The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-09-19
THE GREAT OPERA
HOUSE HOLDUP
By ]. p. CoUGHLAN
Copyright, 1901. by a. S. Richardson

. Copyright, 1901. by A. S. Richardson
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The Oaktree Opera House was un-
usually crowded The people Of Oak
tree are a drama loving community.
and the Watson-Duval Double Star
combination was giving Hamlet"
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-
ters, 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
andage were more novel than the un-
originality of his sobriquet would lead
you to believe; but, then, he was not
responsible for the adjective.
Gentleman George visited Oaktree
occasionally, but a discreet population
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, distinguished looking gentle
man In evening dress appeared before
the curtain and made q sign to the au-
dience, begging their attention. The
The man raised an impressive hand
and began:
Ladies and gentlemen, trust that l
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 i'm the body of the house. think
it well to warn you beforehand that II
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 restive serious ac-
| cidents may happen.
"Now let me add that II will be i'm
possible for a single person to leave the
| theater until the finish Of the little
comedy. If-don't rise from your seats,
| please-you will look toward the exits
| you will see that they are carefully
| guarded"
Eyes were instantly turned to the
Il oh fo fxvn
that included floor and balcony Of the
little theater stood a resolute looking
| man holding a brace OF revolvers and
| wearing 9 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 red cap.
NO danger. friends" he called out In
an amiable voice. ALLOW me to intro
duce myself: l am Gentleman George
and you know my reputation II you
are reasonable. you will not be touched
that is to say, you will only be
touched mildly, for what valuables 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 on
Every door is guarded There is not 9
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 you try to get gay or stow
away any OF your goods or put US te
any trouble you will hear
The ominous elipsis at the end OF the
last sentence had all Its intended effect
"Now that we understand each 9th
err" continued the speaker. ''our col
lectors will pass among you. and
trust you will remember that thei
time is valuable and cannot be wastes
In disputes. In the meantime there 4
continue. If you please. Mr.. Professor
strike up"
To the somewhat tremulous musi
of the plano three men moved sys
tematically through the lower 6oor o
the theater. each one carrying sluni
over his shoulder q large leather bal
such as Is carried by postmen. Will
three others similarly equipped wen
at the same time through the balcony
Ladies may keep their wedding
rings" called out the chief robbes
who shouted out from time to time OF
ders to his men and to the audienc
from the stage.
please. sir. may keep this? 1t wa
my mothers" said young girl In
| tremulous voice from the balcony q
she held up a small brooch In her han
for Gentleman George to see.
Certainly. my child. Jim, see tina
the young lady keeps her brooch"
Presently requests Of various kind
began to come from all parts Of tn
house. In some cases the request
were granted Immediately, others a
curtly refused and still others comprt
missed. Some citizens were allowed {
keep trinkets they valued by giving a
Il. o. o." for their value. This une,
pected turn to the proceedings gave tn
affair n flavor of the auction room. an
in the excitement. coupled with peep
into the heart secrets OF others, til
women forgot In a great measure thel
fright. This result was greatly col
tributed to by the good natured way
which the thieves did their robbIng.
'Now. my friends" said Gentlema
George after a pause. 'everythin
seems to be moving serenely. and Will
the rest of the collection is being mad,
with your kind permission. will er
deavor to entertain you with a littl
song. Can you accompany me In 'Th
suwanee River professorT
t'Certainly. sir"