Moving Picture World (Mar-Dec 1907)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD. 156 Film Review. Gaumont-Kleine Optical Co. The $100.00 Bill. A gentleman and his wife are observed coming down the road, by side of a fence. Two foot-pads appear on the scene and observe them ; they draw back, not having been observed by the two pedestrians (who are absorbed in themselves), and a turn in the road hides them from view. When the couple reach the bend one foot-pad darts forward and throws a large handkerchief over the head of the gentleman, tightening it at his throat, while the other seizes the wife ; both are being overcome by the foot-pads and borne to the ground. Suddenly a tramp appears on the scene; taking in at a glance the situation, he belabors the foot-pads with a stout stick he carries, with such good effect that they are glad to beat an ignominious retreat. Tbe gentleman and wife are grateful for the timely aid of the tramp, whom they profusely thank and reward him with a $100.00 bill. Shaking him by the hand they depart, leaving the tramp full of astonishment at his good fortune. His amazement at the largeness of the bill gradually changes to one of delight. He carefully finds a place of security in his ragged coat, puffs out his chest and walks off quite elated. His troubles now commence. He calls at a wayside inn and is served with light refreshment ; in payment he tenders the bill ; the lady declares she cannot change it, and he goes off without paying for what he had consumed. He next tries a grocery store, but with no better luck, the proprietor cannot change it. He next enters a high-class restaurant, where the waiter eyes him with suspicion but serves him with a sumptuous repast, which lie eats with great relish. Preparing to depart, he asks for his bill, which the waiter very dubiously presents. With a great flourish the tramp produces, to the astonishment of the waiter, the $100.00 bill which he offers in payment. The waiter cannot believe his eyes, and goes off, and excitedly calls the proprietor who, on understanding the situation, becomes suddenly suspicious and sends the waiter for the police. To while away the time in the interval he accepts a cigar from the tramp, also drinks with him. The police now appear ; the proprietor hands the tramp over to them as a suspicious person and, despite his protests of innocence, they take him before a magistrate ; who, after listening to his story, and there being no evidence to the contrary, dismisses him. The tramp, finding all hopes of cashing the $100.00 bill gone, walks dejectedly down the street; turning down a by-path, he finds himself on the banks of a stream in which a bather is disporting himself. The bather’s clothing lies on the bank and attracts the attention of the tramp who, conceiving a way of changing his bill, takes the clothes of the bather, leaving his own in their place. Making his way to a secluded corner of a bridge and side walk of the river, he dons the clothes and swaggers off. In his now respectable appearance, he goes to the restaurant where he first tried to cash the bill. The waiter does not recognize him and serves him with the best the house affords. About to leave the tramp searches his pockets for the $100.00 bill, turning everything inside out in his eagerness to find it. After emptying the pockets of their contents, which he strews about the floor, he fails to find the bill. He calls the waiter to him and explains the situation to him. The waiter summons the proprietor who, not relishing the loss of the cost of the dinner, and thinking it is done for the purpose of getting a meal free, calls the police and gives the tramp in charge. In the meantime, the bather, getting tired, comes out of the water, finds his clothes gone and in their place a bundle of rags. He tries to cover his nakedness therewith and hurries off to the magistrate, to whom he explains his plight, exhibiting the rags of the tramp and the $100.00 bill he had found in the coat, fully believing it to be a counterfeit. At this juncture the police arrive with the tramp. Mutual recognition of the clothes take place. The bather accuses the tramp of stealing his clothes. The tramp willingly changes garments, again resuming his old coat and the $100.00 bill, which he is overjoyed to regain. Explanations follow and the magistrate fines the tramp $10.00 for what he had done. He hands the $100.00 bill to pay the fine, receiving the change in $1.00 bills ; and with $90.00 in his possession, with which he will have no further troubles about tbe change, he goes on his way rejoicing. Situations Wanted. Names, addresses and references of these operators are on file in the office of the Moving Picture World. No charge is made for registration, and letters addressed to any one in our care will be forwarded. I. OPERATOR, 40 years of age, married; expert in all branches; salary, $25.00. Prefers New York. Has machine and pianist extra by arrangement. 4. OPERATOR OR MANAGER, age 36, married; well recommended; salary, $20.00; New York or Pennsylvania. 6. EXPERT ELECTRICIAN AND OPERATOR, 3 years’ experience; salary, $25.00; age 19; single; Central States. 8. OPERATOR, age 23, single; Powers and Edison machines; salary, $15.00; will travel. II. OPERATOR, used to all machines, age 28, married, desires position; salary, $25.00; New York and New Jersey. 12. OPERATOR with machine and stereopticon, age 24, single, 3 years’ experience, prefers Canada, salary $18.00. 14. MANAGER, promoter and moving picture operator, wants position or partnership, has money to back up business. 15. YOUNG MAN, age 20, single, practical electrician, wishes position as operator, Edison or Power’s machine; understands oxy.-hyd. gas. Will travel, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Ohio, or settle permanently around New York City. Salary, traveling, $12.00 and all expenses, or $i6.oo-$i8.oo permanent. Proficient for vaudeville theater. 16. OPERATOR, 21, single, proficient in electrical work; salary, $25.00. Central States preferred. 17. OPERATOR, age 40, married; has double stereopticon and moving picture machine; capable, efficient, abstainer; salary, $35.00; any locality. 18. ELECTRICIAN OPERATOR, well recommended; age 23, single; salary, $18.00; Wisconsin, Illinois or Michigan. 19. OPERATOR, all machines; age 24, married; salary, $20.00; Middle West States. 20. OPERATOR, well recommended; age 29, married; $25.00 to $30.00 per week ; uses all machines ; prefers the Middle States.