daily pa
pers and numerous weekly ones TO be sup
piled with Information concerning his star
information that the regular press agent
would not bring for some time He real
handle a typewriter, but put brave face
through the window and asked for ma
chine Manager Ash replied that there
were two in the next room. and queried
concerning Mr.. Powers swiftness That
enterprising scribe turned the matter OFF
with a smile and walked into the apart
ment 10 which aliusion had been made.
He sat down directly and, his mind fol-
lowing his fingers. began work.
Tra 1fns nd
Mr.. Ash heard the click OF the worries
explanation unnecessary. Both were con-
stantly occupied, and neither noticed any
thing peculiar in the sound. When Urish
Painter returned from lunch, however. his
practiced ear caught the unusal resonance
OF the click aforesaid. He tool. a turn
across the floor. and then asked: George
who's using that thing
What thing2" enquired Mr.. Rawlings.
dispensing a dress circle seat TO a woman
who wanted to know IL her seven small
children would be admitted with her.
The typewriter"
Mr.. Power was the answer Hes
been at il since 10 O'Clock"
Mr.. Painter showed signs Of commissions
He sputtered, and grew red in the face.
Then he opened the door TO the room in
which was Sir. Power That hustling gem
ileman was thrasbing away at the ma
chine and did not even look up. Pardon
me-" he remarked I'm very busy. I've
done eight columns on this since morn
ing,''
Mr.. Painter gave way to his laughter.
When he recovered Il see you're hard at
work" he said, "Dui-where's your pa
per-"
And 1t was even thus. Mr.. Power had
been so intent upon the typewriter keys
that he rad never thought OF feeding the
machine as he went. Mr. Painter says
that the eight columns was there-thirty
lines deep all around The roller But Mrs
Fisle did not benefit greatly by that fact,
and the accident cost i-r manager three
bottles.
1t was dainty Minnie Palmer. the head
liner to be seen through the present week
at the Grand, who too an odd way of
amusing a number OF friends one day in
London. The aforesaid friends all were
Americans. and they had not even had
Miss Palmer's fortnight OF experience in
the English capital. Accordingly the com
edienne was showing them the sights and
helping them to entertain themselves
generally. There was no time for ex-
haustiYe Investigations. but the party
skinned over everything and enjoyed it
self hugely.
ICY when three OF the visitors expressed
a desire TO review the procession OF carts
and carriages donkeys and drays, on its
way to the Derby. Miss Palmer suggested
that, instead of troubling 10 go to the
track. they simply arrange 10 be at the
starting point in season for the return
The proposition was embraced so eagerly
and acted upon SO promptly that all found
themselves at the Elephant and Castle,
me proposed destination, hours before
mat at which the riders and drivers were
expected No one had any desire TO go
back to London, and 30 II was determined
that an exploring expedition should be in
augurated. with a view to discovering
some point of interest. The wanderiugs
terminated at a railway station. II was a
funny little place, with Central Road
painted on it, and the septette stopped to
investigate.
Miss Palmer had an idea Ouoth she:
Girls, I'll tell you what Just TO kill
time well travel shilling's worth on this
thing and then get here again before the
bettors do. What do you say, Grace?"
What Grace said was: That's very
good plan. I've noticed that the rural