An orchestra of yellow silk women and bald-headed
men on an elevated stage near the centre of a great
green-hued hall, played a popular waltz. The
place was crowded with people grouped about little
tables. A battalion of waiters slid among the
throng, carrying trays of beer glasses and making
change from the inexhaustible vaults of their trousers
pockets. Little boys, in the costumes of French
chefs, paraded up and down the irregular aisles vending
fancy cakes. There was a low rumble of conversation
and a subdued clinking of glasses. Clouds of
tobacco smoke rolled and wavered high in air about
the dull gilt of the chandeliers.
The vast crowd had an air throughout of having just
quitted labor. Men with calloused hands and
attired in garments that showed the wear of an endless
trudge for a living, smoked their pipes contentedly
and spent five, ten, or perhaps fifteen cents for
beer. There was a mere sprinkling of kid-gloved
men who smoked cigars purchased elsewhere. The
great body of the crowd was composed of people who
showed that all day they strove with their hands.
Quiet Germans, with maybe their wives and two or three
children, sat listening to the music, with the expressions
of happy cows. An occasional party of sailors
from a war-ship, their faces pictures of sturdy health,
spent the earlier hours of the evening at the small
round tables. Very infrequent tipsy men, swollen
with the value of their opinions, engaged their companions
in earnest and confidential conversation. In
the balcony, and here and there below, shone the impassive
faces of women. The nationalities of the Bowery
beamed upon the stage from all directions.
Pete aggressively walked up a side aisle and took
seats with Maggie at a table beneath the balcony.
“Two beehs!”
Leaning back he regarded with eyes of superiority
the scene before them. This attitude affected
Maggie strongly. A man who could regard such
a sight with indifference must be accustomed to very
great things.
It was obvious that Pete had been to this place many
times before, and was very familiar with it.
A knowledge of this fact made Maggie feel little
and new.
He was extremely gracious and attentive. He
displayed the consideration of a cultured gentleman
who knew what was due.
“Say, what deh hell? Bring deh lady a
big glass! What deh hell use is dat pony?”
“Don’t be fresh, now,” said the
waiter, with some warmth, as he departed.
“Ah, git off deh eart’,” said Pete,
after the other’s retreating form.
Maggie perceived that Pete brought forth all his elegance
and all his knowledge of high-class customs for her
benefit. Her heart warmed as she reflected upon
his condescension.
