The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-05-08
AT THE CHINESE THEATER.
L wG-and-a- Half-Year-Old Chinese
Baby the Center of Attraction.

BABY IN e CeDIeF OF AttFattIDb.
A historical play was given in the Chinese
theatpr in Deyers street last week. Ii repre-
scented, according to the statement OF one
OF the spectators, who is highly thought Of
is a dramatic critic in Mott street, scenes
from Chinese history 1900 years ago.
Following the accepted style of Chinese
drama, the play began at O'Clock in the
evening and lasted Till midnight, and, even
with that liberal time allowance, required
two or three days for its complete repre-
sentation. All this, however, is merely an
introduction and quite beside the main
point OF The story, which concerns ''Kiggy,"
aged two and a half, the youngest and
most interesting person who attends the
tbeater .Kiggy" is probably not the cor
rect Chinese version OF his name, but that
is as nearly as I could be ascertained from
the pronunciation Of his father, whose time
was fully occupied bet ween his official duty
of taking tickets a the door and assisting
"Kiggy' to maintain his balance upon the
narrow shelf along the rear wall which
served the small Celestial as seat.
From the total absence of anything ike
aleepness ON "Kiggy's' part, it Is 10 be
feared that be is an old theatergOer, III
spite OF his tender years. The glances
which he directed at the stage were cool
aud critical; they We're not the eager, ap-
proving ones Of a new hand at the business.
AS he looked the audience over, his praC-
ticed eye Immediately discovered a group
not far away who were clearly visitors
from another quarter, strangers To China
town. The infant at once decided THAT
these, being Tarer specimens in his expert
ence, were more worthy of attention than
the actors, and, as soon a. they happened
10 look his way, he smiled at them. Now,
.'Kiggy's'' smile is beyond a doubt the
most seductive expression that ever IL
lumined the face or any baby, from the
East or from the West II spreads from
the corners OF his mouth outward over
his fat, rosy cheeks, making the most de
nrhtful Creases and dinples i'll its progress,
and finally ends 10y tipping up just a shade
more the corners OF his Joyial, almond
eyes. The strange visitors surrendered 10
it iii moment, and made their way to
"Kiggy's" perch
"A young woman In the play ventured TO
offer the infant five-Cent piece, in token
Of her admiration He took ii politely, and
with the seriousness which the acquisitions of
so lar gP 3 sum IN vowed tFOpl)ttuit tdttIuiiy
into q capacious pocket which was sewed
ON the front OF his red blouse, directly over
his little stomach. Then he shook hands,
aud his face beamed again with that ezra p
turing. understandable smile. At hint
from his father, who was watching proudly
the attentions which We're being shOwered
upon his son. Kiggy' courteously took off
his CrovnlesS silk skull cap, and became,
if possible, even more Oriental in appear
ance, a. he disclosed a little head closely
shaven 10 the orthodox fashion. with the
exception Of a small portion OF the crown.
left for the cultivation of the tinle-honored
queue
"Kiggy'' knew the truth, which in his
shrewd Celestial wisdom he probably did
he must have felt some satisfaction in hav-
ing cclipSed the historical playin attractive
ness to at least one group of spectators.
Under the spell of his destinations it was
impossible 10 help wishing 70 take him home
as a plaything gas a living Chinese doll
with infinite capacity for amusing and be-
inc amused. New York Tribune.