The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-09-08

ter or ceremonies with sweet smile. III one VI
them should but draw drop of blood from your
arm, you would be a dead woman"
l didn't tell the girls was afraid they might
be unable to sing. 1o'
When had grouped my company and walked to
the footlights noticed a living wall between the
stage and auditorium. Ten or twelve murderous
looking troopers were lying on their bellies In
sunken trench skirting the lights. They kept well
out OF sight, but the master OF ceremony informed
me that II l or either OF my company would over
step certain red line drawn across the STAGE
these guardsmen would spring at our throats.
DO not stop singing and dancing until His Ma
esty gives the sign," he added, lust keep the per-
Torrance going somehow"
minute later the curtain went up.
A sea of gold met our bewildered eyes. The
theater Is small, but Of unrivalled magnificence
Even In India, at the courts OF the Rajahs never
saw anything to equal the splendor and lavish ex
penditure of gold and crystal precious stones, tap
estries and silken carpets.
Directly opposite the stage are three boxes. In
the central box sat the Sultan. He wore a black
Prince Albert coat and red fez. His face 10 all
yellow wrinkles and beard. tried to catch
glimpse of his eyes, but he kept them to himself
noticed that he did not wear any jewelry what
ever. Behind him stood a court marshal In a mag
hcent dress and blazing with diamonds. The
Crown Prince sat In the next box, and the Rus
sian ambassador In the one on the Sultan's left
The auditorium was full of army officers and great
dignitaries, each holding naked sword in his
lap. wondered who was guarding the guards
AS to His Majesty he had his special bodygliards
along, two ferocious looking great Danes, whose
enormous heads occasionally appeared above the
railing. The Sultan has their entire care, no one
but him being allowed to feed them. BY turning
over to the brutes half Of his meals day after day.
ne appeals to their gratitude. Even his Sultanas
and slave girls are not permitted TO fOndle these
dogs, or to offer them the smallest bite shudder
when think that the great Danes do not part
company with the Sultan and his favortes even at
night a
On both sides of the auditorium observed GID
ed treis work. masking the boxes for the harem
and l0oAing closer saw now and then the CLEAN
Ing OF fiery eyes, of tiaras, gold and precious
stones t|G, ~ Eb#I
The opening chorus was received In icy silence
sang three or four OF my best songs and got the
same reward and our tenth number evoked no
more appreciation than the first. My heart was
IN my throat, and thoroughly disguised changed
on from vocal to orchestral music. Three num-
Ders were played. The audience refused to thaw
out. The fourth piece was gay melody, and we
mad played only few bars, when His Majesty
leaned forward and cried: burr, durr" which ia
turkish for stop. gave the sign and the Russian
ambassador got up and sad Ills Majesty, the
Sultan, heard this piece from his favorite vioinst
and commands you to play the accompaniment to
his instrument" .,lt ! N9r n. /.
Wondra Bay, the artist alluded to. issued from
the back OF the stage bowed low before the Sultan
ana NODDED to me. He was pale faced man. en-.
cased In cloth OF gold. On his breast were the or.
ders and decorations OF all the governments of the
world causing a tingling noise when he moved.
Inc hey reminded me OF a Spanish procession
mule, loaded with ikons and bells 4tt Ia
-, turning his face towards the Sultan, he kissed
the hoor three times, then began to play. He A.
neither Paganini, nor Kubelik, but Conried
might oner him $75 week. However the Sui.