New-York tribune., 1905-01-29
ID j a I'M e w. Nj or ri S ey
MANAGER
l. d e d b y j. III r. n { w I c h


-1'an may journey along and extend him a helping
hand If SO, he is lucky, especially if the Good
samaritan happens to he Eugene Field.
had Mile Rhea in Chicago, and one night after the
performance, in the of little supper at which
Field was present, took occasion to beoan my lot
i m at a loss TO know what to do" ! said We
open IN St Louis next Monday night. and my repre-
sentative ought TO be down there announcing the
coming OF Mile Rhca. Instead of this he's hving
back 20 New-l ork fast the train will take him
with his feelings much injured by few remarks |
made 10 him this morning. It's impossible to pick
up a good man at a moments notice With no proper
announcements in ST Louis, to play 10
losing business.
Jimmie you're 1,ess1nist. said Field gazing at
me quizzcally from across the table You wrong
Chicago when YOU say that 1t is impossible to find in
1his town artists in your game of holding alurng
bait TO a conhding public. Why, Chicago they
grow on every bushi'
Then pick one for me- answered quickly
Well" drawled Field, gazing thoughtfully into the
smoke from hs cigar, as loyal citizen Of Chicago ]
naturally have grudge against St Louis, and l
Just thinking that might down there myself 10
induce them TO attend your show"
Field, you re joking | exclaimed.
Well, II ! am, he answered, Il think It Is a kind
of grim Joke St Louis But, as a matter of fact
ana as serious as Hamlet. Do l get the job:"
DO YOU get it" / cried. d" If YOU really are not
joking, ! should say you did"
All night then, he said reaching out his long
hand TO me, Il Is a gentlemen's agreement. III
stand not on the order Of my going, but will go
morrow morning. Give me your instructions now SO
that NAV devote the remainder Of the evening pack
ing my toothbrush and bidding my creditors farewell
4 trip Ike this did interfere with Fields writing
ms daily column OF SharTs and Flats" for The Chi
cago News Indeed, II took him into a fresh sphere
for copy He at the train the morning in
lively mood, and bade me good-by gaily. Thus it
was that ! acquired advance agent.
From the train went to the telegraph office
md ndited 10 the dramatic editors OF the ST. Louis
r-Eyspapers a message which read like this
Eugene Field has been turned loose on your town
as publicity purveyor pro for the Rhea company
and arrives tonight the o'clock train Please
give him a wide berth in your columns-that IS give
him plenty Of space IN which 10 toss about"
Eugene Of course was Well-knOWn by reputation in
s. Louis, and / rather opined, | handed my ele-
gram to the operator be duplicated the various
newspapers that he would find plenty Of opportunity
show his mettle press agent. That all that
] wanted him to do For billing the town plan
send paper boss bIll-poSter in whom / had
confidence, and run down St. Louis myself little
later the week Just as could get away
venientlv look after the details And that dav
] went about my business with feeling OF assurance
that the advent Of Nile. Rhea IN ST. Louis would be
well heralded after all
On the second morning aftervard, when Field had
been in ST Louis a day, bought that ctys papers to
ascertain what my advance agent had accom-
Tlished at the beginning Of his campaign In a
Iaent my ewes had caught The headline: Reception
10 Eugene Field
Ny eager reading Of the article informed me that
the newspaper men had got up a little welcome for
my representative.
The next morning received telegram from him
this effect " If possible come at once. Shall expect
vou the seven o'clock train You needed here.
This was signed: Eugene IN the Field"
telegraphed that l should he on hand, and my
J., -----,-