Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 118, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 May 1911 — KEPT STARS OFF THE STAGE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

KEPT STARS OFF THE STAGE

Honus Wagner Spurned Tempting Offer to Perform at Last Moment —Batting Act All Ready. Larry Lajoje almost went into vaudeville last fall! He was willing and anxious, so anxious that he tried to induce Hans Wagner to go on the stage with him. Mans promised, and then backed oat, and thereby hangs a tale. Bill Gray, a* New York theatrical manager, had a batting act for Larry, Wagner, Cobb and Collins. He had a machine that tested the speed of a ball off the bat. A ball was thrown np automatically in front of the batter, who hit it toward a target. Accuracy in hitting the target and the speed of the hall was shown. There was to be nightly batting contests between the four big stars. Here is the tale of Hans’ promise and refusal to be an actor as told by Larry: Gray and I went to Carnegie to line up Hans. He had. promised Gray to go on the stage, but did-not answer Gray’s letters and telegrams. Everybody in Carnegie knew Hans, but thfey never saw him. “We ran across Hans’ brother A 1 and asked him when Hans would be home. ‘Pretty soon,’ said Al. ‘He never stayß out after dark.’ “Hans came —just at dusk —muddy and. in old clothes, fresh from the chase. He was tickled to seC us and accepted Gray’s offer, which was SSOO a week for him, $25 a week and traveling expenses for his brother Al, whom Hans wanted as his companion on the road. ' “It was all fixed, Gray and I thought. A contract was left with Hans, which he was to sign and send to me. "Haps was a little shy about signing to be an actor until Gray told him

all he would have to do was walk on the stage, his bat In one hand and his cap in the other. ‘When the people applaud,-take off your cap,’ said Gray. ‘Then take your bat and hit the ball a half dozen times.’ “Four days later I got a letter from Hans. It read:' “ ‘Dear Larry: I’d like to take up your offer, but I can’t stand traveling, rt makes me ill.’ “And he never replied to my telegrams aa,d letters.”

Honus Wagner.