New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1902-09-17
HE GRE OPERA
ii ~
HOUSE HOLDDP
Copyright, 1901. be- Il. S. Rschasdsoas
BY =. e. COUdHI.AN

coplrt0ht, 1901. be- 4. s. Rschassisoas
- .s-lsss
The oakHee Opera House was I'M
usually crowded. The people Of Oak
tree are drama loving community,
and the Watson-D nval Double Star
combinatio was giving Hamlet s
The manager estimated that there was
at least $500 in the house, his prosaic
way OF summing up the value of the
audience from the box Office point Of
view There was a good deal more
than $500 In the house from the prac-
teal financial view OF Gentleman
George, known IN the adjacent noun
tains, where he made his headquar-
tiers. as the leader Of the Red Caps
Gentleman George had a reputation
that branched out into several OF the
adjoining states. His methods OF brig
aandage were more novel than the un-
originality of his sobriq would lead
you to believe; but, then, he was not
responsible for the adjective.
Gentleman George visited Oaktree
occasionally, but q discreet population
refused to recognize him, and the au-
thorities were conveniently unaware
Of his identity hence it was quite in
order, as with other personages, that
he should attend the performance at
the opera house incog.
The curtain had fallen on the second
act and the audience was for settling
itself back into its seats when a tall,
bearded, disting uished looking gentle
man IN evening dress appeared before
& the curtain and made sign to the au-
dience, begging their attention. The
audience eraned forward in their seats.
The man raised an impressive hand
and began:
Ladies and gentlemen, I trust that
shall have your undivided attention
We are about this evening to vary the
programme slightly and shall, with
your kind indulgence, offer a little
comedy, part Of whose action will take
place In the body of the house. think
It well to warn you beforehand that It.
would be best for you to keep your
seats If you obey this Injunction, you
will be In no danger whatever, but
should you become FESTIVE serious ac-
cidents may happen.
Now let me add that it will be Inn
possible for single person to leave the
theater until the finish Of the little
comedy. If don't rise from your seats,
pleaseyou will look toward the exits.
you will see that they are carefully
guarded. 81
Eyes were instantly turned to- the.
doors. AT each door on the two tiers
that included floor and balcony of the
little theater stood q resolutes looking
man holding a brace of revolvers and
wearing red cap. a tendency to
scream on the part of the women was
repressed by the Impressive hand Of.
the man on the stage, who had by this
time also donned a red cap. S@
No danger, friends, 2 he called out In
an amlable voice. ALLOW me to intro
duce myself i am Gentleman George,
and you know my reputation. If you
are reasonable, you will not be touched
that is to say, you will only be
touched mildly, for what valuables you
may happen to have upon you. The
good people behind the scenes are safe
In the hands of my comrades All COM
munication with the outside is cut off.
Every door is guarded. There is not a
head in this house that is not covered
with a Red Cap gun. AS long as you
sit still you are in no danger, but the