Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-04-08
A TWo-Act Comedy,

Filley, administrator vs.. Christopher,
for the theater furnishings, consider
able amusement was afforded by the
introduction OF witness by the de-
Tense named w. II. Reaney, who posed
as an expert in all matters theatrical.
lie is small, sawed-oN' style OF
man, but when his name was called in
court, sprang up like a rubber ball
and ambled to the witness chair with
a touch -me-for- testimony sort OF an
air. The risibilities OF the courtroom
we're excited by the ease with which
trap was sprung upon the too willing
witness by the adroit attorney for the
administrator, Mr.. Israel Almost the
first question propounded was, What
is your business?' and the ready an.
swer, with complaisant meditation was,
Theatrical manager" "Ah indeed"
was the suave rejoinder, chow long
have you followed that profession?"
" Fifteen years." was the reply. After
many other questions which betrayed
more ignorance than knowledge, on
the part of the witness regarding stage
matters, Mr.. Israel suddenly asked the
witness How old do you say you are?"
" Twenty-eight years." was the unhesi-
tating response. "Let's see," re-
marked the willy lawyer, Didn't you
begin your dramatic labors when you
we're rather youngi l make it that
you were about thirteen years of age,
if figures don't lie." Then it was that
the puff-bag of pomposity collapsed,
amid the smiles that rippled the
length OF the court room.
So much by way Of introduction to
Act II. of a comedy that is so serious
in deluding creditors that it possesses
very little that is humorous to them.
Act II. opens with Reaney as man.
agsr of Olympia Theater, Christopher
having apparently found a convenient
dumping ground for his burden OF woe.
Then the fun began. The service at
the theater had been bad enough, bnt
it became rapidly worse; everything
in the shape OF transforming vaude-
vile companies gaining admission.
The result was, very naturally, light
houses, and the manager had to en-
ploy much of his time in lodging
creditors. The subterfuge he had
formerly played. "Will figure up ac-
counts and bring you around a check"
became D chestnut. Then it was that
he conceived the idea of o week of
cheap vaudeville, at 10 and 20 cents
admission, to gather in few hundred
dollars and-skip. 1t worked. alas,
too we'll, and Saturday night the cur
tain fell on motley crowd of must.
clans, actors, supers, stage.men and
other deluded people, clamoring for
their pay, and the manager taking the
night-train for pastures new.
As far as can be ascertained, the
amounts owing will aggregate 5000 or
$500. "Googley" Allen is a q loser to
the tune Of $S7, money loaned; Mrs.
Kate Martin, pianist, SIT; the orches-
ira $40, and various minor accounts,
as we'll As salaries due most of the
vaudeville people.
This experience teaches that many
of our citizens are easily duped by
the assurance OF strangers. This man
Reaney received favors, right and
left, hat would have scarcely been &C.
corded, if asked. by one of our own
people. His "gall" was a most won-
derful exemplifcation of what " rough.
ing it" sometimes developes; he was
apparently ready for rebuff and took
it as his due when administered, Just
as he did favors when accorded BY
credulous people.
The last heard OF Reaney, he was in
Portland. from which place he tele.
graphed he would return and pay all
Indebtedness, Wednesday, but nobody
believed he would come and tn ey were
not disappointed. 1t was regarded
simply as dodge to gain time for
" losing" himself more completely.