Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-05-10
SAW REAL TRAGEDY
Movie Spectators We're Treated
to Two Shows.
One Among the Audience Might Al.
most Be Called a Comedy, Unless
One Had to Pay for Crushed
Headgear.

My seat was directly behind those
occupied by the trio who figured in a
serio-comic accident that convulsed
nearby spectators in a Broadway NOV
Ing picture theater the other after
noon. I therefore am able to tell Just
what happened and give details that
must have puzzled persons sitting a
little farther away.
The two women were loaded down
with parcels and small packages when,
right In the middle Of a thrilling drama
they slowly and cautiously fitted them
selves into two orchestra chairs near
the middle aisle.
It was a tight fit, for neither Of the
ladies could be described as sylphlike
In form, and the armfuls Of purchased
bundles contributed In no way 10 IA
cilitate adjustment of the generous
cargo nature previously entrusted to
each. Parcels Of various sizes slid from
their knees into recesses under the
seats In front and stopped into the
aisle from the lap of one who sat near
est to II.
The theater was In semidarkneSs,
and 1t was only by the cropping Of
many hands, in response to whispered
appeals. that the troubles Of diligent
hours spent in shopping were returned
to them. They then apparently for the
first time discovered that the adjoining
seat-third from the side-was unoc-
cupied, and into 1t they dumped their
bundles and their hats.
Quiet in the immediate vicinity had
scarcely been restored when a stout,
middle-aged man arrived with coupon
calling for the seat they had just con-
verified into a sort Of family catch-all.
Regardless of their EXPLANATIONS Of
despair he inched his way in, while
they with frantic haste struggled to
clear off the place upon which he was
to sit.
Peace finally descended again upon
the neighborhood, and we had given
ourselves up to undisturbed wonder
concerning the fate of the film heroine
should the villain penetrate her dis
guise as a French artillery officer,
when n Of the package-laden women
said to the other: .I.I
Mercy! I promised to be home by
five O'Clock. Lucy is going out and I
all about it."
While the speaker, who sat nearest
aisle, arranged her hat and pierced
1t with a couple of pins, her compan-
ion struggled to convert the fruits Of
their shopping into two portable pyra-
mids. Suddenly she uttered a little
scream, and then whispered to her
friend In awe-stricken tones, II can't
ind my hat. I believe that man Is
on It,"
"Gracious goodness" said the other.
ASK him."
II can't do it." said her friend. "You
lsk him."
Thus appealed to, the holder of the
wv W TIC llul, VIII dpUeHTpu
o have heard nothing of their CONVEX
and said:
II think you are sitting on this lady's
lat."
II am not doing anything of the sort;
Why should II" was the amazing reply
he received.
"Sit down." cried several voices to
he hated and hatless ones, from
those arms bundles again began to
,ak.
II am not sitting on your hat.
said the suspected male, shut
1t will do you any good, I'll prove
Then he arose, and from under his
onderous body the hatless woman re-
loved what had once been a towering
Millinery creation, with twin p~innacles
aloft, but which was now only
pancake Of cloth and feathers.
A wave of mingled applause and pro-
,station swept that part Of the the
ter, as the shoppers departed, paus-
g every few feet to recapture some
e%andering parcel.-Madge Arthur, In
Couriar