The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-02-27

4 the hard-working mechanic and laborer, and
] the professional man who prefers his stu-
/ dies to worldly pleasures, who retires to
his home when night throws her sombre
mantle over the busy world, have but little
Idea OF what is transpirinG around them at
hours when they are wrapped In tranquil
/ siufn6ea. Never going out except to at
/ tend divine service, an occasional concert,
1 or like entertainment. OF, possibly to the
! meeting OF some benevolent order, they are
in almost total ignorance Of what life Is in
the heart OF a large city after dark. Every
city has its people who turn night into
day-some from necessity, and some from
choice--and every city, like individuals, has
a dark as well as bright page in its
liie-history.
] Richmond, while not without some claims
as metropolitan city, is fortunately with
out many of the distinguishing features
that characterize and give an unenViable
tnotoriety to other cities in the North, South,
and West, with smaller population and
much less Importance as a trade-centre. Its
gar, bling houses are fewer in number, and
conducted With little or no publicity; it has
no low concert-halls, and but few dance
houses, and its bar-rooms are very free from
alteration and tumult
IN THE LOWER PART OF THE CITY.
About dark, or very soon thereafter, the
stores on Main street from Ninth to Fiji
teentb street are closed; from Fifteenth to
Seventeenth street, on the south side, the
clothing and boot and shoe stores and seye-
raj drug stores remain open until late
hour; below Seventeenth street the number
Of stores is few and the amount Of business
done at night inconsiderable. In the lower
part of tho tho ciiv ciiv several night-auctions at
tract crowds, and every variety OF article,
from paper Of pins to an oYercoat, IS dis
posed Of cheap ''for cash." and find ready
buyers. The auctions are also attended by
many from mere curiosity, who wish TO pass
away the time between dark and bedtime.
From Ninth street 10 Eighteenth on Main,
and, in fact, on all the principal streets, bar
rooms and restaurants are kept open until
midnight, and in few instances all night.
They are patronized by many patriotic peo-
ple, who will insist on assisting in liquidatlnp
the State debt on the smallest provocatir, IN
At many OF these places billiards, pool
bagatelle, Jenny Lind, cards, dorlinoes
and other games occupy the attention Of
the habitaks until the hour for closing
arrives. Looking down Main street from
the corner OF Fifth, or Broad street from
the corner of Twelfth, the gas-ligbts pre-
) sent bright and beautiful sight. Our city
is blessed both in the quantity and quality
Of its gas.
Contrary to what exists in most cite:
! having either foreign or domestic commerce
our
DOCK AND wHARvEs
present after dark most peaceful appear
apce; the quietness of a church-yard per
: vades that locality, and scenes OF disorder
e are infrequent. The character of the sea
e faring men casting anchor in this port is
y as a general thing, excellent. AROUND
e "Cash Corner" Seventeenth and Grace
J. streets, Tenth and Byrd streets, Pink alley
+ and in some other outlawed localities, al
!, times the most depraved specimens Of hui
manity congregate, dance to mean music
and drink meaner whiskey until daylight
: doth appear, unless-as is frequently the
g Casa tirst-class row is raised and the
l. police OF the First district disperse the
l. jewellers.
e The Theatre Comique, on Franklin street
y near Governor, is frequented nightly BY
il those who do not generally aspire to more
expensive amusements. On Saturday night:
the attendance is very large. The perform
e ance is less Objectionable than that at many
e similar places in other cities. Since the actor
e OF Judge Guigon, however, in refusing
b license for liquor to be sold on the premises
G the scenes of disorder that in former time!
l. characterized the Comique have been few
II and far between.
+. AT THE DEPoTs.
IL IL At the southern depot, at Eighth ant
: Byrd streets, on the arrival OF thu
- northern and the departure Of tht
southern train, from II to about 11:2O P
o NJ, a very busy scene is presented. For {
'. time all is hustle and confusion; but soor
j, the bell sounds, the train moves of, and al
\ is quiet. The hackmen drive away, the
" loungers disperse, and the weary watchmar
is left alone in his glory. A similar scene
! NJ, at which time the lightning express
! leaves for Greensboro and the far South.
: On Broad street above Ninth, where 6
. large retail business is done, and. where
9 most OF the merchants reside over their
: places of business, the stores are kept open
on pleasant nights until very late hour
!. The only expense is gas, which they would
have to burn il they retired to the upper part
OF the building. They generally have COM
Portable fire in the store, and this is saving
=. in fuel. Occasionally they capture stray
a customer and are repaid for the persistent
patience with which they have awaited his
i coming.
WHEN THE THEATRE rs OPEN
y the vicinity of Seventh and Broad streets
E presents an animated appearance. A great
: many persons who do not 60 in lounge
/ around to see those who do. Then the
E place is infested with street Arabs, and
ticket-fends who impore all who come out
: between the acts for Ca check" And the
: number who come out between the acts is
legion, and all have different motives
. some "to see a man," others to get a
draught of fresh air, 81 the Theatre is SO
5 close and oppressive" they say, and some
} dear, thoughtful fellows-only slip out to get
bon-bons or oranges for the ladies They
all generally return to their wives and
sweethearts tinctured with coffee or cloves,
and although in the sweetest temper
possible, it not unfrequently happens
that they have had something to sour
!, them. And if the aforesaid ladies do
, not place implicit confidence In their
plausible stories and hint that they are
| making game OF them, the naughty men
: say nothing, but their thoughts are often
on and OF eachre. Another character that
may be found around the Theatre is the
impecunious or close-fsted individual who
!, witnesses the performance through the
apertures in the doors on the Seventh-street
/ side. Some OF these parties can be seen
peering through these peep-holes on the
most inciement nights OF the season. They
: amuse themselves between the acts whis-
tling ' Thou art SO near and yet so far"
AT TIE sTATIoN-HoUsEs,
particularly on Saturday nights, number
! OF petty offenders are run in. The crimes
for which these parties are arrested rarely