The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-01-08


the Chat Noir-the famous Black Cat.
''Not a very cheerful looking joint,
commented Warren.
Dear, do you suppose it's safe?" she
said nervously. Baedecker says
some of these places are regular dens
of thieves and outlaws"
Rot" Warren started down the
stairs. Come on
Inside was a long room with low
wooden rafters, a sawdusted floor
rough bare tables and benches. Over
an old brick fireplace sat huge black
cat, whose yellow glass eyes were lit
UP by lamp or candle.
Around the wall ran a shelf on
which was a curious collection Of cats.
all of them black. AS the only lights
in the place shown through the bulg-
ing eyes of these animals the effect
was most weird.
AT one of the tables, three long
haired, velvet jacketed men were sip
ping beer. To Helen's amazement and
embarrassment they rose as she en-
tered, bowed. waved their glasses to-
ward her and called out:
''oila de petite dame en- blanc-elle
est la bienvenue icil''
What do they mean" whispered
Helen, drawing closer to Warren.
Your dress is white and they're
calling out a welcome to the woman
| in white But that's all part of
the fake. Those guys are hired to
! pose as Bohemians-to greet the peo-
| pie and give the place atmosphere
Helen remembered that her guide
| book said that at the Black Cat the
cabaret had originated. but that now
| this once favored resort fthe artists
and Bohemians of Montmartre was
frequented only by sightseers.
Warren was right. These velvet
fake the former spirit and atmosphere
of the place.
An attendant now appeared and
suggestively wiped off the table be-
fore them. Warren ordered some beer
which seemed to be the drink there.
From somewhere ca me shrill tin
kle of a bell, and a white curtain was
dropped before a miniature stage in
a recess Of the wall One of the long
haired youths, a stick in his hand,
SLOUGH hat on his flowing locks, now
arose and began to sing. He stood by
the toy stage which reminded Helen
of the Punch and Judy theaters of
her childhood.
With the second verse Of the rolick-
ing French song. the black shadows of
tiny marionettes were thrown on the
small curtain.
IF this is real shadow play, it's
good fun exclaimed Warren, leaning
forward with interest.
The small figures were cleverly
manipulated and their black shadows
danced across the white sheet in COM
| ical pantomine. When they finally
| flashed off the tiny stage darkened
and everybody applauded.
well, lets move on" suggested
Warren. We've seen about all that's
| to be seen here
where are we going now =" asked
Helen. eagerly. for they were doing
"montmartre' tonight.
might as well take in the Rat Mort
next But that'll probably be a fake.
| too. We're twenty years too late
none of these joints are what they
used to be-
| It had been drizzling when tn-y
came in and now it was raining hard.
/ Helen drew her white skirts close as
they climbed the steep. wet staps to
| the street.
AS there was no cab in sight, they
| had no choice but to walk and Helen
| trudged along holding her skirts with
one hand and with the other cEnglng
| to Warrens arm.
{ There was something weirdly fas-
cinating in wandering through these
dark narrow streets on a rainy night.
The small, dimly lit shops and black
alieyways had an air of sinister mys-
terry
Farther on. the "Rat Mort shone
out as the only one brightly lit spot
in this dingy nenghborhood. But when
they reached the place. they found
none of the life and gayety the light
had led them to expect.
1t was a regular restaurant, with a
space cleared for dancing. But there
were only few people there. and the
walters were standing idly around
The rainy night had discouraged the
Isightseers.
This is too dead for u.s. and War
rem shook his head at the waiter who
ran forward to seat them. Come on
let's do some exploring. I've hunch
that We'll find something around here
yet worth seeing"
AS they went out Warren hailed
passing cab, bundled Helen into II
and told the man to drive around
Montmartre.
Through the rain blurred cab Win
dows the streets looked black and de-
serted. At length a group of flashing
lights shown out in the darkness
ahead. and Warren called to the man
to draw up.
| You wait here while 1 investigate
and leaving Helen in the cab. Warren
disappeared through the giitterlnS
doorway over which flashed care
Royal in green and red letters.
In few moments he came out w Z
will take chance on that. Somt<llnS
is doing in there all right
Even from the sidewalk Helen could
hear the music and shrieks of laugh
ter. Inside the scene was bewilder-
ing.
The long crowded room was ablaze
with lights Dancing girls in shorS
ballet skirts We're whislxing about 1T
the small space left for dancing. the
tables were arranged along the walls