Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-05
AUDITORIUM
WAR RACES
ITALIANS AND FERRIS FORCES IN
/ DIRE CONFLICT
FIGHT FOR POSSESSION OF THE
STAGE
Chorus Man Takes Umbrase at Re-
ma rk Of Walter Hoff seeIey and
Fist Fight Is Narrowly
Averted

The bloody battle of Solferino was re-
enacted yesterday morning upon the
stage cf the Auditorium theater, and
when th e smoke rolled away the banner
of Italy fioated triumphant on the hot
air brea re. While it lasted, however. 1t
was as ! pretty a little scrap as has ever
been sea in local playhouse.
EarlN J yesterday morning the attacking
force. AT lder command of Gen. Sediey
Brown. advanced against the enemy's 8
position. They were met, however, by
a fierce a ire from the outpost, and with
drew In ONE confusion. Evidently they
hao exl,e cted to take the Italians by
surprise a nd were much discounted when
they fonstl their carefully laid plans had
miscarrie q
Then a I Messenger with a flag of truce
was sent IA ,rward to parley. Walter Hoff
seeley was chosen for this delicate task.
He was ma by Col. Boom-de-ayski, rep
resenting q en-. Patrizzi.
'sWhata y ou want on mia de stage!
demanded IL ie colonel hotly.
Mai. SeeIt " shrugged his shoulders,
muttered SON iething about corpo di bacco,
snrained the second digit on his right
hand by the force of his gesticulatiop,
smiled ruefud ly and bowed.
The Itaiiarp returned t.hhe how and
raised two bo VS.. Then he reached into
pocket and w lthdrew ''the makings."
Offes 8 "the Makings"
''You wanta 'bacco?" he queried po-
litely.
Seeley frown ed. you mean to insult
me?' he shou ted.
"Non. non. What it is, this insult
your
Again the Seeley shoulders moved
heavenward; ;lgain the Seeley fingers
twitched spasn nodically, and again the
5eeley form wais contorted into caricature
Of bow.
"suess we b stter call in Berry" he
urrested: and IA messenger was sent for
the house manat ger.
Mr.. Berry rrtved. He was informed
that the Ferris torces desired to use the
stage of the Aud ltorium for a rehearsal.
All right" he said. go ahead; who's
stopping your
Seeley's smile this time was like a.
bIazed the Jewels Miss Stone wears in
"Cleopatra" 1t W as a thing of beauty
out it didn't last long
TITS all right" he called. Come
ahead
over in Little Italy there was a hurried
conference. Then, as the vanguard OF
The Ferris forces advanced upon the
stage, the Italians attacked quickly and
lmpetuously Sigpor Butzorino led the
Assault and his men were not far be-
hind him. Shouting words Of encourage
ment to each other they advanced in a
football formation that would have glad
tened the heart of A. .Alonzo Stagg, and
lRain the Ferris forces were routed.
Berry laughed Seeley fumed. Several
II the women of the Ferris company were
N tears. 1t was big moment
Evidently The Hague tribunal, Sparks
Berry presiding officer, mad failed in its
nissfon The war was on.
All of the Italians talked at once. So
lid Seeley.
s'Yah, yahr he yelled. "Sella de
oanan. Run along. now. Catcha da monk.
Blow! Twenty-three! What the?
5kidooy'
Back in the italian RANKS doomed the
big form of chorus man. He heard and
ne understood.
s.Zis to me-" he shouted. "Banan!
Monk! Mother of the Virgin! Ees eet
Tor zis we haf came to here2 Af2 Peeg Of
mani Artist-me artist"
He made a lunge at Seeiey. Seeley
,idestepped and Berry stopped laughing
long enough to throw himself into the
preach He grabbed the frenzied Italian
on one side Patrizzi grabbed him on
the other. He was still fuming as they
ed him out of the building.
Then Berry offered compromise. He
suggested that the Italians be left in
andisturbed possession OF tIhe stage anu
hat the Ferris rehearsal be held in one
If the halls on the second floor of the
Auditorium building. Seeley didn't like
t. but had to agree, and the Ferris
,orces retired in good order, pursued by
he jeers and taunts of their victorious
opponents.
What will happen, however, when it
comes time for the final dress rehearsal
If cleopatra" remains to be seen. Fer
lis says he must have the stage. The
Italians say he can't have it. Berry
shrugs his shoulders and says 1t is be-
rond him, which all parties to the con-
roversy agree is nothing more than the
simple truth.