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AT THE AMUSEMENT HALLS.
Buffalo Bill's "Prairie Waif"-Apollo Club Concert-Theatrical Talk.
The readers of dime novels and weekly story papers turned out en masse at the Grand Opera House, last evening, to witness the delectable and blood-curdling adventures of Buffalo Bill and his band of Cheyenne Indians. The galleries were so densly packed that wails of anguish from the numerous small boy, who, like Atlas, was forced to bear the weight of those behind and above him, continually mingled with the dialogue on the stage. Every seat in the lower part of the house was taken, and if this be the sign of success the entertainment provided by Buffalo Bill must be classed as strong. There is no doubt that to the lovers of yellow-covered literature--thanks to the graphic pen of Ned Buntline--Mr. Cody is a great hero. To them he is also a great actor, for he simply reproduces scenes and incidents in which during his perilous experience as a Western scout and guide, he took an active part. It may be said that what literature was prior to the birth of ten-cent scalping romances the stage was without its Buffalo Bill. The performance of the latter, therefore, like that of other heroes of the plains who have essayed the stage, must be judged from a corresponding standpoint. Those who regard the dimenovel as an unhealthy growth will have the same opinion of the stage performances so closely akin to it; and the impressionable small boy who loves on will worship the other. When we read that each performance of the "Beggar's Opera" in London invariably increased the number of thefts committed, and when we remember how many youths, after reading the thrilling imposssible adventures of western heroes, steal a sum of money and depart for the supposed land of romance, there can be no doubt that the influence exerted by exaggerations of western lifeover the minds of the rising generation is not the very best. It is some satisfaction, therefore, to be able to say that in "The Prairie Waif" Buffalo Bill has considerably lessened the blood-and-thunder effects of his former play. The term play is, perhaps, too dignified to apply to this production from the pen of John A. Stevens, a playwright who has done better work. It is simply the story of the captured maiden, the struggle for her rescue, and the final triumph of Buffalo Bill, in a new form. There are thrown in a laughable Dutchman and a pair of Danites taken from McKee Rankin's play of that name. We miss, however, the Quaker Peace Commissioner, who was much better in his encounter with the redskins than the present Dutchman is with the dusky son of the forest. The piece has also one or two good dramatic situations which remind one of Mr. Stevens at his best. But after all, the drama is of little consequence, for Buffalo Bill and his Cheyenne Indians are attractions which would draw even in a museum of living natural wonders. It is due to Mr. Cody to say that his acting has greatly improved of late years. He has acquired an easy stage presence, and his tall, manly form brings vividly to mind the ideal scout and Indian fighter. His skill with his rifle was as wonderful, and as much admired, as of old. Of his company much need not be said. With one or two exceptions, the men and, without exception, the women are utterly devoid of anything approaching to dramatic art. The "Prairie Waif" will be repeated this afternoon and evening.

Mr. Josh. Ogden, to whose business management Buffalo Bill owes much of his financial success, is still at the head of that department.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE.
The galleries of the Opera House were crowded last evening and there was a fair audience in the dress circle. The play entitled "The Prairie Waif" is furnished with the opportunities for the display of all the interesting points of border life and yet there is no unpleasant redundancy of blood curdling scenes. In this respect it is greatly toned down from the standard of former plays of the kind. There is much humor in the general make-up and enough of songs and dances to impart sparkling vivacity to the entertainment. The opportunity for a display of Buffalo Bill's marksmanship is not omitted and is an interesting feaeture of the latter part of the play. Not the least attractive portion is the Indian war dances, which is an accurate reproduction of that savage custom by genuine Indian chiefs. Today there are two performances-- afternoon and evening-- which close the engagement.

HOW HE HIT HIM.

Buffalo Bill Tells the Story of His Recent Encounter With Fred. May to An Evening Express Reporter--Western Versus Eastern Muscle.

A few days ago there appeared in THE EXPRESS an account of an encounter between "Buffalo Bill" and Fredrick May, whose horsewhipping of and duel with James Gordon Bennett, of the New York Herald, will be remembered by many. A reporter of THE EXPRESS called this morning on Hon. W. F. Cody, the "Buffalo Bill" of the far west, to ascertain the facts in regard to his late personal encounter in New York with Frederick May, the bloodless duelist.

Whatever maybe said of the dramatic quanlities of "Buffalo Bill," it cannot be denied that he is a gentleman into whose presence a stanger feels perfectly at home. His experience among men of he world affords him a quick and ready comprehension of their motives, which frequently gives him an advantage over his enemies, as in the case above mentioned.

Frederick May, who is much taller and heavier han "Buffalo Bill," and who is in charge of a trainer, evidenly made a mistake in his attack on the hero of the prairies. It appears that "Buffalo Bill" and a few friends went over to New York after the close of his performance in Brooklyn, on the evening of Feb. 2d, and found congenial associates in West Thirty-first street. The party consisting of a few gentlemen were occupying the parlor of a house frequented by Fredrick May. On the arrival of the latter with his friends, "Buffalo Bill" was asked to move out. The prescence of May was enough to terrorize an ordinary man, but "Buffalo Bill," who had met all kinds of animals in the West, was not easily scarred. The two men met in the hall and stood before each other like giants. May, who had been drinking, accosted "Buffalo Bill," with "Hello Buff." Cody not knowig who his assailant was, put his keen eagle eye upon him, and concluded at once that he had run against a snag. May began clawing at Cody's long hair, taking out larger quanities than was agreeable on so short an acquaintance. Cody pushed him away saying he did not know him. Upon is resentment of undue familiarity, May demanded an apology. "Bufalo Bill," who never apologizes only when he is the offending party, had just learned that it was the bully, "Fred May" with whom he was having trouble, and he at once determined to get the best of the fight. Stepping back a few feet he advanced upon the enemy and planted his fist between May's eyes, the blow knocking him over the sofa, and leaving his face in a condition that would have pleased James Gordon Bennett, had he seen him. The friends of either party did not interfere, those of May's knowing the fighting qulaities of their man, were content, while the friends of "Buffalo Bill" stood back and saw him punish the man whom so many in sporting circles in New York city dread because of his physical powers and acknowleded willingness to fight. "Buffalo Bill" is not proud of the distinction he won in the contest, and considers that he did only what any man would do under the circumstances. He is not quarrelsome, but is capable of taking care of himself whenever it is necessary.

"BUFFALO BILL."
The Academy of Music was packed from pit to dome last night, the seats were all occupied and the lobbies were crowded. The enthusiasm opened with the rise of the curtain, increased with each act, and was at white heat at the close. The audience came to their hearts' content. Of course there are a great many theater-goes to whom the border drama has no attraction, but those who take pleasure in that line can find nothing better than Mr. W. F. Cody and his "Prairie Waif."

The play is a new one for this season, and has some very pretty scenes. There is less blood-letting, fewer scalps taken and not so many Indian forays as have occurred in pieces of the sort presented before. The second act contains a love making scene which "Bill" plays with a naturalness that suggests great experience in younger days. His fancy shooting is admirable. He has a very good support, especially in Miss Fletcher as "Onita," Mr. Keene as "Hans," and Mr. Charles as "Captain Russell." The rest of the support is good, and the Indians add a most attractive picture. Cody himself is the same cool, natural, and handsome fellow that Cleveland has become so well acquainted with, and his play is clean and pretty. It will be presented tonight and tomorrow night, and at the Saturday's matinee.

BUFFFALO BILL.
In his wildest dreams of ambition "Buffalo Bill" probably never flattered himself that be was much of an actor, but he has estimated well his wide reputation as a border scout, and the irresiatible fascination presented to the juvenile mind by the appearance of the hero who has actually figured in some or the thrilling scenes mimicked in miniature upon the stage. It is a little surprising that the novelty of his performance has not become tarnished by constant repetition; but most assuredly it has not, for upon each reappearance Mr. Cody is given the same boisterous reception which marked his first dramatic tour through the country eight years ago. His plays are little more than vivid illustrations of ordinary dime literature, and from a dramatic standpoint, worthless, but they please the class for whom they are written, attract large crowds of cheering people, and, of course, upon the stage as elsewhere, there is nothing so successful as success. Mr. Cody's new piece, "The Prairie Waif," written for him by John A Steavens, is deciededly better than anything in which he has had an opportunity to appear, distributing the blood and thunder very judiciously, and introducing the different characters with a fair degree of consistancy. Of its kind it is good, and it is well played by Mr. Cody's company. "Buffalo Bill" himself, appears in three different characters, exhibits his skill with his rifle and is always the manly ideal of a western frontiersman. He has a good German comedian in Jule Kean, and the others play their sensational parts fairly well. The applause last night was tremendous, and the galleries were crowded to suffocation. The seats down stairs were also well filled, and the enthusiasm was not by any means confined to the upper parts of the house

The same programme will be repeated tonight.

BUFFALO BILL.
The border hero, Buffalo Bill, otherwise the Hon. William F. Cody, and of late years further known to the American world as an actor, was the bright particular subject of interest at the Academy of Music last evening, where with his company he appeared in his new drama, "The Prairie Waif." At all times and everywhere there is much curiosity to see the redoubtable and genial slayer of red skins, and on this particular occasion the theatre was crowded with people of all classes and conditions. It was in truth a very large audience, tiered up until the last row in the gallery fairly bumped their heads against the ceiling. The play is rather interesting, its main purpose of course being to introduce Buffalo Bill, the Indians, and other sped=cial features. It is produced with nice scenery, some escpecially belonging to it, and apart from the exhibition of Mr. Cody's remarkable skill with the rifle--an exhibition of itself very surprising and worth going a long way to see--there is an absence of the shooting and murdering business common to sensational border dramas and to a good many folks very offensive.

Mr. Cody, as a famous scout and Indian fighter, is unquestionably the strong attraction, still he has made marked improvement as an actor, acquiting himself with grace and quite effectively. His present company is, we think, the best he has yet organized. Miss Lizzie Fletcher, who appears as Oneta, is a handsome little lady who plays her part very nicely. Miss Connie Thompson as Sadie acts with her accustomed vivacity, and her duet and dance with Hans, Mr. Jule Keen, were last evening enthusiastically encored. Mr. R. C. White as Mark Stanley, Mr. Harry Clifton as Jim Hardie, and the other gentlemen of the company in their respective parts, all did as well as could be asked. Incidental to the play several genuine Cheyenne Indians are introduced. They perform a wardance, and enlist the close attention of the curious. All through the performance was tumultuously applauded. The audience apparently enjoyed it greatly, the best of humor prevailing.

The second and last entertainment by Buffalo Bill and his company in this city will be given this evening. That the Academy will again be crowded to its uttermost is a foregone conclusion.

What We'en's Caught.
Buffalo Bill's entertainment at the opera-house last night was greeted with a large audience, who left at the close fully satisfied.

The business manager wish us to state that of cheeky newspaper publishers he considered that the Herald and Transcript "take the cake."