True American. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1835-18??, 1839-12-02
NE w u X l. T. A N = ::
MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1899.
READING ROOM LOAFERS.

Although nothing is reading room
in this city, ours and that of the Merchants Ex-
change being the only ones; yet nothing is com.
mon as Reading Room Loaters We are fairly
bothered to death by them, and have tried every
means imaginable to get rid of them; yet we
no sooner cut down one, than, hydra-llke, two
appear in his place. Like Proteus of old, they rs
sumo every shape and colour We no sooner got
rid Of one, than in pops another, not even possess
ing, like Paul Pry-'.just stepped in-hopc l don't
in,rude."
Understand us-whcn wo say loafer, we mean
him who enters the room without a regular intro
duction or without becoming u subscriber, agrcea.
bly, TO our terms aud the rules OF the lie who
would fan make of our capital and labou. with-
out invitation, permission or payment. A fellow
who would use tho fruits Of our industry, without
giving either thanks or remuneration. When
We say loafer, mean practical agrarian--not
in the division of abour, but in the division of the
results Of the hard work of others. We mean
fellow who lu6s close to tho wind--or the
French sailor wculd say, "qui psnf loAFER contre
penis ct maree." Ono who stands at the lunch aud
dimes, without Luying drink; or, what is worse'
who reads daily every paper in town. without pay
ing for any.
The other day, Loafer No. l, walked into our
room took his scat near the fire, sitting cros.wsc
to keep oil every else, seized tho Spirit of
tho Times, and amused himself for at least an hour
over its ever interesting and racy pages We were
in our Sanctum, when one of subscribers
| in eyc,i,uiur ul),mn il f,;h,on
| shall lave to- subscrIotion-I can never
see the papers | wish for Where's the Spirit fthc
Timcs?" We jumped up to search for the paper,
and after going round the room, we noticed No, |
| intcntly perusing some absorbing item. Seeing at
once, that he not suhscrit or, we walked W.
care you subscriber TO the rooln sir?' said we.
Observation-Disclosures. .rll BE- damcd if
am--Why only came to see about the last race in
Tho Spirit here? llav, you heard which horse
beat may win yct."--"And we muv lose a sub
scribcr. Be good, sir, as to give up that paper
If you wish to read it, or remain here, you mus,
pay the usual subscription. "--"Pay to stay here?
why don't sec any board lodging, and as to
ysnr fire. it wouldn't SINCE the hair off tarrapin
Pay indeed" said the fellow, walking off. "why l
can borrow all the paper lever want to read" Exit
Next comes Loafer No. 2. "IIavc you got any
Philadelphia papers hcre?" enquiries he. "Ycs,'
we rcply."-"Well show me one if you plcasc."-
with pleasure; take Subscribers monthly at
one doar?" ooh! spose yol do; but l don't
want to stay a month, l only want to see Phla-
delphia papcr."-"WelI you can't see it, unless YOU
! subscribe" allow accommodating the New Or.
leans people are,' observed the chap as he with
drew.
Loater No. ;, is Il sncaking fcllow-hc slips into
some untrcquented corner of the room, and there
devours every scrap of news he can lay his eyes
on Literature, science, poitics--a arc the same
to him; he must read. lie is conscious thief
he knows the rules of the room, understa ,rav
they established but can, ress, the temptation
flute has marked him to be reading room loafer.
We have kicked him out of tho room a dozen
times; but no still returns like Foscari TO his ma.
tive Venice
"a kicking, what you will, SO it be here"
And so on wo might 60 to the end of the list ::
but we will content ourselves to>day with obxcrv-
ing, that the establishment of tho rcad,ur room
cost us thousands of dollars original investment
That our monthly expenses arc very heavy, and
that the gentlemen oafers must excuse us for not
giving them the freedom of the room. live did
ii We were not riged in enforcing our rules, we
would soon find gratis reader for every paper.
and the bona-fide money-paying subscribers would
be forced to evacuate for the sheer want of place
to squeeze themselves into.