The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-12-17
/: :':..:1heatres ~. =:
Continued from page Four.)


given IL on the pragrsm. The two little
fellows are astonishlngly we'll developed
and muscular, and do a number OF ath-
letic and wefght-lifting feats that win the
greatest admiration OF the audience. Their
boxing bout Is hilariously funny. There
Is no sham TO this bout, for both diminu-
tive little fellows go at this with great
earnestness. They have both had n
thorough training In scientific boxing
under the capable tutor, James Corbett.
the famous ex-pugilist. Charlie Rossow.
the smaller of the two little fellows.
usually wins. however, for he is as agile
and energetic as his tutor, and he is a
worthy pupil of corbetts.
Hal Merritt. the clever young cartoon
ist, whose amusing monologue, THE
Poster Girl," Is one of the best liked
acts on the BILL is very obliging. and
therefore very busy gentleman. There
is not a performance but what Mr.. Mer-
rltt receives n dozen or more requests
from auditors for the rapid crayon
sketches which he draws in his act. OF
course, the demand exceeds the supply,
for Mr.. Merritt only makes four n day,
two In the afternoon and two In the even
Ing, but he often draws number OF
Poster Girls" In response TO the request
or the management to be given to lady
patrons. IL Is said among artists that
Mr.. Merritts studio In New York Is one
or the most artistic and interesting there
The walls are literally papered with
paintings, crayon sketches, cartoons. pen
and Ink sketches, etc, and each tells a
story. Mr.. Merritt has an unfeiling
supply of good humor and a keen sense of
the humorous. Perhaps no business ia
more conducive to this than the theatri-
cal profession. ard the many funny
things seen and heard by him on his
travels are often told by him In his
sketches.
One OF his pen and Ink sketches that
attracted n great deal OF interest at a re-
cent exhibition I'm New York was one
which pictured an amusing experience
he had had one New Years eve. II have
always kept out OF trouble as much as |
could" said Mr. Merritt In relating the
effair. but when IL comes. am gener-
ally Little Johnny on the Spot Being of
an athletic frame OF mind and muscle, I
have always been a lover OF the manly
art OF self defense. and In the language
OF tho ring could put UP my dukeg with
some science 10 back them up.
"One New Years eve / was engaged to
appear at the Orange Athletic club 10
help the old year out and the new year
In with mirth and music. carried in
satchel large gong 10 add realism to my
trolley imitation. which I used TO do. 1t
was dig one. L also carried my banjo,
for did a little 'plunking' at the time.
The weather being very much In season.
wore n heavy ulster. Besides seeing
the old year out we had TO see several
things in. that IL, Champagne and
sich.' I took the last train IN to New
York, and when I left the ferry, the
street was deserted. I crossed the street
banjo In one hand satchel with gong I'm
the other. and as ! stepped onto the
sidewalk a burly, thick-set fellow. step
ped up to me and another man stood In
the gutter.
What time II it7 asked my stocky
friend
Haven't my watch with me. old chap
says i.
" Got any money? says he
" No promptly replied. yours truly.
=" Come. Come. cough up said he.
AT this his pal started 10 40 round be-
hind me. All the time I was looking for
an opening but was handicapped by my
banjo and satchel. I knew | must do
something. or they'd do. me. 80 like a
fash I swung the bag with a kind OF a
'half-back blow and caught the fellow
square In the Jaw. But Il wasn't the blow
that did the business for me. but when
the bag hit him. there came pealing out
loudly. and 10 me sweetly. on the mid
night air music from the gong. Bling!
His thugship wasn't used 10 being punch.
ed and having the said punch registered.
for he threw up his hands ani I few up
the street with both money and watch.