Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1907-10-03
CuApTER VII

ATE In July 1t grows dark as mid
night approaches, so that the
many lights from doorway and
- window seem less garlsh and
strange than they do month earlier.
In the Northern there was good bust
ness doing. The new bar fixtures.
which had cost kings ransom or
represented the one nights loslngs Of
a Klondike millionaire, shone rich.
dark and enticing, while the cut glass
sparkled with iridescent hues, reflect
Ing In a measure the prlsmatic moods.
the dancing spirits OF the crowd that
crushed past, halting at the gambling
games or patronlZlng the theater In
the rear. The old bar furniture,
brought down by dog team from up
river" was established at the rear ex-
tremity OF the long building, Just In
side the entrance to the dance hall,
where patrons Of the drama might,
with a modicum Of delay and incon-
veniencc. qualf MS deeply of the bea-
ker as Of the ballet.
Now, however, the'show had closed,
the hall had been cleared of chairs
and canvas. exposing n CLASSY. tempt
ing surface, and the orchestra had
moved to the stage. They played a
rollicking, blood stirring twostep, while
the floor swan with dancers.
At certain intervals the musicians
worked feverlshly up to crashing
crescendo, supported by the voices OF
the dancers, until all joined Mt the top
note In Il yell, while the drummer
fired Il forty-four Colt into box OF
wet sawdust beside his chair-all In
time, all in the swinging spirit of the
tune.
The mon, who were mostly young,
danced like college boys, while the wo.
men, who were all young and good
dancers, fioated through the measures
with the ease Of rose leaves on II sum-
mer stream. Faces were flushed, eyes
were bright, and but rarely voice
sounded that was not glad. Most OF
the noise came from the men, and, al
though one caught here and there a
hint Of haggard lines about the girlish
faces and gllmpsed occasional eyes
that did not smile, yet as whole the
scene was one Of genuine enjoyment.
Suddenly the music ceased, and the
couples crowded to the bar. The wom-
en- took harmless drinks, the men most
ly whisky. Rarely was the choice OF
potations criticised, though occasional
ly some ruddy eschewer of sobriety In
sisted that his lady take the same"
avowlng that "hootch," having been
demonstrated beneficial in his case,
was good for her also. Invariably the
lady accepted without dispute, and In
glance at the bartender or the silent
substitution by that capable person OF
ginger ale for whisky or Of plain wa
ter for gin. In turn the mixers collect
ed 81 from each man, Tipping to the
girl n metal percentage check, which
she added to her store. In the curtain
cd boxes overhead men bought bottles
with foil about the corks, and then
subterfuge on the lady's part was idle,
but, on the other hand, she was able to
pocket for each bottle check redeem
able at So.
A stranger straight from the east
would have remarked first upon the
good music, next upon the good looks
Of the women and then upon the shah,
by clothes of the men, for some Of
them We're In 'mukluk," others in
sweaters with huge initials and wing.
ed emblems, and all We're collarless.
outside In the main gambling, room
there We're but few women. Men
crowded in dense masses about the
faro layout, the wheel, craps, the Klon-
dixie game, pangingl and the card Ia
bles. They talked of business, Of
home, Of women, bought and sold
mines and bartered all things from
hams TO honor. The groomed and
clean, the unkempt and filthy jostled
shoulder TO shoulder, equally affected
by the license Of the gold fields aud the