The Washington critic., 1890-02-23

u ~>,~-t-, tys will put on
stilts for an invasion. Then the ''exclu-
sives" will be called in by their
mothers. The swell woman doesn't
like to do what her poorer sisters are
doing. For instance, the former will
not promenade the Avenue. If they
wish to walk for exercise, they will order
up carriage, ride to the entrance of
Central Park, and take their pedestrian
ism along the cemented paths, and af-
tcrward return home on wheels. The
latest striking exhibition of this desire
to separate themselves from the multi
tude was their treatment of this year
charity ball. They purchased tickets
as literally as usual, but either tore
them up or gave them to less preten-
tious persons, and themselves went to q
purposely dated for the same night. In
such ways the matrons of the Avenue
walk metaphorically on stills.
The talk of modish New York is
largely about the participation by the
bellies and beaus in amateur burlesque
theatricals. Several such entertain
ments have employed the more famously
pretty girls of the AstorV Vanderbilt
clique. A travesty of opera, a realiZa-
tion of some nursery stories and series
of comic tableauX have had marked
success. Nothing but public opinion
keeps the young amateur actors in the
fashionable world from appearing on
the stage in genuine, old-fashioned
Lydia Thompson style of burlesque
opera. Recently some of the bellies
were seen at theatre in a mild piece
of frolicsome nonsense that had all the
elements of burlesque, but was bur
dened with wholly unnecessary weight
of clothes
"It is perfect nonsense to give bur
lcsque in long skirts" said the prize
beauty of the two past seasons. eff /
thought people would ever get over it,
/ would dress my part as it demands y
Desiring to be well up in her part in O
recent burlesque charitable perform
ance, one Of the pretty girls engaged
the services of n handsome prima
donna, whose acquaintance she had
formed some time previous, and hat
herself drilled Systematically for thC
approaching show. The actress taugh
her innumerable little touches of stag,
coquetry and for reward received plenty
of champagne and kisses. ThC
two became jolly friends ant
far as to visit the other in her dressing
room. One Saturday afternoon thu
maiden, by the help of the dresser, ar
rayed herself in full stage costume
and awaited the return of the actress
who was engaged in stage scene. A
she posed in self admiration of hersel
in the glass the sound of footsteps wer,
heard outside the dressing room. Sud
denly the door flew open, and the man
ager of the theatre stood in the door
way. The girl in the tights screamed
and stood in the centre of the floor, tn,
most miserable and humiliated of beings
ooh, l beg your pardon, said til,
manager. "I knew Miss - was OF
the stage or would have knocked
But what are you doing here? Are yol
one of the chorus?"
This last question brought out another
scream, and the maid was compelled t
explain matters to the manager wht
retired amid profuse apologies. But h,
sent word to the young lady through
the prima donna that she could appeal
at his theatre in statuesque parts when
ever she saw fit to do so.
The girls must inevitably have a stag,
favorite to rave about, and now tina
Kyrle Bellew is in the Antipodes al
the buds and not few of the bios
SONS are blooming with affection fo
Reichmann, the great baritone at tn
Metropolitan Opera House. 1t is enter
tanning to watch the grand circle o
the boxes during an opera night jus
to see how they become stirred will
emotion when the favorite singer ap
pears, and then Immediately revert T.
passiveness when his stalwart form
takes itself from view. After ever,
song the theatre becomes a veritabl
snowstoTm of handkerchiefs, and tn
most sedate maidens in the place cal
scarcely restrain themselves from join
ing in the loud roar of approval that goe
up from the stalls. 1t is another In
stance of physical beauty consummatin
the victory that an excellent vocal al
begins. But the interesting part of
all is that the adored singer is total
indifferent to feminine admiration
Under no circumstance does he take an
notice of the innumerable attentio
that the more indiscreet of the girl
venture to bestow upon him, aud pei
sistently refuses to meet them, eve
though they languish for one glanc
from his handsome eyes. This II
markable habit arises from organic an
not sentimental causes, the singC
being rather annoyed than otherwls
by female society OF all the girls VIII
worship at his shrine none are so III
fortunately infatuated as very youn
lady living on Murray Hill, who forme
violent attachment for him on til
very first night of the opera season, an
who has since then ruined the peace {
, her family and friends by her wild pa
sion for the cold and unresponsiy
singer. Not only does she haunt til
neighborhood where a glimpse of hil
: may be caught, but she has eve
l broken her engagement with a vel
S worthy young man, giving as an eXcu'
I that only one man exists for her nov