The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1902-08-29
CorriSan,
The APOTHECARY.
OLNEYVILLE SQUARE.
THE GREAT OPERA
, HOUSE H0LDUP
Copyright, 1901, IN IS. Richdrdson
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by J. p. CoUGHLAN

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The Oaktree Opera House was I'M
usually crowded. The people Of OAK
tree are drama loving community,
aud the Watson-Duyal Double star
combination was giving Hamlet
The manager estimated that there was
Mt least $500 in the house his prOsalc
way of summing up the value Of the
audience from the box Office point OF
view. There was good deal more
than $500 I'm the house from the prac.
teal financial view of Gentleman
George, known I'm the adjacent noun
tnins, where ne made his hCadquar-
ters. az the leader of the Red Caps.
Gentleman George had reputation
that branchcd out into several of the
adjoining states. Ills methods OF brig
apdagc were more novel than the I'm
originality of his sObriQuct would lead
you 10 believe; but, then, he was not
responsible for the adjective.
Gentleman George visited oakiree
occasionally, but discreet population
refused to recognize him, and the au-
thortlcs were conveniently unaware
OF his identity; hence II was quite In
order. as with other pcrsonngcs, that
he should attend the performance at
the opera house ncog.
The curtain had fallen on the second
act and the audience was for settling
itself back into It's seats when tall,
bearded, distinguished looking gentle.
man I'm evening dress appeared before
the curtain and made n sign to the nu-
dicnce begging their attention. The
audience craned forward In their seats.
The man raised an impressive hand
and began:
Ladies' ana gentlemen, ! trust thnt |
/ shall have your undivided attention.
, We are about this evening 10 vary the
programme slightly and shall, with
your kind indulgence, offer n little
comedy, part of whose action will take
| place I'm the body of the house. think
II well 10 warn you beforehand that II
would bo best for you 70 keep your
seats. If You obey this injunction, you
| will be I'm no danger Whatever but
! should you become restivc serious ac-
cidents may happen.
"Now let me add that Il will he Inn
! possible for single person to leave the
J thcatcr until the finish of the little
| comedy. If-don't rise from your seats,
plcase-you will look toward the exits
you will see that they are carefully
guarded"
Eyes were instantly turned 10 the
doors. At each door on the two tiers
/ that included floor and balcony of the
little thcater stood n rcsolutc looking
man holding brace of rcvolvcrs and
wearing a red cap. \ tendency to
scream ON the part of the women was
rcprcsscd 10y the impressive hand of
the man ON the stage who had 10y this
time also donuCd red cap.
"No danger, friends he called out I'm
nm amiable voice. ALLOW me TO intro
duce myself: am Gentleman George
and you know my reputation lt you
are reasonable, you will not be touched
that is To say, you will only hC
touched mildly, for what valuahlcs yor
may happen TO have upon you. The
good people behind the scenes are safe
I'm the hands OF my comrades. All com
munication with the outside is cut or
Every door is guarded There Is not
head In this house that Is not covcrc,
with Red Cap gun. AS long ms yot
sit still you are in no danger, but the
moment you try TO get gay or stow
away any Of your goods or put us t'
opv frouhla Won Will hCnr'-
The ominous elipsis at the end OF the
last sentence had all It's intended effect
"Now that we understand each 9th
err" continued the speaker, "our col
lectors will pass among you, ana
trust you will remember that thci
time is valuable and cannot be wastc'
I'm disputes. In the meantime there
no reason why the music should no
continue. II you please. Mr.. Professor
strike up"
To the somewhat trcmulous musi
OF the piano three men moved sy'
tematically through the lower floor o
the theater. each one carrying slun
over his shoulder n large leather ba
such as Is carried by postmcn. Will
three others similarly equipped wen
J at the same time through the balcony
Ladies may keep their weddin
rings" called out the chief robbci
who shouted out from time TO time OF
ders 10 his men and 60 the nudlenc
from the stage.
"Please, sir. may keep thls1 IL wa
my mothers" said young Girl In
ireuulous voice from the balcony q