The Somerset reporter., 1902-09-04
! THE GREAT OPERA
| HOUSE HOLDUP
By ]. P. COUGHLAN
COPYRIGHT, 1901, by 4. S. Richardson
Copyright, 1901, by 4. S. Richardson
BY ]. P. CoUGHIAN

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 reputation
that branched out into several of the
adjoining states. His methods of brig
andage were more novel than the I'M
originality of his sobrlquet would lead
you to believe; but, then, he was not
responsible for the adjective.
Gentleman George visited Oaktree
occasionally. but a discreet population
refused to recognize him, and the au-
thorities We're 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 a sign to the au-
dience, begging their attention. The
audience craned 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
1t well to warn you beforehand that it
would be best for you to keep your
seats. If you obey this injunction, you
will be In 40 danger whatever, but
should you become FESTIVE serious ac-
cidents may happen.
Nov let me add that it will 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
please-you will look toward the exits
you 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 theater stood n resolute looking
man holding a brace of revolyers and
wearing a 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 a red cap.
NO danger friends" he called out in
an amiable voice. "Allow me to intro
duce myself. | am Gentleman George,
and you know my reputation. If you
are reasonable. you will not be touched
that is to say, you will only he
touched mildly, for what Yaluables you
may happen to nave upon you. The
good people behind the scenes are safe
in the hands of my comrades. All COM
munication with the outside is cut off.
Every door is guarded. There is not a
head in this house that is not covered
with Il 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 to
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 their
time Is valuable and cannot be wasted
in disputes. In the meantime there IS
no reason why the music should not
continue If you please, Mr.. Professor,
strike up"
To the somewhat tremulous music
of the piano three men moved sys-
tematically through the lower floor of
the theater, each one carrying slung
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 robber
who shouted out from time to time or
ders to his men and to the gudience
from the stage.
please, sir, may keep this? 1t was
my mothers" said a young girl in a
tremulous 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
began to come from all parts of the
house. In some cases the requests
were granted Immediately, others as
CURLY refused and still others compro-
missed. Some citizens were allowed to
keep trinkets they valued by giving an
81. o. T." for their value This unex-
pected turn to the proceedings gave the
affair flavor of the auction room, and
In the excitement, coupled with peeps
into the heart secrets of others, the
women forgot in a great measure their
fright. This result was greatly con-
tributed to by the good natured way in
which the thieves did their robbng.
"Now, my friends" said Gentleman
George after pause everything
seems to be moving serenely, and while
the rest of the collection is being made,
with your kind permission. will en-
deavor to entertain you with n little
song. Can you accompany me In The
Suwanee River professor
HCnrtafnlV sir "