The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-04-22
[CopwigM 1893 by he Author,l
CHAPTER XXI,
Al TIE BAnYLONIAN.

found not only in the kingdom, but in
the world. Outside it forms ono of the
most commanding blocks in London,
while the interior is furnished in man
ner simply regal.
Especially artistes" from all quarters
OF the earth are gathered together here
regardless OF expense, The manage
ment cater for the public with lavish
hand. For anything in the way OF a
show which is exceedingly curious or
wonderfully smart money is poured out
like water, and hence the Babylonian
had come to be known, and justly, too,
as the chiefest OF all temples devoted to
the variety business,
There might be seen nightly the kings
OF comic song, tho expresses oil bur-
lesque, queens OF the dance, great VEN
triloQuists, wonderful magiCians, fam
GUS acrobats the most fearless OF trap
exc artists, the funniest Of comedians,
and the prettiest, cleyerest, most traIl
and vicious OF all the female sex.
The Babylonian theatre was IN a
sense the mecca Of the music hall
world. Upon its stage the eyes OF all
music hall aspirants were fixed with a
fevershingly longing gaze, and they
who had not had the happiness OF offer
ing their devotions on its boards were
praying for the chance OF being permit
ted to make pilgrimage thither.
But only stars OF the first magnitude
were permitted to shine behind the
footlights OF the Babylonian. An ar.
tiste must have an established reputa.
ton who obtained an engagement there,
and to make decided hit at that thea
tire OF varieties was more profitable than
to write q successful book, for some Of
the principal entertainers were paid
the salary OF a cabinet minister.
On one particular evening in August,
the Babylonian was crowded to tho ut
most OF its exceedingly great seating
capacity, every available place in the
dress circle, stalls, pit and gallery, be-
ing occupied, while scores OF people
were standing at the sides and back Of
the house.
In the circle and stalls throng OF
swells OF all ages were lounGing, many
of them attired in evening dress, and
and not few having as companions
fair faced, loud hammered, and tiashily
habited members OF the demi.monde
such "a are common in all great centres
OF civilization.
All eyes were turned toward the
stage, upon which splendidly limbed
creature with auS evilly beautiful face
was posturing and patterng to the evil
dent relish OF the soft headed and flame
hearted swells, most OF whom were
whispering to each other strange stories
respecting the magnificent sinners
powers OF fascination, her eXtrava-
gance, cruelty and viciousness.
There was tremendous round OF APP
plause as 1.-THE charming Linda Beau
champ" bounced smilingly from the
STAGE which was renewed after an in
terval OF few seconds, when "Rowley
the Lancashire Lad, " sauntered jauntily
from the wings to the footlights. .~,
For q dozen minutes or SO the au-
dience were kept in thrAll by the quips,
gestures, facial play, and humorous
flashes OF the famous comedian, The
costers and cockneys in the cheaper
portions OF the theatre followed the
vernacular patter and rhymes OF the
vocalist as easily as if they had been
born and bred in the city OF Cotton, in.
stead of within the sound OF the Bells Of
Bow; and even the fine gentlemen and
damsels in the dress circle and stalls
appeared to enjoy the witticisms
couched in the Lancastrian dialect
which the artist flung about.
The famous comedian "did his turn"
receiving "iair show OF hands" in re.
ward, and then the number in front of
the prosCenium was changed to five,
which in the programme was opposite
the name OF Miss Nellie Barring tho
New Star Ballad Vocalist"
There was thin ripple OF applause
and a general murmur OF admiration as
Salome BalriuCham-to it was no one
elsc-camc quietly forward and took up
a position in tho centre OF the great
stage. She was perfectly selt.possessed
although her face was pale asthe bunch
OF white flowers at her breast; and the
well cut attire OF dark grey silk set oil
her finely moulded figure and incom.
parnbly lovely features to the greatest
advantage,
Her appearance had given rise to
quite spirited conversation which
was carried on in an undertono by the
tenants OF tho circle and stalls.
"By Jove, what beautyW ono gay
swell whispered to his friend. simply
superb, | thin k, CHI? Pom my soul |
never saw moro fascinating creature"
Eyes, her face is perfection itself
Wonder who she is and whore she halls
from, my boy Should like to stand
her a champagne supper or take her to
her diggings in my cab, old man."
"They say she il u really fine singer
Been working the small halls, you
know. Her first appearance here, they
tell me"
"The papers have been cracking her
up. Did you see tho notice she got IN
the Era last wook2 ldon't think there
Ia much in her. These people can get
any sort Of q critiquo, you know, pro.
vidod they are prepared to plank down
the coin"
Quite unconscious OF the criticism TO
which she was being subjected In every
part of the Babylonian, salome began
to sing. Tho songs she affected were
old familiar ballads, such as never 20
out OF fashion and which have been
sung for generations by small and
great singers, II was her first appear.
apce on those boards aud she knew
how much depended on her initial Of.
fort. II she failed she would drop back
totho small music halls, wherein she
had toilod no arduously during the past
few months, but II she succeeded there
was no saying how nigh she might
climb,
But tho result was never in doubt