Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-30

ioned way: She wore low shoes with gold
tassels. The old MdrolSesd wore a black
cloak, big tin sword, circus trunks, and
balbriggan drawers His socks were white
and were rolled down to the tops of his
congress CATERS to simulate white fur. He
was a good actor, though, and he had a
wonderfully deep toned bass voice Indeed,
they were all good actors. and as for
Violante she was really remarkably clever.
At times her touches of pathos brought
tears to the eyes of Lieutenant S. Allen
Dyer, from Fort Bliss, and his knowledge
of the Mexican lingo is limited. He is here
with the Government rainmakers, and yes
terday afternoon he lost his horse. He met
a Mexican and was overheard to ask:
"Hello, hombre! Have you seen any,
thing of bobtailed blanco caballo vamoos-
ing down the canine with lariat tied to
his cabesa What! you don't understand?
If had known that I might have asked
Won in English. Adios amigo"
Lieutenant Dyer afterward denied that
he said this, but the Mexican didn't.
REALLY HEAVY VILLAIN.
There was villain in the play who could
give the heaviest villain who ever appeared
on Bowery boards a double discount and A
points out of 80. He had glorious big
black mustache which waved around in the
air like the tails of two angry serpents. He
also had tin sword and long black cloak.
He had habit of pressing down the handle
of the sword, which tilted up his black cloak
behind in a peculiar manner. His drawers
did duty as tights also. Margaritd was pur-
sued by the villain until she went into a
galIoping consumption, and died in an arm
chair with a hectic flush and slow music.
do hx- mis-
guitar and mandolin.
After Mdrgdrita'S taking off, the white
muslin curtain fell and all the men went
outside to get tamales and black coffee.
The tamale as a between-the-act refresh
ment is peculiar, but exceedingly popular
here. 1t is not intoxicating, but has more
fire in it than Arkansas moonshine whisky
fresh from the "spring house" In the
little plaza in front of the teatro were five
tamale and coffee stands. At each stand
was kitchen table covered with oilcloth.
On each of the tables were plates, knives
and forks and g lantern. The customers
sat at the tables while the Mexicans heated
the tamaIes and coffee at little fires built of
mesquite wood on the ground near by. The
coffee was of the regular Mexican sort,
pure, concentrated, triple e1-
tract. duadruple strength. 1t was as black
as ink, and left yellow stain IN the cups.
A ANoS-INToxICATINGR REFREsHMENT.
At other tables, presided over by Mexican
crones, were sweetmeats, and at one table
was spindle, which might be turned upon
the payment of cents Bits of candy were
ranged in circle around the spindle, and
it pointed at where it stopped be-
longed to the player. There were horribly
grotesque figures of sacred personages at
several places about the circle. These were
the capital prizes.
After the 15-minute intermission the men
strolled back into the teatro with their
full of tamales and coffee, and
their pockets full of confections for the
girls. A comic Spanish duet came next;
then another intermission, and then a one
act comedy. 1t was street scene for the
comedy, but that fact was only gathered
from the dialogue-the scenery was the
same as in the tragedy.
Just befors the comedy two young Mexi-
cans from the audience clambered up on the
stage carrying pasteboard boxes with them.
When the curtain rose the Solsonas, father
and daughter, came OF the stage followed
by the other actors. One of the young men
made a speech in which he eulogized
and complimented the blushing Violante at
great length. Then he opened one of the
coxes and took gilded paper crown from
it, The crown was covered with gilded sill
yer coins and artificial flowers. Violante
knelt down and the young man placed the
crown upon her fair head. 1t was too small,
but Vio1ante pressed it on hard and rose
to her feet without its upsetting. Then the
young man made another speech and took
red, white and blue silk ribbon from the
box. This was also thickly studded with
gilded money. He fastened this over one
hou of fha 81
played a stirring march. Violante then
made speech. She spoke with ease and
facility of expression, and
thanked the audience for their gifts, which
she said she would prize as her dearest
possessions while she lived. She spoke for
fully 10 minutes.
The father then came in for his
share. He also received tricolored ribbon
covered with money. 1t was hung about
mis- neck, and the orchestra outdid itself
Senior Solsona made Commute speech of
thanks, and then the young men, accom-
panied by a hairless chihuahua dog,
climfed down from the stage and the
comedy went on.
A BUSY PRoMPTER.
1t was well acted, but it was evident that
none of the actors knew his lines perfectly.
The prompter had a hood in the middle of
he row OF kerosene footlights, and he read
he full text of both the tragedy and
comedy, keeping about half lap ahead of
he actors all through His voice was quite
audible in all parts of the house, but no one
seemed to mind it or think it strange that
ne should play such prominent part. 1t
was like an echo preceding instead of fol-
owing the actors voices
1t was 1:35 o'clock in the morning when
The curtain finally fell. The sleeping babies
md dogs were awakened, the girls put on
heir pretty lace head coverings, the men \
pulled their sombreros over their eyes, and
he teatro was quickly deserted. More
amales and coffee was INDUCED in on the
little plaza, and it was not until A. NJ. that
every one had gone away.
The teatro has performance almost twice
/ week the year round, and good houses are
he rule. For such a little place San Diego
S one Of the best one-night stands in the
country. n. A. JENNINGS.
THE CANADIAN CABINET FIGHT.