The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-06-01


gezed at us llstlessly, as though that slight
effort was almost too much for his exhausted
our friend then addressed several questions
to the bummer, endeavoring, but in vain, to
and present mode of life. The only answers
youchsated were in monosyllables and ex-
tremely unsatisfactory and indefinite at Jhat
A short distance from the doorstep on which
the ragged specimen was repostng, we overlook
as we came up, that here was another genuine
specimen of the bumming tribe, but Without
any remonstrance from the subject of this un-
faftering observation at first. AS he pressed
his questions TO the youth, however the wrath
of the latter was aroused at last. He was some
what tinctured with the element of pride, and
the presence of third person. and a stranger,
called IL forth. He made few mild expostula-
tions to begin with, but when he found himself
hard pressed with questions as to his manner
of life he gave vent to a volley of oaths Where
upon our friend laid a hand gently upon his
shoulder, and said:-
BE careful, young man, how you use such
have you back in Moyamenslng, and will not
be in a hurry to get you out again, as did the
We then passed along, our companion maxi
ing the following explanation:-
1t may sound strange TO some ears to hear
a minister of the Gospel using such words as
did to him. But long experience with cases
the only kind of Gospel which will affect many
Of them Some people speak very l III OF u, me on
wretched people at heart and manage them in
the best way can."
The assertion that our friend had, indeed, the
good of these miserable creatures at heart, was
amply verified during the course of our jour
ney; and there was abundant proof on all sides
that hundreds of them appreciate it tho
roughly.
denlzens OF Bedford street by daylight, we will
proceed to notice their apodes'
"Dough erty's Court"
is the title of an alley running south from Bed
ford street to Shippen, midway between
Seventh and Eighth streets, Ihe Bedford street
entrance is quit q narrow but whenWe mad passed
by the houses which bounded 1t on either side,
we found ourselves in an open quadrangle, sur
rounded by huts and covered with drying gar
ments About a dozen young girls were loung-
ing around in all attitudes, not one of them at
work The two colors were about equally re-
presented, as usual and their ages ranged from
six to sixteen. Their garments were tattered
and slovenly, their hair unkempt, their whole
department vagabondish in the extreme.
The buildings on the south side of the court
were particularly noticeable There were five
ofthem of brick, one story in height,and covered
with loose boards by way OF q roof Each OF
these rents for $50 per year, or $3.50 in all, and
the entire lot do not cover the space taken
up by substantial house and yard that should
rent for no larger sum. The Interiors are
separated by mere board partitions, each domi-
ciie being about ten feet square. The floors are
rotten, the roof leaks, the windows are broken,
each one of these miserable apartments resides
large family, cooking, eating, sleeping, and
presence Of each other. The place had such a
filthy look that our companion suspected that
there might be fever lurking in 1t. He put the
question to one of the girls, and received for an
answer-"No fever, but plenty of rum"
Passing out OF DOuglerly'B court INTO BeuIOrQ
street. our attention was attracted by small
piece of paper pinned pom window-sill, and
containing, in scrawling hand, the words:--
ga Cellar to Rent.''
The house which bore this sign was num-
bered 40" according to some obsolete system
of enumeration. 1t is located on the south side
of the street, between Sixth and Seventh. AT
the open window sat a shoemaker, hard at
| work-a rare sight, indeed, in this locality. We
| inquired the name of the landlord, but this
piece of information he withheld, graciously
| informing however. that
! whole building, and sublet what he did not
and found its dimensions to be about ten feet
| by twelve. There was no light, save what came
from the doorway in the sidewalk, and sick
| enng odor pervaded the place. Near the en-
trance there was raised platform. Imagining
this to be intended for bedstead, we inquired
If such were not the case of a slovenly girl VINO
| stood at our elbow But we were disabused of
this impression by being informed that it was
| "the dresser"
This cellar was the only one unoccupied
which we noticed in our stroll. In almost all
living, most of them paying for this privilege
| as much as one dollar week In several
children iounging about, at perfect ease All
these abodes are as damp as They are restTIoteG
1 oozing throueh @ Il the flooring, Is it a marvel
that the cholera and fever delight to lurk IN
health authorities done to remedy this glarlng
evil?
"The COntInental'' and "The Girard."
At the side of No. 62S Bedford street, we en-.
| tered q narrow paSSagS-W way, al GnS Gnu Va
| which we came upon small open place, and
| had @ full view of 1.-THE Continental" and "The
! Girard." These, be 1t understood, are structures
adapted to the same use as the famous hotels
whose names they bear, 1.-The Continental" is
situated to the left of the entrance, is con-
structed of battered boards, and has a length o
six feet and depth of five feet. There were nc
means of lighting or ventilation, save the door,
which was left a-jar and held to that posi-
tion by q rope. On glancing at the interior, we
saw upon the floor two miserable creatures, q
man and woman, both black, who were par
taking OF their midday meal. They rent 1.-THE
Continental" of the proprietor for sixty cents
per week, and pack it full every night at ten
cents head.
Just beyond '"The Continental" is situated
, "The Girard," more imposing building, tol
: ! its dimensions are tally SIX feet by eight, and
! you can enter it without STOPPING. In al
! | other respects IL was much the same. In this
establishment we found a venerable and sensi
: | BILE old colored man domiciled at a weekly
rent of ninety cents The rear of his abode
was lined with an assortment Of old and ragged
clothes, and the floor was covered with rags
In the midst OF these sat the host, scissors III
hand, and buslly employed He arose as we
| inquiry as to why he lived in such place, he
II have to live here l have a sick woman
back here, OF would so to the country. am
| q shoemaker by trade but can get no journey
| work. If had the money to buy tools, know
a. where could get some job work. AS I've got
q nothin' else to do, I'm cuttin up some carpet
: rags"
n darkness the sick woman" who, on appearing
IN the full light OF day, presented ghastly anC
| shattered spectacle, and poured forth her grte
\ | Vances in scarcely audible voice AS we were
n which was chained near the door, set up q how
IL ana made q rush at us The host of "Tne Girard'
was prompt to quell his combativeness, Whict
n ne dld efiectu9lly by battering him over the
and 10