The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-07-29

wander down to her cheeks, which Gre
flushed beneath the powder and paint;
his gaze travels down TO the inevitable
slipper. one OF the pedestals OF n more
a dream. he hears the invariable third
question:, Say, can't we have a
drink?" and answers, 1--WE can."
Then begins the money spending pro-
cess. Infinitesinai beers are 10 cents;
whiskey and brandy are 20 cents, a whis-
key. punch ds rs cents, and so on. A
sandwich for which he usually pays a
nickel costs him 20 cents.
The Bijou Is probably conducted
within the limits of the law. but It GER
men to 80. In fact, there are few places
where they wouldn't be better off.
Drinking whiskey and brandy and beer
between cigarettes for four or five
consecutive hours in a place of this kind
Is conducive to neither health nor
morals.
AS for the girls" 1t will forever re-
main a problem how they can drink so
much, but a still greater problem is
now can they be stopped. If they
drink in a variety theatre. they will
drink anywhere else-its all one to them
but there are young men who drink In
places OF this kind who would not touch
liquor at other places, or IL they did.
certainly not to such an extent, nor
Wouiu II cost them q small fortune to
get 1t; or course, reference is not had to
the old FOUNDERS or the jack-tars who
frequent the resort.
AT TILE FRANKLIN.
The Franklin theatre" situated On
further up Union street at the intersec-
tion OF Nebraska, Is in the same class
as the Bfjou though by no means as
well or as cIeanly conducted This is so
by reason of the class of patrons who
visit it The small sum of a nickel not
only enables the possesser of the same
to gain admittance to the joint but a the
same time secures him a. ticket which en-
TITLES the holder to one glass of beer at
the ban AS may be readily seen. this
cheaper price catches as a rule a cheaper
crowd. Sailors particularly frequent the
place and marines.
There Is not as much drinking done I'm
the gallery as at the other place and the
cn1et refreSihment sold is beer. 1t Is In
reality. a beer house. "A man passes
Through the audience every few moments
and calls on them to name their drinks
Someone. perhaps two. maybe a half a
dozen, Will ask for beer
The performances vary occasionally
from the ordinary routine of song and
dance, and during the past few days the
management hats had on as a closing
piece what is considered great drawer,
and 1t Is.
1t is entitled "Orange Blossoms" and
is with the exception Of one word perpc-
trated entirely in pantomime The cur
tain goes up on a bridal chamber. a
make-believe servant girl with skirts 90
degrees in the shade and face done in
water colors and alcohol, enters, and
with many n suggestive gesture. ar
ranges the bed and dusts the furniture.
Then after going through certain grossly
indecent movements of the body better
Imagined than described. she takes her
stand before the glass and is there found
by the bridal party
The latter consists. of course. Of The
bride and groom. the brides mother and
father. After considerable show OF weep
ing on the part of the old lady. the groom.
with breat Dretence of fmpatience and
much consultation with his watch finally
induces her and the old man to leave
which they do amid a. hundred coarse re-
marks from the highly cultured audience
In front, mingled with gentle profanity
expressive of their appreciation and an
ticipation.
After some more pantomime, the bride
induces her husband to leave the room
for five minutes while she retires, which
she does in full view of the audience.
me actual operation of undressing is
just like that seen on any, other stage
and has been seen by all opera coars
probably. They came home and doubt.
less thought no more about IT, But n,
the Franklin the personnel OF the audience
is so different, the class of the perfor-
nance so inferior. the character of the
actors" so we'll known, that 1t is abso
lutely impossible from the very circum
stances in the case that the undress &c
can be esthetic, artistic. or anything els,
but indecent. 1t is true the brides ex
preston never changes and she doe.
everything in the orthodox way. but TIL
audience i'm front of her indulge at vii
in expressions and remarks. as she di
vests herself of each successive garment
such as would be more appropriate in n,
Avon or Washington street dive of recog
nized ill-repute.
The climax is reached when the SUP
posed bride has pulled the cover up Owe
her and says "Entrez." wherouDon tn,
alleged groom enters and b gins 10 dis
| robe tothe accompaniment of the orches
ira, such as II is. and the coarse IN ilicry
of the spectators who become more un
blushing as the operation proceeds. Jus
as the man gets upon the bed, the cur
tain descends and the audt:nce move:
streetward discussing the great one ac
pantomane s they so. This is the crown
ing success at the Franklin.
y visit from the police authorities ma,
have the affect of removing some of III,
abuse of the Bijou ard the Franklin. Ger
tain 1t is that as they have been and ar,
being conducted, there rs room for a chr
recting influence, and that spee div