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National Theater. Buffalo Bill and the troupe are becoming more popular as the time for the close of the engagement draws near. The "Red Righ Hand" last evening drew a perfect jam. The play is in some respects more exciting than "Life on the Border." There is an air of reality about it which helps the ideal presence of the play wonderfully. There is also any amount of fun in connection with the play, as well as much that is thrillingly sensational. We cannot particularize as to the rendition of characters. The play gave good satisfaction, and the players were frequently applauded. The closing tableau, representing the first scalp for Custer, is very fine. There is a running fight with the Indians, and Yellow Hand and Buffalo Bill meet. It is a hand-to-hand conflict, fierce and soon over. As Buffalo Bill snatches the recking scalp from the head of the chief, and holds it up, the tableau represents Custer dashing at full speed into the thickest of the fight. It was encored vociferously. This evening a new sensation, entitled the "Scout of the Plains," will be presented, with new scenery and improved stage effects. Friday evening still another and greater sensation will be produced. The last appearance of Buffalo Bill will be at the matinee Saturday afternoon, when the "Red Right Hand" will be presented. Saturday evening Buffalo Bill will be in Carson. Next Monday Tony Pastor and new attractions at National theater.
192
Buffalo in the Belcher.
Buffalo Bill and several members of his company yesterday boarded Billy McFarland's' bus and went to Gold Hill to take a look at the Belcher mine. After a trip through the lower levels, and into places that caused the hair on William's scalp to become upright, all emerged alive and took the 'bus for home, Buffalo Bill insisting upon driving. He made a "gallus" looking Jehu.
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National Theater.
Buffalo Bill has carried Virginia by storm. It has required the utmost efforts of the two famous scouts, ably seconded by the large company, by the troop of supers, who in one act are Indians and in the next act United States soldiers and the "bear," to attract large audiences so near the end of the month, but Buffalo Bill has succeeded, and the increasing proportion of ladies shows that the Apollo like Cody is not without admirers among the fair. Nor is this at all inappropriate, since it is not every day one may see so splendid a specimen of physical manhood as is exhibited in the person of Buffalo Bill. It is said that while at the Palace hotel, San Francisco, Cody was at the center toward which all eyes turned as he entered the dining room, and many would linger near the door to see him pass. Straight as an arrow, handsome of face, with eyes as keen as those of an eagle, hair reaching in glossy ringlets to his shoulders, dressed in habitual navy blue and white slouched hat, well may they of both sexes admire and envy Buffalo Bill. His engagement is drawing to a close in Virginia. This evening and to-morrow's matinee bring the final performances. From here he returns to his command, or, possibly, will be assigned to duty under General Howard in the Idaho troubles. Be this as it may, Bill is a brave fellow and liked by all who know him, and should the telegraph some day tell us that he has fallen, slain by an Indian bullet, many in almost every city of the country would drop a tear at the fate of the handsome scout.
Buffalo Bill's Benefit To-Night.
The friends whom Buffalo Bill has gathered around him during his brief stay here decided to make to-night the occasion of turning out en masse, and in return Bill has announced that he will appear in two dramas--"The Red Right Hand" and "The Scouts of the Plains," and in the former will give an exact imitation of how he killed the famous Cheyenne chief, Yellow Hand, at the battle of Indian Creek, July 17, 1876. Bill will be mounted upon a fiery, untamed steed, and Captain Jack Crawford, who will impersonate Yellow Hand, will also be well mounted. The rencounter will occur on horseback, and a superlatively-exciting sensation will be the result.
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TRICKS THAT ARE VAIN.
Dark Ways to Deceive the Doortender at National Theater and Steal a Sight of Buffalo Bill--Etc.
The desire to see Buffalo Bill, Captain Jack, "ye bar' and all the et ceteras of the present entertainments at National theater is very general and all sorts of "rackets" are played on Locke to gain free admission. In the first place, it is found necessary to search the hall and all hiding places on or about the stage and dressing rooms nightly and from four to a dozen men and boys are found concealed there every time and helped out. Then came all sorts of dodges to get past the doortender. Last evening we watched a short time for the purpose of picking up some of these "rackets." First came a nice young man with a glass of water, as though some lady in the audience had fainted. It did not win. Then came a bogus typo, who had borrowed a printer's rule and held it up as a sesame which should open even rocky fastness. That, too, failed. Next came a smutty-faced chap with a few old type. He, too, was turned back. Next rushed a boy with a bogus telegram, all enveloped, sealed and directed. Another tried to dodge in, conspicuously showing a lady's fan, for which he insisted he had been sent out. All these and many more "rackets" are tried every night. It is no uncommon thing for these anxious individuals to try counterfeit checks. Last evening those in use were punched with a letter T by one of Titus' punches. The curtain had not raised before two very excellent imitations, punch holes and all, were tried on the doortender. So great is the anxiety of the bummers for a free look at the performances that a ladder is frequently improvised or obtained and put up to the Smith-street windows. One little man with a stumpy pipe has been at the door every night trying to work his way in without paying. He succeeded one night in getting as far as the first stair of the gallery, and was then incontinently pitched out. Another game frequently tried is for a boy to get up stairs for two bits and then to come down, get a check and give it to some strapping fellow, who will try to beat his way in on it. All such endeavors end in the confiscation of the check. But the ways invented all show how popular are the plays now holding the boards at the theater, and also that the hard times are not yet over on the Comstock.
Bergstein, Grant and [?] were soon in attendance, and an examination showed that the wad with which the pistol was loaded had entered at the place indicated, ranged down some four inches and there lodged. An incision was made and the troublesome intruder removed. The wound is large, ragged and painful, but not necessarily dangerous.
There were some incidents in connection with this little affair which were also not down in the play. When Crawford dismounted, the horse naturally commenced looking about for himself. He pointed directly toward the audience and for liberty. His owner, the irrepressible Crosby, who was standing behind the scenes, however, sprang forward, caught the animal and held him till the curtain dropped.
By this time those on and about the stage knew that some accident had occurred, and when the blood, which flowed fast from the wound, was seen trickling from Captain Jack's leggings, Miss Gertie Granville, who occupied one of the boxes, fainted.
There were several rumors afloat last evening as to the cause of the accident and the manner in which the wound was inflicted. Some said that Buffalo Bill had shot Crawford in the head; others that the horse had stepped on him. The foregoing, however, are the facts in the case.
This affair, however much it may be regretted, will not in any way interfere with the matinee at 2 o'clock this afternoon.
National Theater.
An audience which packed the hall to suffocation was present at Buffalo Bill's benefit last night. " The Scouts of the Plains" went off with a dash which carried the audience fairly into the haunts of the red man, and many of the gallery gamins undoubtedly for the moment were alongside Buffalo Bill and Captain Jack in their valorous encounters with the Indians. The horses introduced in the "Red Right Hand" were received with unparalleled enthusiasm and really performed their roles in a most creditable manner. Barring the accidental discharge of Captain Jack's revolver against his leg and the consequent simple flesh wound mentioned in another column, everything was to the entire satisfaction of the crowd, which was at times decidedly vociferous in its manifestations of delight.
This afternoon the "Red Right Hand" will be performed at the matinee. Captain Jack's accident will in no wise affect the performance. This will be the last performance in Virginia, as the company and Buffalo Bill leave for Carson, where they will perform to-night.
195
TRICKS THAT ARE VAIN.
Dark Ways to Deceive the Doortender at National Theater and Steal a Sight of Buffalo Bill-Etc.
The desire to see Buffalo Bill, Captain Jack, "ye bar" and all the et ceteras of the present entertainments at National theater is very general and all sorts of "rackets" are played on Locke to gain free admission. In the first place, it is found necessary to search the hall and all hiding places on or about the stage and dressing rooms nightly, and from four to a dozen men and boys are found concealed there every time and helped out. Then come all sorts of dodges to get past the doortender. Last evening we watched a short time for the purpose of picking up some of these "rackets." First came a nice young man with a glass of water, as though some lady in the audience had fainted. It did not win. Then came a bogus type, who had borrowed a printer's rule and held it up a a sesame which should open even rocky fastnesses. That, too, failed. Next came a smutty-faced chap with a few old type. He, too, was turned back. Next rushed a boy with a bogus telegram, all enveloped, sealed and directed. Another tried to dodge in, conspicuously showing a lady's fan, for which he insisted he had been sent out. All these and many more "rackets" are tried every night. It is no uncommon thing for these anxious individuals to try counterfeit checks. Last evening those in use were punched with a letter T by one of Titus' punches. The curtain had not raised before two very excellent imitations, punch holes and all, were tried on the doortender. So great is the anxiety of the bummers for a free look at the performances that a ladder is frequently improvised or obtained and put up to the Smith-street window. One little man with a stumpy pipe has been at the door every night trying to work his way in without paying. He succeeded one night in getting as far as the first stair of the gallery, and was then incontinently pitched out. Another game frequently tried is for a boy to get up the stairs for two bits and then to come down, get a check and give it to some strapping fellow, who will try to beat his way in on it. All such endeavors end in the confiscation of the check. But the ways invented all show how popular are the plays now holding the boards at the theater, and also that the hard times are not yet over on the Comstock.