The herald., 1898-11-16
: WITH THE GALLERY GODS :
= t<$%<<<<<<<<<<<f<<<<t

As the lights over the theater dim, and
the footlights flash out, Hats of, gentle
men," comes a stentorian roar from close
under the roof 1t is the Cerberus OF this
African Olympus, the guardian of the NOR
ais and manners of the sky-gallery.
And the hats come off. There is no mis-
taking the tone. Sometimes a daring spirit
or a needless neglects the reverberant re-
quest. In minute big hand claps him on
the shoulder. It's hats off then, double
quick.
And what heads are uncovered by that
order! Heads that know comb and brush
only by reputation; bullet heads, low
browed heads, cropped heads; but, strange
to say, very few bald ones. Badness is one
OF the luxuries of the rich. Yet it would
surprise a stranger how many well-dressed
men (for a woman never reaches this ele-
vation) pay their dime for an evenings en-
tertainment and go away well satsfied-if
nobody sees them.
1t is the gallery that rules the atmosphere
for the actors. You can't have warm
house with the top of it apathetic, nor cold
one when the gallery lets itself lose. There
are no kid gloves or quams up there to limit
their expression of like or dislike-nothing
but the policeman. The gallery loves senti-
ment. 1t can stand humor if it is broad
enough, and it will go wild if it is a trife
risque. But what the gods live on is the
dramatic When the hero burst in upon the
all-conquering villain just as he is about to
tear the lovely girl from her old fathers
side and cries, Il have thee at last; your
crimes are known" that is when the gallery
comes out strong. Patriotism, too, flour
shes up there under the caves like green
bay tree Reference to the war will make
the applause vociferous, and picture of
the unforgetable Maine insures pandemo-
mum pro TEN.
The cinematograph is trump card with
the q. g's for two reasons. First, because
they like the pictures; and, second, because
in the dark no one can stop their whistling
And such whistling! Like steam sirens in
distress.
The other evening gentleman lurched
over the seats in a perilous fashion. Never
mind me, stranger" said he, as he gathered
himself off from a neighbor, Il just want
to holler This is where they've got pic
ture of the Maine amt it: Well, l want to
see it and then you bet I'll holler." All
through the evening he informed those
about him that he didn't care about the
rest of it. He just wanted to holler. But
ah, the irony of fate. Long before the Maine
appeared he was sailing other seas and not
even the tumult could bring him back for
his coveted "holler.'
O O O
The boys are there. They have the front
seats, too, you may be sure, if they have to
wait an hour for the curtain. Time is still
cheap for them. Many an urchin whose
wealth comes in small blockks for Heralds
sold or delivered saves his dime once OF
twice a week for the show There arc a few
little chocolate drops (though the color is
hardly common enough to warrant the usual
nickname for the gallery, and perhaps a
little Chinaman or Jap.
o O O
If you leave before the entertainment is
over take your return check, for on the
stairway you'll meet some little paper mer-
chant in hard luck. "Say, mister" says he,
''give me your checkw And in another min
ute you have turned a lonely boy into god,
for an act at least. III. b. l..