The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-21
SNOWB.ILL EFT Al.
The =. Il. e. q. Toying TO stop the Children's
Ballet In Niblo's Garden.

SNOWFALL, laughing chuckling boy Of G,
dressed in an ulster treal name Willie Clark.
who on the stage OF Niblo's Theatre figures ns
tho little bright-eyed princess OF the Celestial
Empire was. with his mother. n Woodworking
scamstress. in the Tombs Police Court yester-
day. Joseph and Willie Carey. 7 and . ycnfs
Of age. and Celia Davis mandarins attached
10 the imperial retinue OF tho Celestial Empire.
were also in court
Justice Smith looked asknnce ut the bright
eyed. laughing children whose poor parents
chung tenderly TO them. They were all neatly
dressed, and smiled at the attention they called
forth. The liliput counsel with a cabbage rose
in his coat button. who stood but half head
taller than the oldest Of the mandarins. openly
declared in court that he appeared as their
counsel.
Three gentlemen. loaded down with sheep
skin law books and green-scnled documents
solemny declared they were ready to proceed
in the case OF Messrs. William A. milford. Jr.
business manager OF Niblos Garden Theatre
for cruelty TO children. Mr.. milford. a hand
some. pleasant faced six-footer. surrendered "
Justice smith.
Tho three gentlemen then briefly charged
that. IA representatives OF the Society for the
Prevention Of Cruelty to Children. they came
forward To take proceedings against the man
ngers Of Nblos Theatre for permitting chill
dren to dance upon their stage
ployed on the stage. That Is over twenty five
years ago. | have danced in ball room. and
have kept measure with the music: have also
attended rehearsals. and know what dancing
on the stage means ] have not been To- any
i5n 6 OF Sh nrcb 9 dIaSbRg Z ssgG4 On tine
there altogether four times. recognize the
girl Celia Davis, She game on tho stage with
Counsellor Lillput Gndigncntly)-D she
dance
IundberC-No
Counsellor Liliput-Didnt she sit DOWN.
Lundberg-Yes.
Counsellor Lillput tpatting his cabbage rose)
Counsellor Dclaileld. for tho Society quietly
stepping up - The little maid in, the red hood.
SAID. Sis. don't YOU dance on the stagei'
Little Celia Davis tbOwing her headl-Ycs. sir.
Counsellor Liliput-Stenographor put down
Counsellor Dolancld holdug little red hood
And YOU are sometimes obliged 10 dance when
you are tircds
Cola Dayis-Yos. sir.
-, object l ohJoct" interrupted Counsellor
The brothers Kiralfy. pale and sickly. then
testified that they were ballet masters. They
danced as Infants. danced ia every country in
Europe. Tho kirallys entered into long def
milton Of dancing. Wehsters unabridged was
scoruel when the meaning Of dancing was in
terpItt.d ar tempting ana stepping to the sound
OF music. or irl-klng about.
Tho Kiralfys deny that the mere act Of n bal
et dAns"usc standing on tiptoe or elevaiing her
limbs can he callcl dancing. All depends upon
circumstances, The children in the grand
dance oi the Celestial Empire are not required
- dlhec. 1hey nte not even expected 10 do so.
II Is simply little amusement 10 them. con-
slsting OF pantOmime. 1t is truo that the little
ones have To dress Ia the same apartment. hut
Mlclr youth ana Innocence is sacredly regarded.
Ihey nave only 10 perform Ter three minutes at
one performance, and earn froin three to five
dollars week, which is a godscn6 10 their pa
rents; Little S4olcbdU, for example is such n
pet with the audience that not only are bouquet,
thrown TO him. but money and candies. Tho
children greatly ENJOY running on the stage.
hand IN hand, sitting down in u semicirce be-
lore the footlights. bowling 10 the audience,
waving their little arms and then running bach
10 the dressing room and being taken homo.
Willie Carey. years Of age told Justice Smith
that lie wont to Sunday school could road and
write, and knew that he would be punished
after he died II he toda fib.
Willie illustrated the exercise he had to un-
derg2. every night He sat down at Justice
smith s feet and bowed his head. He threw his
lttle arms and legs akimbu. sprang Ia his feet.
made piroueltc, bowed 10 the audience. and
lAru ran away.
Is that al you have to do?" asked Justice
smith.
- That is ALL" replied Counsellor Llliput.
The case was adjourned until Saturday,.