Evening journal., 1914-04-07
JOE WEBER'

That Joe Weber and Lew Fields
were crafty business men when they
were yet boys, to speak paradoxically
is proven by an incident which oc-
cured when they were about thirteen
years old. At that time their great
ambition was to obtain an engage
ment at Bunnell's Museum, at the
corner of Ninth street and Broadway,
New York This was the biggest
museum in the city at the time, and
an engagement meant much, because
when once a performer had played
there, he could obtain bookings at
other variety theatres merely by
sending on a Bunnell program. G. B.
Bunnell, the proprietor and general
manager. was big power in theatri-
cal affairs in those days. For many
weary weeks Weber and Field had
attempted to obtain an audience with
him, but with no success.
Finally they worked out little
scheme, rehearsed it carefully and
then started to put it into operation.
They visited his Office and sent in
word by the boy that they wanted to
see him about a freak which they
knew Of and not about getting work.
They knew that Bunnell was more
interested in the freak and curio side
of his establishment than in the
variety theatre which was conducted
in conjunction with it. The plan work
ed and Bunnell sent for them to come
into his Office.
Mr.. Bunnell," said Lew Fields,
Eve want TO see you about the most
wonderful freak in New York. He's
a one-eyed Chinaman, who has just
arrived from China. His one eye
is in the centre of his forehead. He's
the most terrible looking man you
ever saw. A friend of ours down in
Chinatown saw him the other night
and told us about him. They're
keeping him hidden, but we known
where be is"
Bunnell was interested at once, and
asked the boys to sit down and make
themselves at home.
1--WE got to go out of town." he
said, but I'll see you boys when
get back and we'll look up that
Chinaman. How much do you want
for him?"
1--WE don't want any money for tell
ing you about this freak, Mr.. Bun
nell" replied Joe Weber. "All we
want is work We want to go on
downstairs i'm the museum"
well, you boys can start'in right
/ away" broke in Bunnell I'll give
you twenty-five dollars week. Start
in this afternoon"
The next day the names Of Weber
/ and Fields appeared in the Bunnell
program and they knew that future
engagements at a number OF variety
/ theatres, which wouldn't consider
them before, were assured They
forgot about Bunncll and the non.
4 existant one-eyed Chinaman. but Bun
nell didn't forget He got back "a
1 town about six weeks afterwards
Weber and Fields were still playins
his museum and lie sent for them.
Wen go around for that one-eyec
Chinaman in the morning" said he
Meet me here and I'll take you down
to Mott street in my carriage
The BOYS didn't lose their nerve
They met him the next morning, or
dered the carriage to drive round TO an
address in Mott street and knocked
iauntily at the door.
1--WE want to see the one-eyeC
Chinaman,' said Fields to the Ori
entail who answered their knock.
mo one-eye Chinaman here" saiC
the Celestial.
Eyes, he is" persisted Fields. I'VE
saw him last week. He's hidden ul
stairs. We want to see him"
IAN samee not here" replied th'
Chinaman. "You crazy"
And he shut the door. Bunnel
ordered the carriage driven round &
the Office of the Chinese consul. Thu
boys had rather a hazy notion Al
to the functions and duties of consul
and made up their minds that the,
we're about to be arrested, but the.
had to be game Bunnell left then
sitting in the carriage While he inter
viewed the consular official. Th
latter told him that IL there WAS
! on-eyed Chinaman in New York h