New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-19

George l.cicrcr. He introduced
his sister 10 Lcdcrcr. and gave
her the start that made her Il musical comedy star be-
fore she married Harry b. Smith and left the stage. But
none Of them could stand the usher business long SO
some II them became actors and some managers.
you see, being usher Is a great training. The
clla who can seat audience Of FIVE or SIX hundred
people and keep them in their seats a some Of the shows
they are putting nowadays ought 10 be- capable OF
doing almost ANYTHING. And the clll who persuade
boozcd guy in the balcony that he really doesn't want
to veil out Fire, every five minutes, believe me, IS
some fclla Why after such training he'd be ready to
argue with Bernard Shaw that Bernard Shaw actually
often knows what he is talking about, Ii Arnold DAILY
hadn't been an usher, he wouldn't have stood half
chance, NO, Sir they haven't any free ciga-
rcttcs in the smoking room. res, Madam, YOU
will find an ACQUISITION attached to your seat.
Yes Sir, this IS a problem play. No, that
show left here on Saturday night. Probably they'll
give it back to YOU at the box Office.
Funny gong. isn't it, We had a guy in here once
when we had Ben IIur' who thought 1t was u musical
show and slipped me half 10 sneak him a seat on the
front row. The u,hcrs who work in the thcatcrs that
always play musical shows have elegant graft There
was a report around that OF the roof gardens
was going to farm out its usher privilege like the hotels
do with the hat-chcck boys. Yes Sir-ha, IA,
ha! . .
"Hcar me laugh just then when that duck showed me
his seat check: Well, that's another Of my duties,
makes it nine, have to laugh at the Joker who shows
me check for K9 and calls it the dog seat have to
laugh the same number Of times each week for the com
cdanS who up To me- show me their seat checks Tor
Ri and want 10 know if have that check before
II is part Of my work to always laugh when gnk shows
me his seat coupon after the first act OF musical show,
and with a wink, asks me if ! can c. That means,
translated that he'll hand me bone if am willing
TO carry a note back to Susie Sccsaw some other
chorus girl acquaintance he has spotted. ! am cX-
pcctcd by the management never 10 alI 10 roar with
gcc when holds out coupon CO and says ne hopes
il won't be a bum show because he doesn't want To get
scascks which is at least three times a week 1t Is my
duty to exhibit the mirhul mug whenever wap asks
me if his seat 49, is back Of post and when say no
he says, Whats the use Of D-9 it?'-which is on the
average almost twice a week at the very least
No. Madam the curtain never goes up ahead OF time.
You'll have plenty of time to fix your hair.
"Othcr times must laugh or lose my job are when,
after some misScatng OF people in the fifth row, ask
the guy in Els to let see his coupon and he points 10
the guy next to him and says. Els it; when boob
cracks some sort Of joke about U2 about being Is
diagram iae) in getting down to his seat about the
seat R-9 belongs to the Giants; about Yes,
Madam, thoroughly ircproof. You got
small spot your gown off the seat; The maid IN the
ladies dressing room will sponge it out for you.
Certainly free Of charge. NO, Sir, she ISM III
the play this time. You see, she and her husband
who's the leading man in the piece, aren't speaking to
each other this year.
"But what's the use Of going further The usher
take it from me- has got to be the agreeable goat tor
every wouldbe Willie Collier that thinks, because he's
paid two dollars for his seat he's also bought the priv
iege Of being comedian the minute he hands his ticket
to the doorman and passes in.
"You know though, there are some interesting things