The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1875-06-05
A NOVEL ATTRACTION
Harriaee before the Footlights of n San
Francisco variety Theatre-SonR. nv tIe
Bride-The 0ficiating Clergyman Inter
viewed. ''i
From the San Francisco Chronicle.

On Thursday morning the habitues of
the Palace Varieties, low melodeon on
Geary street, were considerably aston
lshed by the announcement that mar
rage ceremony was to be made part
OF the evening performance, in fact a
couple were to be regularly united in
the presence OF the audience. A little
reflection on the part of those familiar
with the resort, convinced them that
the announcement was merely a clever
dodge of Johnny Tuers to insure fnll
house. To those who had on several
former occasions lodged clever in
ltatlons of shower of brick
bats made OF red flannel stuffed with
cotton) discharged from the stage. this
theory was particularly acceptable. The
feet that any man and woman would
degrade themselves by entering into so
solemn compact as marriage in the
presence of vulgar audience in a varie-
ty show was as lneomprehensible as the
idea that any minister of the gospel
would lend his presence to such an oc
casion. A Chronicle reporter, however.
called at the place just before the even,
ing performance, and learned that the
marriage was to be bona fde, and that
the principals were Miss Winnie Flor
ence Radclltf, OF the variety profession,
and Morris WEIGH, a promising clog
dancer connected with the establish
Lent
This wedding was announced to take
place at 10 o'clock, and at an early hour
the little place was packed with the
regular patrons of the melodeon, and a
plentiful sprinkling of persons attracted
by curiosity. The regular business of
the stage, however, failed to arouse the
enthusiasm in the generally boisterous
crowd, and the rendition of % Old Black
Joe" roared out by darkey of go
pounds (avolrdupois), or the yocaliza-
ton of "Mollie Darling" by a
sylph in silk tights, had but
little effect. One enthusiastic stranger.
who attempted to encore, was sharply
rebukel in the hoodlum shibboleth
with: 'Cheese it, Gully, and Let UNI git
down to business :" knowing how
easily the stars could be called out
again, the utmost care was taken to
avoid such an evil, and at half past nine
the part OF the programme which came
before the wedding was disposed Of,
and Johnny Tuers, the stage-manager,
came before the curtain in burnt cork
and fancy attire with the announcement
that the event would take place in tif-
teen minutes. A howl Of exultation
greeted his disappearance, and the pat
rons of the drama allayed their excite
ment with calls for refreshments, which
theRcantily -attired waiter girls dispensed
on every side, without any interference
from the police.
In few minutes the dulcet notes of
the stage bell caused rush from the
bar for front seats, and the curtain rose
amid a flourish from the orchestra. The
stage represented a drawing scene,
in which the bridal party, with the full
strength of the company III the rear,
made their appearance. The bride was
dressed III white silk, with the usual
veil and nge-blossoms, the brides
maids also III white, The bridegroom
was decked i'll kids, white vest and claw
hammer coat. The members of the
company appeared in their regular stage
costumes. The waiter girls lowered
next the wings. dressed In tights and
short dresses, and altogether the APP
pearance of the bridal party, thanked
by negro MINISTRIES, jugglers, eccentric
Dutchmen, and ballet dancers was
something revolving to all sense of pro
priety and decency. Amid a hush in
which one might have heard a hair-pin
drop, the Rev. L. Il. Simmons, OF the
Baptist Church Chinese Mission, step
ped forward, and with the strange scene
illuminated by the glare of red fire, and
accompanied by strains OF the wedding
march by the band, he performed the
ceremony In about three minutes The
most impressive silence prevailed while
the benediction was pronounced, and
seen when the curtain fell the crowd
seemed niggard in applause, but few
minutes after, when the bride appeared
IN private box, their pent-up enthu-
slasm found vent in tumultuous demon
STATIONS and continued calls for song.
The bride was Immediately led before
the curtain, and rendered Silver
Threads Among the Gold, and. on be
ing encOred, warbled "Iu Stake You
for One of the Boys" while the rude
jewellers III the body of the house yelled
In manner which made the house
vibrate. Mr.. WEIGH, the uewly-wedded
husband was then called out, and per
formed clog dance with more than
usual vigor. The next two hours were
spent in calling out the different favor
ties, while the waiter girl piled lively
taade in selling whisky The Rev. Mr..
Rimmons was pressed to remain to the
banquet. but after inspecting the bridal
gifts, consisting of set of silver from
the company and large quantities of
flowers from the friends of the bride,
lie accepted S20note, and departed by
the back door.