The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-30

hess lie during TIE dog GAYS
and lie on their oars In the shade
while the Thermometer performs its annual
spring board act but not the vaudeville
manager. His motto is Make hay while
the sun Shines ard the hotter the sum
szne the better he seems TO enjoy IL
These arc the days when oil theaters
except those deneminated by the great
common people the varieties are dark"
But IL is now that the field OF the variety
Snowman Is ready for the sickle. Indoor
amuScments are af a discount elsewhere,
and the common herd which knows no.
the bliss Of summer at the seaside or
camping in the wilderness. finds its diver
sion In the free and easy atmosphere Of
the ie-cent temple OF Thespis- That
In tn say. the male portion
OF the common herd. The gentier sex
must seek recreation elsewhere. for be-
yond the outer doors or the variety show
her foot is not supposed 10 tread.
Seattle il well supplied with vaudeville
shows OF the characteristic type. Two oc-
cupying opposite corners of Second ave-
nue. and Washington street I'm the Tender
loin district are especially well known.
Here every evening. week In and week
out the Beauties cf the drama are unfold
ed to the aarrs.ring gaze OF audiences who
are admitted 10 the best seats N the house
for the small sum of 10 cents.
e - g
~ HE best part of the show, however.
Is not the saow. but the band con-
cert preceding T. On the street cor
ner mentioned there is fought--K such q
term Is aliowabie--one Of the strangest
dueis ever witnessed. a bioodless battle
between the rival theater orchestras.
II Is al about s o'clock in the evening
during the present warm weather that the
battle begins. II 10 at about that hour
that the players Of the brass band on the
west side OF the avenue aie on, from be-
hind the swinging doors of some cool.
darksned beer saloon. and. removing their
coats. hats and collars. prepare for the
fray. As a rule. they strike the first blow
II falls upon the big bass drum, which
emits a thunderous boom as OF distant
cannot shot. and then the battle IL on.
Tho snare drummer follows the lead
with preliminary tattoo. and then the
ssrident brass instruments take up the car
mage. An adnairing crowd quickly gath
ers Night after night Z Is there to APP
plsud its favorite selections and TO encour-
age the performers by Its presence
The selection is ended and the leader OF
the orchestra, lowering his cornet from
his rudy countenance. streaming with the
sweat OF Jealous toll. bows low 10 the mot
ley crowd surrounding him and his brave
supporters In the meantime. however.
the champions OF the opposition have
come into the field and taken their stations
on a high platform built over the entrance
OF the rival theater. There are three OF
them. One. the Trader. is armed with a
violin. which he handles with the same
daredevil grace and ease tina; plownan
does a ssx-shooter Scarcely less deadly
Is his execution. Another dark-faced
young man. with a melancholy cast Of
countenance. s,rums huge harp, and the
thru OF the challenges musicians defiantly
pipes away through 6 husky clarinet.
o g o
~ HE three musicians have only been
dalsylng during Che bout of the brass
band men. bur row they strike up a
luguhrious melody that seems 10 strike the
fancy even OF the most critical in the
street crowd. A stalwart young fellow
with lungs OF leather adds his voice 10 the
efforts of the instruments.
SHE stole nine thousand and six hun
der-ed.' ne bellows forth In the deepest
OF barsones. Say. babe. l know we Will
be happy after while
The crowd appiauds madIy. II il a oues-
ton whether IL is the song or the senti-
men;. There are men III the throng who
smile with faces full NJ evil as the singer
continues the coarse negro minstrel ditty
and who sink away in the darkness when