The bartender winked at Captain Clancy and said softly:
“Struck it rich, eh, Jimmy, old boy?”
“Think it will pay,” said the captain, as softly, closing his left eye at the bartender.
“Say,” said Mr. Simmons, “whatever have you got in there?” pointing in the direction of the music.
“Finest high-class musical and dramatic entertainment in the South,” said the bartender. “Refined and elevatin’ specialties by distinguished artists. Walk in, gents.”
“It’s a play show, by gum,” said Mr. Simmons. “Shall we go in?”
“I don’t like the looks of the place much,” said Captain Clancy, “but let’s have a look at it, anyhow, to pass away the time; let’s see, it’s just half past ten; we can look on a while and then go up to the hotel and get to bed by eleven-thirty. Let me pay for tickets.”
“All right,” said Mr. Simmons, “I paid for the beer.”
The bartender pointed out the way through a little hallway, where they entered another door and found a very glib gentleman who persuaded them to buy tickets that admitted them upstairs. They ascended and found themselves in the family circle of a little theater. There were about twenty or thirty men and boys scattered about among the seats, and the performance seemed quite well under way. On the stage a very exaggerated Irishman was chasing a very exaggerated negro with an ax, while a soubrettish young lady dressed in a ruffle and blue tights stood upon a barrel and screamed something in a high, cracked voice.