Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-07-10
o. .25 PARIS, MAINE. FRIDAY

him up IN magazine article.
For. be it known to the reader. we have
bad our pen eouched ut John Allen tor
nearly two years. In the year 1865, tho
Sabbath after President Lincoln was assas.
sinated. We began an exploration and sub.
soiling Of New York city. as to its crime.
poverty. want, wo. wretchejness and de.
giadaiion. which we have pursued cv-
.r since. as other engagements would per
mt. Or course 1t was not long before We
found out John Allen Wo NJ once recog.
nizod bis genius for wichedness and made
him an especial study. But, as We have
said. be battles US. We have told him so.
and have frequently asked him to help US
on, OF our dilemma, but he always comes
short OF the complete thing.
I We think we know why this wickadest
Man persists in living in his Water. street
den-that We have, in tact. penetrated his
secret; bu, as We are not absolutely certain
as TO the matter, we will not set our sus-
picion down in print, lest we should do him
I injustice.
! We have said that our wickedest Man il
phenomenon. We mean this in its ap-
plica'io to the deepes, springs OF bis char
acter but il is also. and perhaps eauall v
applicable to the internal manifestations of
those deepest springs.
/ Has the reader any notion Of Water
street dsnce-housc? ConcreteIy stated. it
is breathing hole OF hell-a ,rap-door of
the bottomless pit. You step from the
street into bar room, wherein lousy loaf
ers lark. aud which is in some cases on
level with the sidewalk and in others far be.
low IL; and there YOU arc in the general
midst Of things. il ii happens to be dance.
house of the very lowest class. But usual
\ ~ there is saloon in the rear OF the bar.
room.
/ Passing out OF the bar-room. by n door
opening ia PARTITION acros, it's rear. you
enter the dancing soloon, which varies in
size from fifteen feet square TO n room %
by 80 feet in extent Along the wa u in this
room n bench extends, usually on three
sides. In the further end Of the room is an
orchestra. proportioned in numbers and
skill TO the prosperity OF the establishment
The number OF musicians is sometimes as
la n as six. but the average is not more
than three. In one Of the rear corners OF
the saloon there is n small bar, where the
girls can drink with their victims without
exposing their destinations TO the unthriftful
gaze OF 4 non.paying and censorIous out.
side public.
Sitting on the benches. or grouping upon
the floor. or whirling in the dance, are the
girls, varying in number from four to twen.
ty. but averaging about ten.
These girls are not often comely to the
fasildious eye. But TO n sailor. Just from
long cruise. where nothing loveler than his
weather-beaten shipma,es has for wears been
seen. they are not without attractions. So
too. do certain lapdsmen, oi degraded
type. pay homage to their strenuous charms.
But a de sent man. in the full possession and
equipoisc OF his faculties, can. only regard
them with sorrow unspeskable and pity too
deep for tears.
The only girl we ever saw in a dance
house in whom We could detect the slight
est yes,ige Of eomeIiness or refinement,
had been there but few hours. anil wa.
reputed to bo the daughter Of a former
Lieutenant Governor Of Il New England
State.
The first time we entered John Aliens
dance house we found IL in full blast. The
hour vas eleven in the evening. There
were thirteen girls in the saloon. three mu-
sicians ia the orchestra. and seven custom.
ers submitting to the Establishments Of an
equal number OF the ballet. dressed syrens
who pervaded the room. Our party con.
sisted OF the policeman who accompanied
Us. three elergymcn on the look out for the
elephant" a." Mr. Albert c. Arnold Of the
Howard Mission and the writer.
Tie Wickedest Man was in hi. glory.
Things were moving briskly lie gave us
all hearty welcome, ordered TIC orchesra
TO do their best. and told the girls to "break
our hearts a vigorous dance followed.
after which the proprietor called out:
Hartford 90 up stairs and ge, me ba-
by"
/ Hartford turned out to 5e one Of the girl.
who Immediately disappeared, and soon re.
turned bearing in her arms an undrcssed.
sleepy child. wrapped in r shawl This
was the juvenile prodigy. Ills father took
him IL his arms, with glow Of pride and
affection upon bis ia.c. and said.
Now. gentlemen. you are writer's, phil.
osophers aod preachers; but III show you
that NY baby knows as much as any of you.
Hes he'll on reading, writing. praying
and fighting"