Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-09-03
THE GREAT OPERA
HOUSE HOLDUP
BY j. P. coUaH1.AN


The oaktree Opera House was I'M
usually crowded The people Of Oak
tree are a drama loving community,
ana the Watson-Duyal Double Star
combination was giving Hamlet"
The manager estimated that there was
at least $500 Ia 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
taias, where he made his headquar-
ters, as the leader OF the Red Caps.
Gentleman George had reputation
that branchsd out into several of the
adjoining states. His methods OF brig
andags were more novel than the I'M
originality OF his sobriquet would lead
you to believe; but, then. he was not
responsible for the adjective.
Gentleman George visited Oaktree
occasionally, but discreet population
refused TO recognize him. and the au-
thorities were conveniently unaware
OF his identity; hence II was quite in
order. as with other personages. that
he should attend the5berformauce at
the opera house incog.
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 In evening dress appeared before
the curtain and made sign TO the au-
dlence. begging their attention. The
audience eraned forward in their seats.
The man raised an impressive hand
and began:
"Ladies and gentlemen, 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
Il well TO warn you beforehand that IL
would be- best for you TO keep your
seats. IL you obey this injunction. you
will be In no danger whatever. but
should you become FESTIVE serious ac-
cldeuts may happen.
Now let me add that IL win be i'm
possible for single person to leave the
theater until the finish OF the little
comedy. If-don't rise from your seats.
| pleaxe-you win look toward the exits
| sou will see that they are carefully
| guarded.
| Eyes were instantly turned TO the
doors. At each door on the two tiers
that included floor and balcony OF the
little thcater stood a resolute looking
man holdiag a brace of reviewers and
wearing a red cap. 4 tendency &c
scream on the part OF the women was
rcpvcssed by the impressive hand of
the man on the stage. who had by this
time Also donncd red cap.
mo danger, friends he called out In
an amiable voice. ALLOW me to intro
duce myself. am Gentleman George,
and you know my reputation. II you
are reasonable. you viii not be touched
that Ia to say. you viii only be
touched mildly. for what yalnables you
may happen TO have upon you. The
good people behind the scenes are safe
In the hands OF my comrades. All COM
muuication with the outside Ii cut of.
Every door is guarded. There Is not Il
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
moment yon try TO get gay or sto"
away any % your goods or put us TO
any trouble you viii hear
The olnlnous ellpsis 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
lcetors will pass among you. ana !
trust YOU will remember that their
time Is yaluab BILE and cannot be wasted
IN disputes. Ia the meantime there Is
no reason why the music should not
continue II you please. Mr. Professor,
strike up"
To the somewhat tremulous music
Of the piano three men moved sys-
tematlcauy through the lower floor of
the theater. each one carrying slune
over his shoulder a large leather bag
such as is carried by postmen, while
three others similarly equipped went
at the same time through the balcony.
ladies may keep their wedding
rings" called out the chief rob6er,
who shouted out from time to time or
ders to his men and to the audience
from the stage.
"Psease. sir. may keep this? II was
INV mothers" said young girl In
tremuIous voice from the balcony as
she held up small brooch In her hand
for Gentleman George to see.
certainly. my child. JIM see that
the young lady keeps her brooch.
| Presently requests of various KINDS
hogan TO come from all parts of the
house In some cases the requests
were granted Immediately. others as
cnrtly refused and still others eompro-
missed. Some citizens were allowed TO
Keen trinkets they valued by giving an
q q. L." for their value. This unex-
pected turn to the proceedings gave the
AFFAIR favor OF the auction room ana
A a