The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-19
SINKING TO ITS SLEEP.
NOW THx CURTAINS or SfeHT ARA
DRAWN xB0Ur OUR cITr.
II 4 Long Amer tho Basy Toiiers slumber
Before the Streets OF Richmond are
FINALLY wraps In silence.

the Inhabitants observe more regula
hours. After y o'clock al night few ped
estrians are seen strolIing about IN
thoroughfares in this city, except, O
course. where Gambrinus and Bacchu
tempt weaklings inside the stained-gas
door. The manner in which Richmond
ers drop into their couches speaks vol
umes for tsc morals OF a city Of one
hundred th0usand people, while a wore
about what luay be seen In various
quarters will b. news 10 many who are
slnmberlng peacefully by II o'clock.
From o'clock in the evening to
o'clock, or thcreabOuts, large proper
tion OF the inhabitants are being tucke
away cozny I'm their cradles ana criba'
They kick UP their heels, and protest
vigorously at being so disposed OF, but
in fifteen minutes their imaginary gfiet-
ances are forgotten. and the future OF
the nation" are dreaming as peacei" iig
as an autumn sunset Their brotheIS
and sisters at that incOnvenient age from
four 10 eight. whose presence In me
rarJor a. always source Of uneasiness
10 the social caller turn in an hour or
go lofor and are sauntcring through the
realms OF vision by 8 o'clock.
The hour from TO z is perhaps one
of the liveliest to be noticed on the
streets Main. Cary, Bank, Ninth, ana
other business thOrOughfares are thcn
crowded with business men, clerks, type
writists. and laboring people, hurrying
from their respective places OF occupation,
and occasionally lingering in front OF
shop windows for peep at fancy dress
goods, glittcring jewclry. and other ar
ficles appealing 10 the covetous side OF
human nature. An hour later the Signs
Of business in the larger establishments
begin 10 disappear, and the commercial
centres Of the city are fast becoming
deserted. Main street at the corner OF
Ninth. which is usually the most or
trodden spot I'm the city, save the inter-
section Of Seventh and Broad. Is
becoming less crowded. and the process
sion begins 10 move westward up Broad
80 ociety Quarter.
The city clocks toll 10 dolefully In
the eastern portion OF the city. along
the more secluded streets. and In the
Crowsy quarters OF the western suburbs,
the lights disappear one by one. Tired
labOrers who toll I'm factories. over-taXed
clerks. and nodding shop-giris seek their
Couches for n much needed nights rest,
while along west Grace, west Franklin,
Floyd and Park avenues. and other
streets, where reside the classes who have |
more money and more leisure soft, |
dreamy tints Of pink lamp-shades, and |
the Nominations from globes OF variega-
ted hues indicate that society" is main |
tanning its reputation after a fashion.
These lights are not extinguished till |
about 80. The city would then be in |
darkness but for the electric lights.
Between the hours OF 10 and II the |
streets are practically deserted. Nearly |
al the business quarters have sleepy |
and but for a stream OF |
at the shrine Of Thespius, |
he residence streets would be In gloom. |
At this hour Grace, Franklin, Third, |
Fourth, and many other streets, assume |
an animated appearance, while the pa |
llent motorman stands wrapped up on |
the front platform, and drums carload |
OF amateur dramatic critics by thump- |
ing his gong in rapid succession. Young |
girls who have been announced as debut |
antes hurry along swinging on the arms |
OF their escorts, anxious 20 reach home |
at the prescribed hour. Invitations 10
take I'm petit sOuper are declined on the |
ground that Though I'd like 10 ever so
much. II ! don't hurry home, you know, |
mother won't let me come with you |
again." thereby indulging in what is |
Familiarity known as "An Irishmans |
Jiint."
On Pleasure Bent.
Half an hour after the theatres are
closed the streets are again deserted, ex-
cept by stray couples who are ION pleas
ure bent" and linger while at a res
taurant or cafe TO complete the evenings
enjoyment with an appetizing luncheon
touched up, perhaps, with a bottle Of
Groups Of young men, some
Of them just initiated into the tortures
of a baroers chair. stand around the
doors Of the theatres while the audience
Dours out and strive TO impress on the
passers-by that midnight is the proper
hour to live. They afterwards pat
-onize the polished mahogany counters
until an older friend chaperones them
home and helps insert the key in the
light-latch
At II o'clock some portions Of Bank
Broad and Franklin streets are lively
enough Pedestrians who never turn in
III the "witching hour" Of A. NJ. stroll
about fstlessiy. as though they cared
Tot whether dawn caught them on the
streets. On lower Franklin street fire.
iuent outputs OF "Quick and Deviish"
music issue from a theatre comique or
/ dance house Of some description where
ailors and youngsters who never lose
IA opportunity TO " do the town. order
'eer between acts, and use slang in vol
mes. LOafers hang on telephone posts,
md discuss politics through thick Vapors
II intoxicating mixtures, unmindful Of
he rag muffin snoring emphatically In
goods box, or underneath a piazza
NE proprietors of all-night saloons
Gather their nests al this hour, and
evelries Of half drunken men and women
re only varied by the moral influence
Z a night pOiicemans billy" as he
APPS carelessly on a lamp-post 10 remind
he Bacchanalians OF his presence
An Air Of suspicion.
The police stations, while respectable
ociety is sound asleep, receive their
eeular delegation OF tramps who carry
ihout with them an air Of suspicion
They stand with penitent hang Of the
lead before the sergeant who gives the
rider 10 run en- in" he then throws
himself lazily in a big arm chair, and
loses of. only 10 be aroused by tink-
ing OF the telephone bell.
"One! Twou Threel!w strikes dis
ant clock. and Richmond is largely
irapt IN sleep. An occasional "cabby"
racks his whip while hurrying I'm from
late incoming train. and away down
n the lower part OF the city shreks a
hitting engine. The street sweepers
ave finished their work more than two
lours An occasional stroller whistles
tune 20 shake off his loneliness. Down
ialn, Broad, Cary and other business
treets crceps a night watchmaB- Now
nd then he shakes a door vigorously
0 see that all Is right. An hour or more
las passed since the clubs were deserted.
he last members who had a few inpor-
ant business matters TO transact over
he cloth OF green having gone home