Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 77, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 March 1913 — STORIES from the BIG CITIES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

STORIES from the BIG CITIES

“Gazipe,” Latest Term for a Wood Pile Denizen

ST. LOUIS, Mo.—Gazipe! There it is! Look out for it! It will get you if you don’t. Let no guilty gazipe escape. The gazipe made its debut at a special performance with the legislative committee of the city council for an audience. It was presented by a theatrical manager, Frank R. Tate. The appearance of the gazipe was unannounced and it created a sensation. Discussing the pending bill which would require all St. Louis theaters to comply with the building and fire protection laws as amended in 1907, Manager Tate said: "I can point out the gazipe in that bill.” . The committeemen were astounded. The gazipe Came like a bolt out of a clear sky.

With difficulty restraining his emotion, Councilman Leahy asked: “What is—what is this —ah—hum — this, ah—?” “Gazipe?” snapped Tate. <"Yes. What is a gazipe?” I don’t know that I can explain it to you clearly.” “How do you spell it?" “You don’t spell it You look for it I don’t know that it has ever been spelled, but it has been pronounced a million times,”'said Tate. “Well,” said Leahy, “in order that it may be placed on the official records and in the files of the municipal library we will spell it g-a-z-i-p-e. Now what is it?” “Well,” said Tate. “I have heard people use it very often, but I don’t think it is known outside of the profession When an actor signs a contract with d manager he always reads <lt over several times to lobk for the gazipe, the little thing which, if left in there, will cause the actor to get the worst of it.” One of the committeemen suggested that gazipe was something like - "a nigger in the woodpile.” - “Very much like it,” said Tate. “Oh, I see," said Leahy. “It’s a ‘Joker,’ a ’stinger.’*