Smyrna times., 1936-01-09
WEEKLY STORY
AROUND TABLE
Reading to While Away Time
Under the Evening Lamp
When Days Work is Done
INTERESTING READING
TOO MUCH SHOWMANSTIIP"
BY E. c. Schumacher

Sdu perlOTmerS are DdrreQ from
acting in my restaurant. The rea-
son may be traced directly to Senior
James Capehart who came here as
a funny man in an American revue,
imbibed so freely that he missed
the boat train to La Guayra, and
through what he was pleased to call
his showmanship, caused many COM
plications.
The trouble started when Pablo,
my waiter, informed me that Senor
Capehart's bill amounted to four
teen pesos, not counting the glass
ware which in a spirit of frivolity
he had hurled across the street at
the window of my competitor, Pedro
Favita, owner of the Cafe de Cerdo
Rojo.
1 approached the intoxicated Sc
nor, and suggested that as he
seemed unable to pay, bit of dish
washing was in order.
Forget the dishwashing," said
Senor Capehart with a shudder. "If
celebrities can bring you business,
you're practically a success right
now. Just leave it to my show
manship!"
He had once been an imperson-
ator, he said, and could represent
your notable Americans so ably that
anyone would be deceived.
"And what has that to do with
me?" l demanded.
Its easy" he said. "Favita
stole a march on you with General
Tarano, didn't he? Now suppose
you go him one better. The crowd
always follows celebrities. Use a
little showmanshipi Who Is the
most popular man in Caracas to-
day?"
1T is the renowned matador, Gar
cia de la Hoya, whose likeness dec
CRATES that poster over the bar"
Senor Capehart arose and sur
veyed the poster carefully. "a
pipe" he exclaimed. "A dead
cinchl Tonight / shall give the
performance of my career for you,
impersonating Garcia del Hoya"
At his insistence I dispatched
Pablo to his hotel to get what he
called his makeup kit. Then swear
ing Pablo to silence, / sent him to
bring back a matador's suit from
the store which supplies all the cos
fumes for the fiestas.
That night, with great trepida-
tion, I awaited Senor Capehart. He
did not appear until ten o'clock
when we had the most customers.
When he did enter, SO perfect was
his impersonation that ! would have
sworn he was the great matador,
Garcia del Hoya, himself.
That's nothing" he said. To
morrow night I will give you an
even greater impersonation. To
morrow afternoon l go to the Office
of the chief Of police to study him."
But" I objected, His Excel
lency, Rafael Numero, Chief of po-
lice, seldom goes out In public.
Don't you think it dangerous?"
Il shall play my part with the
discretion befitting a great artist"
he said.
Senor Capehart had done his
work well. On the following night
the talk about the renowned mata-
dor had so spread around Caracas
that our bar was crowded. Business
was better than it had ever been.
Just as / observed this, Pedro
Favita. my competitor, descended
upon me. "De Valavera J" he hissed.
II know the full extent of your per-
fidy. The clerk at the costumer's
confessed that he rented you that
matador's suit"
tried to quiet him. Il also know"
he continued, that Senor Capehart
rented a uniform there, of a chief
of police, in which he will masquer-
ade tonight. I will denounce him
the minute he comes in."
Almost as Favita finished speak
ing, there appeared in the doorway
a figure in the dress uniform of the
chief Of police.
Favita spied him instantly. Name
of a pigl" he cried. "Impostor!
Come here that I may unmask
your
There was immediate silence
among the patrons. The uniformed
figure seemed TO hesitate mo-
mentarily, then slowly approached
our table. Favita's hand shot up
and grabbed the waxed mustachios,
giving them a ferocious tug.
There was a startled cry from the
owner and a look of amazement on
the face of Favita-for the mus
tachios did not come off. Their own
er was the real chief of police, as
the squad of policemen who dashed
into the cafe and marched the fran
tic Favita OFF to Jail very volubly
assured him.
1t was fully half hour later that
Senor Capehart appeared. He was
in ordinary street clothes for which
I was profoundly thankful.
81 don't know why you are late"
I said, but / am grateful indeed
that you did not carry through your