Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-16
An1uSetnentS

pleasant for us. both socially and other
wise. In San Francisco. too. they were very
nice to us. There we're any number OF
soldiers in Frisco and. Of course, they are
always enthusiastic over an act Of a mill
tary character. We have received many
compliments on our work by military Of
fcers, and It is those that are most crafty
ing to the boys, since officers are better
qualified to Judge OF its merits than any
one else. We have had compliments from
several foreigners who have been officers
in the German and British armies, and they
all urge us to make a tour Of Europe, as
surfing us that our specially would be a
big hit there on account Of the military
spirit OF the different European countries.
Have we such a trip in prospect? Yes.
but nothing definite has or will be decided
about It until we reach Chicago. which will
be within a few weeks. Mr.. Beck, the d.
rector OF the Orpheum circuit. wants to
manage us and book a tour abroad for us
next season, under the same terms OF our
present contract, but the boys do not seem
willing to work for the same figure longer
than the eud of the present season. They
realize that a trip abroad would be quite
q novel experience. yet they are not overly
anxious to take It unless the terms are
exactly to their liking. We have submitted
our figure to Mr.. Beck and will know within
a few weeks positively as to our future
movements"
"The conduct Of the members Of the squad
has been most exemplary during the trip
so far. Not once has the manager of the
Orpheum road show found II necessary to
call them down. as the saying goes. This
much can hardly be said for another act
upon the bill and we are prouder OF 1t than
anything else about the trip"
Frank James rushed into the lime-lit
circle down at Kansas City and demanded
that the courts restrain the presentation
Of THE James Boys in Missouri" because,
forsooth. 1t ~glorihed outlawry. That's Just
where Frank made a mistake. His stric-
lures on outlawry are we'll taken, but come
a trlie late from him. Had he commenced
on this line sooner-say forty years ago
he might have become a useful citizen, but
he wouldn't have known nearly so much
about the business he engaged in during
the best years Of his life. Also, he might
have modified the terms Of his petition II
he had gone to see the play before going
into court. He would have found in II
little that ~glori1es outlawry, but much that
g~lorines the James brothers. He would
hhhhSOAA ~ a lolC q
mented Jesse spouting platitudes and
heroics at an astonishing rate, accompany
ing their exhibition Of verbal gymnastics
with appropriately athletic actions and
circumspect conduct. 1t is their mission
in the play-to thwart ~villainy, to pre-.
vent robbery and to protect the helpless,
all the while engaging in honest toll ia
earn means to provide a frugal living. In
n part Of the play, 1t is true, they swear
to devote their lives to revenge on q
cowardly gang Of guerrillas and horse
thieves, but even this vengeance takes q
noble form, for in the very next act We
are shown the James brothers engaged al
preventing the robbery OF a train. In
doing this they exterminate all Of the out.
laws but one. and he, Bob Ford, by name
Is spared to shoot Jesse In the back-tht
only point In the play at all consistent
with facts known concerning the James
brothers. Frank James failed to secur,
the retirement Of this unhealthy bit o.
fiction from the stage. but II he had wor
he would have performed at least one pub
lie service during his life. It is to b.
feared, however. that his course will buI
advertise the play and himself.