New-York tribune., 1891-12-24
ONE OF BILLY" FLOREyCE'S EXPERIENCES.

From The Phlladelpula Illnes.
This incident occurred in New-York many years ago,
when the old Broadway Theatre stood at Broadway ana
Ann-st Florence then a rosy checked, round,
faced big nmbed youngSer OF IS, and was connected
with the broadway Theatres stock company as first
walking gentleman.7 Il waF in fact" he said IN
boy, and dreadfulIy afraid of the girls Connected
with the company was young woman VINO was was
afterward well known to the Thespa world as sallle
but never mind what her name was. She was
supposed to be the Hoher of the Conway girls;
suifce 1t to say that at that time her father and
brother were actors, and, at the present time she
has two possibly three daughters upon tne stage
bearers al the funeral. She was most estnlable
girl. | had several times aoed as IAa~ ecOrt from
the theatre to her home, my conversation during
these Journeys being somewhat abbreviated by the
fact that when beside the fair Saie my tongue Ialry
oisp Upon ~ one memorable OCCASION however being
embodened ty the fact that was the posse,s0r % 4l
supper afer the play. Never before had sufficient
audacity TO make such proposal to girl Appear
the theatre shortly after O'Clock and then with deep
blushing and much sammerinS, succeeded In asking
need not tell YOU of these modern days. who are
better acquainted with feminine ways, that Same
promptly accepted.
restaurant unknown 10 the city of New York
When that term first brought TO this country from
was derived from the Latin word res, thing, and
taurus. bun, and that it meant bully thing. But
steaS were eating houses In Sew-York these we're
all underground In easements and in most instances
largest and most brilliant was under the broadway
Theatre, and was kept by man named shelly. Az
one end of a very long barrOom series Of boxes
each provided with small table and chairs in these
meals provided Into this basement Salle ana
/ descended and enscOnced ourselves In one Of the
small compartments. You ali know what the convcr
saon was likely TO be between bashful boy and
pretty girl when meal was abOut TO be ordered.
what viii you have, SalleP asked . d,
'Oh, l don't know. What arc yon going to cake 2
'Oh, don't know salle. ike anything you
: well, think I'll take an oyster stew and-and-
Well salie I'll take an Oyser stew and a
lemonade too. Here, waiter, two oyster stews and
Lemonade and oyster stew Ye gods and little
fishes think Of it waiter from the old Dart took
the exuberanee born Of the success of my little scheme
and inspired by the fairness Of my companion leaned
nv lips had touched maiden's cheek. IT was n
Kiss as free from evil ever parent gave child As
entrance 10 the alcove the waiter looking at me
suspciousy. / bushed crimson; The waiter walked
were forthcoming. and they were dOwng0lng, and
soon they were gone. Then the waiter handed forth
aest' 'pocket for NV money. What Noi yes fof-
rori Disgrace let the earth open Alas, poor man !
] had changed my vest Ill the dFessingrOom ana dlu
not have penny with me.
Il dared not look at the fair sallie. Addressing the
walter I'm faltefng accents, said i have no money
with me, but viii be In tOnorr0w sure ana pay
you' The man at once assumed Il lOrdly mlen. An.
yez cawn't play no slch game here an then IN MAKE
The girl burst into tears. / patted one OF her
arms consOlngly, and beggc1 her not 10 HOuCe the
brutality of the waiter and then turning 10 That III
soient Individual said: Tell she proprietor to come
bere The proprietor dared not say that was
connected with the Broadway Theatre for fear that the
story of nv dilema might leak out and simply told
shelly thnt did intend 10 rob him. but unfortunately
! had no money with me. The proprietor think
,rculd have given me credit but for the walters in
tericcting: Don't trust him: lock him up. / saw
him hiss the girl shelly looked stcrnly at me- !
nromptIy removed a rng-I wear IL yet-frOm one OF
INV fingers and a watch and chain from my vest.
TAKE these | said. somewhat hastily. fear; my
father gave them to me, and ] have never parted
with them | Will call tomorrow and redeem theIn,
The eating house keeper was eAtehdihg one manu-
for these precious relies when man suddehN emerged
from An adjoining alcOve and cried ONt Derempoily
.StoD' All turned TO look at this new actor IN Lic
scene Ills hair was gray and luxuriant and his
white patnarcllal beard covered ms bosom Ills
attire betOkened wealth and refinement: fis clear
bIue ewes blazed with Indignation. This Is out
raeeous' he exclaimed. And would yOu take tnat
hoy;s watch and ring p Shelly hung MS head I'VE
heard ali tie conversation and I've listened TO the IN
science of that waiter. who should be Immediately
discharged These are good, innocent young people
and III stand sponsor for their honesty Here take
ths note and deduct from 1t the amount OF their check
He handed the shamefsced proprietor 10 bahknoe'
receiving his change. and walked from the pllce'
sallie and myself followed him, and when the side-
walk was reached tapped my benefacor on the arm
and said please, my dear sir. give me your name
and address so that refund you the money YOU
so kindly loaned me- The benevolent OLD gentleman
manner Imaginable said That's all rlght, young
fejow YOu don't owe me anything You see, the
note was a counterfeit. and the dniier below thefe
gave me good money for IL. lie Is not the nrst sucker
Tve caught GoOd-by. And that Is the only time
ever acted as the unconscious confederate o'