Year: 1872

The prompter had rung in the orchestra, and the
musicians had ushered in with lively strains the
second and concluding part Of the performance last
night at the Arion Music Hall, on Broadway, when
Captain Byrnes, Of the Fifteenth precinct
police, walked upon the scene, followed
BY half dozen officers. The audience
In the place ut the time was composed OF about
two hundred men and thirty-hve women. Some
were seated at tables and others were standing
vt bar that ran along the upper end OF
the saloon, drinking The women were
mostly dressed in tights, Spanish jackets
and trunks, and almost all were tppling.
One very diminutive and active girl sported a full
Highland costume, and she appeared to be attract
ng more attention than any OF the rest The aged
kequenters OF the place-and there were
good many OF them present last night
seemed to be strangely fascinated by this
Scottish Dress and the wearer of 1t was in
demand on all Sides The musicians, some
half-dozen seedy Teutons-sat inside railing i'm
medately in front of the stage, which is built on
the west side of the saloon. As soon as it dawned
Rpon their lethargc minds that the saloon was in
possession OF the police they made raid on the
lunch counter, which stood close beside the
orchestra, and disposed OF the edibles laid out
there in a manner that seemed to say, 1--WE win
have o good feed for once whatever happens"


The stage is raised from the floor about three
Het, and is adorned with a crimson glazed calico
curtain, with a severe rent in the middle, no
doubt Tor the convenience Of the perform
ers, who generally like to have
look at the audience before begin.
nlng operations not only in music halls,
but in places OF more pretenson. Between
the unpretending drop and the view OF the
stage row OF footlights burned. They were
sunken too, according to custom, and no doubt



On by the gentleman in the first entrance
who ought TO hold the book, but did not have any
volume to sustain in this instance, they cast
very brilliant reflection upon the countenance Of
the artist. number or medium-sized mirrors
adorned


THE WALLS OF THE AUDITORIUM


and their rejecting attractions were gracefully re-
heved by an Inrerspersion of colored plates in
frames Of rather doubtful moral school
Of art. Critically examined these printed
scenes Of human life could scarcely be
with the place, however. and all in 1t. At the fur.
ther end Of the saloon and opposite the stage was
moor beneath There were Six OF these
rooms, all leading on the nan, and they were
over the head OF the man who vended the un-
wholesome viands was large placard setting forth
In sparkling letters the taril at which man might
send his nerves into agony ruin his digestion
The man himself was the very picture OF what an.
other biped would be sure to come to from a short
acquaintance with his merchandise. An intense
hatred Of the whole human stamped upon
his features though with the exception Of nose he
scarcely seemed to possess any others; yet there
was something that stood in the place OF face
and bitter, nnrelenting hatred OF his fellow
seemed branded on the surface. Upon the head at
the back of this trownng front, was mass OF black,
oily hair, OF the description usually seen on blocks
surrounding plateau from which 1t grew was
clean, and the hands were IN similar condition
Byrnes, for as as he saw him walk into
the place he set his elbows upon the
be between the hands, and erinned at the au-
dience. There was something so eyauistely sin.
lister and vicious about the manner in which he
eyed the people before him that one could almost
fancy his thoughts, II he indulged in any, ran =


"Ah, you precious batch OF ioolsl You have been
your lives in this filthy atmosphere ruin.
Ing your health, your morality and
nsT the se% yoS2s
caught at last and will have to pay the penalty OF
your stupidity by being locked up In the station
right am here, like all the other monsters OF the
place, to prey upon your folly, and now that our


The expression upon the countenance intensified
and heightened as Captain Byrnes moved into the
centre OF the hall and said, All here will consider
themselves under arrest.r


At this startling announcement the mep started
TO their feet. The women rushed into corners and
grasped their instruments, looked over their
spectacles in amazement at the onlcer, but not
word was spoken Tne rafting noise OF the
glasses and bottles was instantly hushed aud for
several seconds not q sound was made. The
people were thoroughly amazed by the announce
ment, and the cool, determined air OF the captain
Of police augmented their CONSERVATION. Some
OF the younger men grew white in
thc face. Others became scarlet, and the
gray-hcadcd y'0tes, skulking In corners, trembled
with dsmay. The raid was made in a totally diff
ferent manner from anything OF the kind ever At
tempted before. Instead OF rushing into the place
with platoon OF men In uniform and fright
ening away the birds, without catching
any OF them, Captain Byrnes went In there
alone In plain clothes to see n all was going on
usual. Satisfied that no one in the saloon had any
suspicion Of his intention he returned TO the side
walk, bcckoned to a number OF officers who
were on the opposite side Of Broadway, also
IN PLAIN dress, and then went back TO take pos
session. Two policemen were left at the outer door
with INSTRUCTIONS to lock II and let no one pass.
The others ioowed the captain and took their STA
ton at tue neau OF number OF steps that led from
she front part 0 the saloon the hall itself Alter
informing the parties they we're under arrest Cap.
tain Byrncs ordered the women to


CHANGE THEIR CLOTHES


~ quickly as possible and go with the onicers TO
the station house. The poor creatures set about
Obeying these Instructions, some CRYING others
laughing, and some with stod Indifference that
showed the utter rccklessness that came upon
them When the Captain went In to-
wards the rear OF the housc o number OF
men near the lunch counter made dash mn the
steps and tried to force their way to the