The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-18

An Opera Ouse on Firs-ExcitIng Scene.
From the Troy Press, 18th.
The grand tableaux entertainment which was
announced to come off at the Opera House last
evening, for the benefit of the Troy Orphan
Asylum, was brought to sudden termination
towards the close, by the fearful cry of fire"
The immense audience which had assembled
completely filed every nook and corner of the
editce. Not even standing-room was to beob-
tanned in the building soon alter the perform
ance had commenced. Everything passed oH
handsomely until few minutes after 10 O'Clock,
when the two last pieces on the evenings pro-
gramme were reached. Some person in the
street, in front Of the Opera House, raised the
cry OF fre-and in few minutes after st.
Paul's bell repeated the alarm.
AT this moment some person in the rear part
of the parQuette cried out ''the fire is in the
hall! !" and Instantly the truth of his remark
was confirmed by volumes of smoke which were
seen TO emerge from the openings in the heat
ing apparatus near the stage. Almost the en-
tire audience rose from their seats, and the
more nervous and eXcitable made hasty start
for the door. Some jumped over the seats
others crowded their way through the narrow
asles, while many of those in the gallery, be-
coming utterly "demoralized," crowded the
passage-ways leading down the stairs. When
The excitement was ut its height Chiet Engineer
Hall ascended the gallery and assured the audi
ence that there was no danger. This had the
effect of pacifying the throng for moment,
that it filled the dressing-rooms and stage, and
was seen by the audience. This caused fresh
alarm, and the people began again to crowd
towards the doors.
On the stage, and in the dressug-rooms under
and about it, were quite large number of
ladies and gentlemen-all of whom had been or
were dressed to take part in the different pieces
on the programme. Many of the ladies were
mostly en- deShdbGle in their looms, while others
we're attred as queens, fairies, gipsies, etc. The
ladies rushed from the dressing apartments, on
the alarm being given, and crowded towards
the rear door of the stage leading into the alley.
In this way many escaped, leaving behind them
their wearing apparel, etc. Others followed
the audience in 'front.' and found refuge in the
American House.
The most exciting scene of the evening was
the conduct of number of Albanians, both
ladies and gentlemen, who occupied the upper
private box on the left-hand side of the hall.
The young men jumped from the box to the
stage-d ia Booth-and the ladies folio we'd their
example, alighting in the arms of the young
"gallants." This scene was ludicrous in the
extreme, and, Notwithstanding the danger
which was apparent created "titter" among
the audience.
One or two OF the ladies on the STAGE tainted
and had to be conveyed home in carriages.
The fire originated from a defect in the fue
leading from The furnace in the cellar to the
ground floor of the building, near the billiard
room. A portion of the woodwork surrounding
the fue was burned, but no other damage was
done.
The officers and several citizens picked up
numerous pieces of wearing apparel-furs muffs,
gloves, shawls, etc.