The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-07

scales being kept upon the bar to weigh
out the dust.
AT the bar admission tickets to the thea
ter are sold at the rate of 81 each. These
entitle the holder to either enter the lower
floor of the theater or to pass up stairs.
The entrance to the lower floor Is through
a door opposite the entrance to the bar
room, while access to the upper floor is
gained by climbing a stairway leading
from one side of the bar room.
The second floor is arranged with a bal
cony projecting out from the sides of the
building over the lower floor, i'm much the
same manner as the second floor Of the
Spokane variety theaters is constructed.
The outer edge of this balcony is lined with
boxes. Along the sides and next to the
walls of the theater are two long bars
II is an expensive proposition for a man
to go upstairs in this theater TO secure a
seat in one of the boxes II Is necessary
TO buy a drink for one of the women of
the house. This first drink always costs
S., the price of the box thus being collected
by means of the initial drink. After the
beginning drinks are sold at the rate of
so cents each.
No bottled liquors of any kind are sold
in the theater, everything being by the
glass. Champagne is practically unknown
in the theater, not being a part OF the
regular SlOtk VI tllt ilourt duu StlNDtn SOiu
Beer is also scarce. The most common
drink is a vlllainous mixture of c.aret.
which soon causes intoxication of the most
IUrid character. The women mostly drink
this and soda water, but whisky and other
common drinks are also sold. The wo-
men receive 20 per cent. commission on
all drinks sold by them. This rule includes
the IS paid for the box. In addition 10
their commission, they receive SIS week
salary from the house. The salaries paid
the performers are also good. ranging from
$50 90 800 a week, and even exceeding
the latter figure.
Gold dust Is a bout the only thing received
by the bars for drinks. Naturally this fact
causes much Inconvenience, as II Is i'm
possible for the walters to carry gold
scales with them all the time, and the oc-
cupants of the boxes do not like TO see
their gold sacks go OUT of sight as the
waiter takes them to the bar to get the
proper amount weighed out. This incon-
venlence Is avoided in several ways When
a regular customer of the house or man
known to the proprietor orders drinks, no
money is required from him al the time
but the amount Of the purchase is entered
upon a tab When the man gets ready TO
leave he steps TO the bar and the amount
Of his entire evenings purchases is weigh
Cd out of his poke" or gold sack at one
time.
When a stranger first purchases drinks
his gold sack is taken to the bar by the
walter, ana not only is the amount of his
purchase weighed out, but also the amount
which it is thought he viii spend during
the evening. This latter is returned 20
HIM in money. or which there is a small
quantity in circulation, From this money
he pays the waiter for any future drinks
he may order.
The walters in the theater make big
money They receive numerous tips in adj
dltion 10 their salary. When one of these
walters is offered a tin he takes his god
sack and hands il to the customer, who
pours a itlle~gold into it from his own
sack. BY this method the walters gold
sack naturally fills up rapidly.