The Washington herald., 1909-04-11
BOX SEATS AT $1.26
Price for National Park Game
Causes Excitement.
LITTLE AID. STARTS TROUBLE
MIR. Hannah, of 315 Thirteenth street,
the Victim of a Prank which
Brings on n Day of Misery-Pes-
tered All Day by Fans Eager for
Seats at National Park.

Some real mean men played a prank
on Frank D. Hannah yesterday. They
called It a prank, but he called it some
thing else. At any rate, whether il was
a prank or something else it can be
called a practical joke. The name only
vaguely expresses what Mr.. Hannah
thinks OF it,
II might be termed base" or cruel"
and even then Mr.. Hannah would be in
clined 10 prefix a few adjectives for good
measure. The real mean men say it was
great" and capital" and the best
ever
II all began about a Misunderstanding
advertisement In a Washington news
paper. which read: Fifteen box seats
for opening baseball game. at SIS each
Mr.. Hannah. s15 Thirteenth street north
west"
Mr.. Hannah declares he did not insert
the advertisement. He declares he knew
nothing OF il until-until; we'll never
mind.
Everybody in Washington should have
known that al. box seats for the opening
game Of baseball at the American League
Park we're sold like the proverbial hot
cakes some few days ago. at the store
OF Hickman & White. But Mr.. Hannah
declares some several thousands Of per-
sons believed fifteen box seats were still
available.
Arising early yesterday morning Mr..
Hannah left home for his Office In Thir-
tenth street. where he expected 70
transact q. lot OF business. He was happy
when he entered the office. for the early
morning air had had its effect.
Applicant Number 1.
He was earlier than usual. but when he
walked in the Office he saw he had a
vis.tor. A grimy-faced boy. IN knee trou-
sers and an expectant look. stepped for
ward. real business-like. and said: Mr..
Hannan? Yes? Wen. I want those ff-
teen seats. They look good 10 me at 80,
and I've got the money right here 70 pay
for them"
Have you gone mad2" asked Mr..
Hannah, "or perhaps you are just natu-
rally crazy. May 1 ask what you are
raving abOUt?"
The boy pointed a dirty finger at an
advertisement in a morning newspaper.
Mr.. Hannah read the advertisement, and
read II again Then he reread It, and
when the real meaning of the few words
reached his muddled brain, a gasp escaped
his lips and he collapsed in a swivel
chair.
The boy stood looking with wonder.
and then asked What's the matter2''
why, I didn't insert that advertise
ment. boy. II is a joke. have no box
seats for a baseball game" The boy
thought he had shown too much eager
ness IN asking for the seats. and believed
Mr.. Hannah intended raising his price
and selling the seats at a larger figure
10 another customer. Il required nearly
half an hour for Mr.. Hannah 10 convince
the lad there were no seats for sale in
that Office.
And still They Come.
The boy had hardly left the building,
when five or six men appeared, each
prepared TO outbid his companions IN
buying the seats. Then two more came.
Then four, and then another. and stiu
they arrived. until Mr.. Hannah was per-
spring. in his mad career backward and
forward on the floor 81 the Office.
The telephone bell began 70 ring. and
an excited voice gasped, Got any OF
those seats left?'' No" yelled Mr..
Hannah. and closed Up. Another ring
and more visitors Everybody believed
Mr.. Hannah was deceiving them, and
baseball fans are sometimes obstinate
especially when they think they can see
an opening game by being obstinate.
Mr.. Hannah called in his employees, and
threatened 10 call the police, all 10 no
avail The employees were too few to
start anything and the police refused e
answer a riot call. Everything was chaos
in the Office, with Mr.. Hannah IN the
center OF the cyclone, and lots OF work
10 be disposed Of.
Before noon. go men had visited the
Office. and the telephone rang constantly
until Mr.. Hannah ordered II temporarily
disconnected. Just before noon, Mr.
Hannah was visited by messengers bear
ing notes from Messrs Theodore NOyes
and Ralph Gait. both Of whom wished
10 purchase all the box seats for sale.
Dehes Them All.
Mr.. HannGn escaped through a rear
door and enjoyed an hours rest while
he ate luncheon. Business matters com
PEELED him 70 return to the office, and
back he went, ready for the worst There
was a clamoriDg throng around the Office
door when Mr.. Hannah reached the ONCE
He waded through and got inside, where
he dared any man TO step across tbs