The daily morning journal and courier., 1899-09-07

VI the Fray, the Players and the Audi
 cnce-Good Cheer While the Pro.
 gramme Lasted.
 Yesterday I visited Filipino theatre;
 though the others present enjoyed it in
 a different way 1 warrant none of them
 enjoyed it more heartily than I did.
 1t is conducted in large nipa build
 ing that stands beside our road into the
 city nCervantes street. Passing in at
 the gate, an inclosure was found where
 were booths, at which disposed for sale
 were bottles of pop and of so-called
 lemonade, cigarettes, sweets of varius
 Windsor, as they are called in Spanish,
 dulces, that word including all forms of
 sweets, candies, desserts and the like.
 The performance was announced at
 4;S0, but l was early so half hour was spent in looking about, engaging in
 good-natured chat and chaff with all
 the waiting men, women and children. But l should say children, for such they are, no matter what their age. One old fellow wore red brooches, and I believe firmly he belongs to Gen. Pic del Pilar's famous Twelfth regiment that we were chasing last week, yet he was sa childishly happy that I bore him no grudge for shooting at me. There were belles and beaux. and the beaux pre- sented the belles with necklaces of tuberoses and rose geranium leaves skillfully strung on thread and making pretty band: but when they were all assembled inside, the odor of the flow CTS was too much like a funeral to be cheerful. The Women's clothes were immaculate, starched stiff and looking as fresh and neat as possible their neck handkerchiefs are their pride, and are bordered with lace, said in many cases to be very valuable. One girl whom I noticed seemed got up specially for the occasion and was quite con scious. She had on long black stock 1ngs, and was the only one I saw who bore that distinction all the others scuffling around in their wooden -soled slippers suspended by the band across their bare toes. This particular girl showed by her manner she knew she was pretty, and she was, in spite of having indulged in the Spanish custom of putting powder on her face, but she
 
 speak Tagalo I am quite sure I could have fed her on dulces at the lunch counter all afternoon. I might even have made it with Spanish, but I didn't.
 The band, a regular Filipino band, played in an open nipa building out side the theatre, and everybody walked about and chatted in the most good natured way possible. They were as happy as children and laughed and talked to me- and some things l under stood and some I didn't, but it made no The band, on my appear ance played Marching Through Geor- gia" and Rally Round the Flag, Boys" | and all smiled and looked at me- and it | was so good-natured l forgot to be em- barrassed by so much attention. A lit- tie interruption occurred while the Rally Round the Flag was going on, for there were some game-cocks pick | eted nearby, and one pulled his picket f in, and immediately there was a fight which adjourned the band and caused everybody to rush, evcited, to the spot, But the owner shortly appeared and stopped the fun, so we went back and rallied round the flag some more and ate dulces and drank pop and chated lntil the changing of the bell inside warned us of the approaching perform ance.
 The play bill at the door announced The Martyr Husband" in which 'El pastor Leopoldo" and La pastora performed; last week it was The Crime of Love-" and possibly this vas the sequel.
 My ticket had cost 30 cents (MeXican) ind entitled ne to an orchestra seat, ut got preferable position in a small ,ox situated at the rear of the middle Lisle, raised about six inches above the isle and surrounded by a railing Iraped with blue cotton stuff. There were three seats in the box, and some pretty girls in a group near me were laving lively time, giggling, attract ng my attention so that I saw ] had omething to do with it, but could not ell what until one of them, evidently n a wager, came over and sat in my ox. She was eating a roasted ear of orn, and seemed to feel very silly after he had come and I allowed her to de- art after we had said few things to ach other which neither understood, nd all the time The TeSl or ner party |. ept up their giggle and chatter. |, An old gray -haired usher stood near he door and directed people, while an- ther-a fat good dnatured old fellow in ippers. and whose cotton trousers apped around his ankles-met them in -ont of my box and escorted them . own the aisle The band now came in ,om the outside and, taking the usual lace. played waltzes while the seats VI He'd and everybody chatted and noked till finally bell on the stage t ,t LID a dreadful changing and the cur tin rose. n The dialogue was in Spanish and it d aean by each of five people, who were .ated in a very stiff row, reciting in q ost stilted manner both of voice and Il ,sture. an introductory story concern i, g the bethrothal of Don Somebody or ther to Dona Something Else, without f, leir having anything to say about " ,emselves. In course of time the girl n ,peared and told her story in high, fl uleaky voice. She was got up in a rt of Diana style of dress made of A cen satin. covered with gilt embroid- 8, " and spangles. and with low neck ,d sbou sleeves, while her aierette m as huse. and I wondered why she was il
 II gI..