The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-18
PRESS AGENTS ROUND TABLE.

Mr.. Thomas Reilly, the business mana
ger of Denman Thompsons company. this
weeks attraction at the Columbia, says
that people who go to see THE Old Home
stead"-and who in the city will not?-
and laugh at Uncle Joshua when he asks
Henry Hopkins to let him sleep on the
ground floor SO as to be near the street
in case of fire, never realize how close that
comes to the actual. Mr.. Reilly con-
tinues:
Mr.. Thompson himself will not sleep
above the first floor of the finest and most
absolutely fireproof hotel in existence, and
this vagary, fancy. call it what you will.
of his, while originally the result of a
thrilling adventure, has led him into many
amusing predicaments.
''One night in Cincinnati Mr.. Thompson
went to his favorite hotel-where he had
stopped for years-and by an oversight
the clerk failed to reserve the rooms lire-
viously ordered by Mr.. Thompson's agent,
and there were no rooms left on the first
floor except the Governors suite, which
he always occupied when in the city. and
to make matters more interesting, he was
expected in that night.
''Of course Mr.. Thompson could have
secured suitable accommodations at 9TH
er hotels. but here again comes in his
fondness, or hobby of stopping at the
same hotels year after year.
We'll, the Governors appearance made
matters look dismal for Mr.. Thompson,
but a happy thought struck him and as
last resort he resolved to try it on the
Governor. who was an old acquaintance.
las soon as his excellency had regis
tered Mr.. Thompson strolled quietly up
to him and was greeted warmly. He ex
LII Ia,
who Immediately offered to share his
rooms with him. Mr. Thompson thanked
him, politely declined, and quickly added:
Now, Governor, / know you're game; /
know you don't care whether you occupy
those rooms or not, and I'm stickler for
the first floor. I'll make you a PROPOSE
tion-just for little excitement-and I'll
declare Sam 1.-THE proprietorl in because
he failed to preserve my rooms. Well play
three-hand game of pitch seven points;
I'll put in 500: If you win you get the
hundred and your rooms free; IL Sam wins
he gets the hundred, you your rooms, and
90 to the top floor; but If / win / keep the
hundred, and Sam pays our expenses for
the night
"All agreed. business was stopped, and
the game began at the desk. Two hands
were played and the score stood six for
the States Executive, three for the actor,
and mine host was one point in the hole;
all Of which pointed to walkoyer for the
Governor
THE third hand was dealt by the boni-
face. The Governor bid three and Mr.
Thompson quickly bid four and got his
pitch, which raised the excitement among
the crowd of travelling men, who were
watching with interest the outcome of
the novel wager, and who had begun to
make wagers among themselves on the
result
'On the fifth trick the Governor threw
the tray of trumps and he laughingly
said, i guess that's low" I've got YOU
set up, Denman, and that puts me out
Mr.. Thompson was silent for a moment
and as the crowd began to laugh the Gov
ernor reached for the money when Mr..
Thompson quietly interposed with Just a
moment please and with a broad smile
he threw the deuce of trumps on the
last trick, made his four points and won
the game. As he placed the money in
his pocket amid roars Of laughter from
the crowd he turned to the Governor and
said: Governor, will you do me the honor
OF sharing my suite tonight?' The Gov
ernor laughingly accepted and they
marched to their rooms fanked by
platoon of bell boys"
Charles Hamilton, one Of the best press
agents that visits the dramatic editors
sanctum with a modest request for "a lit
tie space for my attraction, was formerly
connected with a company that appeared at
Wilkesbarre, Pa. 1t was rot, however,
Sherlock Holmes" with which Mr. Hamil-
ton is at present engaged as inciter of pub
lie interest, but an organization that &C.
casiohally appeared in smaller cities OF
the country. Mr.. Hamilton was, at the
tine. appearing in his woll-known spec al
ty of advance agent and was seven days
ahead of his company as is the wont OF all
good press agents.
Hoyt's "A Day and a Night" was show
ing in Wilkesbarre at the time Mr. Hamn-
ton arrived in the town and while strolling
past theatre-Wilkesbarre boasts of two
temples of amusement, it should be ex-
plained-the advance man saw three signs
barring the announcement Matinee to-
day p. m" Walking inside, he dis
played his professional card TO one of the
three men who stood near the entrance
gate. That gentleman nodded and Mr..
Hamilton entered the theatre, at the same
time noticing a peculiar smile and wink
thar passed between the other two men.
The house was in semi-darkness and MI.
Hamilton realized he was much too early.
However. being somewhat fatigued. he de-
cided not TO go out again. and took a seat
to await the rising Of the curtain. But II
didn't rise. After sitting In the theatre
for about an hour a man appeared In one