The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-09-26
PETE AND SAL AT THE THEA
 TIRE.
IPeck,s Sun.l

IPeck's Sun.l
 Two gentlemen met as the Plankintou house one evening recently and after dis cussing the weather for several moments.
 one of them said: saw funny sight
 dewn at Chicago last night, and it makes
 me smile every time think of it. My
 friend B. met me on the street in the
 afternoon and asked me if would like to
 go to the theatre in the evening. could
 net say yes quick enough, for l was a
 stranger in the city and didn't know of
 anyone that could pass the evening with.
 We took supper at the hotel together, and
 as 1t drew toward eight o'clock we took a
 Hanson and were driven to the thea
 tTe. As is usually the case in Chicago
 the house was already packed, but B.
 had bought two tickets during the day
 and so we had good seats. Directly in
 front of us sat a country couple of the
 most verdurous type and evidently just
 married. The man was dressed in a
 ready-made frock coat, pepper-and. salt
 pants, white linen vest, paper collar
 that had already seen its best days and a
 bright green necktie. It would be a diff
 ficult matter to describe his companions dress suffice it to say that she had on a little of everything and that seemed to be considerably mussed. Up te this time they had been staring around in open mouthed wonder, but presently he turned to has companion and in a stage whisper that could be heard over all the house said
 By the great iumpin' gee whiz, Sal, l never seen sich crowd of fokes in my life, 'ceptin' at fair. Whar dye 'spose they're all a-comin' from ?" The female seemed to be equally surprised, for aftsr taking one more lingering look at Iady's dress before its owner sat down, she said
 l dunno. Peter, dear, that same ques- ton has been botherin' me ever since 1 came into the theayter; and would give spring bullet if mArm could see some of the women folks with all their rich fixin's on, and smell some of the perfumery water that they've got onto their hand kerchers. It was awful good of you, Peter, to take me to the theayter, 'sted of that dime show."
 As she ceased speaking the music started up with lively waltz, and every one settled back to listen except our coun- try friends.
 The music was evidently something that Peter hadn't bargained for, for when It commenced he started as though he had been shot. The surprise only lasted | for minute, however, and then he be- gan to beat time with his feet. Now some men can beat time without making any noise, and still get their moneys worth | out of the music, but with Peter the case was different.
 He had heard most of his music at country dances, where the music wouldn't | be worth anything if there couldn't b. Just so much time beat out oft. At first | he was content with gentle tap on the 1 floor, but as the orchestra warmed to | lheir work Peter caught the spirit of the | music and raising 6rst one brogan and l then the other, he beat time with such vigor that it shook the whole house. Gen. fly the usher tapped him on the shoulder | and bade him be quiet, but Peters mind | was far away, his feet ceased moving, the usher returned to the back of the house. and for moment all was quiet again. It ! was but for moment however, for once more the music got in its work on Peter, oniy this time in new spot. He sud denly turned to his lady love with his eyes bulging out and drops of perspira- ion playing tag among his whiskers, and n choking accents said:
 ooh, Sal, this music goes through ne like all possessed, and can't stan it lnuther minute. Let's git up an dance, here's plenty room. I've got to de some him or other to work this music out of ny system or I'll burst wide open sure as ny name is Pete Jenkins" Evidently Sa! vas reeling that way herself, for she jumped up in the aisle and after arrang- ng her dress, she allowed Peter to wind ! couple of yards of his arm around her waist, and off they went. They had gone ,p and down twice and were coming pack on the third lap. mid shouts and aughter from the audience, when once nore the usher was compelled to squelch poor Peters fun, and this time the couple were hustled out into the street.