The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-03-11

ing from the darkness into that brightly
lighted room it required several minutes for
the eyes of the visitors TO grow accustomed
to the scenes Of mirth presented. The or
ehestra was composed of three violins. a
trombone. a clauonet and q cornet, and the
musicians, who sat upon little platform,
PLAYED with the precision Of skilled vete-
rams. There was not q flaw or an Inlar-
mOniOus note in the music, but this was eX-
planned by the fact that the members of the
orchestra were not patients. They were at
PENDANTS with musical ears as well as vigi-
liant eyes.
Now for the dancers. OF course all of
the $50 unfortunates confined in the asylum
were not admitted TO the ballroom. Less
than a quarter Of them were considered suf-
iciently sane to be accorded that privl-
lege. The remainder were slowed away in
dismal. padded cells OF alt-iackejs, far
away from the enilyening strains Of the
music.
To return to the dance. Poor souls! they
smiled gladly as they saluted partners and
tripped and whIried a. lightly rs though
there was not dismal insane asylum in the
world. And how they all seemed 20 enjoy
IT! General BIuiangeT. q polite little
Frenchmau with q big mustache and
goatee. did not cease an instant TO labor
under the halluclnatiOn that he is the de-
posed pet OF the French army. As he
glIded past Sarah Bernhard he bowed so
Wv AAtNN AIS EbHtiG VI uoI4Nu bl5 ht44oHtG
boots.
Sarah Bernhardt9 She is a sweet-faced
old lady with gray curls. In her youth she
was an actress, but Overstudy unbalanced
her mental faculties until she was declared
insane and sent to an asylum. That was
thirty years ago. Her Imprisonment all
these years has only strengthened her be-
lief that she IS the great French actress.
But she seldom grows violent and conducts
herself with all the grace Of the great
ll, I,.a1t Ia.
returned the generals salute with charming
grace
Bill Nye looking for all the world like
the Maverick humorist, who was dancing
quadrille with the Duchess of Deyopshire,
suddenly let out war WhOop and broke
away from his partner to 90 over into
corner and dance the fishers hoTnpipe with
James NhitcOmb Riley. james, pale,
sallow, sickly-lookng. IS an uneducated
plowbOy from Santa Barbara. who believes
that the secret Of poetic inspiration lies in
BAD spelling, and whose most Interesting
delusion is that the fat Clydesdale gelding
used about the premises is Pegasus.
The Emperor Of China arose from his
bench and approached the Countess de
Lesseps, a meek little woman, who fed in
dlsmay' screaming take away the dirty
hathen."
The 'hathen" was promptly hustled
through side door and locked in his cell
As he disappeared he shouted, "Mella
mucha man. me no sable you. me heap
Emperor Of Chinee," and the changing Of
an iron door drowned the echo Of his words
in tie corridor
There were plenty Of guards and other
attendants luIermlngied with the dancers
The color line was not drawn, foT an Afri-
can belle with short w0olly hair walled
with the "IIOOSier" poet. But the port was
closed TO Asia aud the Mungol spectators
were not permitted to trip the light fantas-
tic. Inc unfoTtunaIeS who do not believe
themselves To be historic people had good
time IN their own way. One or two became
slightly violent and were hustled away be-
fore more than half dozen OF the specta-
tors knew that anything was wrong. There
was sleek looking dancing master from
San Jose looking for pupils. The professor
danced with patients and attendants with
equal grace, and before the evening ended
he had arranged a new class.
AT 9 O'Clock the handsome master of cere-
monies, who was none other than Engineer
Coombs, announced that Professor Learned
you'd reelte poem on the blue and the
gray. HE touching little poem was re-
ceIyed with applause.
Take your partners for polka"
shouted COombs, and the orchestra bryan.
mat was the last dance. A -bright-eypd
lass with pink cheeks and lovely costume
with you?"
Remembering the doctors warning l
readily acqulesced. a great sur prise was
In store. she was graceful dancer and
brilliant conversationalist. Thinking all
the time that she was demented, maryeled
greatly at her apparent intelligence When
she had related many amusing Incidents of
the lie in the asylum, | ven tured to ask.
Pardon the question, but why were you
sent here"
ITO earn living" she answered, with
silyery laugh. Pm not a patient, but an
attendant IN the wonan's department"
with all the assurance possible | told my
falr partner that one could easily see that
her reason had never been Swallowed. and
that was merely jesting with her.
Accepting the explanation she told me
many things Of interest 40 deprive one
of these poor creatures Of the pleasure of
attending these dances, which are held
every Friday night during the winter
months, she said, lis considered by the
inmates who are sane enough to understand
to be the severest sort of punishment Now
we are taking steps 10 form q little social
club among the inmates, and stage will be
erected for debating purposes"
Here our conversation was Interrupted bv
the orchestra, which played Home. Sweet
Home"-a gentle hint for visitors 10 depart
and the inmates to retire. Doors on three
sides Of the room were thrown open stimuli
taneously and the patients marched forth to
their respective apartments
Yes, 1t was sad sight to see all those nm
fortunate persons reluctantly leaving the
only bit OF enjoyment that enters their re-