Connecticut western news., 1875-04-16

tern, as dusk had already settled upon the place, and slate was likewise pro duced, upon which he scrawled the an swers to certain questions, similar to the formula which had been fired at us in the county agents office. The fierce old, man was terse rather than argumentar tive. Thus: ..
 iss What is the matter with you ?'' with violent jerk in his tone, as if spring ing an ambuscade upon the unsuspecting interrogated. -s ,s.t .at. E-fL .-.
 's It's the favur I've had fer the list thra. months, to be shure, an the docther r"-"
 a"Shut up!" and the poor wretch was hustled back with the words rattling ! in his throat. rs. xJ Ggr97u5b san ]
 The ceremony having inexperienced as to all of us, we were hailed by our guide, and pushed out of the fetid air of the room into the nipping atmosphere with out. Crossing toa frame building op- posite, we found ourselves in 8 room which concluded to be the Hkitchen,' as there was a large cook-stove in the middle, and sink in one corner. "Sup- per for four" exhorted the old man, and relapsed into his native somberness"
 5 A squint-eyed fellow in the capacity of head waiter rose sleepily out of dark corner in the kitchen, and disappeared in an adjoining apartment He returned immediately, bringing in his hands a burden undistinguishable until brought within the meagre radiance of the candle, which stood on long pine table extend ed across one side of the kitchen. I then discovered that it was bread. There were four pieces, or rather chunks, which he threw down at regular inter vals upon the not-over- clean table. Truly, thought I, here is abundance Here isliberality. Each chunk of bread was at least two inches thick, and from six to eight inches square. The noise of the bread descending upon the table was like that which would be produced by so many stones. .-'' -tt !" i'. '''' ''''
 Iwaited. ia .-a '-Eyayi ...- s
 YEat, !" said the "boss pauper." t.a,
 My companions fell to with zest. I attacked my chunk of bread fercely, but with no perceptible diminution of it's proportions. -s'i-'i' ff@' <. 1''
 The squint-eyed man again advanced upon US, bearing four tin cups, whichhe set before us. I looked at my tin cup. It was battered and rusty, and it was fill ed with Q dark fluid from which steam arose. It was tea. I lifted the cup and tasted. sat the cup down upon the table, did not drink any more tea.
 Can I describe the peculiar taste of that luxury which the generous-hearted people set before it's paupers I fear not, and yet will try. Take a sip of 1t. On entering your mouth it tastes very much like warm water. Swallow it. As
 
 8 sensation such as might follow if you were kicked by mule or had swallowed D small dose of chain lightning. I can not describe it more particularly, except to say that the savor remains and hbides with you long time. For my part, l can taste the tea to this mo- ment. ..A.-.. ...D... s......-. r. ! Such was our supper. As soon as the first man was through-it happened to be me-the boss pauper signi6ed that we were to follow him. The poor fellows who had eagerly devoured their bread and tea looked sadly around, but had not even the courage of Oliver Twist to ask for "more." We arose and fol lowed the magnate, who led US across the yard to still another building. Here, mounting a flight of rickety stairs, we entered g. room, on the second floor, swarming with human beings Pass ing through, we came into another room, also crowded, and thence entered 8 third apartment, larger than either of the others, and approximately popula- ted. These rooms. were all arranged similar to the one we had been in before supper. A line of beds extended along both sides, leaving narrow passage in the middle. It was now quite dark, and navigation was only rendered possible by means of a lantern, hung against the wall, and emitting light which was certainly dim, though not religious, At the extreme end of the room, piled up in one, corner, were number of bed ticks ~5''s'@.'' '''.' '.'..A .' .' ''.' .i
 sss Take those downl" said the manda- torial pauper. " EllasA sa' rE''
 We pulled down the ticks, one after the other, until only one was left.
 ''sTwo of you men sleep here," said the t..boss," pointing to the remaining tick; "and you other two sleep here, !" marking out 8 precinct upon the floor with his foot. l1 :.E .-.s tz.'
 From the pile we disengaged tick, 8 ragged quilt, and 8 sheet, yellow and rank. With these we made our bed, after which the old man left us to our selves. Shortly afterward the ringing of 8 bell announced the hour of retiring eight o'clock. One by one the dusky forms that had been moving about the room sank out of sight, the lantern was extinguished, and pauperdom was asleep. I took off my shoes and coat, folded the latter into pillow, and got into bed, first taking care to thrust the sheet as far from me as possible. Some how l preferred to lie upon the tick, and I even had an instinctiye predilection for the edge. The large room was yelled in blackness, not even the rafters overhead being visible. could not sleep on ac- count of the horribly fetid smell |; so, after 8 while, softly arose and opened a window near by, letting in rush of pure air. Then returned to my dismal couch. By-and-bye I heard strange noises all over the room-faint groan- ings and remote wranglings. listened, but could not conjecture whence they proceeded. Rapid foot falls were heard on the floor. Occasionally 8 distinct noise, like some light body tumbling from the ceiling. Then something black ran across my bed, and I felt reassured for it was only the rats. f.t ....
 At six o'clock on the following nAorn- ing something kicked me. It was the old "boss pauper," /" who calculated, roughly: '"
 '"Git up, ye lazy pepper P
 I half rose, and looked around. For the first time had clear view of the room which was to be Gin theory) my future home. Looming over me with terrible scowl upon his wrinkled fea- lures, was the "boss pauper." Seeing that I was awake, he shook his fist at me, and turned upon his heel. The long, low room presented a curious spectacle. Human shapes were scattered about in all stages of the toilet-nakedness des- habille, and full dress. Some were dis Ie .sl:- Ll e- -- : 1