8
THE OMAHA SUNDAY BEEt SEPTEMBER 29, ' 1907.
P
Ak-Sar-Ben Drama and Men Who Make It Success from Year to Year
"Muni bom unto troubh cm $park$ fly upward"
WHO can tell better of what overtakes an
"author" when he gets gay, or gets to
thinking that he is getting gay, than Jhe
wlcrht hlmnplf wTin Vina nrvfvfii1 tha ottomnt
and knows the result? For this reason I
have determined that no other typewriter but the one
over which I am chlet engineer-ahall be used in transcribing this
ahare of the current chronicles of Ak-Sar-Ben.
One balmy afternoon last spring, in May, when the cherry blos
soms and the snowstorms were playing hide and seek around Omaha,
Ous Renze came into my office. I was contemplating a stack of
work that would have scared any other man than Qus. Dy .the way,
do you know Ous at all well? He is German in everything but his
tongue. No Irishman who ever kissed the Blarney stone can come
around you with more honeyed blandishments than can Ous when
be wants something. Then he Is the very quintessence of suavity,
and the line of talk he deals out would charm anyone inCb doing
anything. He's a wonder. Is Ous, when it comes to handing out a
Jolly.
Of course, Ous is always welcome wherever he goes, and It was
but a minute after he had entered my place of work until we were
both laughing and talking about the old times at the den, and other
things, when he opened on me as If a sudden thought had struck
him.
"Say, we want you to help us out this year. You are Just the
boy tor the place, and If you'll only do It, why, you'll save the show."
Foxy Ous! I found out later that he and Will Yetter and
Charley Black and J. C. Root and "Daddy" Weaver had talked the
matter all over and had agreed that I was to be "6tung," and Gus
had set out to do the stinging.
"Sure, I'll do anything once," I answered, with that fatuous
confidence that leads some men to cash checks and others to bet
they can open the padlock.
"We want you to write the ritual for this year; that's all."
"What do I knew about writing rituals?" I asked.
write a scare head, or something of that sort, but I'm not a dramatist
KW.FITCH
HIGH CHANCELLOR
jRANb JyflJFTJ
FRP,I. WEAR HE
COLO fi BEARER
the drama, the relation eacn character bore to the whole and the
essential spirit that must pervade the performance in order that Its
best effect might be secured. Then we started. Here's where I be
gan to wake up.
Each man took his part and read his lines through. It didn't
sound very' warlike, nor particularly inspiring. Then some detailed
Instructions as to personal conduct were given, and it was all gone
nvnr nirnln Thin ttm it van better. Fred Paflenrath beKan to get
I might ,lnterested ln hl8 Bi!are of the work and we began to make diagrams
of what, the officer at the zuard would have to do. Then Bill Ken-
oria novelist or a poet, and besides I have too much real work-to. nedy got curloug as to the wig-
no w laae any ouuuae siums 01 wh naiur. hllR,nAaa ftI,d 1ugt what was
"Well, you're going to do it, just the Bamet'.' said the smiling
Ous, and he hunched his chair over and grew confidential. "You
know, I have been telling these fellows that you know all about this
sort of thing, and you can put on a better show than any of us.
You have experience, and that's what counts, and that Imagination
of yours is Just the thing we want."
So we argued it, back and forth, and finally I gave in. "You
come out to the den and we'll talk it over," said Gus, as he went out
of the door, with that cherubic smile of his lighting up his features.
"You'd better come out tsmorrow, too, so that we can get under
way.1
expected' of him. Bill's imag
ination was off duty that night
and the working aspect of the
signal tower didn't appeal to
him. Ous had Eaton duck un
der the canvass and made a noise
like a wireless station. This
gave Bill an Inkling of what
might be looked for, and it was
Fitch's turn. He had found a
chance to make the obligation a
little stronger. But he was in-
Tomorrow" I was out at the den and found Gus sitting on a
keg that had once held beer, in the middle of the floor, looking auced to give it a trial as orlg
wise. Eaton and Larry and one o two others were busy about the inally set down. George Powell
place. A big hole had been dug under the floor ana some lines naa wa8 having all sorts of fun with
been chalked. We went to talking right away about the show.
"It's himself. He seemed to see the
to be military," said Gus, and we talked about military things, and I laughter' concealed ln his share
said I'd think ;t over. Not much time was allowed me to think, for 0f the proceedings from the first
I had other work of a more exacting nature to occupy my mind, and and went to It right from the
It was borne in upon me very soon that the show was to start ln a start. Organizing an army for
couple of weeks. Daddy Weaver got Into the game about thto time John Lund was
and wanted to know how many actors I was going to have. I
sketched a scenario for him, and he said It was good. Then I had
another consultation with Gub. and he said it was bully. One night.
after matters had quieted down a little, I turned to my trusty type-' 10 o'clock, with the show fairly
writer and began to Jolt out words. It came easier than I thought under way. That is, we all
it would, and visions of success as a dramatist began to distract my thought it was. Oscar Lieben
thoughts. Before the day set by Gus as the time when the worn was on hand and the matter of
must be finished I had it written out. and Weaver had looked it over uniforms was discussed and
Then we went to work to cast the speaking pracucany aeciaea on. uimmica
the next big
step, . and this was finally
achieved and the rehearsal was
brought to a close along about
Roster of Ak-Sar-Ben Working
Crew for the Year 1907
Benedict, B. W. Millar, Clinton B
Bannatt, W. M. Molony, Charlas E.
Bourka, W. T. Hag-ala, W. P.
Boylas, O. H. Paffanrath, Prod P.
Brockar, 0. P. Palmaa, Edward.
Cut, W. A. Patria, K. P.
Crana, E. E. Panfold, J. It.
Dimlck, J. P. Pataxaan, Patar.
Ehranpfort, Zanry. Pottar, E. X.
Pitch, P. W. " PowaU, Oaorg-a 8.
Poator, Chaxlas E. Baitar, CarL
Poatar, Br. K. A. mania, Ous A.
Goodall, Chaxlas W. Blmpion, Prank O.
Koddar E. O. Skankay B. J.
Jacofcson, Jacob. Btors, Adolph.
Xarfcaoh, Charlaa J. Swift, T. P.
Xannady, William. IwUrart. Qaorfa Iff.
Xnanne O. O. Thlnd, X. P.
Zilahan, Oscar . Thomas, B. P.
Xitmd, John O. Thompson, Ed. U.
MoOolloug'h, T. W. Tnrnay, P. X.
MoCuna, O. B. Wspplch, William p.
VcOrath, Charlaa J. Waaver, J. B.
McKay W. M. Wast, Oaorg-a.
Mats, Barman. - Worn, B. P.
Millar, A. V. Wilcox Prank.
had his band there and Tom Swift and his quartet, and after a while
Ous rolled a keg of beer out into the middle of the arena and the
Another rehearsal was called
irged to be on hand promptly.
At the second rehearsal the relation of one part of the show to
Loose ends had to be connected up; short
Veteran Troopers of Ak-Sar:Ben's Fig-hting- Forces
and pronounced it good.
parts.
wi, An von want for this nart?" asked Weaver.
t -ni. Fred Paffenrath." I answered. "He will be ang at down to talk things over.
'sure to be there every night, and that is a part that can't be pushed tor the next night and everybody was urged to be on hand promptly,
"around from man to man very easily,
So we agreed on Fred Paffenrath for the Officer ol the uuara. another was discovered,
Then I put forth the advantages of having Ben Thomas for General '
Gazooks. and this was acceded to by Weaver, bo we went, irora
man to man. picking each for his fitness. "What sort of a part have
you for Doc?" asked Weaver, having in mind Dr. Ramacclottl. "One
,that will tickle him to death," I answered. "He s to wear a cocKea
hat and sit on a chair and boss the recruiting Job."
; ' Our acting company was soon formed. Maybe some of you gal
lant knights would like to know Just who formed that .band of splen
did gentlemen who performed so well their parts at the Den all sum
mer for your edification, and what their entitlements were. Here is
the "cast of characters:"
l Officer of the Escort Ed Thompson
Officer of the Guard Fred Paffenrath
. Recruiting Officer George L. Powell
I Signal 8ergeant. William Kennedy
Colonel of the Cavalry H. L. Ramacclottl
! Adjutant General J. W. Battin
' General Gazook , B. F. Thomas
Counsellor F. W. Fitch
Grand Mufti W. R. Bennett
I Orderly to Signal Sergeant Frank Wilcox
Sentinel Charles Goodall
i Orderly to Officer of the Guard Harry Foster
; Standard Bearer Fred Wurn
One evening. Just before the show started, we assembled at ths
; Omaha club for dinner, and there, ln the sanctity of a private dining
I room, I read the "play" to the assembled company and the ritual
committee of the Board of Governors. Talk about Cornellle reading
I one of his plays before King Louis and the court! Why, that dead
and gone French playwright wasn't ln It. Each of the company vied
; with the others in paying me compliments, and my aspirations to be
' a dramatist began to soar again. I saw the finish of Clyde Fitch and
W. Shakespeare, and could even dimly, very dimly, picture G. B.
Shaw as having a companion in his solitude at the pinnacle of dra
matic fame. Oh, It was fine; It was almost intoxicating. Parts were
given out that night, and all hands were Invited out to the Den for a
rehearsal the next evening. . ,
j Gus Renze bad been working, too, and when we got to the Den
the stages were ready, almost finished, and the rehearsal started. It
was a bunch of willing workers, and everybody was pleased with his
jpart. At least everybody said he was and I was given a chance to GENERAL JOHN LUND AND HIS ARMY READY TO GO TO WAR-
bake a tew U chosen remarks, setting forth the general theme of THAT HE MISSED OUT HIMSELF.
speeches to fit one character to another were Improvised and hastily
jotted down or given verbally. Charley Goodall learned to walk
his beat and Dr. Foster mastered his entrance and exit before and '
after the high and mighty officer of the guard. Suggestions came
thick and fast from all hands, each more or less pertinent, and
everybody seemed bent on making the show, a good one, no matter
what the author had provided. Two hours spent in going over this
and that feature of the work left the matter fairly well understood
and the actors agreed to come letter perfect to the next rehearsal.
The second part of the show was taken up and the speeches were
"ad in full as written, while a
watch was held to determine
their length ln minutes. It was
soon apparent that the well
rounded periods I had " bo Joy
ously prepared, and which were
supposed to be brimming with
delight for all who listened to
them, were too long by half, and
so the blue pencil was applied
without qualm of remorse, and
literature gave way ln chunks be
fore the onslaught of practical
work. As a matter of fact,
Mufti Bennett fixed his finally to
suit himself, but by that time the
author had been sufficiently
tamed to stand for almost any
thing. In the meantime all were get
ting closer and closer together.
It is team work that counts at
Ak-Sar-Ben, Just the' same as
elsewhere, and if ever a bunch
of good fellows played "the in
side game" it was this same
royal lot who made up the work
ing crew for the last year. Al
most every man of them is a vet
eran in the service, and each has
his whole thought bent on mak
ing the show go. Stunt after
stunt was suggested and tried, and when one was adopted it was ac
cepted by all and never once was there noted any tendency to slight
the details or kick on the work. For example:
"What have you got for Henry?" asked Dad Weaver on the
night of the first rehearsal, meaning what role had been assigned to
Ehrenpfort
' '. . , " . , ' ' i
I ' "H '
;. -j Ms )y ! ,. ' . - j , .
i I
"Wa'U give Henry a thinking part.- was the answer, and
It was explained that he would be placed in charge of the
noia station of the signal corps. Henry accepted the billet .
and went off with his musket in hand as enthusiasts as if he
had been named as General Gazooks.' Then, when rehearsal
had shown the impracticability of the proposed arrangement
of field station and guard house, and the "coop" was moved
and the field station stunt was abandoned. Henry went along with
the coop, and all summer stood guard over the guard house. Petrie
and Petersen took their places as guards, and Dr. Wurn fell ln '
as color bearer, while the army waxed more zealous as each nlgnt
went along, till it was finally commended as the most efficient body
of troops ever put Into the field by Samson.
All this busy bustle had to come to an end some time and the
first performance was given on a lovely Monday night, with a crowd
of "rookies" that would have puzzled the bunch at the close of the
season, let aloneat the beginning. But evenually the last man had
been taken into be army and the show was pronounced good. Cues
had been missed, lines had been omitted and words changed but
the outlines of the ritual were there. Gus had performed wonders
but he couldn't get the scenery to work right that first night, and o
said things that must have made the recording angel turn his head
away. But it was all in the night's work, and the first show aet
forth what was necessary to change for the second. Back of the
scenes these matters were talked over and the actors aided In work
ing out the new details, until eventually the initiation ceremony went
along as smoothly as a babbling brook. Some of those who took the
medical examination may have thought the going was a bit lumpy
but the fellows down ln front, rather liked it. and said bo. But it
wasn't all achieved without effort. ,
"You won't know your dingbusted ritual when we get through
with it." said Dad Weaver to me one night Just as the show was
starting. '
'You can take the ritual and go where Methusaleh went last
year, I told him. And -then Doc Ramacclottl told Fred Paffenrath
that Weaver and the author had had a fight, and Paffenrath said it
must have been over Bomethlng he said and wanted to apologize.
But he found out that, the little passage was but a pleasant way the
two had of telling each other that things were going bully. And
thus It went. Just to show how readily the working crew enters
into the Bpirit of tho whole work, and how zealous they are to get'
good results: -On "Boosters" night it was determined to Put on "
variation of the regular ceremony. Gus came down town and talked
It over with me, and we began to work out the theme. Before we
finally decided we had outlined three separate ceremonials, workinr
them out in detail, and finally on the afternoon of tbe- day we dis
carded all of them and took the one that was really put on. It was
after 4 o'clock ln the afternoon, and while Ous went away to
prepare the properties I started the typewriter to get out the now
speeches. We had no time to notify the actors until tiey came to
the Den. It was late, of course, when they got there, but we coN
raled them, and in a minute had them up on tie north stage, re
hearsing new work. New speeches were handed to Bennett
Thomas. Battin and Hodder. and the show was started. Not a man
who saw the performance that night-and it was one of the most
laughable ever put on at the Den but would have said tie affair
had been worked out for dayB instead of a few minutes by the ac
tors it is such zeal that makes Ak-Sar-Ben the great success it la.
Long before the summer was over I had given up any notion
of becoming a playwright; my half-formed aspirations In this dlrec-
?Wn bCf0re th0 actuallty. I was mighty glad that
I had fallen into the hands of such a loyal and good-natured crowd.
I would like to pay a deserved tribute to each of these men to
Swift and bis quartet, to Dlmmick and his band, to Lund and his
army, to each of the actors, to Oscar Lieben. who presided over ft
nTm'' t0 GU" aDd h,s force,of mechanicians, and finally to
Daddy Weaver, who did everybody's 'work all Bummer long, and did
it wel . These fellows all did a lot of things for which the author
was given credit, and he now takes this opportunity of expressing
his appreciation of the co-operation of all, and especially Fitch, who
succeeded at last in making the obligation what he thought it ought
? ,V", . hBd " "Umber 0f debatea over th,9 and F lways
yielded to my ' entreaties, until I went away, and we could no longer
consult over the matter, .o he Just changed It When I cams- back
It had been amended to his taste, and none of the subsequent po.tu
, " -. ,ants eer knew the difference.
One shade of gloom cast its pall over the cere
monies at the close of the season. Death suddenly
called Dr. Ramacclottl. and the sorrow of the working
crew was genuine. He had not felt able to take his
part for two or three meetings, and W. F. Wapplch
had assumed the role. But no one thought "Doc,"
as he was most affectionately called, was not coining
back. He was at the Den the night before he died and
enjoyed seeing Wappich preside over the medical and
physical examination of a big class of "rookies." and
ln less than twenty-four bours after he was dead. His
loss was felt as personal by each of the crew He
was genial and affable In all his ways, took his part
with Interest and tried at all times to get the best out
of it, The tribute paid him by bis fellow workers
was sincere and deserved. He will be missed mors
when next season's show Is put on than ever.
From first to last, the "show" Is put on with
studied care. It is rehearsed and worked out In all its
details, and the various stunts are developed thoroughly
before being tried on postulants for knightly honors.
While the members of the working crew are all volun
teers, eacn works as energetically as though be were
drawing a high salary, and each tries as hard as the
other to make the affair a success. This is really
what does make it win. It Is the spirit that has
marked Ak-Sar-Ben from the very beginning of its
wonderful career.
Year after year these men have worked to make
the Initiation ceremony a success. They give of their
time and their means to the support of Ak-Sar-Ben,
- - i mo organization is due In no small
the
work
-DR. WURN WAS BO KAGER TO GET THE FLAG IN THE PICTURE
measure to their Intelligent zeal In carrying on
"show." I feel that It has been a privilege to i
with them, and I value the friendships I have made
during; the summer at the Den a great deal more than
I do the little fleeting fame that has corns to me as
THE AUTHOR,
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