Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-04-08

''theatricaln agents who control the book
ing of all musio-hAn and variety engage
ments, and of those fsvorites among per
formers, like Cherwin, Leno, Godfrey,
Colburn, beauohamp, ChevAlier, Bessie
Bonshin and Jenny Hill, whose speeialties
and popularity command earnings of from
forty to one hundred and afty pounds per
week.
Between these and the street fscsdes
and quite often extending into the middle
of York and Waterloo roads, viii be gath
cred on any pleasant Monday morning
from one to three thousand musio hall and
variety "proesers." A special detail of
police is always required to keep passage
ways open to other pedestrians. OF all
this strange medley of folk perhaps not
mere than one-half win belong In London.
Among the remainder Win be found every
manner of variety performer and "eocen-
trio specialist" from every land beneath
the sun
Hundreds of variety performers, good
and bad, from America are here. Cow
boy and pugilistie actors are here. Pro-
vinolal talent, down at the heels but chip
per, oheery and hopeful, are here seeking
engagement. The strong man of Patsgo-
MIA meanders past you, arm In arm with
the bonelsss oontortionist. Hindoo Jug
glers are engaged In rsillery with the gem
tie Eskimo dwarf who recently sadly hoo
dooed the American religious world. Al
gerisn, Egyptian and Persian snake charm
ers, sword swsllowers, hre-eaters and bare
foot glass-breakers consort with Cuban
mschete. .throwers, wild western female
dead shots, Devon record breaking jump
ers, Greek wrestlers and American genu-
Inc negro minstrels. The renowned Sig
norma Splittsyoee, SpsghettA siren to the
Italian court, tho Climax Cloggists, the
Nell Nellwoods, delicious delineators of
ducsl dialogues, the Slug brothers, the
Sslscious sisters, the King Knockabouts,
the Niles. Psddishanh, queens Of aspiring
heels, are all here, along with all the un-
nsmsble "human various" of superlative-
ly megstberian freaks, who scale the dizzy
heights of fame in the bewildering border
land of the vast amusement world.
All those of the motley thropg having
real business at this weekly Poverty juno
tion assemblsge are here for the purpose
OF either securing new engagements or for
paying the dramatic" agents their stipu-
lated regular weekly commissions on cur
rent engagements. These agents, some
forty in number, occupy all accessible
ground apartments for fully half q square
on either angle of each of the four corners
of York and Waterloo roads. No "pross-
er" dare secure an engagement, and no
mansger dare engage 'prossern without
the booking 10 done by them. They first
charge q large booking fee, and subse-
qusntly receive ten per cent. Of every per-
formers contract money, which is rent
weekly by mail, or paid In person every
Monday morning. They are held in dead
ly hatred, and treated with pitisble servil-
ity, by all music hall folk. London, pro-
vineisl and all foreign music-han and vari-
ETY. managers come here in person to se-
cure their ever varying attractions. A
halo of awe surrounds them as they pass
from one agency to another, but Billings-
gate porters could not equal the lively re-
marks upon their persons and character
that mingle with sturdy calls for "bitter''
and flour ale" the moment they have dis
appeared from view.
Sseondarily, those hero on necessary
business take kindly to this form of Pow
erty junction weekly reunion or syuposi-
um. They are thus enabled to exchange
gossip and greetings, coster oaths and
choice Billingsgate; and to keep informed
as to the movements of rivals, and city,
provincial or foreign managers. ALI the
others compriss q great horde of unem-
ployed unrelisbles who, In Poverty juno
ton vernaculsr, are here to "wsit for cap
tains," that Is, drink and any manner of
pickings; a vasser horde of budding
''prossers," endeAringly called Tommy
Rots;" and still greater and more pitis.
BILE number of broken down and utterly
helpless old-time favorites who, and
blessed be the tender humanity of the
prosser at largeI here seoure In ungrudged
aims every penny on earth that keeps
them from the workhouse or g psuper
grave.
The business and social conversation of
8 Poverty Junction symposium is the most
0raaa1aea that fall from fha
of mortal men and women. The latter
are here in equal numbers with the men.
Both drink on equal footing at the York
tavern'e frat, Recond and third class com
partnente. All are relieved by their lurid
denuneiations of star favorites, managers
and agents- They are a kindly hearted
lot, but their Language is simply untella-
BILE. This, of companion prossers leaving
an agents Office, lie as chaste As hlies by
comparison.
"Ah, Gull, Hrve made q shop (contrset)
in the country, an four turns (nightly en-
gagements at different music hAlls) TO open
bank 'olidays. GAwd's truth. Gull. The
bleeain' kssffr kneows Him In demand,
er es wouldn't give me tn shops. Con
TO tn country fur on'y fifteen quid lsover-
eign) Get the town fur seven g turn.
HI end Q 'ad more, but watts tn bloody
use a standin' on cersmoniesI"
W EsCcfc ufc p0uDot
per week for his provincial engagements,
and perhaps eight pounds altogether for
his London turns"
"W'y didn' ye &c. yer wife on for q
small parti" sympsthetically inquiries bis
companion.
"W'st's the bloody us-l Th' COW amt
got no bloomin' grammar in 'erl"
With "Gor bli me, OF chap, We'll ave
Q wetl" and "Look sharp eerel" to the
waiter, they drown their professional
pride In York tavern four ale, when the
lucky prosser Is off with all haste to the
registry Office to get his precious contract
stamped, lest the "hloomin' h'agent tries
to throw i'm down"
The symposium is at Its height of con-
fusion and "cheeriness" by one O'Clock;
but, an nour later, save for the brave man
ayers and foxy agents still lingering over
their wine In the rooms of the York tAv-
ern, and half score of the God forsaksn
rif-raff, lingering for possible h'spenny
from some belAted rereler. all the region
roundabout this London Poverty junction
is as silent as q shsdowy, hswthorn-span-
gled English lane.
EDGAR L. WAKKMAs.
TRAvRLING.