Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-06-02
LIFE IN CHICAGO.

Il
Gents.
Special Correspondence of the Sunday GLOBE.
CHICAGO, May 20, 1872 please, sir, can
you give me nickel to pay for a nights
lodgng?''
The questioner was young man of per
clothes, rather the worse for wear. He
looked clean, however, and had frank,
open countenance which spoke in his favor.
The tone of his voice was that of utter
WEAKNESS, and as he spoke he leaned against
the lamp post to support his wearied limbs
as if he could go no farther. He was the
third man who had made the same appeal to
me in the course of a walk of half a dozen
blocks, and although had passed the others
by with an abrupt refusal, was impelled to
inquire into the circumstances that led this
one to begging on the public streets.
Scan you get lodgings for nickel here!''
I asked?
ooh yes; there's lots of places where you
can get bed for that. It isn't first-class,
but it's better than walking the streets.
was out all last night, and don't feel able to
keep moving tonight. Tn awfully tired
The poor fellows voice trembled,
and, it required all his force of
will to repress flow of tears. He
said he had been in town for about
month looking for work, but had found
none, and was obliged to ask for charity
when no other resort was left. He some
times had to walk the streets all night for
want of five cents with which to pay for
lodgings, and often passed twenty-four
hours at time without food. I gave him
a dime.
:.Oh, thank you. sir,'' he exclaimed with
Joy. "This will buy me a breakfast, too:'
and he started off to find a lodging, the
only recommendation of which was that it
was s.better than walking the streets all
night
This incident set me a-thinking. Here was
a young man able and willing to work, of
fair intelligence, driven to beggary in city
noted for its wealth and for the ostentatious
charity of its inhabitants. And how little
would satisfy his wants He was not bum
mer or tramp in the common acceptance
of those terms, nor was he an exceptional
case. There are thousands just like him in
this city who exc out as precarious an exist
ence. They are honest now, but how long
will it be before their necessities will drive
these cheap lodging houses. Here is a
tally unacquainted. True, for years past I
have noticed the transparent signs all along
the streets, marking the entrances to poor
mems hotels, but / had passed them by with
out so much as thought. I determined
that would become better acquainted with
them, and SO the other night started on a
voyage of exploration.
VISIT TO THE LODGINGS.
It was about 10 o'clock when made my
first call. Over the door was a transparent
muslin sign, dimly lighted by kerosene
lamp, bearing the legend: lodgings, 5 to
15c. Single beds zoe. Rooms 25c." The
building was an old, rickety one, located on
one of the principal thoroughfares on the
West side. l entered the ''office. little
hole about ten feet square partitioned off
with rough boards from the lodging rooms.
Swell, what do you want?' grutfiy asked
ing fellow, who was smoking villainous to-
feet elevated upon the "desk,'' 8 rough deal
table.
stated my mission.
s.We don't want to be writ up was the
response. 'You newspaper fellers is always
raisin' trouble. First thing l know the cops
III be pullin' of me. I'm tryin' to make an
honest livin' and I don't know as Pm hurt
in nobody. You just cheese it, cul.''
| I assured him that had no intention Of
bringing his house into disrepute. l simply
wanted to see for myself how these cheap
lodgings were conducted.
s'You'll find my place all right he re-
marked, half doubling my intentions, and he
led the way to the lodgings.
ssIhis is the five cent place. said he, as he
opened the door of a room about sixteen by
twenty feet. ''We're only bout half full to-
night.''
The stencil was almost intolerable. The
fumes of bad whisky, cabbage-leaf tobacco,
unwashed feet, and every conceivable filth
ness were mingled into sickening mass of
foul smells-for it almost seemed dense
enough to be called mass. The beds were
arranged around the walls in tiers four high.
They were mere rough hunks about three
feet wide, with barely enough room for
man to crawl in between. The bedding con-
sisted of thin tick of hay, pillow of the
same, and rough horse blanket for cover
ing anything but an inviting couch on
which to WOO the god of sleep. "lt's good
! enough Tor the money, Salu my cOuuuctoi,
noticing the look of disgust that must have
overspread my face at sight of the vermin-
infected holes. "Fellows as takes cheap
lodgings shouldn't be too particular as
/ scented.
/ s.Here's our fifteen and twenty cent
place. said the host, as he conducted
me to another apartment. 1t was
nearly the same as the place
just visited although not quite as re-
dolent of foul odors. The hunks were 6
trifle wider. the mattresses little thicker
and a sheet. that aver had not been usec
more than four or five weeks without wash
ing, was spread over the pillow.
Folks what comes here said Boniface {?
Sis burned sight more particular They
thinks they oughter have as good accommo
dations as the Palmer House for the money
but just let them try it."
Vermin crawled over the sheets, thu
air was noisome, and the muttered curses OF
the dodgers at being disturbed, made me glae
to get out.
'9rhe LADIES' department. sententiously re
marked my guide, as he opened another door
:.You needn't be afraid he added as hesitat
ed. 'sWe've only three tonight and
entered.
!; One woman, young in years, but old il
,:oo ,1,oo cAo,o1i,,e. bo1f 1ioroho1 hoforo