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Yet, surely, you cannot fully
comprehend what it is you are choosing, I was with you last night,
true, but I considered it no honor to appear upon _that_ stage, even
with the 'Heart of the World,' and it hurt me even then to behold you
in the midst of such surroundings. But deliberately to take part in
the regular variety bill is a vastly more serious matter. It is almost
a total surrender to evil, and involves a daily and nightly association
with vice which cannot but prove most repugnant to true womanhood.
Surely, you do not know the true nature of this place?"
"Then tell it to me."
"I will, and without any mincing of words. The Gayety is a mere
adjunct to the Poodle-Dog saloon and the gambling hell up-stairs. They
are so closely connected that on the stage last evening I could easily
hear the click of ivory chips and the clatter of drinking glasses. One
man owns and controls the entire outfit, and employs for his variety
stage any kind of talent which will please the vicious class to which
he caters.


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