El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-08-10

Il Emmerson- II made no difference
how long he had known you or how
I well acquainted he was with you he
never called you by your first name
he Mustered everybody. West made
a visit TO the Sisters hospital and
/ had Billy taken in charge. He was
to be notified when Emmerson was
restored to health. Of course, every
body in the profession knew Emmer-
son, and when we Of the company
were told in Boston that he was well
and would join US there was a near
jubilatiOn- We made a great TODD
over his arrival ] was on the end
Z in the first part. il was about the
time the second edition stunt broke
out in minstrelsy when the big EEL
lows who were not big enough 10 sit
in the circle all through the first part
came on during a break in the per
Torrance. was in the first part.
on the end, and a favorite with the
audiences BY all rights I was occu-
pying the place Billy Emmerson
should have and I realized it and Of
fered TO come on in the break so Billy
could have the first show. His ire
mendous reception. an ovation. really.
was all that was required to turn the
head Of the average player. but not
Billy We were happy because he
had come back He remained with
US until the show closed and then Mr..
right with the boys until the next
season opened and then they would be
together as long as he and Billy lived.
But the time was short. Billy got
back into the old company and was
taken sick. He could not join the
show and when we were playing in
Chicago we learned he had died
where we left him in Boston. With
in week Billy Rice died and the
next day Billy West passed out Be
neve me, the deaths Of the three
Billy was a blow that awoke all OF
the superstitIons in the composition
Of actor men. We were so wrought
up that We could not go on and do
our parts as We should. Emmerson's
remains were to be shipped to Cali
fornia and party from our company
went down TO the station several
times to look for the casket and do
what We could in looking after the
transfer OF the remains from one train
TO another Storm and floods inter-
feredi however, and We did not have
the opportunity. The casket passed
through to California and was there
buried Rice's body lay in an under
taking parlOr for six weeks before
burial on account OF trouble with
the widow. who offered to bury and
then withdrew the offer, and her ac-
tons prevented the Elks or the min
strels from doing anything. I believe
a wealthy banker who was interested
in show people came to the front and
paid the expenses and poor Billy was
buried in Peoria
Tribute to Old Timer.
Whenever the minstrel boys go
there q pilgrimage Is made TO his
grave and flowers are scattered
over It
The same is done frequently at the
grave Of old Billy Manning. once a
partner OF Emmerson, who lies buried
at Piquas Ohio. have heard Of a
visit made years ago by members Of
the HaYerly troupe and OF the quar-
tet singing at the grave. On the way
back TO town they stopped at a farm
mouse Wnere there was an old fash
Toned well It was a good setting
Tor popular song and the Quartet
sang The Old Oal1en Bucket until the
eyes OF the farmer and his family.
who had gathered around the singers,
were filled with tears.
but getting back TO Sweatnam- II
saw during that time I was with him
thaL his monolOg was the hit OF anv
performances he was in I enjoyed il
ana Wriggled around on the seat Of |
ny chalI IN laughter night after |
hlshL Billy saw that I enjoyed il ]
ana often advised me to make mono /
leaVe the story for the song.
now 70 get The laugh and when TO /
4eaV the story for the sons.
How to Hold an Audience.
As Tar as have been able have
IoIowed his advice. You saw the |
RESENT lance TO SWeatuam's work and /
noted that the applause in my story
aid not stop ne; kept on until I feft /
mat mad the attention OF the audi I
ences that they were with ne ana /
would stay until I finished. In that |
Follow Sweatnam's advice and If /
makes no difference how much an
!. plause IS given any Of the points in /
Ine story am telling, I keen riqbf |
on on Nearly always take minor parts /
-. an. any production we give. though |
s-s-s ere tunes when I step to the /
ront IN cast prefer plain dar<sv /
that are neither noisy nor
me Teal Musical Comedy .couns7,,
was organized by Mr. Teal II -, l,'---s
ago IN chicago and has never taken /
: vacation The members have |
WORKED in every section Of ~
I United States. China. Japan and