The New York herald., 1879-12-31
HARD LINES.

WILLIAM M'cARrHY's UNSUCCESSFUL Al TEMPT
TO COMMIT SUICIDE AFTER TRYING IN VAIN
TO GET SHELTER, FOOD OR woRK-"wHAT
CAN A MAN Do?"
William Mccarthy was yesterday taken to the
Fifty-seventh Street Police Court by Policeman
Walsh. or the Nineteenth precinct. He is a man of
forty-fve. Lean, haggard aud forlorn. with the
rags that clpng to his back all limp and
shryelled from a recent soaking. he locked
very miserable object. even for the prison
pen Of police court Attempted suicide
the charge preferred against the man. and the
policeman who had him in charge furnished the fol-
lowing account of the affair. On the East River,
at the foot Of Fitty-third street. is an open
space where the prisoner first noticed dragging
himself along. He was muttering to himself and
behaving in such way that several passers by
turned to look after him and fock OF urchins
gathered around. He drove some Of them away. and
then as they hooted him he turned to tho river
again and crawlsd down to its EDGE
He was all alone as he came up to the platform
tending along the brink. aud without a moments
hesitation tossed up his arms and leaped into the
stream. Only few saw the desperate
act. but the cry of caught
the ears of the hands ON cluster Of
presently black bali like object bob up
the water and move slowly toward them II washed
along by the tide. 1t McCarthys head. and
presently his face seen. stiM more miserable
looking than ever while by the quick, convulsivo
motion OF his hands it clear that he
death moment before. Soon lie came alongside the
sand boat Ivanhoe, and Captain "Hudy" Geoghegan
fshed him out OF tho water Policeman Walsh.
of the Nineteenth precinct, was summoned. and the
wretched looking being put in his charge to be
subsequently produced in court.
'KIcKED ABOUT THE srREErs."
"What did you mean by this attempt to take your
lfe?" asked Justice Smith OF the shivering pris-
"Why did want to kill myself?" the other
Joined surlily. why. indeed! What else is there
way than be kicked about the streets without bite to
eat. without roof to you and be pelted from
door to door by every young vagabond you meetY
NO." snarled the prisoner. ''I had work. and
| it good to steal. couldn't get o pauper'g
meal. and couldn't get PRISONS shelter either.
"You Will probably be provided with one or tho
other now, SAID the magistrate. ana nc committed
Mccarthy to the care Of the Commissioners OF Pub
| lie Charities and Correction.
| In the prison the man questioned by a
porter about the motive of his suicidal attempt Hud
| ding himself up in his rags he cried OUT
| ''What else. i'll the name of God. can man do?
| When the world turns its back on you and begging
II only you curse a blow; when you try to
| get into the poorhouse. the workhouse. any where
for sne it iHls NOT month or week in JAIL but only
self self '
| When he became calmer he said that he had come
| to America in 1851. He had stopped in this city
about four years and had then South. where he
remained till about year ago. He could get no
| ployment. and most OF the time has been lounging
about. living as best he could Finally ali resources
failed him, and on Saturday he went to the Tombs
and begged be to charitable State in
stitution. Il didn't care what it was, he said. $50
long could get roof over me and NOR
sci to keep body and soul together. But
pr was refused. You're too big fellow for
this city to provide for SAID the Judge:
| BE off and get some work for those lazy hands O.
] yours!' was desperate and went out O. the
court room determined to have them take me any:
| how. An honest manll be turned away like dog.
thinks l. but they'll house all the thieves and muir
| derers. Very well. I'll be one o them.
'THRAsHING WILL DO FOR YOU"
II started out ana walked through Centre street,
with eye to every house passed. There was
nothing l could steal from the factories and
workshops. SO went on till saw
shoe store. There some CATERS hung
up in the door. l made at them.
pulled down a pair with as much hubbub
as I could, and walked away before the
wanted to be arrested. But it wasn't my luck.
The man came up to me- snapped the shoes away
and, with oath, kicked me- into the street. That
thrashing II do for you. said he. I'll not bother
1t my fate to die the streets. No one would
have anything to do with me- Iwent down straight
to the East River to throw myself overheard. but
Fiftythlrd street. There lot o boys got after me-
shouting ut me and pelting me with stones. felt
like man with curse that 1t was every ones
duty drive away, and mad with the thought ran
down to the river and jumped In The tide was
very strong and it swept me to the surface again.
i was chilled to the bono, and washed about by
the Life alone seemed to cling to me. and in
spite of myself began padding along to preserve
it. Well, the water carried me along. and at last
boatman fshed me up. That is all. A man may beg
for shelter from court to poorhouse, and he won't
get it. till he tries to lnjure himself or some one
olse. and the forlorn tramp curled up ON the floor
OF the cell with air that indicated his doubt that
the shelter Il afforded would last long.