The Alaska citizen., 1910-12-12

The manager of the Orpheum was a strange evolution. He was man who had spent a life time in the show business. running first con cert hall that broke into the pa pers" every Sunday morning with an account of from two to seven fights the night before. then an equally dis reputable ''burlesque" house, the broad attractions of which appealed 10 mon and boys only. To this, as he made money. he added the cheap est and most blOod-curdling melo- drama theator in town, then reg ular" house of the second grade. In his career he had endured two di- vOrCe cases of the most unattractive sort. and, among quiet and cOnven- tiOnal citizens, was supposed to have horns and barbed tail that snap ped sparks where it struck on the pavement. When he first purchased he Orpheum theatre, the most eX- elusive playhouse in the city, he hegan 10 appear in it's lobby every nieht in a dinner coat or a dress suit, silk topper and all, with an almost modest diamond stud in his white shirt-frOnt: and ladies' as thev came in. asked in awed whispers of heir husbands: "Is that Dan Spratt 2" Some few who had occasion 10 meet him went away easping: "Whv. the man is really nice!' Others, of the profession" about whom the public never knew, spoke his name with tears of gratitude
 MT. Spratt, immersed in troubles of his own. scarcely looked up as Bobby entered, and only grunted in greeting.
 "Spratt," said Bobby, who knew the man quite well through sport ing" events engineered by Biff Bates, the Neapolitan Grand Opera Com panv is stranded here and-''
 Where are thew" interrupted Spratt eagerly, all his abstraction gone.
 At the hotel Larken," began Bobby again. q -
 Have they got their props and sCenerv?"
 "Everything, I understand" said Bobby. q came around to see you
 "Who's running the show?" de manded Spratt
 Their manager decamped with the monev-with what little there was" explained Bobby, smiling.
 Not much" said Spratt. "They're q good company, but I've noticed from the reports that they've been badly managed. The Dago that brought them over didn't know the show business in this country and tried to run the circus himself; and, of course they we gone on the rocks. It's great luck that they landed here 1 suppose they're flat broke."
 Why, yes" said Bobby. q just said I'd be responsible for their hotel bill"
 "Oh," said Spratt. Then you're backing them for their week here"
 Well, I don't know about that" hesitated Bobby.
 "If you don't I will" offered Spratt. There's a long line of full dress Willies here that'll draw their weeks wages in advance to attend grand opera in cabs. At two and half for the first twenty rows they'll pack the house for the week, and every diamond in the hock-shops will get an airing for the occasion. But you saw it first, Burnt, and won't interfere"
 Well, l don't know" Bobby again hesitated. q haven't fully -
 Go ahead" urged Spratt heartily. Its your pick up and I'll get mine. Hey, Spencer!"
 A thin young man, with hair so light that he seemed to have no hair at all and no eyebrows, came in.
 We've booked the Neapolitan Grand Opera Company for next week Have tho got Caravaggio and Ri- cardo with them?" he asked, turning abrutly to Bobby.
 Bobby, with a smile, nodded his