Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-04-10

merous Disputes, Choice Profan-
ity, and Dissolute Men and WO
Inen--The Belle Of the Ball--Inci-
dents of Last Week Affair.
Have you ever attended a ball at the
Dirty Rag"
If you have not, you have missed an
excellent view Of the seamy side of life
IN Wheeling
A ball at the Dirty Rag" is a very
correct imitation of the famous Bow
cry dance. In fact Steve Brodie mis- ht
get some very valuable pointers from
a function by Wheeling's Lower Ten.
The Dirty Rag is located-well,
that is immaterial but the hall, be-
fore it changed hauds, had oft
times resounded with political elo-
quence OF the Jacksonian stripe. 1t
was erected for a very different pur-
pose from that for which it is now
used. The owners are probably either
ignorant or Indifferent concerning the
orgies which are conducted there once
a week. The balls are given by the
same crowd each time. Whether 1t is
from a sense of remorse, or fear OF IN
reference, the name changes each
week. Once it may be the Bon Ton"
again the Upper Ten" or the Non
pareils,'' but never the 'Demi
Monde which would be much more
appropriate.
Those who are ION the inside" will
advise you not to go before midnight.
1t is usually very tame before that
time, but from midnight until three
o'clock, everything goes at the Dirty
Rag There is invariably a stalwart
policeman on hand, who is deaf to
profanity, blind to orderly inebrlety,
ana simply blinks when there is a reck-
less display of lingerie by the more or
less fair patrons Of the ball. Only
when there are actual hcstilities are
his services required. In fact, his pres
ence, and his official uniform, are re-
lied upon to check any pugilisuc DEM
OnStratiOns.
TO be perfectly fair to the habitues
of the Dirty Rag" it may be stated
that His Honor, the Mayor, is very
seldom called upon in his official ca
pacity to act as arbiter of their dis
putes. Most of them attend for "a
good time''-and they have it.
Last weeks ball was to have been
given Monday night, but was postpon-
ed on account of the prize fight Inc
DIRTY Rag" and the roped arena would
have been rival attractions for GER
tain class, and the Rag was grace
fullv withdrawn from the competl-
ton.
Register reported dropped into
the hall when the last ball was at It's
height. The professor was POND
ing out waltz on an instrument that
had long since outlived its usefulness.
There was a tin-panny tone TO the
music. but the time was good, and
there were very few competent musical
critics in the throng on the floor.
The air was sweet Rosie O'Grady."
Am individual who had been taking
too copious draughts OF certain
foamy beverage started to sing in
cracked voice. His partner volun-
teered to help him out. Another voice
was added, and then another, and soon
everybody was singing:
Sweet Rosie O'Grady,
NV own little Rose.
shes my steady lady.
Most every one knows.
Never before was a song more
cruelty slaughtered.
The dance was over. The reporter
found a seat There was wild rush
for the bar. Those who could not in
duce their partners to "thaw' ranged
themselves about the wall The door
opened to admit a red faced woman
of 30. weighing not less than 20O
hounds. and wearing a dress that was
ierked before it was ripe. There was
: remarkable affinity between the hem
Of her garment and the tops Of her
brogans. Her bonnet resembled a last
years birds nest.
She was a yeritable Amazon.
She ducked her head forward, then
threw it back defiantly. turned out her
hands Bowery fashion. at right angles
with her arms, her attitude saying ell
oquently: I'm here.
She was recognized, and there was
ripple of applause.
"Pardners for a quadrille.'
Come on, dance with me-, said a
young man.
mo, WON'T, see?" from the ANA
zon.
The HI you won't retorted the
vOung man. and he Jerhed the Anna
IONS arm He was sorry in a minute.
She drew back her right arm. and
placed the business end Of it on the
Young mans jaw, leaving a bright red
SPOT as a reminder of his indiscretion
A little later the Amazon tell into
seat beside the reporter, and yolun-
| reered the information that she would
be his "pardner" in the next set. The
mcneil pusher assumed a defensive at
titude. preparatory to pleading sore
| feet, but he was not an object OF the
! fair dancers wrath.
! "D'ye see what | give that fresh
guy?" she asked We'll there's an
other gent here that asked me to dance
the 'houchee- couchee. I'm layin fer
! him"
| About one o'clock a crowd Of gamb-
| lers entered the hall.
Liz. here comes the gamblers, the
reporter heard whispered on his left
The girls who were on the floor did
the .wriggle' For the benefit Of the
uninitiated, it may be explained that
! the "wriggle' is a cross between a
.hoe-Gown and the houchee-couchee
but expresses agreeable surprise rather
! than anything suggestive. 1t was a
way OF manifesting pleasure at the
presence Of gentlemen who possessed
| both tho means and the inclination to