The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1898-03-26
COSTA RIGA.
MRS. WARD INSPECTS THE
CAPITALS CEMETERIES.
Relics of tho Plague-Ways of Politics In
Some Called Republics-At Q Central
American Theatre-The Prompter Plays
Leading Roles.
Continued from End Col.

seats Conspicuous. The 1auteuils IN this
sacred space are cushionless wooden bencLes,
placed inconventently near together. There
are two tiers of boxes and a gallery. The
Presidents box, over the entrance in the
second tier, is draped In crimson cloth and
faced with the arms Of the republic; and sew
eral similar boxes, decorated with the Costa
Rlcan colors, are reserved for the govern
ment Ministers. The topmost proscenium
boxes are not more than three feet from the
ceiling, and look funny enough, one person
peering from each like mouse from its hole,
1t Is customary for the occupants of boxes to
send or bring their own chairs, and most Of
those In the Eorchestra have cushions The
moor 1s paved with large, coarse BRICK whose
eternal dampness invites feas to luxurious
revery; and the illumination, both before
and behind the curtain, is furnished by kero-
SEM
AT the Theater.
1t is the fashion in Central America for
theater patrons to 90 at least half an hour
late, and then go with q rush. We did not
enter till nearly o'clock, and still the house
was empty. Now and then people strolled in,
deposited their wraps and coats on seats, and
then strolled out again-the men to the bar.
the women to chatter in musical Spanish in
the lobby. Meanwhile a cracked bell, some
where behind the curtain, signaled noisily at
intervals of ten minutes, but nothing came OF
1t. Finally it rang deafenng clamor as the
Il
to tell 1t every seat was full. The play was
Suppe's three-act comic opera, "Dona Juan
ita," given in fair style by a travelling CON-
pany from Spain. The band numbered TWEEN
ty pieces, the leader playing with one hand
and directing with the other. As usual IN
Latin managed theaters, the best understood
member OF the company was the prompter
He gave good reading to the role, but the
effect was almost as II he were singing o
duet, with tenor. soprano, basso, or contralto.
as the case might - Ihere was no solo In
which his voice was not heard, and to every
sextet he added seventh.
Sunday is the favorite night fer theater at
tending In this part Of the world when the
President is usually on hand, and the boxes
look like flower garden with the gay tot
lets Of the ladies, all decollete, with huge
bouquets de corsage, futtering fans and pro-
fusion Of Jewels. The waits between the acts
are very long, and evidently more enioyed
than the performance, the audience instantly
leaving their seats, the men to refresh them
selves with cigarettes and American beer-
the women to gossip In vivacious groups and
occasionally to join their lords or lovers In
sociable smoke. At frequent intervals dur
ing the play lemonade, colored bright red.
was handed around with cakes and ices: and
IN the Presidents box the popping CT cham
payne corks was heard. Out side the theater
are many stalls and shops where cakes.
sWeetmeats, Gomez, and liquors are sold for the
retreshment OF the humber classes They do
net have performance every night IN the
week in this teatro municipal Of San lose
Wnen one is to take place announcements are
made IN the newspapers, a flag flies all dav.
from the roof Of the theater, and two rocke1s
are sent up at 7p. m.
FANNIE BRIGHAM WARD.