The morning call., 1894-08-03
HUGGED BY A BOY.
A Female Impersonator
Robs a Rustic.
CONVICTED OF THE CRIME.
La Rose Will Exchange Skirts
for Trousers
CONVICTED OF THE GRIN
ADORNED WITH BROAD STRIPES.
The Old Man Who Caressed the
Young Actor Makes LaughabIe
Confession in Court.

San old man whose beard Of gray has
been caressed by the amOrous zephyrs of
many summers stood up in Judge
Belcher's court yesterday and confessed
that one night two months ago he fell in
love with female impersUnator, who
drank beer with him. kissed him and
robbed him. The patriarch who made the
mortifying confession was G. z. Bernick
of Napa County. The female impersOna-
ter was Burt La Rose, beardIess youth,
with a falsetto voice, who has made pre-
carious living by performing as woman
in Barbary Coast theaters and dives.
Bernick came to the city on May 29. and
attended a meeting of the Carpenters
Union in the evening. Subsequently he
made his way 10 the Barbary Coast in
search OF excitement and steam beer. He
had $3.50 in his inside pocket when he en-
tered Bottle Meier's theater on Pacific
street.
Burt La Rose, nicely painted and wear
ing his skirts, was sitting at table with
a genuine member of the softer sex. The
old man leered at them and they leered
back. After u time he sat down with them
ana drank two bottles of beer.
II soon became apparent that he was
smitten with the fictitious charms of the
dclOT." he dSk6u La muse III CuOIDS tOllSS
to 90 with him into box and drink. La
Rose accepted the invitation, and while In
the box caressed the graybe ard and alb
sorbed all the liquid refTeshment that he
desired. Shortly after midnight Bernick
was thrown out of the place. and while
wandering daZed about the coast he was
arrested and taken to the old City Prison.
His pockets were empty. and when the
effects of the steam beer had passed away
he declared that he had been robbed by
the policeman who arrested him. The ac-
cused bluecoat was indignant. he began
to catechise the old MAJ, and soon learned
what had happened to him at the theater.
La Rose. vehemently protesting inno-
cence. was arrested and charged with
grand larceny. When the case was called
in Judge Belcher's court yesterday he
pleaded not guilty.
The policeman who made the arrest and
the woman who was drinking with La
Rose when Bernick went into the theater
were examined, and the old man was
placed on the stand.
what is your age, Mr.. Bernlck P'' the
attorney for La Rose asked.
About So, sir"
"Ah, indeed So old and yet So. Well,
never mind. What is your occupation"
Carpenter and tarmar."
And you live near Napa?"
"Yes, sir"
NOW, MI boTOlck. 40 SOu mean 10 tell
me that you thought this boy was a
woman"
81 did so," faltered the aged one, whose
cheeks were slowly reddening.
And you took him into box at Bottle
Meler's Theater?"
II did,"
"And you caressed him there2"
II suppose so."
kissed him ?"
maybe did,"
"And hugged him? ?"
II guess So"
And he hugged ynu, did hep"
well. should say he did. That's how
he got my money"
"Mr. Bernick. are you married man ?"
asked the lawyer in low thrilling tones.
Bernick confessed that he has a wife
who is sick in the East.
La Rose made an emphatic denial of the
charge. but the jury, after few moment,'
delioeratlon. found him guilty. He will
be sentenced Tomorrow