THE OMAHA DAII T BEE : STgSrDAT , DECEMBER 12 , 18DT.
The 99c Store 1319 Farnam St.
The only recognized headquarters for holiday Confidence , comfortableness , satisfaction are the
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lor years past , and at lower prices E-i very tning ic- is in 5 1 keeping treatment with the broad to an- principle of prlynto
J J
Fancy Goods Jewelry China ,
and Celluloid Novelties Silverware Glassware , Lamps
Smoking Sets , satin lined , 99c , Toilet Sets , 3 An immense variety at the lowest Suggestions that make gift choosing easy. Prices
pieces , satin lined , 99c. Fine Toilet and Mani possible prices hat make your dollars stretch a long way. Gift
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Sets , razor , mug and shaving brush saucers in fine decorations lOc
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Fine Gloves and handkerchief boxes quadruple plate , very fine , 49c. Silver cers , 49c. Carlsbad plates , elegantly decorated ,
mugs , quadruple plate , very fine , 49c , lOc. Fine in beautiful decorations
es , handsome designs , 49c to 99c. Necktie boxes lamps , 99c ,
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in fancy designs , satin lined , 99c. Fan boxes in - J Teapot , Sugar and Cream Sets , fine decorations , 490. Breakfast
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* ttet Jf 'ti * v l , - > i f kit v * . vfi .tit , > lv .ft v k > ' 4i. > yto ,
t Hr-ri
i AMUSEMENTS. f
Last week was a trifle more prolific of
good theatrical entertainment than the week
before , but was , nevertheless , not a period
which will lia specially remembered or
miinrked with a white stone. Stuart Hanson's
return In a Shakespearean comedy and a
modern play only lets ancient guve pleasure
to many and was unquestionably on agreeable
event. The quiet little drama o-f southern
life quiet rave for one unnecessarily lurid
touch ot 'jnelodmnna which closed the week
at B-oyd's was worth seeing and would have
been a source of delectation to starring theatergoers
ater-goers If they tad only been willing to
take anybody's word for Its merit and go to
see it. The Crelgnton presented nothing , or
worse than nothing That an Omaha play
house shoould be forced to fill a week ol Its
time with such -iesutfcrable rot and rubbish
as "Hogan's Alley" and "T.be Broadway
Girl" IB not gratifying commentary on the
existing suite of things.
Those , however , who , with a good deal of
reason , nre finding fault with the ckss of
attractions which the local theaters are pro
viding , may take- comfort In learning that
tetter things are In store for 'them ' , which
will BCOQ 1 > egln to come to pass. Ttoey must
not hope for ixiy very substantial relief until
niter tbe > first of the year , for It Is a startling
fact , as Indicative of the methods of the
booking ; trust , that absolutely nothing Is In
sight 4 > y way of holiday entertainment at
either house ! Something may yet be secured
for Christmas , but the chances of ge&Uns
enjTiilng really mei'ltorlous at this late day
urt > oot so bright as to be dazzling.
The presiat month being cast , however ,
such attractions as "The Prisoner of Zcnda. "
"Secret Service , " and "The Wedding Day"
will bo offered , and such stars as E. H.
Sothern and DeWolf Hopper among others
during the- mouth of January. Dr. Nausen ,
thu Arctic ewlorcr. who was to have lec
tured about the middle of ttie month , has
been shifted to a date considerably later.
What meaner of company -will present "The
Prisoner of Zenda" Is past conjecture , but
It is pretty safe to bo announced as "the
original. " Theater-goers who remember how
near the real original the company was which
presented this play here a year ago will
make duo alllowauces for cuch indication of
managerial pride. Few of those who are in
n position to know are so sanguine as to hope
tor a "No. 1" company , with William Gil
lette. In "Seciet Service. " 11 Mr. Qllletto
really purposes to come here with hla play ,
the fact , so soon as It is definitely ascer
tained , will tie joyfully proclaimed In these
columns. Anild uncertainties such as these ,
admirers of Llllliu Husscll , Delia Fox and I
Jeff D'Angclis may be reatonably certain to
nee these delightful artlfats together In "The
Wedding Day. " which they are backed to
present In Omaha for one night only Stars
such an Mr. Sothern and Mr. Hopper cannot 1
1 > dunllcated. fortunately for the public
which has to do with a syndicate not too
iterupulous in observing distinctions between
first and second-clasi articles ; wherefcce it
may fairly be presumed that tluwe two grn-
ilemen will actually appear here next month ,
unless the trust sees fit to cancel their en
gagements outright.
Th Crelghton theater's change of policy ,
announced last week by The Bee , was cp-
ptrently inevitable , and se ins likely to be
Approved by Omaha theater-goers In general ,
however much they may deplore the reduc-
tlcci of their most comfortable playhouse to
the permanent level of popular prices end
\audevllla. Not enough meritorious and re
munerative Bttraotloni being furnished by
the syndicate to keep even one Omaha thea
ter continuously open during the season , it
will readily h seen that a second theater
under the tame local management muet have
A liard time to Eft ony share of the business
at all. And , clnee competition in thU city
it absolutely cut off , the second theater , if
It books anything at all. must either take
the very UQ4c lra.ul leavings. the "Uogan'e
Alleys" and ill that or tlit > do what 1'axtou
ft Burgv * * hT verr suuilbly and
I
done , dump the whole unsavory mess of i
Inferior bookings and organize a permanent
stock company. ,
The stock companies which ore springing
up ull over tbe country are bound to be a j'
factor of na small importance In the bringj'
Ing abouit of a better and healthier condition ' ,
In the theatrical world -than , that which now |
prevails. Years ago , before the development .
of the star system had mude possible the !
existence of a theatrical trust , "ttoe stock
' I
compcules were > everywhere and from Uiese
unparalleled training schools came many , if
oot most , of those who are > our best known
actors today. Tbe drift is onja more In that
direction and away from the starring idea.
No syndlci ite could corner tbe market if
each , considerable city had its own inde
pendent orEaniraitloa of players , upon , wh'lch
It could contentedly fall back for ibcutrlcal
entertainment if outside attractions were
not provided. The performances of a. stock
ooaipaoy , the members of which are judi
ciously selected and Intelligently directed in
Khelr ork together , are in the nature of
things more Batlafactory to the average" ob
server ttan those of aay one actor , however
great , who sets off and accentuates MB own
transcendent ability 'by surrounding himself
with tacompctents and graven Images.
The scheme of the stosk company Is .not
untried In Omaha , the conspicuous success of
the Woodward organization at the Crelghton
last summer being still fresh In the memory
Ttiu K.uno plan , slightly modified. Is working
to a charm in Kansas City , where the results
ofthe season thus far have been such as to
amaze tbe inhabitants and to work a revolu
tion in theatrical methods.
The company which will BOOH ho perma
nently Installed at the Crelghton will be
stronger. In numbers and in iirtlEtlc abll-Ky.
than that ot U t cummer ; stronger and bet
ter than the ono which Is doing wonders In
Kajisas City. The management aescrts , In a
word , .that the best actors obtainable will
txt secured. It is not 'to be expected that
gret : and well known names will be tJlck
upon the roster , for thu price6 of admission
i will be the eiroe reasonable prices which
prevailed last summer , but the company -will
be carefully chosen , with a rlew not only to
| present capability , but-to future development
as'well , Such an urterprlBe should commend
Itself strongly to the nurses o [ theater-goers
who ( hive neither the means nor the inclina
tion to pay high prices for ibelr entmiic-
men 1. Its attractive- features , however , will
doubtless flid favor also in the Fight of the
well-to-do , for there IB no rejson why u
stock company of comparatively unknown
but umbitlout and constantly growing plaj-
crs should not come to be worth anyons's
while to see and enjoy , If It should turn out
otherwise there- are Always the specialties ,
-are lo be the very best that money cat
obtain , cud numerous enough to in sure , with
which at 4ii Crelg'hton so tbe promise runs
thu play itaelf. u continuous three hours'
performuioce ten times -week. .
The newspaper war against the syndicate ,
firet undertaken by the Dramatic Mirror and
later waged mightily by the New York World
iind by a rapidly increasing army ot in
fluential Journals all over the country , ia goIng -
Ing merrily on , with multiplying disasters to
tbe trust and corresponding success to the
oppoaliig forces. During the- week just pist
Jobtph Jefferson and Augnstin Daly have
comu out openly in opposition to the trust ,
and the scheme of organized rebellion among
acton and managers is fast crystallizing into
definite chape , although details are jealously
guarded as jet and only generalities are
given out for publication. Some newspapers
ore already ctfcumlug an attitude ot derision
toward tbe trust , an if It wi-re even now a
thing of tbe past ; a foolish thing to do , with *
out doubt , for , tbe commercial ability and
varied resource * of the syndicate should not
be underrated , The fight just now seems to
be a. Iodine one for the trust , but ove-rconfi-
denuo in dealing with such adversaries U
llkdly to lead to a postponement , if nothing
worse , of the Una ! day of emancipation.
When the flUcuselou first began , as It were
In a. comer. It was Mil wiih some chow of
truth that the public cared as little OB possi
ble for the outcome oC a personal quarrel be
tween Mr Harrison Grey Fluke and the
amlLblo Jewith gentlemen , whcss business
methods he assailed. It soon transpired ,
however , that a broader and deeper principle
was involved In the controversy than one of
mere Individual revenge ; and the theater
going public and patrons of art in all its
branches began to awake to the fact that
their ' rights and liberties were'threatened.
The situation Is not even jet BO well under
stood ' as it should be. and In answer to
numerous ' requests recently received , which
show ' a rapidly spreading interest In the sub
ject , a short statement follows here , of the
nature of the so-called syndicate , Its methods
and [ "its aims. Such a statement cannot pos
sibly be exhaustive within the limits of an
article like this , but enough may be said
in a few words to show to any thoughtful
mind wl > at an Old Man of the Sea is just now
upon the shoulders of the American drama.
The syndicate , then , or trust , Is a name
given 1o the association of half a dozen men
by an odd coincidence all Israelites who ,
from being inconspicuous booking agents or
managers of Indhldual theaters , have BO de
veloped that at present they own In com-
binatlon , or control with all the despotism
of ownership , nearly every first-class theater
in the United States and absolutely nil the
high class stars and companies , with the
exception of Minnie Maddern Flake. Francis
Wilson and James A. Herne. Their control
of the American stage Is so nearly complete
that local managers are reduced to tbe posi
tion of mere Janitors of their own houses ,
and actors are forbidden to read certain
papers on pain of dismissal from syndicate
employ , which , under existing circumstances ,
means farewell to the profession altogethor.
Moreover , the public , the ruling power of
America , Is told that It shall see certain
plays at certain houses at certain prices or
that it may not go to the theater at all.
Now monopolies are unpopular in this
country on general principles. This people ,
at least nominally free , resents any attempt
to abridge Its liberty of thought , speech and
action. It puts up with certain trusts which
are protected by existing laws , and it might
conceivably even submit to some great artist
or syndicate of artists who should assume
to coerce all tbe world's art and administer
It for art's sake. Dut ( aslilo from Mr. Froh-
man , who IB in very bad companj' ) what
have the members of this theatrical trust
done for the stage to entitle them to grasp
Its atnolute control ? Have they written or
produced worthy plays , catered to cultivated
tttstes , or accomplished aught of lasting bene
fit to players or public ? Have they not
rather consistently striven to degrade tbe
stage to the le\cl of the box office , to fill tbe
torcj.le of art with money changers and to
debsuch that taste which it was their duty to
uplift ? The people of Omaha may profitably
review the list of "Foundlings * " "Never
Agalns , " "Girls from Paris , " lingerie , legs
and leudness and BO gather data from which
to formulate an answer.
If an extended uaanlmlty of favorable
press notices miy be taken as an indica
tion the engagement of Dlgby Bell In "The
Hoos'ler Doctor , " which begins wllri the per
formance today , is likely to prove a treat
for 'theater-goers. ' Tbe play is not of the
Iliad ueually presented on Sundays , least
of all at Sunday matinees ; although on < the
principle of "the better the play the better
Iho deed , " It 1s difficult to say why , what Is
really good should not be enjoyed as well
on the first day of tbe week B on any ctber ,
provided the aolors are willing to work on
that day.
"The Hoosier Dootor " however
, , Is rarely
played on Sunday , for combined reasons of
scruple , policy aod utility. Manager Dun
can B. Harrison was especially averte to the
Sunday afternoon fmture of the present en
gagement , fearing that tbe better class ot
amusement lovers -would tbere-by be preju
diced igainsit * really worthy attraction , snd
he only yielded to EUCQ an arrangement after
a vigorous and prolonged protest. ThU ex
planation is given to * et "The Hoosier Doc
tor" right with people < who Iwve their own
very proper Ideos about Sunday "shows" end
vtho tu-o not apt to countenance1 entertain
ments which may be so classe-l.
A llfctle girl who goes to tbe theater u
oftca as pohdblo asked one who was posted
on euch matter * wibat 4s to bo et tbe theaters
thlwrek , "Hooiler Doctor" wa > tbe reply
The Little girl wai bewildered for on instant ,
"but came- bravely toick with , "Dr. Hoffman.
"Who's j-ours ? "
This Is a true sSory and. no press agent/s
fAbrication. The Indiana physician , how
ever , is welcome to any good its publication
may do him.
- K vents.
Digby Bell will begin an engagement at
tie Crelgiton of six performances , commenc-
lag Sundaj- . December -presenting for the
first time Irr this city "The Hoosler Doctor. "
Augustus Thomas' new domestic comedy
drama , which. Is sjiid to be a fitting' com
panion piece for "Alabama" and "In MIz-
zoura , " Mr. Taomas' preceding successes.
"The Hoosier Doctor , " us its title -implies , is
a comedy founded on life in Indiana and de
picts .the various typea -characters ot that
bectlni of our country. In his latest de
parture Mr. Bell has achieved a distinction
heretofore denied , him and has universally
secured the lieartjIndorsement and fulsome
praisa of the press throughout ilSie country.
The title role -which Mr. Bell impersonites
is reputed to combine path-cs and ccmedy , as
well as those pretty heart touches which
"makes the whole , world kin. " Tbe Hoosier
doctor is a combination of Belf-aacrifice , gen
tleness ani humor. He is a widower with
three groua duiugbters and a motto er-ln-law ,
a spiteful , termagant type of female , -whose
sole object iin life , apparently. Is to find fault
and In every way to interpose obstacles to
his efforts -to succeed in life and properly * j
prtvide for the comforts of the members of
Ills fatallr. The doctor's career -has - been , a
: heckered one , until , as tbe comedy opens ,
tie has just succeeded in graduating at the
ncid of his class with honors as a medical
practitioner. His mothcr-ia-law's termagant
qualities eventually become so unbearable
t&at to secure the heart affection denied him
at ils own fireside the doctor consummates
a clandestine marriage an3 througa the duel
life led by him In. this secret marriage and
the hours passed with his wife , whom he
represents as a patient named Robinson ,
many contretemps arise and ithe particular
comodj' scenes ot the play are developed until
toward the finale a self-constituted white-
capping committee , hoided by fals motber-ln-
law , visit's ' the doctor and his bride for the
purpcso ot disciplining thfm In approved
whlteoap fashion.
The organization supporting Mr. Bell con
sists of the following well known , people
Laura Joyce Bell , Mabel Strickland. Mar
garet Owen. Emma Butler , Viola Miles
Mamie Fulton , Estelle Warbury * nd IRtle
Dthel Vanse iiad the Meters' Arthur Hoops
Frank Monroe , Herman Hirthberg , Gage
Clarke , Harry S. Robinson , Joseph L. Treacy
Bert Bayard , Charks Edwards , Edwarc
Franklin and others. The engagement com-
moaces with an nvenlnB performance today
and continues uatll and including Wednesday
night , December 15.
Nellie McIIenry comes to Boyd's theater
this afternoon , tonight and tomorrow nigh
in a new play , "A Night in New York , '
written expressly for her by H. Grattan
Donnelly. The title -expresses the entlr
plot , -which ccoslsts of the adventures of Jef
fereon Manhattan , a gaxX lv York clubman
and Willowby Still , a New "England clubman
who on the eve of their faltering domestl
bliss , scheme to go to the JJVench boll at th
MadlKon Square garden , j ltbout their In
tended wives knowing it and to have one loll
night of it in New York 'before settling down
for life. Mile , Henrietta , known as the peer
lee Perl , queen ot the vaudeville stage , ( Mlu
McIIenrj- ) , while visiting friends In New
England , assumes the character ot Miss Hen
rlctta , a quiet demure country maid , falls 1
lov with Willowby- Still and tbe marriage J
to take place in New York. Mile. Henrlett
while in New York visits Mra. Harlem ( wh
ia to be married to Jefferson Manhattan ) en
Induces her to go to the gay French fcal
Prominent In the company may be men
tioned Ulehard Brown. William Hafford. Bill
Barry , J. Haye. J. Kenny , Miss Mai Hay
mend , Mlsi Mildred C anor , Miss Viol
Kayuwe and Mlr > Rosa Crouch.
I'laycm.
Eleanor * Duse la eald to contemplat
enacting "Hamlet. "
Henry B. Dlxeywill appear as a oiaglcla
In London next spring.
Lillian LewU 1 > a "new and stirring
piece entitled "For liberty end Love. "
Funny Davenport tos given up trying t
galvanize "The Saint and the Fool" into life ,
and closed her season last week in Provl-
ence.
Beerbohm Tree is considering a play in
hich Voltaire lo the leading character.
Helen Lindner is now the smallest member
f the Llllputlans , betas a little less than
tfcreo feet high.
Ow a Fawcett celebrated the forty-fourth
nnlveronry of his first appearance on the
tage last Tucsdoj- .
It Is practically assured that Miudo Adams
will continue to star ia "The Little Minister"
t least another season.
John Philip Souss. claims to have written
he book as well as the music of the new
pera , "The Bride Elect. "
Frank Ebert , the Liliputlan star , has never
nlssed a performance ) or a rehearsal during
ils fifteen j-curs on the tiUge ,
Gage Clarke , stage manager of the Dlgby
Jell oompcuy , is a relalive and namesake
of the secretary ot the treasury.
New York is practically alone among the
itles of the world in the unparalleled pros-1
erity which Its theaters are enjoying.
Philadelphia enjoys firet productions , but
bje-cta to being known as "the dog ' on
vhicb. theatrical novelties are "tried. "
A comfortable sum of money was realized
at the benefit performance for "Old Hoss"
Joey's widow and mother last Tnursdaj' .
May Bucklej- , who made a pronounced hit
n "The First Born , " TJES been engaged by
Charles Frohman for the Empire company.
M-ay Vokcs "will "create" the part of an
rlBh servant girl in a o&w comedy , entitled
The Old Coat , " which will be produced In
January.
Mabel Strlcklend , who will fce seen here
as a member of Digby Bell's company , is one
of itho brightest and racst promising in
genues on the American stage.
Minna Belle Bishop is a San Francisco girl ,
vho has eyes like Maxlno Elliott's , and who
lopes to duplicate the eucctes of that for-
unato young woman on the stage.
Robert N. Stephens hopes to follow up the
success of "An Enemy to the King" with a
new play which he ( has just complettd and
tbe scene of which Is laid in colonial Now
York.
Japanese laws now prohibit a theatrical
performance lasting more than eight hours.
Plays in the first class theaters begin at 10
or 11 o'clock in the morning and latt until
after sunset.
John Drew and Maude Adams appeared
together in the comedietta"Mr .Hilary's Re
; retB , " at the Acton' Fund benefit in New
York last week. Drew played an Irish deter : -
tor with a brogue ,
In spite of the malignant opposition ot the
irust , Francis Wilson's recent engagement in
Philadelphia was BO conspicuous a financial
success that he will soon return to that cKy
end produce his new cpera at the same bouse.
The newHoyt play , 'U Night and a Day , "
will not be produced Immediately , owing to
the Indisposition of the gifted author. Mean
time Otis Harlan will be featured In1 one
of the "Stranger In New York" companies.
Richard Mansflcld , without waiting for the
clo&e ot bis engagement in Philadelphia ,
which ho is playing at a trust theater , stated
bis position with respect to the trust last
week in unmistakable language ) in a speech
to an audience , which applauded his fearless
utterances to the echo.
"Hampton Roads. " a play treating of tbe
historic encounter of the Monitor and the
Merrlmac. was produced in Davenport , Ia. ,
last week by local talent. It Is the work of
Charles Eugene- Banks of Chicago and Prof.
C. G , Cook of the Iowa State university , who
hope to put It on the road.
Jnlla Arthur , who has made a Eeneatlon in
Mrs. Burnett's dramatization of her own
novel , "A Lady of Quality , " has boen. moved
to decjtre In a before-the-curuln speech that
Clorlnda Wlldalre ia "a needed lesson in
social ethics ; " and some moralists are quar
reling with the actress' taste and with her
conclusions.
1102(00 ( papers are granting a charming li
cense to the prtes agent of Margaret Mather ,
who U described oj paeeecalng a peculiar
claim upon , tbe gratitude of Bortonlan * by
ran on of her direct descent from no less a
personage tbaa the great Grandmother of
Cottoc Mather. Her family crest le eald to
adorn "everything ifaat the actress uses , "
&nd even to tie tattooed upon tier bosom. All
of which has a most Important bearing upon
the public Interest In Aer performance In
"Cymbellne. "
The London Era , in the course of a long
review of the methods of the theatrical syn
dicate In America , says : "Tho dramatic pro
fession in England has its troubles and
anxieties ; but at present , at any rate. Us
members do not groan under the yoke of a
legalized despotism , which can only be com
pared to the Irish Land league or the French
Contention Reign of Terror. "
THE CHAMI'IOX GUUTTOX.
Air n. Meal Prepared for DIcht and
Called ftir .More.
A recent article in a Sunday issue of the
Philadelphia Times concerslss1 the. wonder
ful feats of "Jersej-'s oyster eater , Ira
Chanel , who has an appetite for the bivalve
that has Tiot been satl-fled , and who has
swallowed 400 at a slttinfr , " has led to an
Inquiry as to one Gotlieb Scheerer. who was
supposed , to have , flourished in Philadelphia
some years airo , and to have been ipORsessed
of an inordinate appetite , es-pjclally for oys
ters. This name will hring- many amusing
and fond recollections back to the mla2r
of numerous old-time Phlladplphlans , relatet
the Times. Gotlleb Scheerer ! My ! my ! my
What a man he | sms ! What an nppetlti
he had ! Every one knew him. Ha was such
a unlriue. figure In Philadelphia life In hln
day that he is well worth talking about
HP came to this country from his native
Alsace when he was about 14 years of age ,
nnd always rpoko with that pcullar inins-
liiiK of the French and German accent thaf
betraj-s the Alsatian origin. He was a mar
of giant frame , but not roonarkablj- stout ,
because his weight of 2CT pounds was car
ried by a stature of about C Tee-t 7 inche-
In height. He Iwpt a boot and shop ehon or
the -west Fide of Sixth street , above Marke-
R. small UKO-s.tcrle.3 store where ho worked
himself at the trade of St. Crispin , turning
out most excellent 'footwear , for -which h-
charged high prices and was patronized on ! }
by those who were rich in this -world's
troods. Of course , this -was before the day/
of fine factory eoods. He made money an < "
haved It. Hewas an ardent democrat , and
during the Folk-Dallas presidential cam
paign lie bet every dollar he had In the
world on the success of the ticket which
those cnen headed , and thereby -won about
HG.OOO , That was hla start in. iwell-to-do
life. Thenceforth he bet larseljon each
succeeding presidential election alwaj-s op
the democratic side and In this way
amassed a fortune ot about 100,000. Then ho
abandoned the shoe chop and liecnme c
well Scnown character about town , known
personally by sight to almost every man ,
woman and child in the Quaker City
Many sto ies me told cf Scheerer'a prowrees
In eiatlng , but th truth of the following is
vouched for as having been told bj- himself
of himself :
He- was oneof a purtj' of olcht who or
dered dinner in Guy's hotel , then the lead
ing caravansary of the day. When It mas
spread upon the table , which was bounti
fully burdened , Scheerer said to the land
lord in amazed tone : "Whose dinner is
this ? "
"It Is for you gentlemen , " said the land
lord.
"Impossible , " eald Bcheerer Indlsnantlj- ,
"I can eat everything1 there myself. "
"If you do , " said the landlord pmlllngly ,
"Hwill cost j'ou nothing , and I will supply
another dinner for the oth r teven eentle-
men , also , without cost , "
Without a smile Scheerer sat himself at
the. table , stuck a napkin between his collar
and neck why many heavj' caters and men
of porcine traits will Imagine they are in a
barber's chair -when they are only ut a dln-
Ing table Is one of lliose Inscrutable things
that DlTlne Providence may pome diy ex
plain and proceeded to masticate a devastating
tatingpath through tbe eatables that con
fronted him. He not only absorbed the
dishes , but he let the plates escape only
after violent cleaning -with remnants of the
bread and pickles and condlmentH followed
Into hla insatiate maw. The landlord's eyes
bulged out upon his cheeks. The other vis-
ltor . | Jio knew Scheerer , laughed them
selves into tear * . When the wreck of the
meal mas complete the amazed landlord ,
lurninc to a waiter , uaiu ; "i nave lost.
Order another dinner lor seven. "
"Why for seven ? " Bald Scheerer calmly.
"Ajn 1 not here ? Walter , make it for eight ;
I would like to dine. "
How Is that for an anti-climax to a story ?
In the old Franklin hou&e , on Chestnut
street , below Fourth , during ono of the
Christinas holidays there was a 17-pound
turkey presented for lunch. At that time
they charged only a fin that -was i cents
for a drink , and < % cents for a email lunch
of turkey and beer. Schcwer carna Into the
hostelry just as thu turkey had been placed
on thu table and had not been touched by
a knife. To the waiter he said ; "I will give-
you a levy (12Vi ( cents ) If you will let me
take a cut off of the turkey myteu , " The
waiter ernlUngly assented , Vvhtrtujion the
Slant Alsatian took the can-Ing knife
cut off one of the fowl's wines. Ho then
lifted the remainder of the bird out of tha
dish nnd placed it on two plates , put lia
by side , and then and there ho ate every par-
tion of the turkey , except the bones ; teas ,
of course , the one wins , and Tor this "slice"
paid a Rinslo levy , to the grief and chagrin :
of the proprietor.
Scheerer once made a bet of $100 that bo
would eat a dozen'raw oj'sters covered with
brown fUgar. The eating was to be doneat
Harmer's , Broad and Chestnut streets. Of
course , hewon , but , o that his adversary
should be entirely satisfied that he had won
fairly he ate a second dozen In the. same
( way , ending the repast with four dozen
fried. They a-ere all Saddle Rocks of im
mense size
In the Mansion hou- , In Reading , Pa. ,
where he was stopping to breakfast , tha
table was a long onerunning - the. whole
lenstrh of the room , and the entire meal
was placed at once. In front of whcro
Scheerer Dit was a large dish of hard-balled
OKKP , about five dozen in all. He emptied
the dish on the table cloth and then ,
"hulled" all th * ejrffs , putting them back
Into the dish and after preparing the-m-wlth
salt , ( pepper , butter and vlneear. cut them
into small pieces and ate them with a table-
npoon. When he. had finished he called the
German waiter Klrl and asked for more.
She relled. "Veil , you don't get no morej
you vas a hog. "
One night he 'nent Into Gujwhen it wa
celebrated for Its deviled crabs , and at that
moment a waiter brought up from the
kitchen a large platter containing about
three ) dozen of the delicacies. Schcerer
looked at and smelt of them , and said , "Put
thenn away for .me. I lull ) take a few oysters
first and the crabs nftor. " Ju t then a stn-
tleman earning up to ) the "eating liar said to
th colored waller. "Sain , give me ono off
those crabs. " Where-upon Scheerer said ,
"No. zar ; I have zecured all dem crab for
mysel , " and ho ate them all , after eating
fifty raw oysters. For home use he never
bought a roast otunder twenty-five pounds ,
and boasted that In his house there neve *
was any cold roast beef -for supper.
Gotl-b ! Schcerer was fairly Inte'llccnt ,
knew nearly all the public rn-en and waa
tolerated by them. He had a great ndmln-
tloii for Mr. Buchanan. He. Mould bet on
anything , but alanj-s wanted odds. He waa
of a hap-pj' disposition , but when ha becama
antry he grew > o excited as to be hardly.
Intelligible in Ma talk. Hewas proud of
bavins ; been a. shoemaker and a "self-mads
man. " He. evolved Into the business of lend
ing money on usurious Interest , and during
the war he lost much In that way ,
A year or two before his death ho was
waylaid and assaulted at night by unVnown
persons , He raas then very old and weak ,
nnd probably never recovcre-xl from th
blows.
TliriMCent TVirt-H Xot rrofltiiblr.
DETROIT. Dec. 11. The EvenJnr News
will say : A report comes to the News from
a high source , In fuct from several rourccs ,
that the Detroit railway (3-cent ( fare rail
way line ) was unable to mfvH the Interest
on the bonds Injien the tatter's paj-nvsnt be
came due. There also comes a reiteration
of the report that Tom L. John on declines
to keep a promise , allege 1 to havu been mada
at the time of the bo-callcd consolidation of
the Citizens' and Detroit companies , that If
the Detroit did not earn enough above
operating faprnees to pay Its bonded Jn-
teress ho would t-ee - that it was ipald.
The .News also quotes . buslne j anso-
clatu of Albert Pack , jire-Hldcnt of the De
troit railway , as gaylng that the payment
of 3-cent fares In Detroit had be n a fail
ure.
t _ _ _ _ _ _
Pfllllon for May of Kxccutlon.
LIBERTY , Mo. , Dec , 11. Rev. Mr , Envlng.
a prominent local divine , will leave for Jef
ferson City tonight , bearing a petition
signed by me-mbera of the. William Jo-well
college * and many other prominent citizens ,
urging an extension of alme In the execu
tion of Filicide William Carr. set lor Da-
cernber 17. When told today of the petition
in Ma be-half Carr paid no attention arid re
fused to say a word about it.
Grt 1'ay fur Injured Klilnt-y.
KANSAS CITY , Dec. 11-Tenna. Wlnslow ,
who surd the Knightsof Maccabees for
} 23,000 for dislocating one of his kidneyn ,
while Initiating him Into tbe local order
four year ago. iwos today awarded { 10,009
by a jury in Judge Gates' divlclon of the
circuit court ,
i i
SliHlrnt Volunteer Convention.
CLEVELAND , O. . Dec. 11. The third
International convention of Pie student
volunteer movement -will be held In this
city February 23 to 27. It will be the largest
and rnont powerful student gathering tvrr
held. Firtrcri hundrexl delegates willt
tend the