274 A CALIFORNIA TRAMP. 



Miss Rowena, in spite of this uncomplimentary introduc- 

 tion, seemed like one who had been the possessor of good 

 looks and an actress of note, but who, on account of loss of 

 personal attractions rather than of professional ability, had 

 been obliged to leave more aristocratic boards for this humble 

 theatre. Enterprising, if old and faded, she had managed her 

 " Gaieties " until it was at the head of its class. 



Facilis decensus Averni and easy of access was the " Bit 

 Theatre." Passing through the purgatorial bar-room, a place 

 reeking with the fumes of tobacco and liquor, I gave the 

 " open sesame " of a " bit " to a willing recipient, and was 

 ushered into the room adjoining. On entering through a 

 vista of smoke I saw a row of " tallow dips," and behind 

 them the mimic stage. In front of these, on a floor some ten 

 yards square, w^ere rows of tables, around which were the 

 theatrical as well as the vinous guests of the " Gaieties." Be- 

 fore these were placed by attentive waiters the wished-for 

 liquids from the adjoining room. Around three sides of the 

 building was a gallery; the whole building seating about 

 three hundred people. 



The view on entering was unique. Enveloped in dense 

 fumes of tobacco, the audience was drinking and talking. It 

 was a melange of rough miners, fresh from the mountains and 

 now on their way home to the States, and conspicuous for 

 their shaggy beards and weapons ; inoffensive looking gamblers 

 seeking whom they might devour, and curious sight-seers. 

 Mingled among them were a number of boys of various ages 

 and sizes to match. 



I secured a seat near the stage. Eor companion I had a 

 specimen of the genus small boy, the lad who gets familiar 

 and ends by getting impudent. I found him throughout the 

 evening a source of entertainment and general information. 

 As a theatrical critic he was good — for his age. He was well 

 acquainted with the three minor actors, who were young like 



