Omaha daily bee., 1892-06-05

the platform, the pianist and tho volunteer;
and where the same classes, or more vicious
ones, with "'Arrys and 'Arriets" OF London
fiji the pit, while every manner OF cad, last
fellow Of the gentry and nobility. including
n good sprinkling OF London Bohemia, saun-
ter in the promenades and NIL the boxes ana
stalls
You can briug along your pipe and smoke
il lust the same as at the other place. The
constant explosion OF scratched matches Is OF
the same deathlv odor and familiar SOUND.
There are the same sort of barmaids, only
more Of them, scores OF them, more bewitch-
ing aud dangerous. The demimonde. quiet
out alert as falcons, are here III hundreds In
search of quarry. Dozens OF goId-laced
lackeys and inspectors give semblance OF re-
fined order and strict proprlety. But all the
elements OF mischief are here. Though the
mirrors, decorations and all appointments
are gorgeous, all the opportunities Tor max
ing beast OF one's self are provided with
out stint. You can become maudin aud sing
the performers ballad all your own way.
And the whole audience oy midevening Is
roaring along with the orchestra at tho
catch lines, choruses and refrains
PointIess, MirthIess, Inane and Beastly.
About twenty different acts called turns"
are done bv as many different performers IN
one evening, and each actor Will nave
from one TO four "turns" for the same even
ing, each at different halls to which he
speeds in every sort of conveyance, from
coster's donkey cart to brougham Fro
grams are furnished, on payment and huge
numerals, slid into the proscenlum sides,
corresponding with program numbers. 1ndt-
cate that when the deafening cang OF the
stage managers gong is neyt heard the
turn" is TO be done by the Renowned
Signorina Sptittavose, Spaghetta Siren
glsts, by Nell Nelwood, Unapproachable
Delineator OF Dukes Dialogues, by the
Slug Brothers, Kings of knockabouts, or
by Mile. Padshanks Queen of Aspiring
Heels Applause is ungrudgingly given;
and the pit, ever insisting upon its moneys
worth OF screeching, wriggling and contor-
tion, always vociferously demands as many
'hencores" as the management will tolerate
These shows, with few exceptions in favor
of individual performers, are utterly point
less, mirthless, inane and beasty. There are
perhaps in oil this host of London music hall
factors" half dozen who have demon
strated that true art may find reward even In
so hopeless q field. Such are George
Beauchamp, comedian; Jenny Hill, lmper-
senator of the coster girl, "the Judging
'ouse missus," and female characters of that
iik, aud Albert Chevalier, whose studies and
representations Of the London oostermonger
should give MIN rank as really great actor
and man OF positive genius.
Product of the Lowest London Lifo.
But between nll these odd folk and the
London actors on the dramatic stage there is
endless emulation mingled with tantalizing
attempts ut "freedery" and airiness on the
one side, and fadeless dread and contempt
on the other. The music hall actor, "pros"
or ''prossern as he is known in Londcn, is
ia nearly every instance q product OF the
lowest London life. AS rule he is cos
termonger, waterside character, stable boy,
''poots," starveling from the travelling booth
shows, Billingsgate crate carrier or from
somewhere out the East End slums.
If he be of as good quality as from the
| humblest laporing classes he still, as we'll as
| all other music hall performers, graduates
| into his profession through one upvarying
| school of low and often vile train
ing-from the penny gaff," the worst of all
| London shows, or from the smoking con-
| cert' den where he has, as volunteer" sang,
| danced. contorted, or slugged, for the free
entertainment of the beery and foul gutter
| hosts of London. Many of these favorites
| command salaries of from el00 to e150 per
| week. But about all of them reach their
atfluence, anu often respectability, out OF the
same original depths and along the same vi
| clssitous road.
The only time when dramatic actor and
"pros' ever meet is at the annual Christmas
| plays and pantomimes. Then the ''pros" Is
| in demand at the theaters to do specialties.
| The lofty scoru and the airy defiance be-
| tween actor and "proS'' Is then something
| wonderful to behold.
To describe the haunts of the 'prossers'
would REQUIRE description of the entire
lowly of London. But every day many OF
these curious folk may be seen, and between
| .
1000 can be found. If the day be pleasant, al
the Intersection of York and Waterloo roads
just bey ond the south approach to Waterloo
bridge on the Surrey side.
To BE Seen Mt Poverty Junction"
In language, speech, manner, dress pecul
iaritiss and characteristics it Is one of the
rarest assemblages one can find 10 all Lon
| don. They resort here to "60ok' engage
ments with dramatic agents who occupy al
accessible ground apartments for nearly {
| square on either angle Of each of the foul
| corners; to pay to thcir agents the regularly
required 10 per cent commission on theil
| weekly salaries; to exchange greetings
coster oaths and choice Billingsgate; ana &c
keep posted as to the movements of rivals
and CITY, province and American managers
After these managers have arranged theil
business affairs with the agents both adjourn
to the parlors OF the York hotel for wine anG
lunch. This ancient hostelry Is the rea
headquarters Of the entire throng. On Mon
days policemen are stationed at Its front u
clear the sidewalks for passers. Star favor
ties drive up to it in dog carts ol
broughams; managers and agents alway:
come in their own carriages witt
iveried footmen, and while the
| ''prossers" who have come on foot art
always on the surface respectful enough tt
| these superiors, their undertone OF comment
epithet and grotesque dispariagement is tn,
richest and most graceless that ever fell from
| the tongues of men and women.
! Tho latter are here in equal numbers will
the men. Both drink on equal terms at tn,
Yorks first, second and third class bar com
partmeuts. All seem to feel better for thei
lurid denunciations of sturs, managers ant
agents. And ali who have money gener
opsly share it with those OF their craft VIII
have fallen by the wayside ana, bleary ed
crippled and husky voiced, each Monda
drag themselves to this picturesque corne
TO humbly "wait for captaius," which, in tn
vernacular, is tarrying for drink and aims.
EDGAR l.. WAKEMAN.
Disease never successfully attacks q sys
tenn with pure plocd. DE Wits Sarsaparill
makes pure new blood aud enriches The old
RELIGIOUS.
Bishop Brooks says the way to start