New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-14
TIE MARKET ST PIER ON 4 HOT NIGHT.
LIVELY EAST SIDE PLEASURE GRouND-siNd-
ING DANCING AND SENDING FOR "PINTs"

A LIVELY EAST SIDE PLEASURE GRorND-slNG-
ING. DANCING AND SENDING FOR "PINTs"
The public piers are not included In the park area
of the city but they really serve as pleasure
grounds one OF the most noted OF these. ms wei
as most popular. Is the big one at Market-st
Happenings there are chronicled from time 10
time in the newspapers. A recent disaster was
the drowning OF four persons. three OF whom were
sky-Iarking and the fourth OF whom lost his life IN
a brave EFFORT to rescue the others two women
and a man Persons who have seen the great
crowds that gather on this pier on hot summer
nights have wondered that such accidents are not
more frequent Scores OF men; women and children
the 10 cents Is forthcoming there Is music and
singing and dancing with occasional friendly
scuffies which now and then wind up In I'M
friendly encounters Every inch OF the string
piece is occupied and jostc might at any time
send one OF those seated on IL INTO the rush'ns
tide Of the East River. a..
varied gathering is that on the pier when the
torrid heat makes the tenement houses unbe1rable
The Madlson-st. pier Is then more run than trip
to Coney Island. Amateur musicians are never
lacking. The mouth harmonica Is most common,
and the accordion Is also a favori,e. There are
IF the h e Sno side
terms fine playing Occasionally there is banjo.
one Of the others. sometimes there is singing one
more may carry this on, but II the air and words
are familiar. there will be general joining In
The dancing is also varied i may consist Of jgs
er gang" and relieves him OF the obligation OF oc-
casionally furnishing the price" for can OF beer.
Sometimes the little girls dance. and this Is most
graceful and pleasing of all. Boys never join
with them. II any did they would probably be set
down by their fellows ''sissies. II the strains
OF waltz come from the accordion the grown
folks. like as not. will step to the measure. Two
young dancing together with violent efforts
to be comical, cause great amusement. Sometimes
a youth will grab some old woman and drag her
through the steps In spite OF her resistance. while
shouts OF laughter rise all Sides or perhaps II Is
a rosy-cheeked Bowery girl who forces some gray
beard to waltz with her In spite Of his protestatons
about his rheumatism;
The beer pals hold a gallon. but every one
10 cents. but the quantity varies This Ii not sur
prIsing because the bartender merely allows the
beer to run until he thinks his customer has the
six glasses: II only Ave can be squeezed out there
may be trouble for the barkeeper. Sometimes
nine or ten glasses may be filled from Decent
growler.
Most of the guests at this water side pavilion
are honest. hard-working people. Some or the
young men are er-do- wells. living by their wits
not necessarily criminal but with an aversion to
steady Jobs. The Irish usually carry on the fun
Hebrew families are there In numbers. often with
baby carriage containing two or three Infants Hut
rush a srowler" on the pier. n they Ola they
would have just about as much chance OF drinking
the beer as they would Of flying across me river
The gangs" would sec to that, although N gen.
srsl the humble foreigners are not molested' -