194

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 Tutus' 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 irresponsible 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.

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 ip 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 Tutus' 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 irresponsible 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.