Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-19

ROBABLY those persons who only
occasionally regale themselves by
a visit to the home of melo-
drama" where theatrical thrill
ers" are presented at popular
nr,ces have had their curiosity aroused
during a performance by hearing vigorous
RAINING which seems to emanate from the
top gallery just as a demonstration on the
mart of the audience is subsiding. The DEM
onstration may be an outburst or enthu-
siastic applause In approval OF the hero
when he declares with uplifted hands ana
rolling eyes II Will bring that scoundrel TO
Justice II II takes the last drop or men
hearts bo-lud." Or it may be a storm ol
eloquent Kisses expressing the dislike OF
the audience for the black-mustached VII
lain-he always wears black mustache-
when he whispers in sepulchraf tones TO MS
b-a-a-d accomplice: Choke de che-id anu
conceal de evidence of our c-r-lme! But
whether the manifestation Is one or ap-
prevail or of aversion the vigorous pound
ing of a cudgel against the gallery raining
can be plainly heard above the cheers or
Kisses OF the intensely interested spectators.
1t is only in the theaters devoted to pro-
duction Of popular-priced melodrama that
this official "rapper' may be heard nova
N'N---
of entertainment the pounding frequently
is a cause Of speculation, but the regular
patrons who delight in the sensation Of
having their blood CONCEALED in their veins
at frequent intervals. are thoroughly IA
miliar with the rapping. and to them 1t
has a meaning. To these latter auditors
the person who yields the cudgel is the
chairman of the official committee on ap-
plause as Il were, and as such his deci-
sions as to the length OF a demonstration,
expressing either approval or disapproval.
is treated with Difference. When he pounds
on the railing 1t is a signal that the dem
onstration should cease and that the audi
ence should sit up and take notice for there
Is something just as good or better yet to
come. And the auditors obey,
This institution of the chairman of the
committee on applause in theaters Is not a
q new one by any means. Formerly he was
not confined to the popular-priced amuse-
ment houses, but his pounding was heard ir
the high-class theaters as well. In this con-
nection II is interesting to note that nearly
200 years ago this same ''rapper'' in the the.
aters was the subject of one of Joseph AID
disons delightfully."- humorous essays in the
f. Spectator. Addison discussed the species
under the title of THE Trunk Maker at the
Play" as follows:
There Is nothing which lies more within
the province of spectator than public
shows and diversions, and as among thest
there are none which can pretend to vie
with those elegant entertainments that are
exhibited in our theaters, think 1t partic
. ularly incumbent on me to take notice OF
everything that is remarkable in such nu
merous and refined assemblies.
1T Is observed that of late years there
has been a certain person in the upper gal
lery of the playhouse who. when he /.
70 pleased with anything that Is acted upor
q the stage, expresses his appreciation by
loud knock upon the benches or the vain
<, scot, which may be heard over the Who'll.
theater. This person Is commonly known
by the name of the trunk maker In thu
upper gallery Whether Is be that tn
blow he gives on these occasions resembles
chat which is often heard insthe shops o
such artisans or that he was supposed I,
have been a real trunk-maker, who, afte
the finishing of his days work used to un
bend his mind at these public diversion
with his hammer In his hand. I cannot Ger
tainiy tell. There are some / know VIII
have been foolish enough to imagine it Is
spirit which haunts the upper gallery, an
from time to time makes those strang