Untitled

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 271, 1 May 1886, Page 4

The company which is going to play 44 Michael Strogoll " at the Academy of Music, New York, opened a new era of stage advertising the other day. They inserted an 44 ad " in the morning papers for 200 cats, intending to turn them loose with blue ribbons around their necks announcing the coming attraction, in the expectation that, the feline dodgers would have as gathering a power for the theatre as Samson's army of foxes had a scattering ellect on the Philistines. Unfortunately for the 44 Michael Strogoll" representation, these plans fell through. The company which is to appear in 44 Fantasma " at Hooley's got wind of the 44 Michael Strogoff" company's scheme, and, stealing their thunder, advertised for 2000 cats. The catstealers and cat-owners of the city, thinking they would have a surer market for their treasures, where the largest demand was, slighted 44 Michael Strogoll'" and bestowed their patronage on 44 Fantasma." At 10 a.m. StageManager White and Advertising-Agent Girox opened their shop and commenced business, A miscellaneous collection of 44 Toms " and 44 Tabbys" of all ages, colours, and conditions, from the veteran midnight caterwauler to the sleek, household pet, whose untimely loss is perhaps now being bewailed, were eagerly sold at five to ten cents apiece by about as cosmopolitan an array of thirsty citizens as ever thronged the gallery door of a playhouse. A shipping tag announcing the theatrical attraction was attached to the captives' necks, and the wild feline cataract rushed madly through the streets, scattering alarm and amazement in all directions. Many a dog enjoyed an exciting piece of sport, and many a sausage manufacturer is said to have returned thanks for the thoughtlul beneficence of the strolling players.