New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-19
THE LIGHTER WEST SIDE.
MANY PLACES OF AMUSEMENT FOR
THOSE WHO LIVE IN THAT DISTRICT.

THE BRILLIANTLY LIGHTED THoRoUoHFAREs THE
CAFES AND RESTAURANTS AND THE BEAU
TIFUL PARK AND RIVER MAKE 1T EASY
TO BE HAPPY ABOVE FTFTY-NINTH-sT.
The world. as Artemus Ward once said. Con
tnues always to revolve on it's own axetree
once in every twenty-four hours-subject only
to the Constitution OF the United States" This
revolution Of the planet divides the day Of Its
inhabitants into two halves-a lighter and
darker one-a fact which a great many persons
have doubtless noticed The most remarkable
thing about IT, however is that for a great many
OF these same persons the darker half is the
lighter half This sounds like paradox. but
II isn't as any one will discover who stops to
think for a moment. The daytime being largely
given to work, an unfortunate necessity OF mod
ern existence leaves no hours free for those
pastmes and pleasures which go TO make UP
what may be called the light side OF living.
But to get to the point, which is this: New
Workers. being busy people. are obliged to seek
their diversion at night. The thought that Is
uppermost in the minds of many when they
crowd into the elevated or cable cars at 4. D or
6 o'clock is, first. I'm glad I'm through for to-
day." and. second, What shall do to-night!
Happily the metropolis offers an unlimited va
riety OF amusements. but persons who i've In the
southern part OF the city have little Idea OF
what offers in other parts.
II Is natural that those who are forced to
make long trips to and from business should
wish TO avoid that sort Of thing as much as
possible in the evening. The people OF the West
side have learned to know that they are not
Obliged TO make strenuous efforts TO nave what
Is ordinarily termed good time" after night
In, 9TH
also learning that there are many resorts above
E,iftv-ninth-st and west Of Central Park where
an evening may be pleasantly and proftapV
spent.
For this enlightenment the bicycle Is partly
RESPONSIBLE II has brought large numbers or
,,isitors TO this section who knew little or IL
hitherto II has also made the way for enter
nr,se which has not been slow to seize the OPP
nortuntv There are a half dozen or more de-
liqhtful cafes and roadhouses that have been
started on the West Side since the wheel came
into favor with the better classes In New-forK'
but their patronage Is by no means confined 10
wheemen.
Tho avenues themselves are beautiful at
night with their long rows of yellow and white
lights consultations of red, violet or blue hues
IN headlights Of the cars and the lamps OF picy-
clos From the rows'of dark-toned houses come
occasional glimpses Of jewe-like color sitting
tbroueh heavy curtains OF rich stuff and &C.
cas,onallv an open blind reveals cosey fainily
On the enjoyment OF home life. Further aions
thA glass doors of restaurant open 10 auiiii'
a party OF men and women VINO are aiisht nm,
from several cabs. and who are evidently JUST
from the theatre The interior of the place Is III
itself interesting as an example OF the pervasiVe
expression Of light hearts. notable spirits an ~
GOOD humor The laughter Is continuous put
never loud or vulgar. Many elements are rep
rosented There are women In lgnt gowns
which reflect the fashions OF the nme; others
wear shirt waists and bicycle skirts ana Win
their cheeks rosy from the exercise my IN
ouite as bright and pretty as their more elaDor-
ataI,, govned sisters The well-groomed cluD-
man in evening dress. is there, as wen as .ne
allow Youth who wears knickerDockers anu ID
in the full enjoyment of his first ming al iheto-
politan gayety , -, ,ha,o .,
The cosmopolitan note or several vi r.c'iI, 20
furnished by an Hungarian orchestra. Ihe mu-
atc,ars NAV chardases and mazurkas I'll their
arms are tired or somebody demands one was
prod I'm Old Kentucky" The popping OF corks
and the clInk Of glasses Is heard between peals
OF laughter and ere long the Diue SMOKE i .
fragrant cigars curls into curious Shapes h0i''
above tiny coffee cups ,,.,,s. ,,,c,.
For those whose pleasure Is In sohtude hBht
on the West Side offers endless enjoyment
when the gray twilight has faded into dark.
ness the banks Of the Hudson or the glades Oh
Central Park West provide an environment tha'
is poetical
Still as death are the places OF life
The city seems crumped ana gone
Sunk into miserable deeps-
The city 80 lately riie
with the stir OF brain and Drawn.