New-York tribune., 1909-12-26
In PERIL OF LIFE
BEHIND THE SCENES.
Reporter Glad to Escape from
Hippodrome Labwinth.

hlshest authority IN all matters OF HIPPO
d-oms stage management was gilded AT
length on the door. He picked up = paper
cutter and bent "a between the fingers OF
hts two hands. IL was as though the gem
eral stage director knew he might be
thought unaccOmmOdating. but intended TO
be firm.
There would be = lot Of people picked
UP dead II We permitted visitors behind
the scenes here" he added. eonsolingiy.
81 don't so there myself. except when IL Is
absolutely necessary"
The reporter was disappointed and IN
convinced
'Can a man who has never been be-
hind the scenes anywhere write about the
HippQdroEae show as viewed from behind
the scenes without first getting there
asked the reporter. with more ANXIETY than
dictiOn.
There was no reply. r. r. Burnside. the
general stage director had turned his
head away. The aetlon, coupled with his
announcement about the death that lurksd
behind the curtain for the uniultiated. must
therefore be accepted as finsl, the re-
porter thought. u was too bad. because
realistic story had been ordered.
How many humans ard animals are
engaged in the Hippodrome performances.
Mr. Burnside?'
No answer
we are obliged 20 you for the local
color and the facts began the reporter
preparing 10 depart.
Don't let anything hit you, and keep your
eye on me- almost Missed Mr Burnside,
as he sprans from his char and passed
out the door. Evidently there wouldn't
be any story OF the stage. bat there might
be a news item II one followed the moods
o. Mr. Burnside @ the end. There was
no doubt he was acting strangely, and the
story probably would be sad one. he
ran u the street in his shirt sleeves and
the day was more than chilly. Past furred
women and ustered mankind he half
cantered south IN sixth avenue 10 45d
street. turned due east. ducksd suddenly
and disappeared through door that was
only large enough for the pony ballet 70
hle through.
When next seen. Mr.. Burnside vas wav-
ing his white sleeves Ike watchman at
the switch from across confusing area OK
midnight bIackness where. apparently
there were countless poles, both north ana
south. ropes. trunks boxes. million NOV
Ing Phautoms playing football or some
thing and everything silent as the tomb
The reporter knew too much 70 move
about. he did not advance until ne was
forced The white arms enfolded him
and dragged him through tine tnieh' IN
yielding gloom
Are YOU Mr.. Burnside whispered ths
reporter.
yes: be quiet was the answer, low but
not sweet WHY didn't you follow M.
why didn't YOU carry Iantern'--
BE QUIET snapped the shadow that
owned 10 the name Of Burnside, and do
L. TauuprCIl@ mere
Don't shake 50. Here. hang on 70 nay arm
Wasn't it you who beSged 10 be turned
loose for an evening with the humans and
animals behind the sceuesF
say! how DO you ger out ~ here2 4he
ground Is going away gasPed The re-
porter.
stay right where you are. or you'll 20
with IT," said the seif-possessed master n
the coatless shirt.
There was q roaring sound that might
ecme from a den o. lions or Niagara Alled
with ice.
They are shifting the ecensry 20 show
the palace OF the ruler OF The hldaen 'elty
IN the centre OF the earth Whispered NJ
Burnside. The king is awaiting TIE priests
with Rose Allen whom he Is going 20 make
MS queen tie dispatches his guards %
fetch her and thev oescenc a staircase teaa-
ing 10 the edge OF the lake, into which lhey
walk until the waters close over them
And then the blessed hCnts came on Two
inches from the reDorter's feet vas the edse
of NIr. Buruslde's lake. 4 hundred feet
av-ay we're scores of angels, apparently,
rising ana disappearing behind violet and
orange mist tha. arose before the magic
waterfall Forty-eight girls were az the
bottom OF the lake. smiling happily. Brown
skinned men were diving into the lake.
while other men shot at them with revoi-
yers II was all uninreliigihie from behind
the scenes, Iut more interesting than the
fearful wait "a darkness
Watch the corners now ordered Mr..
Burnside. aud In two minutes more the gen
eral stage manager ~ the biggest theatre
in the world aSaiE sat in his soIndqroof
cfice.
Dangerous place behind the scenes
here" he said There was no disputlns
him. Il saw you were mifted when ! re-
fused 10 let ecu get killed back there alone
AZ to-nlght's Performance ne added. so
I decided suddenly 20 so along. wanted
You 10 get IN ~ a good time
Did YOU knew what things would ~ Ike
when We first got there he was asked.
Yes. l was listening 10 the music as you
talked"
10 Was another surprise. Didn't you see
m- holding this little black instrument 90
NY ear" he continued. So that was the
.easou he had turned aSay his head and
not answered the early queries Of the rc-
porter. Il can hear all that takes place on
the stage With that little trinket' he said.
Il wanted you 10 ind out for Yourself that
7 was telling you the truth about the trou-
bl- an unframed person meets when back
IN the wings"
lie called Tor Miss Russell. who appeared
as by magic dripping Wet, but cheerful.
She didn't see that there was anything es-
pecially interesting in her ability 90 sina.
look and dance well ard then descend 4
staircase leading 10 the edge of the Like.
into which they walk until the waters close
over them"
1t is fine, Ike tive all do" she said.
while the part OF the lake that had clung
20 her cheeks rolled merrily down them
Mr. Burnside was sOrry that Arthur
Voegtlin. who designed and executed the
scenic effects. was absent.
Hippodrome show as az present given
includes eight hundred persons and nfty
animals. among which are horses. ponies.
monkeys. elephants. camels lions. tigers
and giraffes, Girls Of course. predominant.
The music and lyrics are provided by
Manuel Klein He Mr.. burnside and SIR
VoegtHn meet in a small Office IN the HIP
podrome building and create a performance
by Offering each other sugge stiOns Tne