The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-09-23
The New York Rowdy.

The traditional New York rowdy, the
terror of the suburban watering places and
excursion parties, and the street-corner
scarecrow of belated and unprotected fe-
males-aye, and of many males as we'll
appears to be passing away. Time was,
mot many years ago, when he hourished
without restrait or interruption, made whole
neighboihoods impossible for decent peo-
pie, and turned summer resorts convenient
to the city into scenes of bowling riot.
His appearance was familiar one ON the
street corners. He seldom allowed more
hair on his face than mustache, usually
dyed black, with traces of its original
color appearing half an inch from the roots,
but as rule he went beardless, wore "a
soft felt hat with the brim bent down in
front and bent up behind ; pegged boots,
with high resounding heels; long black
coat and the loudest style OF lavender or
fancy pantaloons, tight above the knees.
In summer he dispenses with shirt collars,
and seldom troubled himself with the in
cumbrance of pocket handkerchief. He
was accustomed to chew great quantities
of fine cut tobacco, and as he stood on
corner to spit half way across the street,
just in front of passing lady. When he
smoked he held his cigar at an upward
slant of forty-five degrees. His face had
usually florid color, and his breath i'm
pregnated the air around him with the
odor of unrectified whisky. His laugh and
voice were both loud and metallic, and his
every other link in the chain of his CONVEX
epithet. His daring and ferocity were
never properly developed except when
acting with gang, for on his own hook
he was sneakiug and spiritless. His great
Island, Fort Lee, or anywhere up the
Hudson in fact, he infested almost every
retreat not too far from the city, and he
left his unhallowed mark wherever he
went. The day had no enjoyment for him
when he and his companions failed to
wreck a bar, to make away with whisky
and beer without payment, pound the
barkeeper to jelly, and scare the women
and children almost to death. When he
accomplished this much he was happy and
independent. The bashi-bazouk of New
York society is no longer the terror he was
The multiplied civilizing forces around
him have made him assume the disguises
Of propriety or else be driven from the
haunts of men. The rowdy no doubt is
still in our midst; but, like the tame tiger,
his claws are cut, his teeth are drawn and
we hear his roar but seldom. The corner
loafers are gradually disappearing, and
where they still prevail they have grown
civilized.
1t would be impossible for an occurrence,
such as took place thirteen years ago at
the corner Of Fifth street and the Bowery,
to happen there now. A respectable citi-
zen named Mr.. Little was on his way
home from his business at six o'clock in
the evening, and wheu passing the corner
indica ted was struck on the cheek with q
piece of rotten apple flung by one of -four
rowdies there standing, whose type is
given in the preceding sketch Incensed
at such an outrage Mr.. Little turned, and
looking in the direction whence the missile
came demanded what it was meant for.
"see here, cap" answered one of the
ruflians, approaching with his hand behind
on revolver, "jes' g'long bout yer biz
and spit out no sass or you won't know
you were borned."
Little, who carrieds powerful walking